Relieving Las Vegas

Bachelorette weekend or friendly getaway, Las Vegas ups the Zen factor with award-winning spa experiences.

  • Category
    Travel
  • Written by
    Darren Elms

Sahra Spa and Hammam

The new kid on the block makes a big impression on an intimate scale at The Cosmopolitan hotel. Staying close to home and using desert tranquility as inspiration, the décor features silver-threaded ceilings and canyon walls, evoking peace and stillness shrouded in understated beauty. Here, nature is queen, with falling waters in the serenity room, a monsoon cave of rain and a heated stone slab for warming relaxation.

The ritual space is a modern homage to a sensual, centuries-old practice of purification. A study in heat and renewal, it combines body detoxification, steam treatments and a cooling bath, all conducted amidst an atmosphere of deep, grounding warmth. The Red Flower Hammam Experience throws in 11 flower oils and fruit essences, including Red Flower’s Coffee Lemon Blossom Olive Stone Scrub. Each level of treatment releases an intense, redolent scent along with therapeutic healing properties. 

You’ll never look at aromatherapy the same again. 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, 702-698-7000, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

 

The Spa at Encore Las Vegas

What the Encore lacks in size, it makes up in beauty. That’s not to say the facility is not big (it still covers a whopping 60,000 square feet), but the real star here is the design—a blend of Asian artifacts and palatial elegance that’s guaranteed to dazzle. Gilded gold lanterns, peaceful Buddhas and gentle glows lead you to tranquil treatment rooms and cozy spa sanctuaries.

Treatments reflect the spa’s Eastern ambience, with Thai and Chinese techniques offered to release tensions and embrace better overall health. The Good Luck Ritual—the original signature treatment—is based on the five Chinese elements and designed to promote happiness, luck and prosperity. The session combines a fusion massage, invigorating peppermint foot treatment, ultra-moisturizing hand therapy and a relaxing botanical scalp treatment. 

Blushing brides may indulge in a 105-minute Nalu Body Ritual followed by an 80-minute oxygen-infused facial, signature manicure and pedicure, classic bridal updo and airbrush makeup application. 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, 702-770-4772, encorelasvegas.com

 

Canyon Ranch SpaClub

The grand dame of the spa scene, Canyon Ranch’s pedigree evolved over a 35-year history that has spawned facilities in Tucson, Lenox, Miami, Queen Mary 2 and, of course, Vegas. Opened in 1999, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub is certainly one of the largest, spanning 134,000 square feet and connecting two mega-resorts: The Venetian and The Palazzo. 

The addition of “club” to the Canyon brand was no gimmick. With more than 120 services offered, a fitness center, a rock climbing wall, restaurants and more, you’ll wonder how you scored such an amazing membership, if even for just a day. 

Other than its size, what really sets the Canyon Ranch experience apart from the others is the magnificence of the spa environments. Centered around Aquavana®, the European-inspired aquathermal oasis offers intriguing treatment suites designed to relax muscles, enrich blood with oxygen and rid the body of toxins. 

Devise your own journey through an astonishing range of multisensory experiences or explore the comforting, rejuvenating power of alternating hot-and-cold treatments with one of their classic Spa Circuit sequences. No matter the method, the means can only be described as pure bliss. 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 1159, Las Vegas, 877-220-2688, canyonranch.com