3-Day Relaxation Itinerary
When you’re ready to take a vacation, relaxation should be at the very top of your to-do list. Thanks to our 3,000 hours of annual sunshine in Greater Fort Lauderdale, kicking back by the beach is our specialty. Plus, we get into the ultimate zen mode while paddling on the water, exploring nature, and, of course, by spending time in our luxurious spas, which are true second-to-none tranquil havens. Below, find out how to make the most out of a much-needed reset on your next three-day trip.
Day 1
Once your flight touches down, take a soft approach to your first day. Spend time in Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s famed Las Olas Boulevard, strolling around, setting intentions, and keeping things easy breezy.
Once you arrive at your hotel or accommodations, check in and unpack, and head to Las Olas Boulevard. There, you will find Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar, where you can take some time peacefully journaling and goal setting with a cup of coffee or tea and the aroma of fresh flowers wafting. If you’d like, purchase some flowers to keep in your room, which can help set the tone as you head into your laid-back escape.
Next, lean a bit further into the nature vibe at Emily’s Garden for a late lunch or early dinner, set among the palms and blooms of a 1920s Las Olas garden estate. Check the calendar for happy hour, yoga, and open-air farmers markets to see if there’s synergy with your schedule.
Wind down the first night at Vinos on Las Olas, where you can slide up to the bar and chat with the locals or grab a tucked-away table and enjoy an easygoing pour or two. For nosh, there’s a full tapas menu. To liven things up a bit, take your vino to the patio and do some scenic people-watching — Las Olas Boulevard is always busy with locals and visitors at night — or head into the intimate onsite Sidecar Speakeasy, which has a Prohibition-era feel (check Instagram for the passcode).
Day 2
Today, spend time discovering the serenity of the sea, followed by some much-needed self-care and pampering.
Greet the day with a sunrise on Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s a peaceful moment where you can get into morning meditation or simply sit and watch the natural beauty at dawn as the pinks and purples begin to emerge in the sky, while a soundtrack of ocean waves washes ashore.
After sunrise, you may feel tied to spending more time at sea, so ride the wave. Head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale or Whiskey Creek Hideout in Dania Beach and rent a kayak or a paddleboard and take a slow, leisurely paddle through the mangroves.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon to relax or freshen up a bit, and then visit Mokara Spa at OMNI Fort Lauderdale. Treat yourself to a massage and plan to spend a couple of unplugged hours getting lost in time in the coed Ritual Pavilion, which houses a Hammam with a fountain, a steam room, and a dry sauna — all of which are great for a detox. There are also heated chaise lounges, refreshments, and a sunkissed open-air courtyard space draped in greenery with a refreshing plunge pool.
Keep dinner light to sink further into your refresh. Order some room service, laze in your bathrobe, and take a bath complemented by calming music.
Now that you’re refreshed, move across the street to the neighboring Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for 35 acres of breathtaking beauty. Roam the historic home (which recently celebrated its 100th birthday) known for its oh-so-Florida design and decor, where you’ll view eclectic artwork and cheeky animal statues, and even a spectacular shell museum. Don’t miss its lush gardens, courtyard, and an orchid room which are sure to make you calmly inhale and exhale. We suggest taking a moment to sit by the lily-pad clad lake flanked by towering palm trees to watch the swans glide by—it’s a postcard-worthy way to end the day.
Day 3
Spend your final day with a well-rounded retreat doing yoga outdoors, visiting another spa, and enjoying dinner on the open water.
Rise and shine with the sun and get a good, full-body stretch this time. Head to Huizenga Park, where you can set a mantra for your grand finale day, and join a free sunrise yoga class.
Next, visit Zenova Spa & Wellness at Pier Sixty-Six, an oasis that aims to bring harmony to your mind, body, and spirit. Book a facial to further release any toxins you’re holding onto, and then spend time in the coed hydrotherapy space, Via Aquae, a wellness retreat with water views. Use Soak in the vitality pool, use the ceremonial sauna, cool down in the snow room, and take a sensory shower as you curate your own wellness journey. You can also take a private steam session in your designated locker room.
Make a dinner reservation on a Riverfront Gondola, and cruise along the canals while savoring an Asian-Latin fusion meal from Casa Sensei on Las Olas, where you’ll launch from. Absorb the soothing sounds of the water and take advantage of the restful ride, and reflect on your visit to Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an open heart and gratitude for giving yourself the gift of this retreat.
If you plan to spend more time in Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL, browse our other 3-day itineraries, which include culture, adventure, nature, foodie, and luxe.