As a wellness travel consultant, I’m always excited to visit a new property. With the wellness travel market growing exponentially, as travelers seek to continue their healthy habits on the road or use their vacation time to reset, wellness-oriented properties are popping up all over the place. In some cases, this means adding a spa or fitness facility to an existing location, for others it means creating an environment that is truly focused on wellness; its raison d’être.
Carillon Miami Wellness Hotel falls into the second category, yet that hasn’t always been the case. When I first posted from the property, the reaction was along the lines of “Is that the place I remember from the Sixties? The Seventies? In my case, it was from the early Nineties when I lived up the road (Collins Avenue) in Bal Harbor. I would drive past the Carillon twice a day heading to and from my office. The Carillon is an institution on Collins Avenue, and a beautiful one at that. While having undergone renovations, many of the original features have, thankfully, been kept. I was thrilled to see the collection of memorabilia in the bar lounge curated from past visitors and the hotel’s archives.
The Largest Spa on the Eastern Seaboard
Fast forward to 2024 and the Carillon boasts the largest spa and wellness facility on the eastern seaboard at a massive 70,000 square feet. This includes a hydrotherapy circuit with nine hot and cold thermal experiences; over 75 weekly group fitness classes, including Pilates reformer (at no additional cost); a stunning oceanfront fitness floor; and a two-story climbing wall.
The array of spa treatments ranges from functional to integrative, traditional to touchless. I experienced two of the latter hands-free treatments, V.E.M.I. and halotherapy. My travel partner enjoyed The Oriental, based on ancient Chinese massage therapy aimed at balancing the body’s yin and yang.
There are 28 treatment rooms so if you are doing a girls’ or guys’ weekend, there is plenty of room to accommodate all of you for treatments.
As a huge fan of water-based treatments, I was in my element (pun intended) in the Thermal Hydrotherapy Circuit, a collection of suites from which one moves one to the next, stimulating circulation and rejuvenating the body as you go. The thermal suites include the herbal laconium (my favorite), crystal steam room, Finnish sauna, an igloo shower, experiential rain showers, vitality tub, thermal loungers, and foot spas. For descriptions of each of these features, please click here.
Best yet, the Thermal Hydrotherapy Circuit is open to all hotel guests for no additional cost.
Luxury All-Suite Accommodations
As a guest you will enjoy spacious luxury all-suite accommodations that feature one- or two-bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and separate living room. I’m a big fan of separating workspace from sleep space, especially when I’m traveling on business. With two of us in the suite, there was plenty of room to plug in when we needed so we could labor away while enjoying the view from floor to ceiling windows. (For the best views of the expansive beach, book a corner suite as shown in the photo below. Equally stunning views are available from the open plan kitchen and living area.)
Bedrooms can be configured with king or twin queen beds, which are the star of the show. This was my first experience with a Bryte Balance Smart Bed, which I got to program to my own preference of firmness. (If two of you are sharing the bed, you each customize your own side). Every morning, I received an email telling me how I had slept the night before, not only how many hours, but also how fitfully.
The spacious spa -inspired bathrooms feature a large soaking tub, shower with a double head, vanity, make-up station, and a separate loo. And a scale, which is handy if you want to track your progress. After three nights at Carillon and taking full advantage of the facilities, I was down another pound on my current weight loss journey.
Each suite contains an ActivePure advanced air filtration and surface purification system which was developed by NASA and is proven to kill pathogens and contaminants. I can’t think of many places that go to such lengths to make sure that you are sleeping well and breathing good air.
As you can see, Carillon Miami Wellness Hotel checks a lot of boxes – superlative fitness facility, excellent spa, spacious accommodations – so what about dining?
From Casual to Michelin-Starred Dining
I loved the convenience of the Corner Store, located in the lobby. This is a great source for smoothies, juices, fresh baked goods, and grab-and-go healthy meals. There is also a decent selection of beer and wine and snacks, should you want to put together an impromptu wine and charcuterie tasting. (For the record, I do that often when traveling if I don’t feel like eating dinner out).
I should add that there is a Publix supermarket literally across the street. With a very functional kitchen in the suite, we were able to enjoy salad and sushi when we didn’t feel like going out. In-room dining is another option, featuring items from the Corner Store and the Strand’s varied menu. The latter is a fine-dining restaurant located off the hotel’s lobby, with plenty of indoor seating and a large terrace overlooking the beach. The menu is largely Mediterranean with plant-based and gluten free options. We shared a tuna bowl, short rib fagottini, and quinoa. For dessert, we went to the very comfortable cocktail lounge for chocolate martinis. In case I forget to mention it again, the bar staff are awesome.
As you walk into the Strand’s bar, you’ll see a large double door on your left. It could almost blend into the decor because it completely belies what is behind. Open the doors to what was the Carillon’s private dining room back in the day and you are entering a magical space. The Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt is a Michelin-starred dinind experience limited to only 18 guests at a time. The menu is based on Chef Brandt’s foundation in classical fine French and Asian cuisines. A 10 course tasting sourced from local producers excites the senses at $250 per person with $125 chef-selected wine pairing.
For The Non-Wellness Minded
What if you’re not interested in the wellness component? The litmus test for me is whether or not I can take my husband, who will not participate in any spa treatments, and you will never catch him in a fitness center unless he has accidentally taken a wrong turn.
He would have no trouble lounging under an umbrella on the 750 linear foot beach or by the cabana pool, enjoying food and libations from the Seaglass Café. He might decide to work on his tan by the adults-only saltwater rooftop Atlantic pool. He would love dining on the patio or inside at The Strand, and may even treat himself to the exquisite tasting menu at the Michelin-starred Tambourine restaurant. He would enjoy the full bar (great cocktails – big thumbs up to the Flores gin and tonic, a blend of Hendricks Flora Dora Gin, elderflower tonic, and orange bitters) and comfortable lounge. He would love the spacious accommodations, the views, and being able to relax and watch his favorite TV shows.
Special Summer Offer
Carillon Miami Wellness Hotel fits the bill whatever your interest – spa relaxation and rejuvenation; tailored goal-specific wellness programs; weekend getaways, business trips for folks who don’t want to get out of their healthy routine on the road, or anyone who wants to enjoy a beachfront getaway with spacious accommodations, fantastic facilities, delicious dining, and all that Miami Beach has to offer.
Carillon Miami Wellness Hotel is a Forbes 4-star resort and AAA Four Diamond Award, and a Virtuoso property, which means I can extend special amenities to you, including an upgrade when available, early check-in and late check-out, $100 resort credit for use in the spa or restaurant, $30 breakfast credit per person. Better yet, take advantage of the current summer promotion and get your 4th night free.
For more information, or to book your stay at Carillon Miami Wellness Hotel, please reach out to me at jayne@ilxtravel.com or 772-200-3956.
Jayne Withers 