Murray On Travel

Known worldwide as a top ranked spa, the Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa on Miami Beach, Florida met all expectations.  From the all-suite accommodations to its beachfront location and the expansive spa and fitness facilities, it provides guests with its own unique Canyon Ranch experience.  This is an upscale, exclusive health-focused retreat with a modern mix of tropical and Asian vibes.

The lobby greets you with an overload of expansive space filled with a huge mangrove sculpture, lots of teakwood and coral, and a delightful staff.   Check-in is done at individual desks.  Sounds of a distant exercise classes can be heard from the fitness facilities several stories above, reminding you that this isn't just a posh beachfront resort.  This is a world class mind and body experience.  This is my 3rd hotel of 7 Hotels In 7 Days:  Miami Beach.

All accommodations are suites.  In my One Bedroom King Suite, the first room had a kitchenette and living room area.  The rooms were bright and comfortable.  Large windows let in lots of natural light. 

Kitchenette was very well stocked with equipment and utensils, but no food items were provided beyond coffee.  A Publix market is just across the street.   The room didn't have a normal desk, so I set up my laptop on the kitchenette's island table.  It had power outlets good for charging gadgets.  WiFi was 3.7Mbps Down and 3.8Mbps Up.  I seemed to have occasional bandwidth issues even with a very strong WiFi connection.  Didn't have a chance to see if WiFi was available on the beach.  

A large HDTV with an HD cable signal feed.  Large pillows are provided for relaxing on the floor.  A very well designed space with lovely art accents. 

The bedroom was also beautifully done.  The pillow top mattress was soft, but offered just the right amount of support.  Bed linens were very fine, as were the pillows.  An extra blanket was tucked away in the closet.  A Bose radio filled the room with music.  Suggest you bring a few CDs or an input cord for your smartphone.   The air conditioning kept the large rooms comfortable, but was just a bit louder than I expected for such a luxurious property. 

It is often the little things that make you feel like you are in a special hotel that is focused on your comforts.  I loved having these small reading lights on the beds.  This room did not have a balcony.  Others at the Canyon Ranch Hotel do.  

The bedroom also had its own TV.  Two large drawers were provided along with an average sized closet for storage.  Just didn't seem like enough space for two guests with several days of clothing.   Safe, iron with board, and a drawer in the closet.

The bathroom was luxurious and beautifully appointed.  Plentiful bath amenities from Lather.com.  I especially enjoyed the deep soaking tub.  Bathrobes are provided.

An amazing tile mosaic in the bathroom floor caught the light and sparkled like a jewel.  Very impressive. 

Separate toilet room and makeup table.  Note that if your bathroom seems a bit like a hospital facility, you have been placed in a wheelchair accessible room.  Ask for a change to a regular suite.  

Plenty of areas to enjoy this romantic resort after dark.  The ocean breezes are especially nice after a hot, humid Florida day.  Note:   My stay at this property was thanks to my sponsors/supporters.  I received no free services from this property. 

This view from the windows was a bit plain, and the windows could have been cleaner.  The windows appeared that they might open, but I couldn't figure it out.  Didn't ask for help. 

Several seating areas look out over the ocean.  On a bright sunny day, this wonderful Miami weather can be a bit intense. 

Early on, I found this delightful little hideaway overlooking the beach.  Protected from the sun, it allowed me to get some work done on my laptop.  I was able to get a WiFi connection.

Hotel attendants provide food and beverage services on the beach.  Very comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas make for a great day on the sand.  

It is a narrow beach and only a few steps from the hotel.  When you return, a cool bubbling fountain awaits your sandy feet.  NOTE: I did see some families here.  TripAdvisor suggests some things for tourists to do in the area.

Several pools are available on the property.  I was able to visit three.  One was closed for maintenance.  Depending on the time of day, these various pools are in full sun or shade. 

The spa and fitness facilities at Canyon Ranch are some of the best in the world.  For more information about the spa visit the hotel's website.  I've personally experienced Canyon Ranch facilities while aboard the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner several times, and found them excellent.  I didn't have time to try them here.

The equipment room contains a wide variety of gear facing out toward a beautiful view of the ocean.   

Looking to stretch your abilities?  How about a rock wall climbing class!  The options at Canyon Ranch are plentiful.  

A note about the food.  I wasn't able to try the hotel's restaurant.  My schedule didn't permit it.   The health-conscious menu at the Canyon Ranch Grill looked interesting.   A cozy little bar is located just off the restaurant.  Two blocks north of the hotel are a variety of local Miami restaurants.

When covering 7 Hotels In 7 Days, I can almost always experience enough of a hotel to give readers a good idea of a property's qualities.  Canyon Ranch was one of the few where I didn't have enough time to cover the property completely.  It has so much to offer!