The Ritz-Carlton Spa is pleased to provide the following information especially geared to its first-time guests.
What happens in a manicure?
Your nails and cuticles are cleaned, groomed, finished and massaged, followed by application of a polish in the color of your choice or buffed to a shine.
How does a manicure feel?
A manicure feels wonderful and relaxing. Our manicure and pedicure areas enjoy bright, sunlit windows and great views, making for an especially pleasant environment.
Should I wear nail polish afterward?
Wearing polish is your preference. If you do not want a lot of color, a clear polish can be applied or your nails can be buffed.
What is involved in a pedicure?
A pedicure is similar to a manicure. Your toenails and cuticles will be cleaned, groomed, finished and massaged, while the feet also will be exfoliated and moisturized. Men and women alike love pedicures, and the end result is usually a much appreciated improvement to the appearance of the feet.
Should I get a pedicure if I am embarrassed by how my feet look?
This is the ideal time for a pedicure. Please do not be embarrassed, for your feet will look and feel much better afterwards, and the experience is a delight.
Does my age affect what treatments I can book?
You must be 18 or older to have a spa treatment. Many people have their first spa treatment well into adulthood and find that it becomes a lifelong joy that they can’t do without.
Is your building a non-smoking one?
The entire spa is a non-smoking facility.
What about cell phones and pagers?
We ask that cell phones, pagers and other personal electronics only be used in our upper lobby area.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Appointments must be cancelled at least four hours ahead to avoid cancellation charges.
Is there anything special I should advise or request when making an appointment?
The most important things you can advise are any allergies, medical conditions, injuries, recent surgeries, pregnancy, disabilities or concerns about claustrophobia that you may have. This information helps us to customize your experience to your personal and physical situation, and we are most happy to do this.
How long can I stay in the steam room?
Please do not stay in the steam room for longer than ten minutes at a time.
How long should I stay in the sauna?
Please allow no more than ten minutes per visit in the sauna.
Does exfoliation hurt, and how will my skin feel afterwards?
Exfoliation should not hurt. Your skin will feel like it has been scrubbed with a washcloth, but this does not usually cause pain or discomfort.
Will my face be red or irritated after a facial?
Guests do not usually experience redness or irritation following a facial.
Can I lie by the pool after a facial?
Yes, but we do not recommend it. Your skin could be slightly more sensitive to sun because it is very fresh and clean following a facial. Be absolutely sure to apply a sunscreen!
What happens if I’m sunburned on my treatment day?
Please advise the aesthetician of your sunburn. Your aesthetician may be able to help alleviate some of the discomfort of sunburn.
What if my skin is broken out or sensitive on a treatment day?
Your aesthetician will be able to address this with you and can suggest possible solutions as well.
Where should I put my street clothes and valuables?
You may place your clothes and other possessions in your assigned locker, but we do ask that you not bring valuables with you to the spa.
When and where do I shower?
Many showers are available in the spa. Please shower prior to your scheduled treatment.
When can/should I drink the beverages provided throughout the spa?
Please take advantage of our complimentary beverages to stay hydrated during your visit. Related to beverages, please try to avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages just prior to your spa experience.
What do I wear in the whirlpool or other areas of the Healing Waters?
These gender-specific areas are clothing optional, based on whatever is most comfortable for you. If you wish to wear something, swimwear is a good option.
Do I need to be sociable or quiet in the whirlpool and locker areas?
As these are areas of relaxation, loud conversations are generally discouraged. However, absolute silence is certainly not required in these areas.
What do I wear for a massage or other spa service?
Undergarments are optional. You will be covered with comfortable draping, and only the area being massaged will be uncovered at any one time.
When my treatment is over, how long should I stay in the treatment room before leaving?
Slowly coming back to earth after a spa treatment is an enjoyable experience, so we invite you to spend as much post-treatment time as you like in our relaxation rooms, healing waters or fitness facilities. Once your treatment or service is complete, please meet your therapist outside the treatment room, and you will be escorted to your preferred location.
Where do I go when my treatment is over and after I leave the treatment room?
Your therapist will escort you back to the relaxation room. From there, please feel free to change clothes, shower, enjoy the Healing Waters, relax, work out or simply laze on a chaise in our meditation garden. Do what suits you, and enjoy it. You have access to the entire spa as part of your treatment.
When, where and how do I pay for my service?
If you are a hotel guest, you may ask the spa front desk to charge your treatment directly to your room. Should you prefer, or if you are not a hotel guest, you may pay for your treatment at the spa front desk, either before or after your treatment. Some people like to pay for their services in advance, so that the post-treatment “afterglow” can be enjoyed without having to worry about transactions or extraneous conversations.
What about tipping?
For your convenience, a 20% gratuity charge is applied to the final treatment bill. This is a standard practice since spa guests indicate they don’t want to worry about cash and tipping while actually in a treatment room. If you are staying at the hotel on a spa package that does not include gratuities, please feel free to ask the spa front desk to charge any desired gratuity to your room.
Do you sell gift certificates?
The spa offers gift certificates for sale, as does the hotel’s Signature Shop, inside the main resort building. If you are purchasing a gift certificate for someone else, a good rule of thumb is to build any anticipated gratuity into the purchase amount as well, so that the certificate recipient does not have to worry about tips at all during his or her spa visit.
What should I wear for my appointment?
The spa will provide a robe and sandals for you to use during your visit, and you may change into these in our locker or changing rooms. Undergarments are optional and may be worn based upon your own personal preference. Should you wish, the spa can provide disposable undergarments.
Where do I park?
You may park free of charge in our self-parking garage, located within a few seconds’ walk of the spa entrance, or you may use the parking valet at the front entrance of the hotel.
How do I get to the spa from the parking garage?
Once you have parked, leave the garage through the outside area heading to The Ritz-Carlton driveway (on the third floor of the garage). The spa is the first building you will see ahead of you as you exit the garage, directly across the drive on the far side of the center fountain.
Should I arrive early?
Please try to arrive at least thirty minutes ahead so as to enjoy the spa’s facilities and be ready for the start of your appointment. You may come as early as you'd like on the day of your scheduled treatment.
Where do I check in for my appointment?
The spa front desk will be delighted to welcome you and check you in.
What happens after I check in?
A member of our spa staff will escort you to the locker area, where a robe and slippers will be provided for your use.
Will there be an assigned locker for me?
Yes, you will be assigned a locker upon arrival at the locker area.
Can I choose treatment components, like fragrances, that I prefer?
Typically, guests work with the aestheticians to determine the products that will be used for the treatments.
How do I know what kind of facial to request?
Once you arrive at the spa, you can consult with your esthetician to discuss special complexion concerns or requests you may have. From there, you and your therapist can determine what type facial and products would be best suited to your skin.
What happens in a facial?
A facial is a wonderful, relaxing experience for men and women alike. It begins with cleansing, toning and exfoliation of the skin. Often, oil buildups can be extracted, and special treatment products and techniques are also used in many types of facials. The last two steps are usually a luxurious facial massage and application of a moisturizer appropriate to your skin type.
Can I put make-up on after a facial?
You may indeed apply makeup after a facial. Some guests choose to leave their skin bare following a facial, but that is a matter of personal preference.
Will I need to wash my hair after a facial?
It is a good idea to plan on this, given the location of the hairline. The Ritz-Carlton Spa provides ample private showers and shampoo products, or you may wish to book a salon wash and blow-dry for the time period immediately following your facial. This is a very popular option, especially since our salon is inside the spa building.
How often should I get a massage or facial?
Many people enjoy once-per-week massages, while once-per-month is usually requested for facials.
Are spa services available for men and women alike?
Yes. In fact, all of our services, excluding bikini waxing, are gender neutral.
Do I have a choice of male or female therapist?
We would be happy to note your preference. Please advise us during time of booking.
Do I need to bring personal toiletries, comb and brush or a hair dryer?
The spa is delighted to provide toiletries such as the above, along with our Spa Fresh soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotions.
May I use the fitness center or other spa facilities while there?
Please enjoy the fitness center and spa with our compliments, in conjunction with your spa service or treatment. Hotel guests may use the fitness center and other spa facilities throughout their stay. This access is included in the daily resort fee.
Are your facilities co-ed?
The fitness center, salon, movement studio, sundecks, garden and retail boutique are co-ed. Our Healing Waters hydrotherapy facilities, locker/shower and restroom areas, and relaxation rooms are gender-specific.
When can/should I drink the beverages provided throughout the spa?
Please take advantage of our complimentary beverages to stay hydrated during your visit. Related to beverages, please try to avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages just prior to your spa experience.
Will I have privacy when changing in and out of my robe or swimsuit?
Individual changing rooms are readily available at the spa.
What is a “Relaxation Room”?
Relaxation rooms are some spa guests’ favorite locations. These are lounges where you may mentally prepare for your treatment, doze, daydream or gently return to reality following a treatment or session in the whirlpool, sauna or steam facilities. Infused water, bottled water and fruits are provided in the relaxation rooms, and many people enjoy reading in these locations as well. If you need them, don’t forget your reading glasses should you think you might like to enjoy a book or magazine in the relaxation room.
How will I know when it’s time for my service?
Your therapist will meet you in the relaxation room and bring you to your treatment location. Until your therapist’s arrival, relax and enjoy! It’s all about you and what makes you comfortable.
What are the benefits of a massage, and what is involved in the process?
A massage relieves tension, helps alleviate soreness or stiffness and also helps to remove stress and toxins from the muscles. A combination of long and more specific massage strokes is used to accomplish desired results, and different types of massages are also available to zero in on specific areas.
What if I am modest about nudity?
Because areas not being massaged do remain draped, nudity is not something you will need to worry about during a massage. No areas that a bathing suit would cover are massaged, and abdominal areas are optional. Please tell your service provider if there are areas that you would like to avoid, as this is a perfectly normal request.
What if I am uncomfortable being touched?
Your massage therapist will ask about areas where you may wish more, less or zero contact or pressure. Your comfort with the process is the therapist’s top priority, and we encourage you to advise him or her of any preferences or concerns you may have at the beginning of your treatment.
Should I tell my treatment therapist any other things prior to or during the treatment?
Please be sure to advise your therapist of any ailments or injuries you may have, so that your treatment can be appropriately customized. This is a normal and frequent occurrence, so don’t hesitate to be honest with the therapist. As an example, guests who work all day at a computer or who play a particular sport may have certain muscle stress that they would like addressed. Your therapist welcomes such information and requests.
Can I talk or should I keep quiet during a treatment?
For best results, try to relax, breathe, close your eyes and enjoy your treatment. Do not worry about not speaking to or entertaining your therapist, as the therapist is there to provide you with the best quality, most professional spa service available. However, if you have questions, comments, or requests, do bring them up as you wish. Your therapist will be happy to speak with you as much or as little as you like, and sometimes a therapist can be a wealth of information.
Can a couple have massages in the same room?
Yes, The Ritz-Carlton Spa has couples’ facilities. These appointments must be booked in advance, though, since more than one therapist must be reserved.
Does a massage hurt?
A massage should not hurt, although deep tissue massages sometimes provide pressures that can be fairly pronounced. Most deep tissue massage aficionados look forward to this feeling. Other massages provide much less intense pressure, although you may always feel free to ask your therapist to apply more or less pressure as you wish.
How will I feel the day after a massage?
You will wish you were back at the spa, and you will probably be basking in a new-found feeling of relaxation. Please be sure to drink plenty of water after your spa treatment, as this helps to flush out freed toxins, which in turn can help alleviate old areas of soreness.
How do I book an appointment?
Please contact our reservations line directly at 702-567-4600.
When is the best day or time to book my spa appointment?
Weekdays and early afternoons are usually less busy than weekends. Our spa services may be booked for the hours between 8 am and 7 pm daily.
How much time should I allow between appointments/services?
Services can be booked back to back. Depending upon your schedule, though, you may wish to leave time in between treatments for lunch or other desired meals.
Is there anything special I should advise or request when making an appointment?
The most important things you can advise are any allergies, medical conditions, injuries, recent surgeries, pregnancy, disabilities or concerns about claustrophobia that you may have. This information helps us to customize your experience to your personal and physical situation, and we are most happy to do this.
What should I bring with me when I come to the spa?
Just bring yourself, ready to relax. If you wear makeup, you may wish to bring cosmetics to apply at the end of your visit. Other special things that some guests like to bring are reading material and glasses, swimsuit and sunscreen to apply post-treatment.
Can I eat or drink beforehand?
Do drink plenty of water beforehand, but please try to avoid heavy meals just prior to your visit.
Should I shave beforehand?
Please do not shave for 24 hours prior to a woman’s exfoliation appointment. It is recommended that men shave prior to a facial.
Do I need to bring personal toiletries, comb and brush or a hair dryer?
The spa is delighted to provide toiletries such as the above, along with soap, shampoo and lotions.
Where do I park?
You may park free of charge in our self-parking garage, located within a few seconds’ walk of the spa entrance, or you may use the parking valet at the front entrance of the hotel.
How do I access the spa from my hotel room?
There are two access routes from the hotel to the spa. The easiest way is to proceed from the front lobby of the hotel into the front drive area. The spa is the large free-standing building ahead and on your right. Another spa access route is from the pool area, which brings you to the back rather than the front of the spa and is reserved for hotel guests only. To reach the swimming pool, proceed to the ground/garden level of the north wing of the hotel (the wing where The Ritz-Carlton Signature shop is located). From this ground level, you will find glass double doors leading out to the pool walkway, which takes you left to the pool. A hotel room key is needed to enter the pool area.
Where should I put my street clothes and valuables?
You may place your clothes and other possessions in your assigned locker, but we do ask that you not bring valuables with you to the spa.
What should I do to prepare for an exfoliation treatment?
For the most part, you need do nothing special prior to an exfoliation treatment or scrub. However, please do not shave 24 hours before any such treatment that is salt-based.