From Holiday Relaxation to 2019 Resolutions, Finding Fitness and Wellness in Destin is Easy
Whether you're seeking a few minutes of rest at the holidays or making plans for your 2019 New Year's Resolution, finding fitness and wellness in Destin is easy, Fortunately, there is an option in Destin that provides the best of both worlds. A visit to The Henderson leaves guests feeling fit, rested and revitalized.
Guests are enveloped with calm and beauty the moment they enter the grand foyer. With the open, beamed-ceilings overhead, cast iron chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the state park, it doesn’t take long to feel the journey to wellness beginning.
On a recent visit, we started with circuit training in the fitness center downstairs. The instructor, Kwandre Caldwell, has worked at The Henderson almost a year and customizes each session to the individual’s or group’s fitness goals and skill level.
“We enjoy enhancing your existing fitness plan by introducing new exercises that focus on the same areas you’re already working on, but keep it fresh,” said Kwandre Caldwell, a personal trainer at The Henderson. “We also have the Beach Boot Camp, which is very popular since it combines a full body workout with a beautiful setting on the beach.”
From fitness on the water with “Paddle Fit”, featuring exercises on a stand up paddle board to “HIIT”, a high-intensity interval training to boot camps, the results-orientated workouts burn calories and tone the entire body in a beautiful and relaxing setting.
For those seeking to calm the mind while strengthening the body, the Henderson also offers yoga classes in all styles of practice. From the “Gentle Flow” class for beginners with Vinyasa-style basic poses to “Flow Yoga” focused on breathing to “Stretch Yoga” aimed at loosening muscles, The Henderson’s highly-trained instructors offer classes both inside, on the lawn, and on the beach.
With the work-out complete, it was time to head to the Salamander Spa for some relaxation. Each spa experience begins with the ritual of ringing the iron bowl. Upon ringing the bowl, gentle vibrations enter through the hands and the melodic humming brings guests into a trance-like state as the mind focuses and the stress and demands of life dissipate.
“Wellness envelopes all areas at The Henderson—art, fitness, dining, relaxation,” said April Smith, spa director at Salamander Spa. “When you come to The Henderson, you don’t want to just get a massage and leave. You want to spend the whole day here, and enjoy a holistic experience that empowers and energizes you on a path to well-being.”
With so many treatment options, our staff decided to try the “Henderson’s Dreams” from the body collection. This service is a customized treatment developed by Kerstin Florian specifically for Salamander Spa. The journey to calm begins with the olfactory glands. Each guest personalizes the experience by selecting a scent from the Kerstin Florian essential oils. The selected oil is then used within a mineral salt scrub (for me, the eucalyptus with ginger was the perfect mix of invigoration and relaxation). After the scrub, guests enjoy a full body massage, which is enhanced with warm rose quartz stones to further relax the body and center the mind. During the process, the scalp is massaged and head wrapped. The treatment concludes with a soothing foot massage. Once complete, the therapist mists refreshing Neroli water to slowly rouse you by awakening your senses.
Before or after any treatment, the wet room features amenities that combine heat and water to sooth muscles and release toxins. Guests can begin in the whirlpool tub or sauna and then move to the experiential shower. This is a unique spray experience with light display, which combines water spray volume from the walls and overhead with temperature for a soothing or invigorating effect.
An ideal place to meditate and embrace inner healing is the Lavender Lounge. With six luxurious chaise lounge chairs, the room is bathed in natural light, creating a beautiful serene setting for relaxation. This was the perfect opportunity to nourish my body. We ordered fresh-from-the-Gulf grouper tacos off the Horizons menu. The new spa menu features build-your-own bento boxes with a wonderfully diverse mix of greens and proteins. The best part was topping off the experience off with some bubbles. Lavender Bubbles, a mix of lavender simple syrup, La Marca Prosecco and Miraval Rose was the perfect complement to a day at the spa. Spa goers may also continue their journey of transformation by visiting the salon for hair, make-up or nail treatments to leave looking as beautiful on the outside as you feel on the inside. As Salamander Spa Therapist Cara Santos intuitively shared, “A day at The Henderson is like pressing the reset button.”
Learn more or book a service at SalamanderSpa.com. (This article has been revised and reprinted from the 2018 edition of Where you'd rather Be magazine)
Ready to book your next Destin beach vacation? Newman-Dailey features a vast selection of premier Destin condos and rental homes , including Gulf-front Condos at Jade East, which are near The Henderson. Want help with your search for the perfect vacation rental? Call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652.
See you @ the beach!
Tuesday, November 27, 2018