Oh! Oh! Oh! Your First Spa Visit! - The Steamy Side of Vegas

Your first trip to a spa is not quite as dramatic as rock jumping, but a little bit of planning will go a long way!

Lesson 1: Setting up your appointment—So you’re going to a spa for the first time! Good for you (and I mean that literally). You’ll be different when you come out — perhaps sparklier, calmer, more centered, with skin glowing and a deep sense of having done something wonderful for yourself. You may also be thinking about changes you want to make in your life: drink more water; exercise more, get back to yoga. Spas just make you want to be truly “well.”

As you are planning your trip, there are several things to consider…

Peruse the Menus Carefully

There are thousands (millions? I guess, maybe?) of spas out there, each with different specialties, atmospheres, and pricing. Spend time on the internet choosing the spa you want to visit and the treatment you want. Most resorts have their service offerings online with pricing.

If you want a massage, read about the different kinds of massages available. For a first spa visit, I recommend a Swedish massage as it is one of the most gentle and soothing. I also suggest a 50-minute treatment, rather than the 80-minute option. It’s just a good introductory length of time. AND, there are often short, add-on services such as reflexology, hand massages, or mini-facials that allow you to experience other services.

What Day and What Time

Spas do get crowded and that means a lot of people in the dressing room and possibly even standing room only in the sauna. If possible try to be flexible with dates and times. Also, consider that local discounts are available usually either Monday through Thursday or Sunday through Thursday so hopefully you are available on those days.

Spa hours are changing in the Valley. Until recently, spas—and resort pools—closed around five p.m. with the thought that everyone would hit the casino floors. Now, with food and entertainment revenues contributing heavily to the bottom line, spas are open much later in the evening and many open as early as 6 in the morning.

Finally, when planning your spa outing, schedule time to make use of the facilities. Many spas have full gyms, designated outdoor pools, and wonderful wet areas with saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, cold plunges (ugh) and more. Included in the price of your treatment, you will have full use of these amenities for the entire day of your treatment. So, if you’ve had a wonderful facial and your skin is smooth and moisturized, you may not want to jump in the pool after your treatment and wash off all those good nutrients. Consider having your sauna/pool/hot tub experience beforehand. Another perk — you’ll go to your treatment all warm and relaxed and be able to enjoy it to the fullest

Making the Reservation

Many spas now have online reservation systems. I always call. You may have to search the website to find a phone number, but trust me, it’s worth the effort.

You have to call, because you will have QUESTIONS:

When is the spa likely to be the least crowded?
Can you tell me about your locals discounts?
What is the difference between the Himalayan salt scrub and the oat and apricot scrub?
What brands of products do you use in your facials?
Can we order food through room service?
What kind of amenities do you have?

You get the idea.

They also need to ask you questions:

Is this the first time at our spa?
Do you want a male or female masseuse/aesthetician?
Do you have any health conditions we should know about?

When you make the reservation, you will be asked to give your credit card to hold the appointment. It will not be charged until you check out and your local discount is deducted (photo ids are required to confirm your address). Usually there is a four-hour cancellation policy, but this is something else you need to ask.

Let me know how your first visit goes! I’m excited for you…

Note: This is the first in a series of posts designed to help you move seamlessly through your first spa visit.

If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on!

Sheryl Sandberg (CEO of Facebook)