It was the second week of a two-week whirlwind around the globe. I began in New York, stopped in İstanbul and Cappadocia, overnighted in Los Angeles, and arrived in Las Vegas to prepare for three days at a travel trade show. My Monday arrival with my Los Angeles–based colleague, Rafie Iannello, coincided with her birthday — and what better way to celebrate and recover from jet lag than an afternoon at the spa? Las Vegas offers abundant wellness options, and we chose the Spa at The LINQ.
The LINQ opened in late 2014 as a modern addition to the famed Strip, designed for a hip, savvy traveler. Its outdoor promenade features shops, restaurants, entertainment and the High Roller — a 550-foot Ferris wheel with sweeping views of the city. The next night Rafie and I took a 30-minute ride in one of the High Roller’s bar cars, enjoying happy hour cocktails and the lights of Las Vegas.
Although The LINQ offers many dining, shopping, casino and nightlife options, that day we focused on relaxation. After a delayed departure from Los Angeles, the spa felt like exactly what we needed.
What sets Spa at The LINQ apart from other Strip spas is its combination of distinctive treatments and amenities. We indulged in an Alaskan Glacial Mud wrap, made from raw, hand-carved glacial mud sourced from Alaska’s Copper River Delta, and spent time in the Himalayan salt therapy cave — the only one of its kind in Las Vegas.
A treatment room © Spa at The LINQ
The spa blends contemporary touches with a bit of edge. Instead of the usual ambient spa playlist, the facility offers jazz or lets guests play their own music through treatment-room speakers. Aromatherapy is included with each service at no extra charge, and guests choose their preferred scent. Visits begin with a personal tour, and treatments priced at $50 or more include access to the salt cave, whirlpools, eucalyptus steam rooms and single-sex lounges. Day passes are available as well. The Harmonize Water Bar, a selection of teas and zero-gravity lounge chairs add to the comfort, while a 24-hour fitness center, salon and retail offerings round out the experience.
After a hectic travel schedule, my memory of the visit is pleasantly hazy — which, for someone who rarely quiets her thoughts, was a welcome change. The spa visit left me refreshed and ready for three busy show days and more flights. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
The décor uses a muted palette and geometric elements. Purple lighting in the guest lounge creates a mellow, modern atmosphere, while the red glow of the salt cave produces a calming effect. Overall, the colors and design support the spa’s relaxed vibe.
Salt cave © Spa at The LINQ
After some time in the relaxation room in fluffy robes, therapists escorted us to separate treatment rooms. I prefer a spa’s signature experience, and the Alaskan Glacial Mud wrap was a highlight. The Copper River Delta mud is highly mineral-rich and is used to detoxify and smooth skin. My 50-minute treatment began with a gentle exfoliating brush, followed by a warm mud wrap and finished with a massage. The glacial mud helps with anti-aging and moisture retention; my skin remained noticeably soft for days.
Prone to chronic sinus issues that worsen with travel, I was especially eager to try the 45-minute session in the salt cave, a therapy used for centuries to aid congestion, asthma and other respiratory concerns. When I entered, I could taste the salt on my lips. I traced the irregular salt crystals along the wall and left faint marks in the powdery salt on the floor before settling onto a lounger. After treatments, Rafie and I reunited in the cave and relaxed on Z-shaped loungers.
We had the cave to ourselves and enjoyed both the restorative atmosphere and some good conversation.
Spa at The LINQ
The LINQ Hotel & Casino
3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
tel 702 794 3242
caesars.com