Guests of the newly opened Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island will know they have arrived when they pull into the porte cochere and see a sign that says “Happiness Tower.”
Amrit, meaning “elixir of life” in Sanskrit, mixes Eastern philosophies with Western comforts to create a sacred space centered around wellness.
Barot, a Palm Beach Gardens-based businessman whose real-estate entrepreneurism originated in India and now spans the United States, wanted to base the Amrit project on the five pillars of holistic health – mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation and sleep.
“He spent a decade meeting with industry know-hows and interviewed 40 different executives before he started moving forward,” Cooper says. “It wasn’t one of those pull-the-plan-off-the-shelf-and-go-develop-it projects.”
Those guiding principles preside throughout the resort’s serene halls and scented lobby, within its five dining areas, exercise and spa facilities, and 10,000- plus square feet of event and meeting areas. Each accommodation comes with a balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, a rain shower and a soaking tub, bath salts, soaps and scrubs from Paris, custom robes and slippers, an elevated mini bar – think Fever-Tree instead of Coca-Cola and dark chocolate instead of Snickers bars – and turndown service.
“In creating this and programming this, it was not only what has been done before, but how can we bring technology into this, and what can we do with this?” Cooper says. “It was how to, in this very fast world that we’re in, use these guiding principles to help people find a more peaceful place.”
The heart of the resort lies among the four-floor exercise and spa facilities, which provide guests with highly customized, one-of-a-kind experiences that combine Chinese and Indian traditions with a modern flair.
Among the spa offerings is Florida’s first indoor-outdoor hydrothermal water therapy circuit.
Amrit also features a hammam, a type of steam bath, one of only a few in South Florida.
Additionally, the resort has hired a top-tier team of licensed technicians and medical practitioners to give integrated assessments supported by the patented Personal Wellness Support System, or PWSS. A revolutionary online platform, PWSS helps users on their journey to better living via chat, email, text and video sessions.
“It starts with food and exercise of course, but we really want to help people understand the concepts of quality sleep and the health benefits of that,” Cooper says. “We also want to help people with finding ways to calm the mind and relaxation.”
The resort boasts 25 treatment rooms, offering everything from cupping massages, to facial rejuvenations, to red-light therapy and sessions in a hyperbaric chamber.
A meditation pod, a floatation bed and a seat in the IV lounge are also available. Acupuncture, Tibetan chakra balancing and Ayurvedic treatments are also available. All of this is open to the public.
“The intention is to try and find other locations where this would work for future Amrits,” Cooper says. But for now, I think that the idea of helping people gravitate toward wellness—I can see it in the next generation that is coming.”
Amrit plans to use its event and meeting areas to welcome noted authors, motivational speakers and international retreats. “We’re going to have headliners come here who will attract people from around the world,” Cooper says. “We are developing a community of like-minded people.”
The resort also boasts a 3,500-squarefoot fully equipped cardio studio along with six breakout enclosures—all with sweeping ocean views—for group classes, including barre, cycling, Pilates and yoga. Guests can participate for free, and those not staying at the resort can buy a day pass for full access.
“I’m looking to see us offer between 24 to 30 classes a day,” Cooper says. “We’re hoping that we can keep this open for people to come in.”
While the Amrit Ocean Resort was two decades in the making, Cooper says it was worth the wait.
“We are thrilled to officially open our doors and invite visitors from near and far to experience a true fusion of wellness and luxury at Amrit Ocean Resort. Amrit is the next generation of luxury wellness resorts, and we are excited to enhance our guests’ minds, bodies and spirits.”
Amrit Ocean Resort is at 3100 N. Ocean Drive on Singer Island. For more information, visit amritocean.com.
