Mandalay Bay

Elegance and style describe this contemporary hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Contemporary design and sophistication is Key at THEhotel. They have playfully named many of the facilities and room items with THE in front of them such as, The store, The cafй, and The lounge which features a bar, billiards tables and inviting furniture for the upscale traveler even THE toilet tissue. The all-suite hotel is stand-alone, and has easy access to The Mandalay Bay Hotel. The suites start at 725 square feet, with separate living area and bedrooms – with an oversized tub and a 13-inch television in the bathroom. I watched the Shark Reef channel while bathing. It was like having an aquarium in my bathroom. There are 1,118 suites on 48 floors, all in earth tones rich dark wood, 42” plasma television in the bedroom and sitting room, a guest bathroom, wet bar and frig – luxury at its best.

The BATHHOUSE, an $11 million spa and state of the art gym -15,000 square feet with an extensive array of services….a 45-page service menu! As I got on the elevator I could smell the sweet aromas of the spa……..mmmmmmmmm, I am relaxing already! Getting off the elevator to ultra-suede lined walls, the soothing, contemporary entry area offered a modern relaxation area to start my journey.

Where to start? I had a “Scentual bathing” Bath - a personalized aromatherapy bath. I filled out a questionnaire, which asked personality questions as well as to my desires of outcome from the bath (relax, energize, etc.) After filling out my personalized form, I was then pointed to the check-in area where I received my locker key to heaven. The Bath also comes with a choice of aromatic teas, so I made my choice from 8 selections and headed into the spa. In my locker was a cushy-soft robe, sandals and a locking box. I arrived early and was escorted through the spa by an attendant. I then went into the waiting area, was guided to my own private room, where my custom oil whirlpool bath was awaiting me. Also, offered in the thoroughly modern theme, a stunning contemporary teapot of my selected hot tea was set on the side of the tub. I poured a cup and slipped into the water, laying back on the foamy pillow behind my head and sinking into the richness of the moment.

Water is the theme here. There are steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, warm and hot whirlpools, mud baths, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, wraps, scrubs and body polishes and masques. Decadence, like Las Vegas, abounds here: Champagne body wrap & massage, Caviar facial, Create your own massage, bath (Baths are only on the women’s side), wrap, or scrub scents. I also opted for an 80-minute deep tissue massage (they also have Back, shoulders, neck, Swedish, Zen Shiatsu, Reflexology, Pre-Natal and Massage Blend – your choice of treatments). They have tanning and waxing, also. It was great!

I stopped afterwards and had some fruit-infused water, some deluxe mixed nuts and then ventured into the Eucalyptus Steam Room. Ah, my head started decongesting immediately! Then, onto the whirlpool area, where I sat on one of the lounge chairs and just bathed in the sounds of the water trickling down the wall and a waterfall sound around the corner. I then slipped into the whirlpool for awhile, and then napped on the lounge chair for a bit. This is also the area that they hold their daily yoga, held at various times of the day.

I also ran into a gal who was getting married later on that evening and she had just spent a full day in the spa. She liked the pads the facialist had put under her eyes so much that she was going back to purchase them. They were to prevent puffy eyes. She said that she could still feel them working, and it was hours beforehand!

There are shorts and t-shirts provided, if you wish to work out, plus they’re used for some of the treatments. BATHHOUSE also has their own specially developed signature spa line, as well as Carita (developed for a day spa in France), Aromapothecary (almost 200 botanicals to create custom essential oil blends) and Babor, a line for men, exclusive to BATHHOUSE and tailored to the needs of each guest.

There is a $30-35 (non-guests) fee to enter the spa, and if you have a service over $50, it is waived. Hours are 6 AM to 9:30 PM. The gym is open 5 Am to 10 PM every day.

Spa Mandalay

Your day at the spa is also good over at the 30,000 square-foot Spa Mandalay, which is a completely different feel to it. Spa Mandalay is a light, airy, traditional setting, which overlooks the resort’s 11-acre tropical lagoon. It is designed with oversized oak lockers, 21 state-of-the-art treatment rooms in which they offer a vast array of massages, aromatherapy treatments, body scrubs, facials, wraps and Ayurevedic treatments.

You can relax in their Eucalyptus Steam room, large whirlpool, hot and cold plunge pools dry sauna, or try one of Spa Mandalay’s Sun Star tanning beds. There are also many choices for manicures and pedicures. There are several juice bars and lounges to relax in. If that’s not enough, Spa Mandalay offers full-service spa cuisine which is low in cholesterol, fat and calories. There is also a 3,000 square foot fitness center, with floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the view over the Mandalay lagoon.

If you’re up for shopping, there is also Mandalay Place, with plenty of exclusive stores and restaurants for all of your needs, including the Shaving Store, where men can have a blade shave.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

If you’re looking for non-stop fun, there is an assortment of entertainment at Mandalay Bay – restaurants galore! – The elegant Aureole (pronounced OR-E-al) modeled after the Charlie Palmer New York restaurant has a four-story wine tower. As you enter the restaurant, you wind down the staircase, around the wine tower, down into the dining and bar area. They have such an extensive wine list that it is on a computer pad, called an e-wine book –like a large palm pilot for wine! There is also Fleur de Lys - Chef Hubert Keller’s famous signature contemporary French cuisine. China Grill -Asian-inspired cuisine served in generous “family-size” portions, meant to share.

If you’re looking for adult beverages, there is the Russian-themed Red Square bar and restaurant, which stores over 100 different vodkas behind the bar, with a frozen ice bar, to place your drinks on. There is also a vodka storage freezer (like a huge cigar humidor, for anyone who wants to store their own bottle of vodka) It is hard to miss when walking into Red Square. It’s really a big u-shaped glass-enclosed room with vodka-filled shelves all around it. We have even seen a private party with people in furs and babushka’s in there!

Next door you’ll find the Rum Jungle bar – outside are what seems like hundreds of candles with water falls running all around them. It’s quite beautiful! If you like candles, that is. The topical-inspired menu serves up flaming dishes on skewers, amidst the walls of waterfalls. The club gets going later on, and usually has a line.

Mix is their hot club now, atop THEhotel – featuring world cuisine, offering great vistas of the strip.

There is also The House of Blues and a private dinner club atop the Mandalay Bay, plus “The Girl’s” – Border Grill and oh so many more!

Need I say more? We love visiting The Mandalay Bay properties!

Book your next stay at Mandalay Bay or THEhotel and see for yourself!

Destinations : Nevada : Las Vegas : Mandalay Bay