WILLOW STREAM FAIRMONT TURNBERRY ISLE RESORT
by Anne Dimon
The Spa: Willow Stream at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Florida.
Environment/Decor : Walk in the front door of the designated spa building, located a very short walk from the resort’s main entrance, and you’ll see a spiral staircase with beautiful, antique railing imported from Italy. It sweeps grandly from the reception area up to the spa’s third floor and, in a space flooded with natural light, offers a dramatic sense of arrival.
Opened in late 2006 as part of the resort’s $100 million transformation, the spa features 23 treatment rooms, all christened with tropical names such as Magnolia, Orchid and Hibiscus. Six rooms have private patios.
The mani-pedi area is off to one side so chatter will not disturb those relaxing in the Lotus Lounge. The entire space is washed in soft blues, aqua and sea-foam green.
Point of Distinction The point of distinction at this year-old Willow Stream has got to be the personalized service.
A comment from lead therapist Feda Bentz says it all: “When you go to a spa, you get waited on. It’s part of the treatment.” Well, it’s not always part of every spa visit but it certainly is here. I was very impressive.
Spa Menu: As it is at most Willow Stream spas, the menu here is extensive. Along with the usual spa services and treatments, there are signature body experiences, international treatments (Royal Javanese Lalur and Sound Therapy, for instance), Seasonings (a group of treatments that change with the season) and sports-inspired treatments such as the Golf Performance Massage (a signature Willow Stream treatment created by the Willow Stream in Scottsdale).
The Experience: A spa attendant walks me from the locker room to the Lotus Lounge where a large bouquet of fresh, purple-coloured lotus blooms welcome guests. The lounge is large, comfortable and welcoming and includes massage chairs and cashmire throws to keep a body wrapped and cozy before and after treatments. There’s a walkout to a patio with more lounge chairs. While relaxing guests can enjoy a chair massage and catch up on reading – there’s a good selection of current magazines plus a few inspirational and self-help books for guests to browse. A self-serve area offers herbal teas, water and fresh fruit pieces and bowls of mixed nuts. But to serve the self is not what this spa is about. The spa attendant makes sure I’m comfortable in a massage chair, then offers to bring me a beverage and a plate of fresh fruit.
I’m booked for a Tropical Essentials (90 minutes, $239 U.S.) Based on Ayurveda principles, it’s one of the spa’s signature body treatments. The treatment room has a patio and that’s where I enjoy a foot bath included with many of the treatments at Willow Stream spas. There’s also an offering of hot tea selected to suit the guest’s Ayurveda constitution (Pita, Vata or Kapha) determined with the help of a little questionnaire. Following the foot bath, there’s a full-body dry brush exfoliation (you get the dry brush to take home with you), a massage with tropical essential oils, a hand treatment, foot treatment and a scalp massage. Truly a tip to toe experience which carries into the Lotus Lounge as my therapist sees that I’m comfortable and brings me hot tea. Very nice.
Accommodations: The Mediterranean-style Fairmont Turnberry Resort & Club is located in a golf and spa resort residential neighbourhood of Aventura.
Where to eat: A spa café on the second floor serves special waters, protein shakes and smoothies. Spa guests can also order healthy selections from Room Service or one of three themed Bento Boxes – European, Asian and giving the spa a sense of place, something Willow Stream is known for, the Miami Bento Box which includes tropical fruit and other local tastes. We found that the hotel’s Casita Grill is also a good and healthy place to dine. “We try to be uniquely local and give patrons a sense of place,” says Chef John Young. On the menu you’ll find dishes such as Florida Keys Stone Crab Claw, Yellow Tail Snapper and Pompano Fish.
Other Facilities/Features: Men’s and ladies’ locker rooms each have private sauna and steam rooms, and in the ladies’ even a small, private lounge for quiet reflection. The state-of-the-are gym is located on the second floor of the spa and offers daily fitness classes for a token fee. The resort is home to two 18-hole golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., 19 tennis courts and the whole property is surrounded by a scenic 2.9 km paved foot path used by locals for running and cycling. Forgot to pack your work out gear? That no excuse for not working out. Fairmont Fit supplies President’s Club members (it’s free to join) with running shoes and exercise wear from Adidas. (Read our blog on Fairmont Fit)
The Cost: A 60-minute Relaxation Massage is $120 U.S., a basic 60-minute facial is $129 U.S. The 60 and 90-minute body experiences are prices from $139 to $249 U.S. (Editor’s note: Prices reflect the time of our visit. Please check with the spa before you go.)
What I liked best: The personal service, thoughtful touches and attention to detail are the things that make this spa stand out from the crowd. Bowls of mixed nuts set out in the lounge, ceramic bows for foot baths, bowls of ice cucumbers set just outside the sauna and steam rooms, books as well as magazines to browse in the lounge, a small shell set out on the treatment bed to hold rings or other jewelry not left in the locker are a few of the things that add to the experience. We also like the fact that the locker room is spacious, the amenities are ample, and the lockers are already stocked with spa essentials - a robe, slippers, towel and bottled water.
Words to the wise: If you’re going to take advantage of the Florida sun, there is no swimming pool in the spa but there is lovely outdoor pool that is part of the hotel and open to all guests. Spa treatments are not inexpensive but you’ll find added value in the Willow Stream experience.
For more info: www.willowstream.com/turnberry