SPA AT ENCORE, LAS VEGAS
by Anne Dimon
A third-floor lounge of gold and creams and seductively rich with fabrics and furnishings welcomes visitors to the newly opened Spa at Encore - the newest Wynn property in Las Vegas.
Read about other Spas in Las Vegas
"People feel better in a beautiful and balanced space," says Wynn designer Roger Thomas, and beautiful this is. Luxurious details extends to staff uniforms – black with gold embroidery – faux leather-covered lockers, and the signature butterfly motif hand-woven in silk and affixed to a domed ceiling. Representing change and beauty, the butterfly is the prevailing motif throughout the resort. You’ll see it everywhere.
Past the spa reception desk and beyond the heavy brass and glass doors – one leads to the men’s facilities, the other side is for women - lies the more private spa spaces including Wet Areas with hot and cold pools, heated marble chaises and waterfall showers.
And, even though with its 50 plus treatment rooms and suites the Spa at Encore is among the largest in this spa-centric city, it still has a boutique feel. Elements such as a collection of small locker rooms and various lounge spaces help create that feeling of intimacy.
Point of Distinction: The distinction at the Spa at Encore is definitely the décor. Most of the spaces are very lux.
The Experience: I was tempted by the Good Luck treatment, but ultimately decided on the Four-Hand Massage. It was very nice but can’t say it was the best I’ve ever had. The trend with spas now is “customization” and during my Four-Hand Massage I was never asked for my preference about anything - the music, the lights, the massage oils, for instance - that would have made this treatment more personalized.
Signature Treatments: Go for the Good Luck treatment (I had it a few years ago when the spa at sister property Wynn opened.) Ayurveda treatments are also a specialty.
Where to Stay: Design and attention to detail seem to be the mantra at Encore so if you’re into the look and feel of a "boutique hotel" on a very grand scale then definitely stay here. But if you do decide to book elsewhere, the spa is also open to guests from other hotels.
Where to eat: The juice bar on the spa floor offers a menu of fresh fruit and veggie drinks including shots of wheat grass. There was no specific "spa menu" available but lunch or dinner can be ordered from the room service menu and enjoyed in the very lovely lounge.
Other Facilities: Also on the third floor, there’s a salon, a gym (one of the most elegant gyms I’ve seen anywhere), two fitness studios for scheduled yoga and Pilates classes, a good-sized boutique and a juice bar. Guests (both in-house and from other hotels) who don’t wish to book a spa treatment can still enjoy the spa floor facilities with a day pass – cost is $30 U.S.
(Editor’s note: Please check with hotel as price may have changed since the writing of this article.)
Best thing about it: There’s a number of things I really liked about this spa: the luxurious sense of arrival created by the opulent spa lounge, the smallish locker/vanity areas that create more of an intimate feel and the Wet Area with its Swarovski crystal drapes and heated marble chaises.
What could be improved: Encore is one of the most beautiful resorts on the Strip and the Spa at Encore is certainly one of the most opulent, however, I found the attention to detail in the spa was more about the décor than the actual spa experienced. I would have liked to see a designated spa menu, throws on the lounges in The Quiet Room (for those guests who would like to nap), more reading material, and a refreshment station that offers something other than mini-bar type packaged treats. Also, many savvy spa goers today are also eco-minded so china is definitely preferable to paper cups for tea.
I give it an 8 out of a 10.
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