I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy my fair share of spa treatments at St. Regis hotels across the country. The Aspen outpost has long been a favorite of mine. In addition, the Deer Valley, Singapore and Bal Harbour locations sit on my “spas-to-visit” wish list.

So, when I had the recent opportunity to spend the morning at the St. Regis Bal Harbour spa, I jumped at the chance. Suffice it to say, the spa was exceptional and luxurious in every sense of the word.

Upon arriving at the expertly appointed spa—the spa lobby feels more like you’re walking into a living room in an opulent mansion—replete with a private wellness center, the stress from my morning commute instantly melted away.

The spa menu offers some of the most indulgent and luxurious spa and wellness treatments, and each one sounds better than the next. Within minutes, I was whisked away to one of the 12 treatment rooms in the 14,000-square-foot spa adorned with a beautiful wall tile mosaic pattern that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.

For the next 90 minutes, I indulged in the sumptuous and highly coveted 24k Gold Wrap, an immersive detoxifying treatment from head to toe that’s designed to relax and recharge the mind, body and soul while leaving skin nourished and well-hydrated.

My spa therapist walked me through the treatment consisting of three main steps: a golden sugar body scrub, a mask, and an application of gold oil. But she didn’t stress just how indulgent and relaxing the specialized body treatment would be. Throughout the treatment, she would spritz a Hungarian spray from high above my face, which she told me was the queen of Hungary‘s original perfume scent.

Once I laid down on the massage table and got comfortable, my therapist began to exfoliate my skin (dry), literally from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. She started the first step in the treatment by applying the gold sugar scrub with a perfect texture and grit to my shoulders and continued using it on the rest of my body.

Unlike so many other body scrubs I’ve had in the past, this one wasn’t the least bit abrasive, nor did it burn or sting. She also used the just-right amount of pressure. Soon enough, my skin would be perfectly exfoliated, relieving every square inch of my body from the dead skin cells that dulled it. The treatment also imparts a natural detoxification process, leaving my skin feeling renewed and refreshed.

Next came a natural plant-based cleansing body mask to further assist in detoxification. The therapist gently applied it all over my body. The body mask had a pleasant warming sensation as it made contact with my skin. To further put the scrub and mask (mind you, neither had yet been washed off and layered on top of the other), I was enveloped in a layered cocoon that radiated warmth. Locking in the heat would allow the mask and scrub to work their magic while my scalp got a renewed sense of much-needed self.

For what seemed like almost an hour, my scalp was expertly yet gently massaged. At this point of the treatment, I began to doze off and even caught myself snoring a few times. If that’s not the true sign of relaxation on my barometer, then I don’t know what is.

Finally, it was time to unwrap me and emerge from the cocoon. Both the mask and scrub were rinsed off my skin using a special hydro massage from up above the massage bed. My skin was left feeling so soft and silky.

The last step in the treatment is a generous application of gold oil, which leaves behind the most beautiful speckling of a highlight on the skin. Once again, my wonderful therapist graciously massaged the oil into my back, arms, legs, abdomen, shoulders, chest and feet. I knew as her hands started to slow down that, unfortunately, it signified that the treatment had come to an end.  

I topped off this glorious day with a private afternoon tea service with some of the most delectable bites imaginable. By far, this has been one of my favorite beauty treatments that I’ve ever experienced. My skin felt softer than a baby’s butt, with the most natural beautiful glow to it.

Cost: From $400

Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily

Address: 9703 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour-Miami Beach, FL 33154

Phone: 305-993-3300

Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/miaxr-the-st-regis-bal-harbour-resort/spa

Instagram: @stregisbalharbour

[Photos courtesy of Elise Minton Tabin]

Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with over 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine for 13 years, where she oversaw and reported on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch and continual growth of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. Currently, she freelances for NewBeauty, Dermstore.com, Aedit.com, Mollysims.com, StyleCaster, The Sunday Edit, and other outlets. She currently lives in Boca Raton, FL, with her husband, daughter, and dog, Franklin. Follow her on Instagram @elisetabin