When most people think about wellness, they think about escaping to a secluded location, surrounded by nature or perhaps by a tranquil lake. You would never think of wellness in a trendy Miami neighborhood, bustling with shops and restaurants in the heartbeat of the city.
Well, think again. As more and more wellness resorts enter the urban wellness space, you’ll see that you don’t have to go far to stay healthy. I traveled with my family to 1 Hotel South Beach, right on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, for Spring Break this year. Although I’d spoken with the hotel management team in advance to get a good sense of the amenities and activities, I honestly wasn’t expecting much. After all, every hotel claims to have wellness offerings but most of the time it’s not much more than the spa and maybe a yoga class. To my surprise, I found 1 Hotel South Beach to be a great balance of indulgence and wellness (yes the two can coexist).
Well, think again. As more and more wellness resorts enter the urban wellness space, you’ll see that you don’t have to go far to stay healthy. I traveled with my family to 1 Hotel South Beach, right on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, for Spring Break this year. Although I’d spoken with the hotel management team in advance to get a good sense of the amenities and activities, I honestly wasn’t expecting much. After all, every hotel claims to have wellness offerings but most of the time it’s not much more than the spa and maybe a yoga class. To my surprise, I found 1 Hotel South Beach to be a great balance of indulgence and wellness (yes the two can coexist).
The hotel rooms themselves have yoga mats and foam rollers to start or end your days mindfully. Hepa filters in the rooms are an added bonus to ensure you are taking in the cleanest air and the filtered tap water makes your morning coffee or tea taste incredibly pure. Add to this the organic cotton sheets and the hemp-blend filled mattress and you can drift off to a restful sleep. The underbed lighting on the raised platform is a safety measure for sure but I found it to be a bit frustrating as the sensor turns on the light the moment you step down, disturbing your roommates. Luckily mine were heavy sleepers and not bothered much by the occasional late night triggers.
If you can’t go without your workout, Anatomy is the largest hotel gym in the country. Covering 14,000sf, this gym has everything you can imagine to keep up with your workout routine while you travel. In addition, hotel guests have access to the complimentary group fitness classes including yoga and pilates. Private training sessions are also available. Gym workouts not your thing? How about checking out one of the complimentary bicycles and riding along the beach path behind the hotel? It’s a great way to naturally stay active while exploring the local area. The hotel is also in the heart of South Beach, so you can walk to nearby shops and restaurants. We opted to walk to and from dinner most nights so we could experience the lively streets at night while getting our steps in.
The 3 pools, including an adults-only rooftop pool with gorgeous ocean views, have ample space for laps or for just cooling off from the summer heat. I thought I had planned well enough to miss the crowds of Spring Break but it seems I didn’t account for the independent schools being out during this time. There were quite a few families and children in the pools but we were still able to find space at the pool loungers. The staff does a really great job of scoping out empty chairs and ensuring you have what you need to enjoy your time poolside. I would still recommend coming down early to claim your spots or if you plan to spend the whole day at the pool, rent one of the cabanas. They offer plenty of space to spread out and chill with your crew and some have stunning ocean views.
Of course the beach is the draw for staying at an oceanfront resort and the one at 1 Hotel South Beach doesn’t disappoint. It’s a wide stretch which is great for morning and evening walks with the waves gently lapping at your feet. I did notice the seaweed creeping in but it’s not uncommon in the area and the city does a good job of cleanup efforts.
For those looking for healthy meal options to mix in with all the indulgent dining in South Beach (we are always looking for a great meal around town), Plnthouse has some incredible plant-based menu items. The cauliflower crust margarita pizza was one of my absolute favorites! Couple this with a protein smoothie and you’ve got a healthy post-workout meal or an alternative to the standard burger and fries by the pool, although I have to say the parmesan truffle fries from Sandbox were to die for as were the mojitos, and I had my fair share of both! There’s also Neighbors in the hotel lobby for on-the-go pressed juices, salads, fresh fruit and sandwiches as well as a fruit stand to help yourselves to some lovely oranges.
Ultimately, it’s all about balance. Of course there are some amazing restaurants on property and in the area which we enjoyed each night, but it’s nice to know that you can do something good for yourself during your vacation and not come home feeling like you need to detox.
As usual, I have great relationships with the 1 Hotel management team and can provide additional Virtuoso amenities like breakfast, room upgrades and resort credit. Reach out and I'll make sure you receive VIP treatment.
As usual, I have great relationships with the 1 Hotel management team and can provide additional Virtuoso amenities like breakfast, room upgrades and resort credit. Reach out and I'll make sure you receive VIP treatment.
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