Canyon Ranch has long been known as one of the top spa and wellness centers anywhere. With two locations (Tucson, Ariz., and Lenox, Mass.) already established, we've been waiting since 2005 for the Miami Beach location to be ready. It finally opened earlier this month and now is accepting reservations. The historic Carillon Hotel, with ocean views, has been restored and now is "infused with the Canyon Ranch spirit of health, fitness, and personal attention." Choose from a selection of 150 one- and two-bedroom luxury suites that range from from 720 - 1,200 sq. ft., and from $300 - $1,800. All include

• kitchenette, and washer and dryer;
• 400-thread-count linens;
• luxury limestone-tiled bath with dual-head frameless glass shower, soaking tub, and exquisite vanity niche;
• two flat screen HDTVs;
• Bose Wave radio;
• High-speed Ethernet and wireless Internet access; and
• multi-line telephones, cordless phones, DID numbers and voicemail.

Download a brochure here to read more about the spa and wellness programs, or use the easy-to-navigate lefthand tabs on the home page to get all the details.

We first covered this back in August of 2005 but the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, California opened this week. The lavish hotel is different than the usual Four Seasons in that it is also a lifestyle center designed to promote good health. The project, which broke ground in 2004, is the mission of David Murdock, the Dole Foods chairman who is interested in health and longevity.

The hotel has a 40,000-square-foot-spa with 28 treatment rooms and a wide variety of options for wellness treatments such as aromatherapy and massage. There is also a 12,000-square-foot fitness room with cardio stations, weight training equipment, an indoor pool and Pilates, yoga, tai chi and personal training. An outdoor pool includes cabanas, including two private outdoor suites with flat screen TVs and splash pools.There are also extensive grounds with serenity gardens with waterfalls, sequoias, bonsai and rose gardens and a Chinese pagoda. The hotel also includes the California Wellbeing Institute which offers more in-depth healthcare consultations with experts in nutrition and fitness, gourmet cooking workshops in demonstration kitchens, and medical offices employing top professionals and advanced digital diagnostic tests including DNA imaging, radiology and cardiology.

The hotel also includes a large lounge, a signature restaurant, Hampton's and a Japanese restaurant, Onyx, which has a 2,000 gallon saltwater aquarium . Introductory rates start at $285 and there is an over 2,500-square-foot presidential suite with silk walls, gilded sinks and a treadmill room for $3,000 per night weekdays.

[via The Acorn]

One of the top trends for hotels is the whole fitness/wellness angle, the other is the selling of hotel-branded items. The Peninsula Hotels have announced  'Peninsula Wellness' a sweeping lifestyle program that combines both of these trends. The Wellness plan will center on the Peninsula spas which will combine Eastern and Western wellness and relaxation philosophies. The hotels will also offer  “Naturally Peninsula” light and healthy cuisine options at all Peninsula dining establishments. The hotels will use organic produce from local farms for the new range of lighter fare and will provide options for people on alternative diets. Peninsula will also publish a “Naturally Peninsula” cookbook and offer a range of organic teas, coffees and chocolates which will be available for purchase in the hotel boutiques. They will also offer  “Simply Peninsula”  toiletries and other products (including natural beeswax candles) which use essential oils and fragrances such as geranium, ginger lily and nutmeg. There are also CDs of relaxing Chinese and Thai music that will be played at the spas and, of course, are also available for purchase.

[via Breaking Travel News]

The Costa Concordia, the latest ship from Costa Cruises, will offer a unique feature, the biggest health spa at sea. The new ship, which will be launched in July is like a floating destination spa with over 20,000 square feet of space over two decks. The spa , known as Samsara, will have a gymnasium and a spa pool that will give massages using air jets and hot ionized seawater. The spa will offer Ayurvedic treatments, fitness and meditation classes, a tea ceremony, mudwraps and personalized wellness evaluations. Like a true destination spa, guests can stay there, Samara will have 67 cabins and suites with an Oriental theme.  And just in case you aren't into the spa experience the ship also has another unique feature, Formula 1 race car simulators.The ship's first voyage leaves from Italy on July 14.

[via tvnz.co.nz]