Lipstick Lifestyle

Vacations are meant to be a time to relax, but for pet lovers everywhere, finding a place to leave your four-legged friend can add a touch of unwanted stress to your travels.

For those traveling to Miami, Oyster Hotel Reviews has compiled a list of the top five pet friendly resorts that go above and beyond to ensure 100 percent pet satisfaction. Amenities include pampering services, pet beds, and which hotels have off-limit areas and/or additional fees.

1. EPIC HOTEL (Downtown)
The Epic is a pro at pampering - doggie mats, bowls, placemats, and Yip-Yap breath-mints come standard in the rooms for guests traveling with dogs. Pets can also get pedicures, a shampoo, toys, and one-hour daily walks through the Epic Pet Getaway package.
www.epichotel.com

2. Loews Miami Beach Hotel (South Beach)
Standard amenities include a pet tag, bowl and treats. In case you forget anything, leashes, collars, beds, scratching posts, pooper-scoopers, litter boxes, catnip and rawhide bones can be requested. There’s even a pet room service menu with gourmet treats, and generously, no pet weight limit.
www.loewshotels.com

3. Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Downtown)
The Mandarin makes the list because of its over the top Marley & Me Miami Dog Days package, created in honor in The Mandarin’s involvement in the filming of the movie. It costs a pretty penny, but includes a training date with a certified dog trainer, a play date with a pet butler and a copy of the book Marley & Me by Josh Grogan.
www.mandarinoriental.com

4. Mayfair Hotel & Spa (Coral Gables and Coconut Grove)
A pet-friendly hotel that caters to couples! If you want a romantic getaway, but still can’t imagine leaving your pets behind, the Mayfair’s Very Important Pets program will provide them with pet beds, lounging mats, cookies and water bowls with bottled water.
www.mayfairhotelandspa.com

5. The Westin Colonnade, Coral Gables (Coral Gables and Coconut Grove)
For anyone that’s ever experienced a night’s sleep in the Westin’s coma inducing Heavenly Beds, they’ll understand why we couldn’t leave the Westin Colonnade off the list. They make a Heavenly Dog Bed! We’re guessing your pooch will never sleep so soundly.
www.westin.com

Make any flight more comfortable with the Undercover Traveler by MY Tagalongs. This plush set includes a blanket with a pocket for your iPod or glasses, an inflatable pillow that slips into the pouch, which doubles as a pillowcase, comfy socks and an eye mask that comes equipped with Velcro signs that say “DO NOT DISTURB” and “I WAKE FOR FOOD.” (more…)

Don’t have a cottage? Don’t worry – this summer head to The Rosseau and enjoy time at your new home away from home. It’s a unique mix of relaxed cottage style and luxurious amenities. (more…)

Dove Spa has just launched its second Canadian location in Toronto at 1375 Yonge Street (Yonge & St. Clair). Designed by Ramsin Khachi, Interior Designer and Principal of the Khachi Design Group, this modern spa reflects clean, neutral and uncluttered spaces, with touches of luxury.

The Dove Spa philosophy is simple – they want to make women feel more beautiful every day, by inspiring them to take good care of themselves. We were impressed that before each treatment you are offered a free 15 minute scientific skin analysis to diagnose your skin type and condition. Using a highly sophisticated multi-dermascope, your Skin Care Expert measures for oil, water, elasticity and pigmentation levels in your skin. We were a little scared to find out what our skin had to say - and we won’t be sharing our results with you!

The service menu is enormous and has every treatment you can possibly think of to pamper yourself.  We chose facials when we attended the grand opening. Crystal and Fatima, our estheticians, were super skilled and had our skin glowing like a newborn’s within an hour. 

Pop by to take a peek at the spa, and tell them that we sent you!

Dove Spa
www.dovespa.ca
To book treatments at either the Oakville or Toronto locations call 1-888-SPA DOVE (1-888-772-3683)

With a daybook filled with appointments from sun up to way past sun down, planning a holiday seems like a fleeting dream. Check out these three destinations and you’ll be moving book a flight/make a hotel reservation to the top of the to-do list.

Beach escape - Florida
Located on a sweet strip of creamy coloured sand in north Miami Beach, Acqualina is a welcome retreat from your daily rat race. Spacious rooms feature dream-inducing beds, huge bathrooms and plenty of space to stash your wardrobe (and new additions!). Take your pick from the beach area with its mini red cabanas or one of three pool areas, and benefit from attentive staff who regularly bestow you with offers of complimentary sunscreen, water and fresh fruit. Take time to indulge at Espa, a lavish spa retreat with plenty of stress-reducing treatments and side benefits such as the Crystal steam room with colour therapy lights, Finnish sauna and private pool. Bring your appetite and indulge your tastebuds with dinner at NYC fave resto Il Mulino and if you need to know the recipe, Executive Chef Michele Mazza hosts cooking classes to learn the secrets of his Italian kitchen. Not far from the glamour of South Beach for a night’s indulgence and a short hop to credit card worthy Bal Harbour Shops, Acqualina Resort is a perfect spot to recharge.

Acqualina Resort and Spa on the Beach
www.acqualinaresort.com 

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