Worth the trip: The Spa at Red Rock's Shirodhara Hot Stone treatment

November 29, 4:30 PMLas Vegas Spa ExaminerHeather Turk

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A glimpse at the wet area at The Spa at Red Rock

After a while (for those lucky avid spa-goers), going to the spa may feel a bit routine: massage, body wrap, facial, scrub, repeat. So, for those looking for a unique treatment to shake things up a bit, The Spa at Red Rock has just what the jaded spa-goer's looking for.

The spa’s 105-minute Shirodhara Hot Stone treatment ($285) combines two guest favorites--the full-body hot stone massage and the Shirodhara scalp treatment--for one unforgettable spa experience. Even if you’re located in Henderson, this is one spa treatment that’s worth the trip out to Red Rock Casino.

Your service begins with a relaxing, full-body hot stone massage using Innovative Body Science’s warming Malachite Geleé. The mineral infusion crystal geleé not only smells refreshing, but also contains a high concentration of Copper to provide the antioxidant power needed to help cleanse your body of the toxins found under your skin and promote a more balanced, clear complexion. Additionally, the warming effect combined with the geleé’s active ingredients of Carnitine and Coenzyme Q-10 helps relax tight muscles and ease tension, guaranteeing you leave the treatment room completely kink-free.

Once your spa technician lightly massages the Malachite Geleé into the back of your legs, arms and back with the warm basalt stones, you’ll be asked to flip over on the treatment table so that she (or he) can work on the front half of your body. While the front of your legs and arms are being massaged with the stones and geleé, additional hot stones will be placed on top of various energy points on your body, including your stomach (if you’re a woman receiving this treatment, your spa technician will ask if you’re pregnant or on your period before placing the stones on your stomach), to promote circulation, boost your immune system and create a sense of well-being. Then, your spa technician will work on massaging your neck and scalp, which might seem surprising since the second part of the treatment focuses specifically on that area. If you’ve been experiencing some discomfort in your neck lately or just enjoy a good scalp massage, though, this is the perfect service to get, as those areas definitely don’t get neglected!

After about an hour of being massaged from head to toe with the hot stones (the time will fly by!), it’s time for the second part of your service: the Shirodhara treatment. For those who haven’t experienced a Shirodhara treatment before, it’s a powerful therapeutic experience based on Ayurvedic healing therapy, which has been used for thousands of years. Although it’s not for everyone, for those who do enjoy it, it truly is a heavenly experience.

The Shirodhara treatment begins with a stream of warm, lavender massage oil (also from Innovative Body Science) running over your “third eye,” causing your mind to become still and peaceful. While one might think having a constant stream of oil pouring on their forehead would be annoying, since the flow is continuous and the oil isn’t dripping over your “third eye,” after a couple moments, it really just feels like your forehead is warm as you don’t really notice the streaming oil anymore. It may take a few moments, though, for your spa technician to direct the oil in the right direction--meaning into your hair and not into your eyes. Not to worry, though; if any oil does drip over your eyes, it won’t burn, as your eyes will be closed and covered during this part of the treatment. Furthermore, your spa technician will be monitoring the stream of oil very carefully, so if it does begin to flow in the wrong direction, he or she will be nearby to quickly wipe it away.

After about 10 minutes, the spa technician will stop the oil stream and gently massage the oil that’s in your hair into your scalp to help nourish and condition the area. Once this portion of the treatment is complete (approximately 15 minutes later), you’ll find yourself in a deep state of relaxation--that is, if you haven’t completely drifted away. You’ll then be given a few additional minutes to relax while the spa technician uses healing Reiki Energy to bring your body into balance (you’ll be forewarned ahead of time if during any part of the treatment you don’t feel your spa technician at work, chances are she or he is realigning your chakras) and finishes the service. By the time you leave the treatment room, you’ll feel completely relaxed and tension-free, your senses awakened and your body rejuvenated.

Even if you’re the type of person who doesn’t buy into treatments that claim to “invigorate your soul” or “restore a sense of total well-being,” the Shirodhara Hot Stone is a service you should try at least once, as it truly isn’t like any other spa service out there (unless, of course, you book a hot stone massage and a Shirodhara service back to back). While it’s arguable if you really leave the treatment room with your chakras realigned, you can’t deny how relaxed you’ll feel once the service is complete.

While the Shirodhara Hot Stone works wonders for stress and tension, guests can further their state of total well-being by arriving for their treatment at least an hour ahead of time to experience all the amenities The Spa at Red Rock has to offer. In addition to the usual private men’s and women’s steam room and sauna, The Spa at Red Rock also features a spacious Jacuzzi, a relaxing rainfall shower and a cool plunge pool in the private men’s and women’s locker areas. There is also a beautiful co-ed area outdoors (pictured right) complete with stunning cabanas and its own heated pool (around 80 degrees), so even during the cold winter months, guests can still take in a lap or two.

The Spa at Red Rock, located inside Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, is open daily from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., with spa services starting at 8 a.m. (salon services begin at 9 a.m.). Locals receive 20% off all spa or salon treatments Mon.-Thurs. For those in a hurry, the spa does offer a 25-minute Shirodhara Scalp Experience by itself for $95, as well as a 50- or 80-minute Stone Massage sans the Shirodhara treatment for $160 or $205, respectively. For a complete list of services, click here, and to make your reservation, call 702-797-7878.