Here’s why a Miami luxury hotel’s massage establishment license has been suspended
Long one of Miami’s popular spa stops, the Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key’s massage establishment license got hit with an emergency suspension order on Thursday.
“The order is solely an administrative oversight resulting from an internal staff change and is not in any way related to the quality of the spa experience,” said a Monday email to the Miami Herald from Mandarin Oriental, Miami. “Currently, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami remains open and can execute all treatments (all facials and nail treatments) except massages.
“We are in the process of fixing this clerical error and anticipate being able to once again offer guests the definitive Mandarin Oriental massage experience very soon...”
The Mandarin, 500 Brickell Key Dr., has had its license since 2001. The issue was the lack of a designated establishment manager (DEM), according to the suspension order posted online to the Florida Department of Health website.
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A DEM, who must be a massage therapist with a clear license, carries the responsibility for making sure the establishment complies with state rules, similar to the designated physician in a licensed office surgery center. If a DEM leaves or is fired, the owner must designate another DEM and tell the Department of Health within 10 days.
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The department learned on May 22 that Mandarin’s DEM wasn’t there anymore.
“Between May 22, 2024 and (Aug. 1), Mandarin failed to have a DEM practicing at its location,” the ESO said. “The Department is mandated to summarily suspend Mandarin’s license to operate as a massage establishment...
“The license of Mandarin Oriental, Miami, license No. MM11008, is immediately suspended.”
This story was originally published August 4, 2024 at 5:06 PM.
