When it comes to gaming towns, Donald Trump has, for years, had a lock on Atlantic City, NJ, where he owns several casino hotels. So it was no big surprise when he decided to break ground on a Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, which opened its doors in March 2008. This property, however, is a paradigm shift from his other gaming-town holdings. The Atlantic City hotels feature bright lights, ringing slot machines, smoke-filled air, and a frenetic pace. The Las Vegas outpost, which is adjacent to bustling Las Vegas Boulevard, is a decidedly serene oasis amid the Sin City hubbub. The entire property is elegant in design, smoke-free, and does not have a casino, making it an attractive choice for well-heeled Vegas visitors looking for a more tranquil experience. Adding to the peaceful yet glamorous ambience is the 11,000-square-foot, nine-treatment-room The Spa at Trump, which is an extension of the hotel's understated elegance. "As a guest of Las Vegas, it is exciting to be in the middle of the activity, but you can also suffer from sensory overload," says spa director Colleen Stiritz. "Trump International Hotel & Tower provides a luxurious escape for its guests, yet it is so close to the action that within minutes you can shop or walk to the Strip."
 Trump International Hotel & Tower is just steps from the bustling Las Vegas Strip. |
According to Stiritz, the hotel's escapist appeal is particularly attractive to spa aficionados looking for a serene oasis amid Las Vegas's sea of noise and lights. "For many, going to the spa means taking time for themselves to heal their minds, bodies, and spirits," she says. "Walking through a smoke-filled casino can distract from that healing experience."
The spa offers several of the personalized touches for which the spas in the Trump Collection have become known. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a Spa Attaché who assists with the selection of a robe, slippers, and a locker; prepares a refreshing pre-treatment elixir; and guides the spa-goer through the Relaxation Path of Experiences, a water ritual that involves a choice of Purifying Steam Bath, Hot Sauna Tradition, or a Deluge Shower. The Spa Attaché also customizes music selections; arranges for a shoeshine, a one-hour pressing, and any other special requests; and then assists the spa-goer in choosing the Trump Personal Intention for the experience. Themes include Calm, Balance, Heal, Purify, or Revitalize, and after a guest selects an intention, essential oils, colors, and music that correspond with the choice are incorporated into the experience.
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Once inside the treatment rooms, services that use products and protocols from one of several high-end Trump partner brands, including Kate Somerville and Shiffa, are performed. Among the decadent bodywork options are the Gemstone Massages ($275, 90 minutes), which incorporate diamond-, emerald-, ruby-, or sapphire-infused Shiffa oils from Dubai. Several results-driven facials designed by Hollywood skincare guru Kate Somerville are also available, including the hydrating Ultimate Kate ($345, 90 minutes) facial, which includes an oxygen treatment, a pressure-point massage, and DermaLucent LED light therapy.
Still, Vegas visitors have special needs that extend beyond the traditional Trump Collection offerings. Therefore, the spa offers a number of treatments that are exclusive to Sin City. Among them are the Sun Worshipper Body Wrap ($95, 30 minutes), which is designed to soothe the burn of a day spent beneath the region's penetrating desert rays; the nourishing Royal Facial ($225, 90 minutes); The Vegas Recovery Massage ($230, 60 minutes), which uses integrated massage techniques of compression, acupressure, and trigger-point release; and The Morning After Eye Cure ($50, 30 minutes), a treatment that minimizes puffiness and dark circles.
 The Spa at Trump |
Also exclusive to the location is the spa's stylish design. "Our treatment rooms all have beautiful crystal lights that create brilliant star patterns on the ceiling, the lighting is soft, and the focal wall is a cushioned suede fabric," says Stiritz. "The wet room includes wall-to-floor grey and white marble tile, which leaves a stunning impression. It is also equipped with a Swiss rain shower and Mr. Trump's favorite air-jet tub."
Still, Stiritz says, The Spa at Trump is truly distinctive in Las Vegas due to the personalized and caring service provided by the 10 full-time and 20 part-time staff members who service up to 100 guests per day. "Our staff truly gets to know clients, and the service that they provide shows how much they genuinely care about our guests' well-being," she says. "To feel the gracious interactions the staff has with each guest will continue to bring people back. That passion and gracious nature in all of our employees is what sets us apart."
Another unique element is the spa's appeal to Las Vegas natives. Although approximately 80 percent of spa visitors are hotel guests, Stiritz says she is seeing a marked increase in local visitors, thanks to resident discounts and spa partnerships with local charities. But whether guests come from near or far, Stiritz says that all clients are attracted to the spa's feeling of "luxury, intimacy, and relaxation," qualities that make visitors to The Spa at Trump feel like they've hit the spa jackpot.