The Florida Keys are a relaxing and renewing locale with a unique natural environment designed for getaways that are meaningful, enriching and transformational — and they have a high intangible value for visitors craving restorative experiences for body and mind.
The Zen Garden Spa at Bungalows Key Largo offers unique restorative treatments in tranquilly beautiful settings.
Throughout the island chain, it’s possible to savor genuine, enjoyable getaways while discovering self-care and wellness activities. In the Upper Keys, opportunities for self-care include inspirational guided art experiences, healthful yoga sessions, serene sunset cruises and tranquility-inducing spa treatments.
Luxury spa experiences await at several properties in Key Largo, the northernmost island in the Florida Keys.
The private Ocean Reef Club, situated in northern Key Largo with a 28,000-square-foot spa and fitness building, features various wellness offerings including Lifebreath sessions that can help to loosen and release stored emotions and tensions. The Ocean Reef Signature Massage, with a seawater crystal and marine exfoliation, uses targeted massage techniques and energy work. Rose Quartz, Collagen Infusion and Hydrafacial facials help to tighten, hydrate and firm the skin.
At Playa Largo Resort & Spa, an Autograph Collection hotel at 97450 Overseas Highway, a 6,000-square-foot Ocean Spa features six treatment rooms and products made from foods high in antioxidants and amino acids to support skin health. The spa — Key Largo’s first full-service spa when it opened in 2016 — sources its wellness products from tropical fruits such as pineapples and coconuts, as well as marine algae.
Island Flow Yoga offers sessions to benefit body and mind at Cheeca Lodge and Casa Morada.
Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, a Curio Collection by Hilton, set on a 15-acre nature sanctuary at 97000 Overseas Highway, is home to the wellness salon Ooh la la at The Cay. Ooh la la incorporates natural, plant-based, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced and packaged products into hair, body and skincare therapies. The wellness salon provides treatments for hair, nails, lashes and makeup sessions, Hydrafacials and spray tanning.
The luxury adults-only 12-acre Bungalows Key Largo — the first and only all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys, located at 99010 Overseas Highway — is home to the full-service Zen Garden Spa with a Himalayan salt room and a state-of-the-art eucalyptus steam room. Treatments are inspired by the black bamboo featured in the resort’s Zen Garden, and the sand and sea. Other highlights include five outdoor treatment cabanas, a bayside waterfront treatment tiki, and a plush indoor relaxation area.
In Islamorada, also part of the Upper Keys, enriching opportunities can be found on land and sea.
Unwind and reflect with gratitude at sunset. Throughout the Florida Keys island chain, the nightly sunset is an occasion for celebration. As the sun slips beneath the distant horizon, end the day or start the night with a 2-hour sunset cruise aboard Blue, Sundance Watersports’ catamaran. Tours depart from Robbie’s Marina, 77522 Overseas Highway, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Islander Girl Snorkel & Tours also offers tours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They depart 30 minutes before sunset from 90791 Old Highway #1 in Tavernier.
Participants can find inspiration and explore their innate creative potential at Banyan Tree Boutique.
Set your intention and connect to your breath with yoga. Islamorada’s Islander Resort, 82100 Overseas Highway, offers yoga on the property’s Great Lawn at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — and full moon yoga during the appropriate lunar phase. Sunrise sun salutations with Island Flow Yoga by Lauren Ferrante are held daily at 6:30 a.m. at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, 81801 Overseas Highway. Additional morning sessions follow at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays and also at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Island Flow Yoga hosts 9 a.m. sessions at Casa Morada, 136 Madeira Road.
Express yourself during an inspirational art experience. Located at 81197 Overseas Highway in Islamorada, Banyan Tree Boutique offers visiting and resident art lovers a creative oasis to learn and express themselves through art. Acrylic painting classes are held on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Creators can choose from available inspirational images or come with their own ideas. The $40 per person fee includes all materials and guided assistance. Call 305-664-3433 or email Robin@banyantreeboutique.com to reserve a space. Painting the Keys hosts public paint parties around the island chain several times per month. Prices range from $40 to $85 depending on the item being painted. Materials are included in each session and vary between traditional canvases, coconuts, wood slabs and growlers and other intriguing items.
Want to know more about opportunities for renewal and personal renaissance in the Florida Keys? In the coming weeks, Keys Voices will offer further suggestions — so keep checking back. Or (even better!) start planning a trip to the transformational island chain to experience them firsthand.
