About a year ago, during a particularly frenzied day at CES (the world’s largest consumer electronics conference held in Vegas every January), I found myself meandering through The Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian hotel on a mission to meet an old friend for lunch.
Technically, I had simply walked across the street to his hotel from my room at The Mirage. However, due to the sheer size of the hotels on the Vegas strip, I had actually been walking briskly for over twenty minutes, and was certainly feeling the step count! As I weaved through hordes and hordes of fellow hungry, lanyard-wearing conference-goers, I spotted the only sign in Las Vegas that has ever truly excited me: Canyon Ranch!
As someone who got married in Tucson, AZ, I am very familiar with the global cache of the Canyon Ranch spa chain. I personally had never been to one of their locations before, but I had always longed to go. Perhaps due to the heavy combination of stress and exhaustion I felt that day (which tends to creep up on me during corporate conferences), I vowed to look into making an appointment during the conference the following year.
True to my word, as I was packing for CES 2020 this year, I pried open my laptop to research more about the spa and see if any appointments were available within my schedule.
Lo and behold, as soon as I was on the spa’s website, three factors sold me:
- There is currently an online coupon for 20% off services of 50+ minutes (YAY!!!)
- The purchase of just one spa service would give me full-day access to the TEN relaxation amenities in their Aquavana spa
- On the same day as my spa appointment, I could attend any of the Canyon Ranch fitness classes for free (fitness class schedules)
Combined, all three of those make an EXTREMELY good deal. It sounded like the perfect way to spend my free day during the conference!
Having booked my massage and facial back to back at 1pm and 2pm respectively, I decided to check into the spa several hours early in order to get full use of the Aquavana relaxing spa experiences. I knew it would be a great way to ease into the day, plus I wanted to be able to provide a full review!
So, if you’re here because you’re thinking about doing a similar spa day at Canyon Ranch, below is a breakdown of exactly what to expect:
Check in was incredibly easy, and the staff showed me around the facility with a full tour. That said, during the tour, they immediately mentioned that phones are not allowed throughout the spa. OH MY GOSH WHY DIDN’T I REALIZE IN ADVANCE THAT WOULD BE THE CASE?! Haha! The reason for the no-phone policy is simple: several of the relaxation experiences are clothing optional, and Canyon Ranch wants to protect each client’s privacy. Once explained, it made total sense. (As a note, I never saw anyone who ‘opted out’ of wearing clothing.)
With that, as soon as I came to grips with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to vlog about my spa day in real-time, I concluded that fate was insisting my spa experience should be completely mindful. So, I texted a few folks to let them know I was going to be inaccessible for several hours, and then changed into my robe and sandals. It was time to get serious about my relaxation!
And, in the Aquavana spa, that’s exactly what happened. Plus, miraculously, I was completely by myself for the first two hours!
As I walked into the water areas in my rubber sandals, swim suit, and plush robe, I was greeted with a choice of either cucumber or orange-infused water. (I’m always so grateful when there are two options since I’m allergic to oranges!) I filled my plastic cup with the cucumber refreshment and bee-lined to the heated lounge chairs surrounding the large whirl pool. There, I opened the small pamphlet the staff had given me detailing the various amenities.
“Wander from one Aquavana environment to the next. Or, for a focused experience, choose the sequence (below) that calls to you,” the pamphlet read.
Given my relaxation and mindfulness goal, I quickly decided that I would follow their recommended sequence called “The Relaxer.” The other two options were “The Energizer” and “The Stress Buster,” but I personally wanted to avoid any cold therapies.
The Relaxer:
- Step 1: The Hydrospa. Loosens your muscles, opens pores, and increases blood flow. 15 min max.
- Step 2: Experiential Rains. Try the Cool Fog setting to rinse away toxins and sweat.
- Step 3: Herbal Laconium. Take deep, cleansing breaths to savor the aromatherapy.
- Step 4: Back to the Experiential Rains for more Cool Fog.
- Step 5: Feeling better? Repeat steps 1-4 for maximum effect.
- Step 6: Relax in a heated lounge chair as your body comes back into balance. No rush.
After following that sequence, I decided that my absolute favorite experience was the Herbal Laconium! That room was heated to about 104°F and scented with a lovely eucalyptus aroma. I couldn’t help myself – I folded up my towel and sat cross-legged in meditation (not something I typically do) on one of the tiled seats for around 30 minutes! In all seriousness, I wish I could have brought that experience back home with me to Chicago. I’d do it every day!
Once I had finished The Relaxer sequence, I read through the descriptions of all of the Aquavana experiences and visited all but one (I purposefully skipped The Igloo).
“Each Aquavana environment charms your senses and soothes your body,” the pamphlet read.
I’ll list out the spa’s descriptions of each below.
Same-gender Experiences:
- Crystal Steam Room: A heated, steamy environment with large crystal and optical effects to provide a meditative focus
- I found this to be REALLY steamy so I didn’t stay in there long. I was worried it would open my pores too much before my facial.
- Experiential Rains: Cool Fog, Tropical Rain, and Caribbean Storm with thunder and lightning
- This concept was new to me. Basically, I’d describe this feature as a shower room outfitted with LED lights that rotated through the color spectrum. When I stepped in and turned the shower to Cool Fog, I felt that the water pressure was too strong to be considered “fog.” Instead it was a true rain experience, similar to if you were caught outside without an umbrella and the rain smelled like essential oils. Personally I didn’t find it relaxing due to the cooler temperature and strong water pressure, but if you like the feeling of rain, this would be a great fit for you!
- Finnish Sauna: A classic wood-lined dry heat chamber.
- I must admit I’m not a big sauna person, despite my Swedish heritage. This was a large, traditional sauna, so it would be perfect for someone who loves them.
- Herbal Laconium: A warm, tiled room with eucalyptus herb-infused mist, heated thrones, and a fiber-optic ceiling
- This was one of my top favorite things to do, and I went back multiple times. It felt like the perfect warm, relaxing environment.
- Hydrospa: Body jets in warm water provide gentle massage
- I loved being in the hydrospa area by myself because it was extra relaxing. It was helpful that there was a clock on the wall, or else I easily would have lost track of time!
- Igloo: Arctic mists infused with essential oils, plus twinkling fiber optics
- This was the only experience I didn’t try, since my body is really sensitive to cold temperatures. There was a helpful plaque on the wall that said the temperatures were below freezing.
- Thermal Heated Loungers: Lounge chairs to keep your muscles warmed and loosened between thermal experiences.
- Loved that these were heated! It made the moments when I would drink the cucumber water extra special!
Co-ed experiences:
- Conservatory: Intimate seating with gentle music, fresh fruit, infused waters, and tea
- Loved this waiting area, because it let me eat snacks while still relaxing
- Salt Grotto: The sense of sea air and water bubbling over natural salt rocks
- This was my other top favorite experience after the Herbal Laconium. This room felt like I had walked into a salt cave outfitted with LED light therapy and lapping, meditative fountains. I truly wanted to stay in there for hours.
- Wave Room: Reclined seating and imagery of water swirling overhead on the domed ceiling
- I really liked this room too, but it was the most popular area in the co-ed spaces. Watching the rotating water reflecting on the domed ceiling gave a feeling of safely being under water. The imagery was also accompanied by relaxing nature sounds, which made me feel like I was transported into a different realm. Bye, Vegas!
After cycling through all of the experiences for a few hours, I finally made my way to the relaxation area for some quick snacks and coffee before my spa sessions began. Each lounge chair in that room had its own reading lights and sheer curtains so you could read a magazine while continuing in your own privacy.
Once 1pm came around, one of the spa staff found me on my lounge chair and brought me to meet my masseuse, Carla. Carla led me through the hallways, and I was amazed with how many treatment rooms the facility had! The spa must certainly do some big business!
Before my treatment, Carla asked me if I had any specific concerns as well as what type of pressure I would prefer. I let her know that I love firm pressure, and I had just done a lot of hiking in Southwest Utah over the weekend and would love a focus on my legs, back, and shoulders. Boy, did she deliver! I felt she was able to loosen up areas of my shoulders that I would have never gotten myself! I tend to get massages several times a year due to the amount of back and shoulder tension I deal with, and I’d count that one as one of my best yet.
Next, I was led to my facial appointment with an esthetician named Elizabeth. She was fantastic as well, and I learned she had been working at Canyon Ranch Las Vegas for 18 years! Her professionalism showed, because I felt that she truly listened to my skin concerns and customized my facial specifically for my fickle skin. The best part was that she moved through the unpleasant extraction process very quickly, and used cucumbers on my eyes while deeply moisturizing my face after it had been exposed so long to the dry, Southwest air. On top of that, she wrote down all the products that she used on me in case I wanted to buy them once I got home!
My spa therapies ended at 3pm, which gave me about an hour to get ready for the yoga class. I went back to my locker to change into my workout clothes and looked at my phone for the first time in hours! After so much pampering, I barely missed the outside world. Luckily it was a pretty calm day.
The staff at the spa next pointed me towards the gym at the Venetian, where I met up with the yoga instructor. Because I arrived about 15 minutes early, she kindly treated me to a pre-workout guided foam rolling session as a bonus! Suffice to say, my muscles had the best day ever that afternoon!
Once yoga wrapped up, I headed upstairs to take a shower and begin checking out. Even the shower room was exceptional. It had EVERYTHING a person would need, but the best part was that there was a built-in eucalyptus spray in each stall to continue the aromatherapy experience! Canyon Ranch had thought of everything!
As I made my way to leave, it dawned on me that I had been at the spa for EIGHT HOURS straight – mostly without access to my phone. I think it speaks volumes that I barely missed my connection to the outside world. Truly the only thing motivating me to leave was my rumbling tummy, which was ready for dinner.
Hopefully, someday I can go back and do it all again!
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