Exceeding Great Exceptions: How The Standard Spa Miami Beach Raises My Standards

Image courtesy of me.

Carpe diem is the most 2015 phrase. It covered dance marathon shirts, bookmarks, and the odd Tumblr post. Maybe it was because I was a freshman in college, or because, in retrospect, everything ten years ago seems more straightforward than today’s world—but there used to be a feeling of seize the day in the air. Over time, this ethos has become trickier to maintain.

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Maybe it’s because of responsibilities, work, or simply growing up, but seizing the day feels more like a far-flung ideal than ever—though not an impossible one. When I tell people I’m from South Florida, they always say, “You live where I vacation.” Yet when you have responsibilities, bills, and social obligations, it’s easy to forget why people come here in the first place. It takes little moments of magic to remind you that we really do live in paradise.

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This adventure began when I visited Moe’s Studio in Miami to have new headshots taken for work. As a recruiter, a headshot establishes credibility, trust, and professionalism.While I was doing my makeup, I befriended Dani and Gaby. Gaby photographed Dani so she could update her modeling portfolio. We were chatting when I mentioned my blog, and Gaby’s face lit up. She told me she worked with the marketing team at The Standard Hotel and invited me to write about the property. In that moment, the 2015 ideal became reality.

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A few weeks later, I got to spend a fantastic day at The Standard. If Julius Caesar knew about The Standard in Miami Beach, he would have said, “We came, we saw, we seized the day.”

Image courtesy of Peter Paul Rubens.

When you walk into The Standard, you time-travel to 1965 Saint-Tropez. A verdant path leads you to The Lido Restaurant. Rhonda, the hostess, seated me at the edge of the dock overlooking the water. I lucked out—it was the best seat in the house.

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Beneath a canopy of umbrellas, I watched yachts glide across the turquoise bay as seagulls dove for their breakfast. I lingered there, sipping a decaf iced coffee and enjoying the hotel’s signature avocado toast.

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After breakfast, I sat by the pool and decided to seize the day. I took a cold plunge into Biscayne Bay before heading to the hot tub. Then, I made my way to the Standard Spa, tucked primarily on the third floor of the hotel. When you walk in, you’re greeted by Himalayan pink salt walls that seem to glow from within. Once I slipped on my robe and flip-flops, I rinsed off the salt and chlorine, then stepped into the sauna. It smelled like toasted marshmallow. As I sweated out toxins, I looked out over the bay. After the sauna, I ventured into the eucalyptus-saturated steam room. To finish, I braved the ice room, a chill finale to a morning well spent.

The image courtesy of The Standard.

The Standard Hotel and Spa proves that carpe diem is no longer a cliché. In a world obsessed with constant growth and productivity, The Standard reminds guests and day visitors alike that the magic of everyday life is achievable. Through its warm staff—including Gaby, Rhonda, and Director of Guest Relations Philippe—a great atmosphere, and a rejuvenating spa, I truly seized the day on a November morning.

Image courtesy of me.