Las Vegas may be known for its many lavish spas, but even in a city where luxurious retreats are the norm, the Encore Spa inside Encore Las Vegas truly stands out.

The breathtaking oasis is easily one of the Strip’s most gorgeous spas, providing a welcoming atmosphere that invites guests to spend the entire day unwinding. In addition to its menu of ahh-mazing services, the Forbes Five Star spa features separate, fully appointed men’s and women’s facilities complete with their own saunas, steam rooms, waterfall showers, experience showers, 80- and 70-degree plunge pools and not one but two massive whirlpools with individual concaves for guests to sit in that provide spa-goers with their own jets and even armrests. As if all that weren’t enough to waste the day away in, the Encore Spa also features several heated stone chaise lounge chairs that are so comfortable, guests can easily spend an hour or two just relaxing in them. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself starting to nod off while sitting in one of the heated lounge chairs—they are that relaxing!

While it’s easy to spend hours enjoying the spa’s soothing facilities, what truly makes the Encore Spa stand out is its menu of services. Offering everything from massages to facials, waxing to body treatments, the Encore Spa is sure to have something for everyone on its menu. However, for those looking for a treatment that’s as unique as the spa itself, look no further than Encore Spa’s Thai Oil Fusion Massage.

Available as an 80- or 110-minute service ($260 and $350, respectively; traditional Thai also available on a limited basis), Encore’s Thai Oil Fusion Massage is one of the spa’s deepest, most therapeutic massages, perfect for those suffering from a lot of tension. Unlike traditional Thai massages, where you usually remain clothed and the massage takes place on a mat on the floor, Encore's Thai Oil Fusion Massage takes place on a massage table with the client fully undressed. It also incorporates the use of massage oil, which normal Thai massages do not.

The treatment begins with your choice of one of two natural massage oils—an energizing blend of lime, lemongrass and camphor, or a calming and warming blend of cinnamon, camphor and orange—blended exclusively for Wynn and Encore by Tasha and Co. Then, you’ll be asked to get undressed and lie on the treatment table face-up so that your massage therapist can begin working on your feet, legs and arms. Using Thai stretching methods, your limbs will be bent into a variety of yoga-like positions to help stretch out your muscles, then your massage therapist will massage the area, locking his or her forearms at the elbow to apply firm, rhythmic pressure. Your massage therapist will also use his or her fingers to gently apply pressure to various pressure points on your body, resulting in a massage that—at times—might not be as relaxing as novice spa-goers might have hoped.

That being said, though, if at any point during the Thai Oil Fusion Massage you feel like the pressure is becoming too much or your limbs are being stretched too far, simply let your massage therapist know and he or she will adjust the pressure/angle accordingly. In fact, often during the service as your limbs are being bent into various positions, your massage therapist will ask if you feel like they can be stretched even further rather than just manipulating them automatically. This results in a massage that guests can actually feel doing something to their body, but that never once feels uncomfortable.

Once the front of your arms and legs has been worked on, you’ll be asked to flip over on the treatment table so the process can be repeated on the backside of your body. You’ll truly feel like a human pretzel at certain points during the treatment, and you might even be surprised at just how flexible you really are. Of course, the biggest surprise comes once the massage is complete. With all the stretching you did and all the pressure that was applied to your legs, arms and back to help alleviate any painful muscle kinks, you would think you might be a bit sore once the service is over. However, you’ll actually feel more limber than ever and even a bit rejuvenated, as the Thai Oil Fusion Massage truly delivers a relaxing yet energizing experience.

Equally as impressive is just how professional the Thai Oil Fusion Massage is executed. Considering that with traditional Thai massages you remain clothed because of all the different ways your body is being bent during the service, one might think that they may become exposed during the Thai Oil Fusion Massage lying naked on the treatment table. However, your massage therapist always makes sure your body is draped professionally at all times, regardless of what position it’s in, helping spa-goers to feel comfortable and relaxed during the service. And, if for whatever reason you start to get cold when certain limbs are exposed, simply let your therapist know and he/she will do whatever it takes to make sure your body stays warm. After all, as your massage therapist will tell you at the start of your service when discussing the deep pressure that will be used during the massage, if you’re at all uncomfortable during the treatment, it not only detracts from the experience but also the results, so speak up so you can get the most out of your massage.

Once your treatment is complete, you may be tempted to jump back in and enjoy all the amenities Encore Spa offers its guests. Whether you end up spending several more hours at the spa unwinding or you leave immediately following your service, be sure to give yourself at least an hour or two before or after your appointment to enjoy the facilities and get the full Encore Spa experience. After all, doesn’t everyone deserve a few hours of complete and total bliss?

Encore Spa, located at 3121 Las Vegas Blvd. S., is open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily with services booked from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and features 37 treatment rooms including spacious garden villas and couples’ rooms for massage, body treatments, facials and hydrotherapy. Locals receive 20% off all spa services Mon.-Thurs., making a treatment at Encore Spa more affordable than you’d think! For a complete menu of services, click here, and to book your treatment, call 702-770-4772.