Q&A: W South Beach AWAY Spa with Kristen Laukaitis

Photography by Alejandro Chavarria on August 4th, 2022 in Editorials, Lifestyle, W South Beach AWAY Spa

Video 1 Vert W South Beach Away SPA from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami Beach, FL – August 4, 2022 – At Away Spa at W South Beach, the ease and tranquility of vacation living thrives, and the hustle of day-to-day life finds respite. Wellness tailored to guests is the impetus behind Away Spa—a 9,000-square-foot luxury wellness sanctuary. Rather than simply offering clients a list of standard services, the lush spa takes indulgence to new heights with its diverse offerings of state-of-the-art treatments, a bespoke program of movement and meditation in partnership with Ahana Yoga, as well as the ability to customize your spa day to specific needs and desires.

World Red Eye sat down with Kristen Laukaitis, the Spa Director at W South Beach, to get a look at the luxury wellness sanctuary and all of the incredible spa treatments they offer. Read the full Q&A below.

Kristen Laukaitis

WRE: What makes the Away Spa at the W different from all the rest?

Kristen Laukaitis: We put a lot of intention behind the entire guest experience at Away Spa from the moment guests walk in, to the length of each treatment to the moment they leave. Each treatment on the spa menu focuses on detoxification internally and externally, which is so important for everyone in order to function well. We extended the typical treatment time to have more of an elongated spa experience. Even the design of the spa was very intentional with only six treatment rooms to give it more of an intimate feel.

WRE: What can guests expect when they walk through the doors?

KL: The guest experience begins from the moment guests drive up to W South Beach with the complimentary valet that is included with each spa treatment. When guests arrive, they will feel as if they have the spa to themselves, which we do strategically for a more intimate experience. After your treatment, the spa also offers a beach chair and umbrella for guests to enjoy a full day of rest and relaxation.

Kristen Laukaitis

Kristen Laukaitis

When guests arrive, they will feel as if they have the spa to themselves… for a more intimate experience.

Kristen Laukaitis

WRE: What kind of specialty treatment do you offer?

KL: We are known for our ultimate HydraFacial that deeply cleans, gently resurfaces and infuses antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid into the skin. This facial uses iS Clinical, a medical grade skincare line, known for their result-oriented products.

WRE: Which do you recommend the most?

KL: I would recommend booking the ultimate HydraFacial once a month and you see instant results.

WRE: What’s your favorite treatment?

KL: My favorite is our Ultimate Bespoke Couples Experience, it’s a spa goers dream. You can choose between two 60 or 90-minute treatments for you and your significant other whether that be facials, massages or both with an add-on treatment included. We also provide you with muds and scrubs to scrub each other in the steam shower in the private couples retreat prior to your services. After your treatments, lunch is waiting for you on the spa terrace with champagne and couples also receive a special take home gift. My favorite selection of treatments for the bespoke experience is the 90-minute massage with a 90-minute collagen lifting and boosting facial.

Separate from the bespoke couple’s experience, we have expert nail technicians that offer nail art and hard gel extensions, a service not often seen in a luxury spa.

WRE: Are there any new offerings you are providing to guests? What are they?

KL: Away Spa is extending their spa month offerings until the end of September and is available to book 7 days a week. For spa month, my favorite treatment is the 90-minute detox massage. It represents one of our most popular treatments, the detoxifying energizing massage. The massage therapist, dry brushes the entire body to start to exfoliate, encourage lymphatic drainage and to tone and tighten the skin, then a rich blend of oils are massaged into the skin and the treatment also includes a mud mask to the back that helps with detoxification. As an extension of your experience, you may take home a dry body brush to continue to enjoy the benefits of the treatment.

Away Spa is also offering yoga classes in partnership with Ahana Yoga on the spa terrace on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9am. The classes are open to locals as well as hotel guests. To reserve you can book online at https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/miaws-w-south-beach/experiences/ or by calling Away Spa at 305 938 3123, each class is $30 per person.