The Bathhouse

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay 3950 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas (877) 632-9636

 

The impression is immediate.  A temple devoted to experiencing the ethereal, The Bathhouse extends the spatial excitement of its home, The Hotel, but by toning down the art deco flourishes.  Pillars of light disappear and are replaced by stone.  Slate walls and ceilings withdraw, and marble floors stretch out, inviting you to levitate through the breathtaking 14,000 square-foot spa.  Lights dance on water as if inviting a miracle.  Suede contrasts with stone and water, beckoning your touch. You can feel your mind quiet down and the breath flowing through you effortlessly.  Needless to say, the foreplay is a major success.

 

The main level of the dramatic spa features a Eucalyptus steam room, communal areas with hot and cold plunge pools and private rooms with bathtubs.  A glass railed stairway whisks you up to the second level with 12 private treatment rooms and a communal lounge.

 

The Ultimate facial uses Carita skincare containing green tea and ginko to protect against environmental damage.  Aged sunflower seeds, thyme and sage are used to exfoliate the skin with the Carita massage technique.  This not only lifts the muscles, but also drains toxins from the lymphatic system so that puffiness from the smoke in casinos or allergies is soothed and abated.  After extractions, a hydrating soy and avocado mask fills in fine lines while a de-puffing eye mask brings the sparkle back in your eyes.

 

It’s little wonder that this elegant spa was the winner for the best spa design by Hospitality Design Magazine (2005).  Kudos must also be given for its existence in a city famous for its over-the-top glitz and its resistance – if not all out rebellion – against the trappings of excess. The frenetic energy of Las Vegas is effectively banished at the Bathhouse so that a Zen-like balance can be achieved after the jackpots have eluded you.