Florida's 500 Years of Spas

By Bijan C. Bayne

The Fountain of Youth has always been in St. Augustine, Florida, where Don Juan Ponce de Leon found the natural spring he thought the Taino natives of Puerto Rico referred to in their lore. It was the height and healthy apperarance of the Timocuan tribe that convinced the explorer he was in the right place. A century ago, industrialist Henry Flagler began developing The Sunshine State, from St. Augustine to Palm Beach. St. Augustine's Lightner Museum occupies the site of one of his earliest spa resorts, which housed the world's largest swimming pool, steam rooms, and saunas. Tourists of all stripes still visit northeastern Florida to turn back their biological clocks, only now their options are more diverse. From the white paradise of Debbie's Day Spa & Salon on Anastasia Boulevard in St. Augustine, where the vintage furniture in the 11 treatment rooms evokes a bed and breakfast- to the spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, where a new 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art spa opened in fall of 2006, this is the pampering place.

The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club dates to 1928, but guests would never suspect it. This meticulously landscaped getaway offers golf, tennis, fitness and a spa within walking distance of one's room. The steady rhythms of the tide greet you- the beach is right outside your door and visible from your deck. European-style reservation frees guests from a standing front desk check-in. Gov. and Mrs. Jeb Bush, and Bruce Springsteen have stayed here. You'll dine on the delicacies of Chef Herman Mueller, who has catered for the White House.

The new spa features 22 treatment rooms and two couples rooms, five water treatments, grottos, a central relaxation courtyard, and an element where one feels as if seated atop a glass of Alka-Seltzer. The spa staff has traveled to study treatments and menus from Baden Baden to the South Pacific. The new facility's motif is bamboo, stones and waterfalls, the exterior roofed in the orange clay tile consistent with the resort at large. The Inn and Club also has 15 clay tennis courts, whose underground watering system assures no interruption of play for maintenance. The 8,000 square-foot gym has 75 stations with an ocean view, and 60 classes, including Pilates and spinning.

The Inn and Club experience is that of a walking village, one need not drive to access any amenities. Be sure to day trip to St. Augustine, where sites such as the original Fountain of Youth, America's Oldest House, and resplendent Flagler College are worthy of tours. Between your relaxing stay at this resort, and your exploration of the healing sites of DeLeon's and Flagler's times, your visit to the St. Augustine region will be rejuvenating.

Located in a region that has drawn visitors for rejuvenation since Ponce DeLeon, the Sawgrass Marriott is a popular convention site. Undergoing lobby renovation, the property boasts atrium-style recessed balconies. The sun-splashed lobby looks out ceiling height glass walls to a man-made pond with waterfall and palms. The lobby features lofty palms and has a Starbucks shop. This is the host hotel for the PGA's Players Championship ("The Fifth Major"). Should you visit the spa at the Sawgrass Marriott, ask for Muriel Hattori, the Bud Powell of massage therapists. PGA star Fred Couples swears by her, and you will understand why. When she applies hot stones, the stones are as part of her swift-moving hands. Hattori is unique in that she sometimes applies a different motion with one hand than the other--think of a pianist simultaneously playing melody and chords. Her 20 years of experience, and study of Asian technique, are evident, as her pressure is perfect and her combination of movements assure ultimate muscle stimulation.

This is where the PGA comes to relax. Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk are among the golfers who reside here, as do some NFL Jacksonville Jaguars. At World Golf Village, home to the Golf Hall of Fame, the PGA Tour Academy, and Caddyshack restaurant, devotees may pay homage to the greats or improve their own games. There are two courses, The King and Bear, designed by Messrs. Palmer and Nicklaus, and the Slammer and Squire (based on the nicknames of designers Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen).

The youngsters will enjoy the highly interactive Hall of Fame, from the video monitor where visitors can click on various aspects of members' careers to the locker room, where there are actual lockers for each inductee. Top it off with a sandwich at Murray Brothers' Caddyshack, owned by Bill Murray and his brothers, who host charity tournaments here. ESPN's "Cold Pizza" filmed live at Caddyshack prior to the Jacksonville Super Bowl. The salads at Caddyshack are hefty but healthy starters en route to the decadence of desserts, such as the Sloppy Sundae, Baby Ruth Cheesecake, or the Hot Brownie.

Laterra Resort & Spa features condominiums perfect for couple or family stays or golf vacations. Windows look onto the swimming pool, and the one-bedrooms have full kitchens, comfy living rooms, a balcony, and cable TV in both the bed and living space. There are washers and dryers. The resort opened in December 2004, just in time for the Super Bowl. Only 15 minutes from historic St. Augustine and 20 minutes from Jacksonville, February and March are the busiest months. Guests also have access to the Serenata Beach Club.

No other American region opens its doors to 500 years of anti-aging remedies, from natural springs to Flagler's palaces, and the high-tech treatments of today. Golf's rich heritage also beckons- a vacation to St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra is full of facts, food and fun.