Successful Meetings - August 2008 - (Page 58)

Gaming Meetings No Spa, > No Dice days they’re like soap in the room— everybody expects them to be there. A lot of groups won’t even look at you if you don’t have a spa. And nearly every group has some sort of health club or spa request.” Lowe says a spa is especially important in gaming environments. “Obviously, people are attracted to the gaming atmosphere,” he says. “But it’s also necessary to offer experiences that have nothing to do with gaming. And a spa is a compelling option.” The spa at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe is called Reflections. It features Roman baths, Turkish steams, Finnish saunas, Swedish massage, and a menu of more than three dozen treatments. Reflections offers services such as a multivitamin power facial, microdermabrasions, and moisturizing collagen treatments. And—not so surprising anymore— there are two skin-care sessions devoted to men: an express and a luxury facial. The 50-minute men’s luxury facial begins with a deep cleaning, followed by exfoliation. Guys get a face, neck, and shoulder massage, and then a revitalizing masque and hydration. “This is purely anecdotal, but we really don’t see a gender bias in the spa anymore,” says Lowe. “It used to be more women than men. Now it’s about fifty-fifty. Even the [Baby] Boomer males are coming in. Boomers who use the spa still skew toward female, but the numbers are evening out. And Gen Xers are very actively coming to the spa.” Others also see a trend in younger people who are eager to make use of spas. “More so than ever, we have to ask people how old they are,” says Pooneh Melton, director of the 26,000square-foot MGM Grand Spa in Las Vegas. “Of course, teenagers can come in and get nail care, or get their Playing the Field Here are some other possibilities allowing for quality spa time at gaming resorts around the country and in the Caribbean: MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS Fashion maven Gretta Monahan unveiled the new G Spa, the first of its kind outside of Boston, when the $700 million MGM Grand at Foxwoods opened its doors in June. The 23,000-square-foot spa has 12 treatment rooms, and a full menu of hair, nail, massage, facial, and body treatments. Services can range from “quickie” mini-services to lavish VIP “splurge” services. “We specialize in the VIP service,” says Alfredo Madero, G Spa director. “We know how to take care of our guests.” Paying homage to its Mashantucket, CT, history, G Spa offers a series of Native American-inspired services, incorporating such elements as clay, maize, and herbs. Choose among the Spa Red Clay mani/pedi, Spa Maize body scrub, or a G Sweet Spa & Tempting Yogurt manicure. THE VENETIAN AND PALAZZO The Venetian added a 3,000-room sister tower on the Las Vegas Strip last year. Both all-suite resorts send their guests to the on-site Canyon Ranch SpaClub, a 69,000-square-foot health and wellness center. Along with massage, skin care, and body treatment rooms, there’s an expansive weight room, therapeutic pools, and the centerpiece of the facility—a three-story rockclimbing wall. The spa’s Double Abhyanga body treatment is performed by two therapists who specialize in this Indian touch therapy that uses transdermal aromatherapy. Fragrant essential oils are applied with light pressure to energy points on the skin. When stimulated, these “doorways” should send messages to internal organs and vital functions of the body. Or, opt for a Body Thermal treatment, where you take in the benefits of a steam and a pulsating shower, followed by a full-body exfoliation and an application of your choice of natural products. Then get ready for a steam bath, Vichy shower, and a moisturizer application. Your choices include antioxidants, papaya enzyme, and espresso mud. ATLANTIS RESORT, BAHAMAS One of only three Mandara Spas in the Caribbean can be found at the Atlantis. Of special note for meetings attendees who are combining a family vacation with the meeting is the Mandara’s Generation YSpa program for teenagers, which allows families to enjoy the spa experience together. LAS VEGAS HILTON One of the venerable full-service spas in Las Vegas, the Hilton’s Royal Treatment offering is one of the best activity options for a tired attendee. It begins with a mimegasite.com AUGUST 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS 58 http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - August 2008

Successful Meetings - August 2008 Contents Editor's Note Industry Trends Industry Events On the Record Technology Calendar Websites of the Month Personal Success Technology Talk Food & Beverage Pre-Event On Site Tools of the Trade Pre-Event Crude Awakening Oil’s Well Betting on Development The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of No Spa, No Dice New & Improved Bean Counting Places & Spaces Cleveland Palm Springs, Desert Resorts Midwest Meetings San Antonio Yucatan Peninsula Gurus

Successful Meetings - August 2008

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