pampered to perfection

Spas can help get you in shape for poolside lounging and evenings out.

By JOAN PATTERSON

Clubbing attire takes on a whole new meaning when the fun is moved poolside. We’re talking shorts, swimsuits, and slinky summer outfits that reveal plenty of skin—from head to toe.

Instead of fretting over every little flaw of that beautiful birthday suit, relax. In fact, go to a spa where salon services include everything from spray-on tans to hair extensions and pampering treatments such as body scrubs that leave the skin smooth and radiant.

Most spas even have fitness programs for those Type As who would rather see their results from breaking a sweat. Whatever the method, “lounging” around the pool has never looked so good.

Wet: The Spa at TI

It only seems fitting that a hotel fronted by a mock ocean and pirate ships should re-christen its spa “Wet” in 2006 and bathe the décor in sea greens and pale blues. Wet also is in tune with the body clocks of today’s late-night partiers. The spa is open until 10 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, offering a full range of services for those who are just getting the night started and want to hit the poolside clubs looking their best.

“We are definitely seeing people coming in at night, and the word is getting out that we’re open later,” notes TI’s spa manager Kesia Rios.

The nighttime “Wet p.m.” menu is dripping with names such as Happy Hour, a body scrub with “a scented lotion chaser,” and an airbrush tan called the Bronze Bombshell. A treatment called The Heiress includes a body scrub laced with gold and a final dusting of, yes, real gold dust, Rios says. A cellulite treatment, hair extensions, and pedicures with Swarovski crystals also are among the choices. (3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. wetspati.com, 702-894-7474)

The Spa at Red Rock

For those who see outdoor adventure as the optimal way to stay in shape for a summer of club-hopping, one of the best places to start is The Spa at Red Rock, located inside the Red Rock Casino, Resort, and Spa.

Perhaps because of its location at the edge of the majestic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this spa has created some of the best adventure packages around. Incorporating the idea that a healthy mind, body, and spirit translates into real beauty, the spa offers packages for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, even river rafting on the Colorado and kayaking on Lake Mead.

“It’s mentally and physically good for the body,” says spa director Arzu Delp. “You work different muscle groups and [you’re] able to clear your mind, get rid of any negative energy.”

Of course there are plenty of opportunities to relax and be pampered. You can mountain bike in the morning, then in the afternoon have a Champagne Pedicures and Caviar Creams treatment-you sip champagne while your tootsies are slathered with a nutrient-rich caviar lotion. The spa even utilizes pipeless hydrotherapy systems in its whirlpools, ensuring a cleaner bathing experience.

Then there’s the couple’s package which includes a private suite, massages, and chocolate-covered strawberries—a nice way to spend the evening before heading out on the town. (11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas. redrocklasvegas.com, 702-797-7878)

The Spa at Siena

This cozy spa inside one of Reno’s boutique hotels, the Siena Hotel, Spa, and Casino, is not only a tranquil place to unwind, it also offers a full menu of services.

The all-service spa offers sunless tanning applications, waxing, pedicures, manicures, and special spa packages with names such as Bliss and Zen for hours of head-to-toe treatments. There’s also the Gentlemen’s Choice, which includes a facial, a detoxifying infrared sauna, and a deep-tissue massage.

You can pamper yourself and prepare for the evening ahead with the Chocolate Mint Body Polish with its chocolate exfoliate, chocolate shea butter cream, and complimentary chocolate martini—for drinking, that is.

The spa also has a fitness center with resistance and cardio equipment and an outdoor lap pool.

With its hardwood floors, overstuffed chairs, and Italian archways, The Spa at Siena is a feast for the eyes, and rumor has it the tranquility room, where guests unwind before and after treatments, is so peaceful some don’t want to leave.

“You get a quaint, personal feeling here. It’s a real one-to-one experience,” says Lori Zupancic, the spa’s manager. (One S. Lake St., Reno. sienareno.com, 775-321-5868)