The Best Spa in the World might be at Caesars Palace

Every hotel in Las Vegas now has a spa, and the competition among the hotels is fierce; however, Caesars Palace might arguably have the top spa in Las Vegas. Caesars Palace just opened the Qua Baths & Spa, a 50,000-square-foot facility that features 51 treatment rooms, 35 massage studios, three deluxe couple's suites and seven facial rooms. Qua also offers two hydrotherapy tubs, three Vichy showers, an herbal steam room and a cedar wood sauna.

Keeping with the Roman theme of the hotel, the spa has been designed to bring the traditions of the ancient Roman baths to modern times, specifically the communal activities, where people gathered to relax, tell stories and free themselves from the common day-to-day worries. Included with each treatment at the spa are the Roman Baths.

The Roman Baths consist of three distinct pools, varying in both temperature and size. Guests are welcome to come with family and friends to mingle as they unwind and relax. The experience begins in the largest of the pools, the Tepidarium, with warm mineral-enriched waters to help restore natural elements of oneÕs skin. Next are the two smaller pools, the Caldarium and the Frigidarium. The hot waters of the Caldarium ease daily tension and soothe tired muscles, while a quick plunge into the cold waters of the Frigidarium invigorates oneÕs body. Water massages, thermal stone deep relaxation chaises and exhilarating overhead rain showers complete this spectacular, one-of-a-kind experience.

Additional Roman Rituals include the Laconium Room (an ultra-heated room) which was inspired by the ancient Roman steam baths. The Laconium sauna uses heat to warm oneÕs body from the inside out, keeping it warm and loose between treatments. Guests can sit with partners or friends as the Laconium stimulates circulation and reduces stress. The result is a feeling of physical and mental tranquility.

Unique to the Qua Spa is the Arctic Ice Room in which one can sit in a room with heated floors and benches, in a crisp 55 degree air as falling snow relieves oneÕs stress.

The spa has its own in-house Tea Sommelier who pairs teas for each personÕs particular spa treatment. There are separate womenÕs and menÕs tea lounges. All teas used are organically grown with only natural ingredients and flavors.

The spa also has an extensive menu of services with many unique treatments. Particularly interesting are the treatments designed for couples. The spa has a full menu of massages: a stone massage, a Thai massage, the classic Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage, a Pain Management with Biofreeze¨ massage, a Japanese Shiatsu massage and an oriental reflexology massage. A number of massages involve the use of soothing oils. The spa also offers various wraps such as the Banana Leaf Body Wrap, the Frankincense & Myrrh Body Wrap, the Dilo Rescue Wrap and a special herbal wrap. No self-respecting spa would be without its own volcanic clay body mask and a chai tea mud mask. Other unusual treatments are the exfoliating body scrubs, chakra balancing, baths and crystal body art and this is just a partial listing of the treatments.

Qua means "here" in Latin, and here in Las Vegas is Qua: the worldÕs best spa and baths.

John Laub is the president of the CEO-CFO Group.

1. "Bathing in Luxury." US Airways Magazine. November 2006.
2. "Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace Review" Jeannie Borbe. Vegas.com Spas.
3. Qua Spa. www.harrahs.com/qua/