Here’s why a Miami luxury hotel’s massage establishment license has been suspended

David J. Neal
·1 min read
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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 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.

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.

READ MORE: The designated physician used an unqualified anesthesiologist. His patient died

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.”

A message left Sunday for the manager at Mandarin Oriental was not returned.