Las Vegas is a town of excess! You can do too much of anything in Vegas - Too much walking, too much sun, too much gambling, too much good food, and way too many cocktails can all take their toll. Luckily, nearly every major hotel has an oasis of calm and relaxation where you can restore your body and spirit, repairing some of the damages of the night before. The spas!

Day passes and treatments at Vegas spas range from pricey to affordable, and the facilities are some of the best you’ll find - generally very clean and well maintained. I’ve tried many spas, both on-Strip and off, and these are some of my favorites.

Located on the pool level under Mandalay Bay’s casino, Spa Mandalay keeps me coming back for more. The facilities are bright and comfortable, and the treatments are fantastic. I’ve experienced their deep tissue massages, body scrubs, foot massages, facials, and pedicures. In the wet areas you’ll find a sauna, spacious steam room, and elegant hot tubs. There are chaise lounges on which you can snooze, lulled to sleep by the sound of running water from the fountains which separate the hot tubs. Day passes are available, but only for guests of Mandalay Bay. Those staying elsewhere must purchase a treatment in order to use the spa, but they’re worth it!

At Caesar’s Palace, in the Augustus Tower you’ll find Qua, one of the largest spas on the Strip. With 50,000 square feet of space, you can spend hours recharging and rejuvenating. Soak in the Roman tubs, then nap on one of their heated stone benches. Take the steam in the eucalyptus steam room, sweat in the dry sauna and inhalation room, and chill out in the Arctic Ice Room, kept at a brisk, but comfortable 55 degrees.

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One of the unique features at Qua, is the Laconium, a unisex, semi-circular, tiled room in which you wait for treatments. Heated from within, it feels like a stone patio on a Summer day. Day passes are $50 for guests of Caesar’s Palace, $75 for non-guests from Monday through Thursday and $100 for non-guests on weekends. Pricey, but if you want to indulge, there’s no better place!

The Spa at the Wynn has the feel of an old English library, except with showers and a hot tub! There is a definite elegance here - louvered, dark wood lockers, a comfy seating area with a working fireplace, and a beautiful stone floor leading to the wet area give the place a classic feel. The sauna and steam room are both fairly good sized and the showers resemble beautiful, individual stone dwellings. Beyond the showers is a large hot tub, above which is a circular skylight, through which you can see the monolithic, bronze Wynn hotel high above you. On each side of the room are the Deluge Showers - plexiglas booths where a nozzle releases a strong, steady stream of water that falls with such force, it’s like a good, hard massage! The Spa at the Encore is like an old English library by way of Southeast Asia and outer space! The sitting area out front has that academic look, but with an almost Indian feel, and ultra modern touches. The changing room feels very plush, but the wet area couldn’t be more modern. The side-by-side steam room and sauna have clear glass doors, making you feel like you’re on display. There are back-to-back hot tubs with built in seating, and heated stone chaises on which to crash. Across from the hot tubs, is a row of doorless, curtainless shower stalls with computerized controls - very cool, if you don’t mind being on display! Day passes are generally available on weekdays. Call the spas regarding weekend admission.

Although smaller than other spas, The Spa at the Mirage is a favorite of mine. The spa can be a bit hard to find - it’s fronted by a shop with a large selection of bath products and women’s athletic wear. Once you reach the spa itself, though, you’ll find a comfortable space with a minimalist decor. The black lacquered lockers have digital locks, and the waiting area features modern, black leather and chrome chairs. The wet area in the men’s spa has a small steam room and sauna, wicker chairs and ottomans for dozing, and a large hot tub. The women’s side has two small hot tubs and cold plunges, and the showers on the women’s side have plexiglas stools, to facilitate leg-shaving. I’ve had their full body massage, their foot massage, and the Deep Cleansing Facial. Mike, my masseur was extremely professional, asking me at regular intervals if the pressure was okay. The facialist was also amazing, explaining each step as we went. I was left with a glowing complexion and visibly tighter pores. The Spa at the Mirage proves that bigger isn’t necessarily better!

One last spa I feel is worth mentioning also happens to be one of the most affordable. The Spa at Excalibur has spa packages, mid week pricing, and a locals discount. They offer excellent treatments - Lesley, my masseuse gave me a terrific Swedish massage, and my facial was wonderful as well! The wet area of the men’s spa has a decently sized sauna, a large hot tub, and a large, gleaming white steam room. One amenity that caught my eye, was the showers - each shower had it’s own “theme” based on scent. One was Lemon Verbena, another Green Tea, another Citrus Blast and so forth. If you’re on a budget, but want to indulge in a spa day, this is the place to do it!

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