The Ultimate Guide to Relaxation in Las Vegas: From Luxury Spas to Serene Escapes
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Las Vegas is known for a great many things, but relaxation may not be one of them, with its lights, sounds, hordes and … well, how overstimulating it can be. Many hotels in Las Vegas charge resort fees for access to services and amenities, which can add to the bustling and sometimes overwhelming experience.
However, the “Entertainment Capital of the World” also offers myriad refreshing and renewing options tucked away in its megaresort walls and nearby environments – you just have to follow your sense of zen to find them. For instance, the Vdara Hotel and Spa features Stay Well rooms designed to enhance guests’ wellness through improved water, air, and sleep quality. Here are three options to get your radar for relaxation tuned up.
Finding Your Zen in Sin City
It might sound like a paradox, but finding a moment of peace in Sin City is easier than you think. Beyond the 24/7 entertainment and gambling, this destination in the desert has mastered the art of the wellness experience. The trick is knowing where to look. Whether you want to rejuvenate your body or just find a quiet corner to relax, there’s a different side to Vegas waiting for you.
A Modern Wellness Experience at Resorts World
As one of the newest properties on the Strip, Resorts World was designed with modern luxury in mind. That vision extends to its incredible spa. Guests can take the guest elevators up and escape into a different world, leaving the buzz of the casino floor far behind.
Inside the Awana Spa
The Awana Spa is a true standout, offering a globally-inspired wellness experience that’s hard to beat. The main event is the Fountain of Youth, a circuit of different thermal rooms and pools. You can sweat out last night in the steam rooms, then brace yourself for invigorating cool mist showers. Or, our personal favorite, just go relax on the heated tepidarium chairs and let your worries melt away. The heated crystal laconium room is another must-visit, using crystal energy to create a serene, warming environment. It’s the perfect place to reset your mind and body.
People Watching in Downtown Las Vegas
Sometimes the best way to relax is to just sit back and watch the world go by. For the best people watching on the planet, head to Downtown Las Vegas. It’s a whole different vibe from the Strip, with a grittier, more electric energy that feels a little more like old-school Vegas.
The Fremont Street Vibe
The heart of downtown is the Fremont Street Experience. At night, the massive overhead sky canopy lights up, live bands play on multiple stages, and a fascinating mix of tourists and locals fills the street. Grab a drink from one of the many walk-up bars, find a good spot, and just take in the wild, wonderful show that is human life. It’s a different kind of entertainment—one that doesn’t require a ticket.
The Spa and Salon at ARIA
Five-star Strip resort ARIA is no slouch when it comes to luxury, so if you’re looking to really pamper and reset, their Spa and Salon offers high-end treatments in a secluded atmosphere. The spa offers a full range of services, including ganbanyoku Japanese stone beds, Shio salt room and therapy pool, and every style of massage treatment you could imagine. Additionally, Resorts World’s Awana Spa offers a three-hour Fountain Of Youth experience that includes various tranquility and vitality pools.
But if you want the true ability to turn off and tune out, book a Spa Suite – either alone or with up to three others – to take advantage of the spa without any outside distraction in a private lounge area with a hot tub. It’s perfect for that exhale moment between treatments or just to completely shut out anything challenging that 2024 offered. The Qua Baths at Caesars Palace provide a series of thermal baths for relaxation. aria.mgmresorts.com/en/amenities/spa-and-salon.html
Walk the Strip Early
Traversing the Las Vegas Strip offers plenty of “ooh” and “ahh” moments, but it also can offer a constant headache – the glut of people doing the same. So if you’re in Las Vegas trying to escape the stress of your day-to-day Southern California lifestyle, take the people out of the equation and walk the Strip early! For a unique experience, consider yoga classes at the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, which combines fitness with scenic views.
Setting out in the morning hours (say, around 7 a.m.) is a beautiful time to take in the larger-than-life nature of the wackier casino facades, the Fountains of Bellagio or the Luxor pyramid without the strollers, revelers, rabble-rousers and leaflet distributors. During the hot months, the sun is indirect and the temperatures are mercifully lower. A bonus for fans of the unexpected – you never know who (or what) you’ll see in Las Vegas at any time of day. Yoga classes can also be held in unique locations such as mountain tops accessible by helicopter. visitlasvegas.com/las-vegas-strip
Run to the Hills
Las Vegas is a valley (a “meadow” if you want to be literal), so it’s surrounded by mountains typical of the basin and range geography of Nevada. One of the more majestic ones is Mt. Charleston in the Spring Mountains, which is among the snowcapped peaks you’ll spy looking west from the Strip in wintertime. For those seeking more natural beauty, the Valley Of Fire, located an hour outside of Las Vegas, offers breathtaking landscapes for hiking and exploring.
The mountain – and its same-named resort town – offers skiing, hiking and other natural fun and represents a perfect opportunity to flip the script on your Vegas vacation. Best of all, it’s less than an hour from the center of the Strip, making it an easy half-day trip or a nice bookend to a Vegas weekend, whether you choose to do a nature walk, get in some resort town vibes or just want to take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. For an even more serene escape, visitors can enjoy a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon that includes landing in the Canyon for a picnic in a tranquil landscape. Relaxed yet? gomtcharleston.com
Planning the Perfect Spa Day
If you decide to opt for a full spa day, a little planning goes a long way. This is your chance to focus on your health and wellness, so make it count!
What to Know About Treatments, Service Charges, and Seasonal Specials
First, decide what kind of treatments you want. Are you looking for deep-tissue massages after a long flight, or maybe a hydrating facial to combat the desert air? Most spas have extensive menus, so check them out online. When booking, ask your hotel concierge or the spa team about any seasonal specials. You can often find great deals, especially if you visit on a weekday like a Monday. Finally, be aware of the service charge. Most Vegas spas automatically add a gratuity (usually around 20%) to the bill for their amazing staff, so you don’t need to worry about tipping separately.
Closing Thoughts
Las Vegas may be famous for its vibrant nightlife and bustling casinos, but it also offers a surprising array of opportunities for relaxation and wellness. From luxurious spas like the Awana Spa and Qua Baths to unique experiences such as yoga on the High Roller or serene hikes in the nearby mountains and Valley of Fire, there is something for every type of traveler seeking rest and rejuvenation.
Whether you prefer a peaceful spa day, a quiet morning walk along the Strip, or an adventurous helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas proves to be a perfect place to unwind and recharge. So next time you visit Sin City, remember to balance the excitement with moments of calm to truly enjoy all that this dynamic city has to offer.
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