Qua Baths & Spa @ Caesars Palace
Qua Baths is top class branding and Las Vegas showmanship – a 21st century Roman-inspired pleasure that has set the standard for “gathering space” spas.

Innovation makes this a must-try spa, especially since prices are comparatively reasonable -- spa amenities are complimentary with all spa treatments or you can enjoy them without services with a $45 day pass.

The Roman baths consist of three distinct pools of varying temperatures: the Tepidarium, a warm mineral-enriched bath, the hotter Caldarium and the much cooler Frigidarium. You can also languish in the co-ed circular Laconium sauna where the climate is kept at a constant 140 degrees and 35 per cent humidity – the optimum conditions for relaxation. This is where you can eavesdrop on whispered business transactions and gossip; in true Roman tradition, the Laconium is quite the hot spot for get togethers. The Arctic room is a real treat. The floor and benches are heated even though the room temperature is a crisp 55 degrees – cold enough to have snow fall from the ceiling and melt on your hot skin. Qua’s menu of services runs the gamut of wet rooms with Vichy showers to a Crystal body art room where, you’ve guessed it, a body scrub and massage is combined with a style of Swarovski TM body art. Is this is why spa practitioners are called artisans? It might sound somewhat anomalous, but if you’re serious about energy-related treatments, Qua has some of the better ones available. Energy workers are good and if you’re tuned in to this type of treatment, they might even satiate your sensitized know-how.

Recommend: Chakra Balancing Treatment – a combination of energy and massage that balances your energy centers after which your body artist will gift you a special stone charm chakra necklace
Love: the in-house tea sommelier who pairs various teas with spa treatments as wine is matched to fine food. The dream-interpretation coach runs a close second.


Bathhouse at TheHotel
Although part of the Mandalay complex, THEhotel is a separate entity with its own ultra-trendy spa, The Bathhouse, which pioneered communal spa-ing on the Strip. With its granite and suede-covered walls, stylish fixtures and brightly colored furniture, including orange fur benches, it retains a quasi night-club atmosphere, only rock and rhythm is replaced with sounds of trickling water at every turn.

This is in-your-face-modern bat-cave relaxation as in soaring, monolithic black slate walls and floors inset with a narrow, softly lit soaking pool. The whole deal is unexpected. If you’re a hotel guest at either the Mandalay or THEHotel, you have Beach access which, with its 11 acres of pools, bars, private cabanas and 2,700 tons of sand, seems to fly in the face of spa-ing. Still, wandering between a sultry spa and bustling beach can make for a terrific day of lazing around. With only 12 treatment rooms, this spa is small by Las Vegas standards but because every one has a private shower, they feel like mini-suites. The Scents-of-You service is a fun way to customize your service. Arrive early to fill out a body-mind-soul personality questionnaire, have your answers punched into the computer and presto, it calculates a blend of essential oils for your massage, custom-tailored to your needs. Granted, certain oils do have relaxing or detoxifying properties but don’t take the process too seriously. The actual service, though, is excellent – a hybrid massage of hot stones, aromatherapy and Swedish techniques. Add an express facial with an oxygen spray for a “wow” youthful glow.

Recommend: The Bathhouse Samplercombines a customized Scents-of-You bath, a Swedish massage, a refresher facial and classic pedicure. Even though it’s advertised as a Monday-Thursday package, minor pressure tactics can make it a weekend option, too.

Tip: spa passes ($30) are for hotel guests only; non guests must spend at least $60 in spa services for the same privileges.