The Carillon Wellness Resort in North Beach offers a world class spa (formerly Canyon Ranch), thermal experience, 4 pools, a fitness center, and 20 fitness classes a day, in addition to its luxury hotel accommodations and beachside restaurant, The Strand.

And beginning End May-October, the Carillon offers special 3-day Wellness Retreats that are both educational, informative and relaxing.

Over Memorial Day weekend, on a total impulse after seeing an event listing on Facebook, I booked the “Healthiest Version of You” program with London nutritionist, Clarissa Lenherr.

Clarissa, who has her own clinic in London, travels extensively hosting workshops on healthy eating choices, teaching cooking classes on how to make delicious and nutritious snacks and how-to better balance blood sugar, energy and how to heal your gastrointestinal tract.

It was an eye opening yet totally relaxing experience and one I would recommend for taking the time this summer to “reset”. Perfect as an overnight Staycation, or as I did, a Day Only program.

In my 3 days of seminars, I learned about benefits of Bone Broth (anti-ageing collagen), Prebiotics, Probiotics, SMASH (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and herring) and Microbiomes. We even made our own healthy snack of Energy Bites which were Gluten Free, Vegan and Dairy Free. See recipe below.

The retreat includes:

2 Breakfasts at The Strand Breakfast Buffet

2 Evening Socials with bites and organic wines

2 lunches at The Strand

$200 spa credit

4+ workshops and Q+A

Meditation and Yoga

Unlimited access to 20+ Group Fitness Classes Daily

Unlimited access to spa faculty, lockers and the world largest Thermal Experiences, which included a hot tub, rain showers, sauna, steam room, herbal laconium Hamman room and the Igloo, a refreshing misting experience.

Beach and Pool

Use of Carillon bikes

The Spa and Fitness Center encompasses 3 floors of the main building and the former Canyon Ranch spa facility is spotless and well maintained with plenty of attendants and well-trained estheticians and massage therapists. I chose the Himalayan Pink Salt Stone massage and in 50 minutes I was relaxed and in a Zen-like state. The yoga and meditation classes are held in the open-air Ocean Studio overlooking the Sunrise pool and the ocean beyond. Mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters are all provided. Water Fitness classes are held on the rooftop pool on the 5th floor with a gorgeous view across to the ocean.

Meals and the social hour bites were in the hands of The Strand’s new Executive Chef, Simon Apollonio, and included healthy options like hummus and vegetables, cucumber slices stuffed with tuna tartare and avocado, red endive stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts, avocado and vegan gluten free tacos with cashew cheese and watermelon and feta skewers. Paired with organic wines from Italy.

Breakfast was your traditional hotel buffet, but healthier options were plenty and included fresh fruit, berries, Greek yogurt, granola plus scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and greens. I was tempted but resisted the crisp bacon and pastries.

The Strand lunch menu has something for everyone, from a Lobster roll to Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes to pizza, and it took concentration and a lot of will power to select items that were healthier and more appropriate for our 3 days learning about nutrition and “retraining our taste buds”.

I did suggest that in keeping with the Wellness mission of the Carillon, that The Strand offer a separate Spa or Wellness Menu for those visitors more conscious of their diet and/or dietary needs. I would definitely go there just for a healthy lunch on their gorgeous outdoor patio overlooking the ocean.

Some of the healthy items we all loved were the Garden Gazpacho, which came as pureéd heirloom tomatoes, bell pepper, sweet onion, jalapeño and topped with an avocado and almond salsa. The Spinach Salad was colorful with toasted almonds, avocado, and fresh strawberries. Red wine vinaigrette dressing can be ordered on the side. The Roasted Vegetable Platter was another good starter.

The Carillon Vegan Pizza was the big winner in our group as it was a gluten free crust covered with arugula, toasted walnuts, cranberries and cashew cheese and topped with balsamic reduction.

I chose the Falafel Sandwich, but requested as a salad over greens instead of as a sandwich. Four large freshly made falafel balls were accompanied by hummus and tzatziki over greens, ripe grape tomatoes, cucumber and red onions. Sort of a Greek Salad with falafel.

They menu also has a Gluten Free Pasta with pomodoro sauce, basil and parmesan cheese and one member of our group ordered it as a Pasta Primavera.

Don’t be shy asking for adjustments as Chef Simon seems very willing to create a dish that offers healthier options.

So, don’t delay, as the next Wellness Retreat begins Friday June 7th and features Tibetan Sound Healer Derek Duke Noble.

Or check the schedule which runs until October with an additional seven retreats scheduled.

Retreat Season 2019 schedule is here.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

6801 Collins Ave.

Miami Beach, FL 33141

866 276 2226