Score Killer Deals + Lots of R&R During Miami Spa Month

Ahhh the spahhhhh. While Miami may be famous for non-stop energy and the 24-hour club scene, rest assured that the city also has its fair share of luxurious spa escapes. Of course it does!

Sometimes I get to go hang out at these spas–for journalistic reasons only (obviously). And I’m a big proponent of the healing elements of sand, surf, salt and sun. And maybe even seaweed.

The best part is that you can score deals on massages and facials on the cheap ($99) during Miami Spa Month, which is actually two months: July and August. And let’s be honest, it’s so hot and humid during this time of year that you either need to be in the ocean or at the spa.

And before we get to my list of top three spas, here are a few photos from a fabulous Fourth of July weekend spent in Miami.

My top three favorite spas in Miami and why you should visit them:

1. Exhale Spa at the EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami.

I am 100 percent biased about loving this spa. Why? Because I live in the residences at the EPIC and there’s quite simply nothing better than taking the elevator down to the 16th floor and checking into the spa at Exhale. The Fusion Massage is heaven. Think rhythmic, Swedish-style, get-those-knots-out movements, plus delicious smelling aromatherapy oils.

And I should note that I have officially become an Exhale groupie. I first learned about their fitness classes from my friend Shayne Benowitz. Called “mind body classes,” they offer barre, yoga and this insane class called Core Fusion Extreme (it kicks your butt like nothing else…if you’re into that kind of thing). And while you workout, you have floor-to-ceiling views of Biscayne Bay and the pool deck where there are tons of gorgeous people in swimsuits. How’s that for bikini-body motivation?

And I’m obsessed with the teachers. I have girl crushes on ALL of them, especially Julie Wiesman, Lindsay Dufresne and Alexandra Shepherd. It’s weird though because these classes are very challenging, so I kind of hate them while I’m in the studio. And then I go back to being completely obsessed with them the second that it’s over.

2. The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne.

Two things that I absolutely love: the island of Key Biscayne and The Ritz-Carlton. Together they create a pure oasis of tropical tranquility.

A few years ago, the spa underwent a complete renovation. And the event promoting the spa’s redesign was really cool because my friend Tatiana Lora hired real live mermaids to swim around in the whirl pools. Talk about a brilliant PR mind! Of course, everyone had to get their photos taken with the mermaids. It’s all about those #RCMemories.

This is also the hotel that I took my Grandma to when she visited Miami for the very first time and she loved it.

So book a massage, hang out at the spa, enjoy the amazeballs ocean views and thank me for telling you to go there. You will love it. Although I can’t promise that you’ll see any mermaids.

3. The Spa at the Viceroy Hotel in Brickell.

To get to the Viceroy, all I have to do is walk across the Brickell Avenue bridge and head up to the hotel’s ginormous pool deck. Inside the spa you’ll find a whopping 5,000-square-foot water lounge with a floating library, a reflecting pond, hot and cold plunge pools and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Key Biscayne. It’s truly like a spa playground.

The last time I was there, I experienced the Valmont facial, recommended by my friend Rachel Pinzur. I’m not always a big fan of facials, but this one was seriously the best facial I’ve ever had. The movements all felt relaxing instead of random. It was almost like her fingers were performing a choreographed ballet on my face. Is that weird? No, not at all. It deserved a standing ovation. I literally clapped for my esthetician. And those Valmont products…wow…they’re not cheap, but they sure are heavenly.

In case you need more convincing, here’s a special TV spot from the beautiful ladies on Deco Drive about Miami Spa Month. Watch for Esti Prager’s ultimate Miami Spa Month package at Exhale: WSVN-TV – 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco.

Check out the full list of spas that are participating in Miami Spa Month. It’s a great time to take advantage of those $99 spa deals!