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SPOTLIGHT:
Spas in Sin City By: Myara Sherwood
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
In a city that never sleeps, where do low key local
tourists turn to when they want a low-key vacation away from the
never-ending noise of the slot machines, loud music and constant
stimulation… the spas of course. In an era where youthful beauty and
self indulgence is on the rise hotels revamp their spa facilities
catering to a high-end clientele’s growing interest in leisure. While
guest sip on colorful cocktails, cough on Cohibas, dine on delicious
foods and gamble to their hearts content, they search for the fountain
of youth in a city where you need a vacation after your vacation.
Accommodating to the most extravagant needs and always
fearing that the next big hotel/casino will have more mass appeal, five
of Las Vegas’s leading hotels prove to continually keep on the cutting
edge of spa amenities and innovative treatments by providing unique
techniques for anti-aging and self renewal. Join us as we take a peek
into the modern world of spas.
Spa Vita di Lago: The Ritz Carlton, lake Las Vegas
Slow down your Vegas vacation with a magical spa
experience that has locals and knowledgeable hotel seekers raving. The
secrete is out; seventeen miles from the strip cast away onto Las Vegas
coruscating lake that introduces a new form of adventure and romance to
the community. Built around the spectacular view of clear waters and
magnificent hills, experience a spa sanctuary reminiscent of a lavish
Tucson Villa. Feel free and uninhibited, as though you are the only
person in the entire spa, while you close your eyes and let the warm
waterfall caress your back and shoulders. Spend an entire day in heaven
as you journey from the refreshing baths to the steam room, dipping into
the whirlpool, and finally cooling off in the grotto with a tsunami
shower. Always searching for creative and original treatments, I was
eagerly anticipating my Hydrating Blue Flowers body wrap. The Blue
Flower fragrance blend of sweet papaya and lilies transported my
thoughts to the tropics while the I was scrubbed down with aromatic
botanicals, and wrapped up in a loose silken veil, moisturizing the skin
and smoothes away irritation. With every breath in, the blue flower
scent enlightened my spirits and with every breath out my worries
dissipated into the warm breezy air. Once I was unwrapped, Blue Flower
oil was applied to my primary lymphatic tissues inducing drainage and
inhibiting the aging process. Advised not to shower for the rest of the
day in order to preserve the enchanting smell, I floated back to my room
in my robe and slipper feeling feminine and enlightened. (www.ritzcarlton.com)
J.W. Marriott: Aquae Sulis
Only twenty minutes off the strip find yourself
surrounded by lush greenery, rolling hills, and magical gardens.
Feel as
though you have been miraculously transported to a resort that merges
the serene surrounding and luxurious services of Scottsdale, Arizona
with the agriculture and carefree attitude of Palms Springs, California
in an private getaway that introduces the true meaning of an all
inclusive resort.
Before you begin spend an entire hour using Aquae
Sulis’s spectacular amenities that relax all of your muscles, almost to
the point of where you feel like a piece of overcooked spaghetti.
If you
can roll yourself out of the hot Jacuzzi and into the cold plunge,
equalize your body temperature by taking a moment to internally tingle
in the warm float pool. Attached to both the woman and men’s spas, a
secluded outdoor oasis awaits with a push of a door.
Take as many deep breaths of fresh air as you desire
while lounging poolside under the clear bright blue sky. Six
invigorating chambers attached to the outside pool perform a jet-induced
massage, rejuvenate your senses. The garden waterfalls provide natural
music adding another soothing dimension to calm the mind and body. In a
state of euphoria my facialist, Teresa,
carefully determined my skin type under a bright magnifying light and
began her work of art with a Lomi Lomi Massage. Using Phytomer’s
Vie-Hydra System, designed for customized facials, she implemented the
eastern method of shiatsu by rubbing accupressure points in order to
relax the muscles while cleaning the skin. Once she exfoliated my hands,
arms, and face with a micro-dexfoliant, and extracted blocked pores, she
rubbed my face with shea butter, understanding the importance of
lymphatic drainage to release toxins for anti-aging purposes. Applying
one mask on top of the other, the first to hydrate the skin and the
second to penetrate the creams below. Removing the mask, my face felt
smooth and supple. With a touch of facial serum, moisturizer, eye cream
and lip balm, my spa glow was obvious for all to see (www.gowestmarriott.com/lasvegas/)
THEhotel at Mandalay Bay: Bathhouse
Venture down a dark sleek hallway off the beaten track
of Mandaly Bay’s bustling casino and into The Hotel’s ultra modern
bathhouse for the ultimate luxurious and sophisticated spa experience.
Understanding the importance of health and relaxation for a civilized
society, the Bathhouse mirrors Greeks and Roman ideas of well being by
using the 2nd and 3re floor of The Hotel specifically for their state of
the art workout and spa facilities. Incorporating the healing and
rejuvenating powers of water into the architectural layout and design,
pools of varying temperatures and flowing waterfalls covered in light
blue glass highlight the Bathhouse’s aquatic theme. Dip from a warm
whirlpool into the cold plunge to stimulate blood circulation and
cleanse the body after a long Las Vegas night of drinking and gambling
or uncloud the mind of it’s misty haze by taking a yoga class directly
adjacent to the women’s warm pool. Walking out of my room and into the
elevator which directly opens up onto the Bathhouse, I was immediately
relieved knowing that my 90-Minute Swedish Massage would not be ruined
post treatment, by the dreaded walk across the casino. Sensitive to the
touch, I opted for a light and soothing massage, accentuated by
Eminence’s organic aromatherapy body oils and heavenly heat packs, that
keep the muscle warm and loose. Though I chose to indulge in a oldie but
goody treatment, their innovative approach to skin care and well being
pushes the boundaries of spa services everywhere; ranging from soaking
in your very own Japanese Green Tea and Ginseng bath, to indulging in a
Caviar or Champagne Celebration Facial to detoxifying in a Bathhouse
Mocha Java Sculpting Wrap. In the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, the Bathhouse
time has no relevance and overall beauty has no limits. (www.thehotelatmandalay.com)
MGM Grand: Clinical Collagen Facial
Grand is the perfect word to describe MGM’s Spa
experience. Subdue the lion within as you soak in a purifying hot
whirlpool, while letting your thoughts drift away in the warm decor and
environment. Feel like a queen as you pick off of the fruit platters
that MGM Spa’s employees offer to enrich the experience and satisfy the
pallet. Popularity only seems to increase the stakes of MGM’s facilities
and guest satisfaction. After satiating my appetite due to a missed
lunch, Julissa began the process to find overall equilibrium for my
combination oily and dry skin. This collagen treatment, exclusive to G.M.
Collin, combines sheets of pure, lyophilized, polymerized, unaltered
native collagen with biotechnical active ingredients. In perfect
synergy, facial line and wrinkles decrease immediately and bring
moisture back to the skin. In six steps, beginning with the Energizing
Serum, peaking at the Collagen 90-11 pellicle and ending with the
Long-lasting Vitality Cream, the skin transforms from dull dry
malnourished skin to appearing lifted and smooth. Along with the
collagen process, she explained and implemented the importance of using
a scrub on congested skin, in order to unclog pores and wipe away dead
cells. She recommended the Biogroga line, which targets my particular
skin type. After reiterating the importance of sun block, she handed me
a mirror. I was blown away; there was not a wrinkle to be found. My
quest was complete. (www.mgmgrand.com)
Four Seasons’ Spa: Four-Layer Facial
Elegant and quaint, get away from the loud noise and
the crowded extravagant phased of the Las Vegas lifestyle and slip away
into an elite spa where quality come before quantity. Recognized for
their amazing service and fine details, Four Seasons has always kept
it’s five stare reputation by making every guest feel as important as
the next and his experience exemplified their mission. Once undressed,
the microfiber and terrycloth robes ignited the ultimate luxurious
experience that would span over a two- hour period. Using natural
luxurious products from the sea, the Four-Layer Facial, uses seaweed to
dramatically tone and firm the skin leaving the face nourished and
appearing younger. Stephanie, my esthetician, explained the importance
of seaweed for anti-aging benefits, to provide the skin with vitamins,
minerals, amino acids and trace elements, smoothing out the texture and
nourishing the skin. She used both the C-Serum and the Seaweed mask to
deliver these important properties, which alleviate toxins and equalize
the skin tone. She then applied a mineral mask to activate the
properties of the seaweed mask, supplying the skin with calcium and
magnesium. In awe of nature’s natural medicines, I embrace the movement
toward natural skin care and beauty products taking a moment to relish
in my renewed, clear and tightened skin. (www.fourseason.com/lasvegas)
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