Spa fancy: The Spa at David Barton Gym

Work out those pecs -- and those knots.

By Kathryn Wexler

The lowdown: David Barton is a powerhouse in the gym world, with five eponymous gyms up and running, but for his first spa, he chose Miami Beach's Gansevoort Hotel. And it feels a little pumped up, too. The theme is Moroccan/Tunisian/dreamscape against a backdrop of thumping club music and dim lights. There are dressing room lights, cracked mirrors, black tile mosaics and huge walnut benches. Ten roomy treatment rooms are clean and rather masculine, but not cold. Spagoers share all facilities with gym members, which means this isn't your typical, hushed getaway. However, any spa service entitles you to use of the gym for the day (a $50 value) -- at least for now.

The 'hood: The Gansevoort is just north of the Deco hotel strip in South Beach. Valet parking for spa guests is discounted to $5.

The vibe: Dramatic, energetic, mysterious.

The highlights: The Barton Detox is a standard, signature massage that incorporates shiatsu, Swedish and stretching modalities along with a "spicy detox oil" ($150 for 60 minutes). The Mini allows you to direct your masseur to one specific area ($76 for 30 minutes). The Cougar Complete Anti-Aging Facial includes exfoliation, extractions, light therapy, mask and Freeze Serum, said to temporarily paralyze those oh-so-annoying forehead muscles ($275 for 90 minutes).

The Spa at David Barton Gym, Gansevoort Hotel, 2377 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-967-6789

Published: 12/08

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Naomi Creason gets her nails done by Nail Tech Fionna Nelson in the Spa of "David Barton Gym" located inside the Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach. Photo: Alexia Fodere