Doral

* UNWIND NEAR THE LINKS DORAL GOLF RESORT AND SPA

Unplugging from the world in order to relax should not be a task unto itself. The Spa at Doral makes the transition effortless.

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Surrounded by five golf courses, several nature trails, and even a fishing pond, the Doral's location west of Miami International Airport, in the newly formed city of the same name, almost guarantees relaxation. The spa's three indoor and outdoor pools, soothing hot and cold Swiss hydro-falls (waterfalls that massage your shoulders as you sit under them) and grand decor set the scene.

If you have the time, stay overnight, preferably in the suites at the spa. Invite your spouse to come along. For my husband and me, the spa experience began with our hotel suite, which was one of the largest we have stayed in. After breakfast on the balcony overlooking one of the golf courses, I relaxed in the deep, round bathtub. No fewer than two spacious stall showers awaited us as well.

Warmed up, we headed to the grand, two-story spa, which has separate waiting areas, indoor whirlpools and sunbathing decks for men and women. The Doral is definitely posh, and demure--everyone speaks in hushed tones, and the staff quietly escorts you from place to place.

My spouse signed up for the Blue Monster deep-tissue sports massage, which the Doral says is the most popular treatment among male clients. The Blue Monster, named after the hotel's championship golf course, lived up to its name. It proved both vigorous and invigorating. The use of a cooling gel muscle salve instead of massage oil enhanced the therapist's ability to soothe the deep aches from, say, a strenuous golf game or tennis match. It also produced a strange hot-cold tingly sensation during the treatment.

I opted instead for the stone therapy massage. The chatty therapist began by placing smooth stones, heated in boiling water, in spots from my forehead to between my toes. Soon, I forgot about the spa's formal environment, and was able to relax. The stones were then rotated and smoothed over my muscles, with warm oil. Distinctly different from other massages, the focus of the hot stone treatment was pure relaxation of mind and body.

With that much warmth, I felt a rosy glow afterward, as I headed to the spa's restaurant for lunch with my husband, wearing a luxurious robe and slippers. It was a truly unique experience, sitting in an elegant dining room, ordering from a menu with full table service, while wearing a robe. It was also fun.

The finishing touch at the Doral was the spa's signature tropical body scrub. The scrub was a nice counterpoint to the extraordinarily relaxing hot stone treatment--invigorating from head to toe. Its scent was pure Florida: tropical and botanical. During our visit, we could also have indulged in one of the spa's fitness classes, or used its spacious weight room, but we chose to get our exercise instead with a leisurely walk around a small portion of the Doral's vast grounds. After that we headed, sadly, back to civilization.

The Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Doral: 877-773-6725 www.doralresort.com

COPYRIGHT 2004 CEO Publishing Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group