Welcome to Orlando Family’s inaugural Best of the Best, featuring our picks for the best places to eat, drink, shop and be pampered throughout Greater Orlando. In addition to racking our own brains and those of our family and friends, we traversed the area to follow up on hot tips about worthy winners from both well-known establishments and those off the beaten path. Alright, maybe that doesn’t sound like particularly grueling work, but the payoff is being able to give you our selections for everything from chocolates and cigars to fine jewelry and flowers. And starting next year, we’ll add you to the mix via readers’ choices for your own favorites. Doing this list annually will certainly keep us busy, but trust us: We’re up for the job.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

HAIRCUT
ATELIER HAIR SALON
There are countless exceptional hair stylists in Orlando, which made this choice a tough one. In the end, though, we had to give it to Atelier Hair Salon’s Tony Robles and his team of experts. By the time you leave, your hair will be looking as good as the salon’s Lake Eola environs. Orlando (Thornton Park), (407) 583-9282, AtelierHairSalon.com

MASSAGE
MANDARA SPA
Don’t you just adore that feeling of total body relaxation after an invigorating massage? We do, and no local masseuses turn us into limp noodles better than the staff at Mandara. Just don’t ask us to pick between their centers at Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, because that’s too close to call. Orlando (Lake Buena Vista/Universal), MandaraSpa.com

PEDICURE
DEBONAIR NAILS & SPA
Debonair Nails & Spa doesn’t just perform our favorite pedicure; they perform our favorite pedicures, with seven varieties to choose from. And whether we go with the basic package or treat ourselves to something special like the honey citrus or coconut paradise pedicures, we leave feeling as relaxed as our feet look good. Orlando (Millenia), (407) 253-5900, DebonairNailsSpa.com

FACIALS
BEAUTIFUL SKIN BY CARMEN
Not only does Beautiful Skin by Carmen deliver what we’ve found to be the best facial in Orlando, but their staff members are as skilled as they are charming. A dizzying array of other skin-care services are also available, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels and more, and their monthly specials are a dream for beautiful people on a budget.Orlando (North Orange), (407) 739-1617, BeautifulSkinByCarmen.com

COLORING
PRIVÉ SALON
Laurent D. is a well-known name in hair-care circles, which is why we’re glad he decided to build on the success of his New York salon with one in Orlando. The local stylists are skilled at adhering to his vision, and their coloring services are out of this world. Orlando (Millenia), (407) 355-9229, PriveSalonOrlando.com

MAKEUP
M3 MAKEUP SERVICES
In our opinion, M3 Makeup Services’ artists aren’t just the best in Orlando; they’re among the best in the world, having traveled the globe to service clients that include film and television stars. They also do weddings and corporate events, but be sure to book this busy studio well in advance. Orlando (Downtown), (321) 250-4700, M3Makeup.com

BLOWOUT
MOSAIC HAIR STUDIO & BLOWOUT BAR
Lots of Orlando hair salons advertise blowout services, but what makes Mosaic notable is their expertise and knack for making it fun. Standard and premium blowout packages are available, as well as a full range of other hair services for women and men, and you can even host a party at their blowout bar. Orlando (Ivanhoe Village), (407) 896-3241, MosaicHairStudio.com

BARBERSHOP
NICK’S BARBER SHOP
There’s nothing particularly fancy about Nick’s, but when we want a classic barbershop experience, we head on over. They specialize in cuts for boys and men, as well as traditional hot-towel shaves, and though the only real extra is a foosball table, they get our look perfect every time. Orlando (Horizons West), (407) 223-1967

YOGA
ORLANDO POWER YOGA
We have a few options for achieving moksha in Greater Orlando, but none of them help us find our center better than Orlando Power Yoga. Their instructors are as skilled as they come, and while the $15 class fee is already reasonable, you can save even more by buying in bulk. Namaste, indeed. Orlando (Dr. Phillips/Milk District), OrlandoPowerYoga.com

SPINNING
FITNESS CENTRE & DAY SPA AT CELEBRATION HEALTH
We like bicycling, and we’d do a lot more of it if Orlando had cooler temperatures. Fortunately, indoor spinning classes help us pick up the slack, and Celebration Health’s Fitness Centre is an overlooked gem on that front. Membership is required, but it gets you access to freestyle and scripted classes using high-tech indoor bikes. Kissimmee, (407) 303-4400, FloridaHospital.com

WORKOUT
FLORIDA FITNESS CONCEPTS
Know what your fitness goals are, but not sure how to get there? The staff at Florida Fitness Concepts (FFC) can figure it out with you. With more than a dozen personal trainers, including owner John Dickson, they can help with muscle toning, weight loss, nutritional guidance and more. Orlando (Mills 50), (407) 497-2179, FloridaFitnessConcepts.com

GYM FOR KIDS
MY GYM ORLANDO
The younger you are, the easier it is to get in shape, and we’ve yet to find a better local option for setting kids on a fitness path than My Gym Orlando. They boast a wide range of classes for children aged 6 weeks through 10 years, as well as summer camp, and they host birthday parties, too. Orlando (Horizons West), (407) 644-2595, MyGym.com

DAY SPA
THE RITZ-CARLTON SPA ORLANDO, GRANDE LAKES
If you like being pampered as much as we do, you owe it to yourself to visit the Ritz-Carlton Orlando’s five-star spa. Between treatments that use natural, locally sourced ingredients, and signature services such as the “zerogravity” massage, we never fail to leave there in a stress-free state of bliss. Orlando (South Orlando), (407) 393-4200, RitzCarlton.com