More facials and less roulette!
Holiday Goddess's Alison Carmichael-Rulten tries the best Las Vegas spas.
I'd heard from friends that Las Vegas was fast becoming known for its "destination spas," and with more than 45 luxury spas offered as amenities inside its famed resorts, what's a goddess to do but test out a few and report back – well I know it's hard work but …
Ranging from public facilities to those available to hotel guests only, spas in Las Vegas are as varied as the resorts that house them. Spa services include sport, Shiatsu and Swedish massages to soothe tired muscles and smooth away kinks; body treatments including herbal baths, wraps, aromatherapy and reflexology; relaxing amenities such as steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools; and full-service salons offering manicures, pedicures, facials and hair styling.
Some resorts offer wellness centres, where professionally trained personnel offer advice on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, as well as innovative fitness facilities and equipment such as virtual reality bicycles.
Here are a few that definitely exceeded expectations:
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian and Palazzo which features a 134,000-square-foot facility offering skin care and body treatment rooms, movement therapy and Pilates studios, Watsu pools and a medical/wellness centre, among other amenities. It's the largest spa resort not only in Las Vegas, but also in North America. Has to be seen!
Submerge yourself at WET – The Spa at TI. This aquatically designed spa beautifully captures the rejuvenating and nourishing essence of water. WET's exciting line of water-based signature services includes The WET Signature Wrap, a warm seawater treatment used to restore key minerals, and The WET Aromatic Seaweed Bath, a treatment enriched with three types of seaweed vitamins and minerals. You will just float out the door!
The BATHHOUSE at Mandalay Bay's THEhotel is heralded as one of the trendiest spas on the Strip. The spa showcases a simple, yet elegant, decor and offers a multitude of exquisite treatments ranging from champagne facials to crème brulée body wraps. Yum!
Nurture, The Spa at Luxor, features an array of innovative treatments including Peppermint Foot Therapy, Citrus Marine Detox Body Toner and Escape to Sonoma – a full-body grape seed oil massage followed by a sea salt scrub and a wine body wrap to nourish dehydrated skin. You won't believe your skin could ever be so soft!
Qua Baths and Spa recently opened at Caesars Palace featuring dark wood décor and relaxing waterfalls. Introducing the concept of "Social Spa-ing," Qua offers communal areas such as the Laconium Room (providing ultra-heat therapy), the Arctic Ice Room (complete with snow falling from above), and a tearoom staffed by a sommelier skilled at pairing teas with treatments offered.
Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara is a sanctuary for the senses. The facility stretches over 32,000 square feet and encompasses 35 private therapy rooms, six of which are multiple therapy suites for individuals and couples. Relax and enjoy a complete menu of services including exotic facials such as the Japanese Silk Eye Zone Therapy and Aroma Stone Therapy. Experience the Magic Touches of an Exotic Jasmine Flower Bath massage or a Moroccan Bathing Ritual. Pure goddess heaven!
I felt so fabulous and yes healthy at the end of a week that Las Vegas just might become my favourite retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation – in fact I'm thinking it should be a yearly treat!
Spa Files
For additional information and a complete spa listing, please visit www.visitlasvegas.com.
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