Just for an afternoon, sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks for some relaxation and rejuvenation—a deep-tissue massage, say, or a grapefruit facial. Maybe a manicure and a warm seaweed wrap? Whatever your treatment of choice, take time out for it, either alone or with the family. These five superb spas, all in the Orlando area, are open to the public for day visits.
Ritz-Carlton Spa, Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Pkwy., Orlando 800-241-3333 or 407-206-2400; ritzcarlton.com
Orlando’s most deluxe spa (40,000 square feet, 40 treatment rooms and a full-service salon) uses healing treatments from around the world, says spa director Suzanne Holbrook, “with a distinct nod toward Florida’s citrus bounty.” The spa’s “citrus consultant” recommends the two-hour Tuscan Citrus Cure, which begins with a citrus scrub and lime shower. Other novel concoctions include Dead Sea salt mixed with finely ground Arabica coffee to exfoliate cells. Check out the Prada products, created exclusively for Ritz-Carlton spas.
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Gaylord Palms
6000 W. Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee 800-742-9000 or 407-586-4772; gaylordhotels.com
This tranquil oasis is hidden away in the enormous Gaylord Palms resort, about 20 miles southwest of Orlando. Like its award-winning sister spas in Tucson and the Berkshires, the SpaClub is all about lifelong wellness. Stop by for a single treatment (try the signature mango sugar glow) or settle in for professional nutrition counseling, fitness classes and personal weight training. The SpaClub takes massages seriously, instructing guests in proper breathing techniques to maximize the benefits of a good rub. It also offers skin care, tanning, waxing and manicures.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
4401 Floridian Way, Orlando 407-824-3000; disney.com
It might seem a little goofy to get a facial in the Animal Kingdom, but Disney does it right. “We try to encompass everyone in the family,” says manager Patrick McDermit, noting that the 16-room Grand Floridian Spa was one of the first to offer children’s services like My First Facial, intended for kids 4-12. Couples are also in for a treat—in addition to same-room massages, they can sign up for a three-hour session to learn massage techniques. Grapefruit plays a big role in signature treatments such as the citrus zest therapy and the raw sugar scrub with grapefruit massage oil.
Eõ Inn & Urban Spa
227 N. Eola Dr., Orlando 888-481-8488 or 407-481-8485; eoinn.com
Eõ Inn, a modern boutique hotel in a 1920s building, opened its Urban Spa in 1999—“a purist European spa,” according to director Dea Toscano. The peaceful space (think muted colors and waterfall sounds) overlooks Lake Eola. New treatments include the Skin Bella facial from Italy, “a particle-free microdermabrasion that is friendly to our Florida sun.” The steam shower and spa tub on the sun deck are worth the trip alone.
Shala Salon & Spas
Peabody Hotel, 9801 International Dr., Orlando; 407-248-8009 7726 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando; 407-248-8828; shalasalon.com
Five years ago, Shala, colorist to the stars, opened her first salon a few miles south of Universal Studios®, and last year she launched a smaller salon in the posh Peabody Hotel. Both offer airbrush tanning, eyelash perms (the curl lasts three months) and cellulite treatments—all hard-to-find services in Orlando—and special body treatments like a seaweed body mask and mineral salt exfoliation. The receptionist’s name is Happy. Need we say more?