At the elegant Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes Spa, guests will find serenity at one of the city’s most tranquil spa resorts. The spa’s homegrown treatments are created from herbs grown in the resort’s organic garden, honey produced by resident bees and citrus from local orchards.

Spa Director Tina Crawford says, “I have had the pleasure of working in many spa environments, but I have to say that Grande Lakes Orlando offers one of the most immersive spa experiences for guests. Our size allows us to cater to huge groups but also create more moments that are intimate for guests celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. It’s truly a unique spa to direct and I love every minute!”

We chatted with Tina to find out what makes The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Spa a must-visit:

Spa walkway at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Why You’ll Love It: Our team! We have a dedicated group of ladies and gentlemen that go out of the way to create outstanding spa experiences. Our service providers have years of experience in the industry and bring a wealth of knowledge to every treatment they perform. Many of our specialty services were designed by our team specifically for Grande Lakes Orlando.

Swimming pool at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.

Key Features: We have a salt water, Junior Olympic-sized pool that offers a serene, adults-only quiet space. Our spa café, Vitale, serves tasty beverages and lighter fare poolside, giving you an opportunity to spend the whole day in a plush spa robe. Both our ladies and gentlemen’s relaxation lounges offer saunas, whirlpools and Eucalyptus-enhanced steam rooms for pre and post treatment therapies. We also have a 6,000-square foot fitness center and specialized classes for anyone who wants to burn some calories before their spa day!

Men’s wet room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes Spa.

Insider’s Tip: Because we offer so many amazing amenities, it is recommended that our guests plan to spend a few hours with us. My favorite way to get the most out of our spa experience is to arrive early for a morning “Meditation in Motion” or yoga class, then spend about 15 minutes in the sauna or steam room to relax my muscles. Follow that by relaxing poolside with the Blue Crab Salad from Vitale (their house-made champagne vinaigrette is my favorite!)

Once I have had a good dose of Florida sunshine, I make my way back into the relaxation area for a quick shower and then go into my treatments. Allowing the extra time makes me feel like I’m truly caring for myself and I can come back to work with a fresh perspective.

Sauna at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes Spa.

Spa Snacks: We offer fresh fruit, a “DIY” granola station, breakfast muffins, as well as a selection of wine, fruit juice, teas and champagne.

Splurge Treatment: A personal favorite of mine is our Grande Citrus Escape. This treatment starts with a full-body honey and orange exfoliation. After the scrub, you will melt into an aromatic hydrotherapy bath. Then, a grapefruit mask body wrap infuses your skin with a healthy glow, followed by a soothing 50-minute massage. This is the best remedy I have found to still my busy mind and I highly recommend it for anyone seeking the ultimate one-day vacation.

Insider’s Favorite: I have fallen in love with our Hydrafacial. This amazing machine delivers the best facial results I have ever seen and the vortex extraction is painless and highly effective. My face always feels healthy and hydrated after this treatment and I get compliments on my youthful glow.

Featured Products: We feature ESPA, our Ritz-Carlton Spa partner, as well as Eminence, Skinceuticals, Dr. Gross and Kneipp. We also display a few local brands like our Scentsational Journey’s line, fresh from Florida!

Learn more at ritzcarlton.com and follow them on Instagram: @ritzcarlton