An Emerald Coast Jewel

Situated amid the sugar white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast and on over 200 acres of untouched nature preserve, The Henderson in Destin, Florida is a luxurious retreat with health and wellness at its core. The resort is reminiscent of a grand old seaside mansion, with gabled rooflines and balconies offering sweeping views of the gulf. This elegant property has a casual, comfortable ambiance reflective of the area, with custom pieces from 13 local artists displayed throughout.

There’s much to do, with two pools, a lazy river, lawn games and a multitude of exercise options from a sunrise rooftop spin class to paddle boarding and yoga on the beach.

The on-premise restaurant, Primrose, named after Destin’s oldest fishing vessel, serves up locally sourced fresh sushi and Gulf-to-table cuisine with a Southern touch.

Salamander Spa: The Jewel of the Resort

It’s all very relaxing but the jewel in The Henderson’s crown is their signature Salamander Spa, tucked away in a corner of the resort in the separate Spa Wing. Calming colors of cream and sea glass set the mood in this soothing and rejuvenating oasis, which draws on nature to promote healing and relaxation and offers many globally inspired treatments. Guests can unwind in the Lavender Lounge while sipping an herbal tea or a lavender spa cocktail, take a dip in the therapeutic whirlpool, or enjoy color and hydrotherapies in the Experiential Shower before their treatments.

The holistic approach to wellness is consistent in the many choices on the spa menu. Organic Wellness Body Therapies like the Tranquility Pro Sleep Ritual incorporate pure essential extracts with a coconut oil base to naturally soothe the soul with calming aromas and gentle music. There’s also a fully certified organic skin care treatment with products formulated to ECOCERT® guidelines. For ultimate relaxation and sleep therapy, they’ve created the Signature Lavender Core Four, designed to utilize the soothing aromatherapy powers of lavender to lull stress away.

A Global Approach to Treatments

With their Global Rituals, the spa has also curated a selection of treatments from around the world including:

The Oriental- a yin/yang therapy to bring balance and harmony to the soul

The Mediterranean- inspired by the restorative power of water and using a combination of gentle and rigorous movements to heal and renew

The Indian- reflects several different energy based approaches to traditional Ayurveda, the restorative life science of India

The Arabian– a transformative, nourishing treatment designed to release deep-seated power

Tibetan Bowl Ritual- a unique blend of Tibetan singing bowls, body butter and aromatherapy oils along with human touch purifies and rebalances

The Salamander has recently expanded its offerings to include a Himalayan Salt Suite with customized salt brick walls for respiratory conditions, as well as a Hot Himalayan Salt Stone Massage to relieve chronic pain and release deep-seated tension.  They’ve also added a Cryotherapy chamber, which harnesses the power of ice-cold air to boost energy and metabolism, improve circulation and promote collagen production.

Health & Wellness Inspired Rooms

The health and wellness inspired rooms in The Spa Wing are equipped with yoga mats and blocks, and weights and bands for in-room workouts, while the beautiful Salamander Spa awaits below. The rest of the resort meanders along with cozy and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, lots of light and soft-hued furnishings reflecting the coastal surroundings.

For a relaxing and nurturing escape that’s off the beaten path, this pampering spot on the Emerald Coast will bring you inner peace and harmony.