I HEART BAMFORD HAYBARN SPA, MIAMI

THE BAMFORD HAYBARN SPA

SOUTH BEACH

We all adore heart symbols, don’t we? We use them in messages, to express emotion and pleasure. We draw them on greeting cards to convey love, happiness and gratefulness. We insert them into texts in bright, bold colors such as red, purple, orange and blue. After all, the heart is the center-most part of our physical and spiritual being, the central wisdom of feeling. And for me, after my most recent visit to the Bamford Haybarn Spa in South Beach, the heart symbol is also synonymous with transformation and rejuvenation. Follow me on this.

It’s a girl’s trip and here we are, Anita and I, in South Beach celebrating our birthdays just in time for Art Basel during early December. The weather was perfect, the energy was upbeat and the city was buzzing. We both share a love for sunshine, warmth, food, art, and fun. We had everything planned from the art exhibits for entertainment to the restaurants for fine dining (Nobu and Pao by Paul Qui – both fabulous). Yet, the only thing missing? A spa day due to a very last minute cancellation from a spa we booked months ago because of an unexpected power outage.

“SOMETIMES THE UNPLANNED FOR OR UNEXPECTED JOURNEY CAN BE THE MOST MEMORABLE.”

– Michele Pelafas

With little time to re-book elsewhere, and limited availability with the flood of travelers converging on Miami for Art Basel, we were determined to make it happen. Our concierge recommended several spas in the area and we called all of them. Thankfully, The Bamford Haybarn Spa had a couple of openings and came highly recommended. We booked sight unseen which is a big thing for me. As a spa designer, the spa environment plays a big role in where I visit. Yet, in this moment, I just needed a good massage!

I learn that the Bamford Haybarn Spa was located in the 1 Hotel South Beach, a hotel that represents the ultimate in luxury hospitality. I am excited to experience the environment of the 1 Hotel in South Beach that pays homage to the natural landscape of South Florida vs the Art Deco stereotype. Yet, I had no expectation for the design or experience that we would have at the Bamford Haybarn Spa located in that hotel. I was definitely curious.

Hours later, we enter 1 Hotel into a world that transports us from the razzle dazzle of Collins Avenue to an eco-conscious and relaxed peacefulness that makes up the architecture of the hotel. To add to the experience, significant art pieces are spread throughout the space in typical Art Basel fashion. It is an amazing treat for the eyes. We watched as giant canvases took over the space and filled the hotel with artfulness and anticipation of what was to come.

Not to be delayed, we take the elevator to the third floor and down a corridor to the spa as instructed. As we turn the corner, we are greeted by a large heart at the spa façade and we peek inside the reception area that glows outwardly into the corridor. Okay, now the Bamford Haybarn Spa had my attention. I walked in and said out loud: “This is seriously cool!” (Recognize the one liner from The Holiday?). At this point, Anita and I were giddy. We checked in, changed into our robes and I set out to explore the interior while Anita quickly nestled into the comfy loungers.

It is easy to connect the spa interior design with the Bamford Haybarn philosophy which takes its inspiration from the English Countryside haybarns in Costwolds and nature. Throughout the spa you will find over-sized hand-carved wooden barn doors, rustic branches and full-length, feature tree trunks. You can’t miss the playful integration of organically designed hearts that were strategically designed into the architecture to represent their heartfelt connection with nature. I counted at least 10 and they made me smile every time I saw one.

As I immersed myself into the environment and then, soon thereafter, my 90-minute deep tissue massage, I finally began to relax. A lot. As I let go, I was truly present. And then I let go more. The significance of being at peace with myself, one with nature, pampered and cared for was overwhelming and I experienced a silent unexpected flood of emotion. Is this what nurturing the mind, body and spirit was all about? Letting go? It felt like I had an out of body experience during my massage which has never happened to me before. I imagine that this was the transformation and rejuvenation that I had been so desperately needing.

Anita and I finished up the day with dinner at Pao by Paul Qui at the Faena Hotel. We were relaxed, happy and excited about our day, a day that had unexpectedly brought us to the Bamford Haybarn spa. As I took in the senses that night of all of what Miami had to offer, I thought about my new appreciation for the heart symbol that is synonymous with affection, understanding, compassion and life. A denotation of love. A caring for others, nature, the spirit and, very importantly, yourself.