Encore Spa or Canyon Ranch Spa?

So I am finalizing a trip to Palazzo in a couple weeks and trying to decide which spa to book. I have been to the Encore spa multiple times and consider it one of, if not the best spa on the Strip. But I also like trying new things. so I am trying to decide which spa to go to this trip.

What are people's thoughts about the amenities at Canyon Ranch Spa? Or if you have been to both, how do you compare them? I'm not as interested in hearing about your treatment experiences because the quality of the treatment varies based on the masseuse (I have had good and not as good massages at some of the best spas). The quality and variety of the amenities, as well as the ambiance, are important to me. So anyone who has insight on those at Canyon Ranch, I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

 

It has been about 2 years since I visited Canyon Ranch. It is very nice and MUCH bigger, more wet rooms, etc. than Encore plus you have the Canyon Ranch cafe for healthy fare after a work out. But I find Encore to be much more luxurious. I am in Encore at the moment -- my final night of a 9 night trip! -- and when I was in the spa the other day just to use the restroom after working out I was once again blown away by how beautiful it is. The ambience, the artwork, luxurious draperies, orchids, etc. and of course the facilities themselves matter a lot to me so I would lean towards Encore. When I visited Canyon Ranch, however, I took some neat classes, checked out the rock climbing wall, some neat showers, etc. That was all very cool and Encore doesn't have those kind of fitness facilities (though it does have classes). I would try Canyon Ranch out at least once but my gut says you will wind up preferring the unsurpassed luxury of the Encore Spa. In terms of spa/fitness facilities they are both high end but IMO are very different in size and feel.

 

UK, I've never been to the Encore spa , but I have been to Canyon Ranch. I think the facilities at Canyon Ranch are very nice. I would agree with Flowers as to it's vibe though. I would rank it a tad below the Spa at Aria, but I may just have a bias to Aria. I think you would find that it has all of the amenities you are looking for in a great spa, but the ambiance might be just a bit below what you are looking for. That is not to say that it is bad.

 

Wife went to Canyon Ranch and thoroughly enjoyed all amenities. Found it to be very luxurious design tastefully done and ultra relaxing

 

Thanks for all the input. Decided to go ahead and book some time at Canyon Ranch.

 

We loved Canyon Ranch! Hoping to go back very soon.

 

My wife has been to both, and found Encore to be the clear winner in terms of luxury and relaxation. Canyon Ranch was bigger, but the Encore setting is just amazing.

 

I thought I would put a coda on this thread. I went to Canyon Ranch spa at V/P yesterday. It was solid, but not nearly as good as Encore. My quick review: its big, but the majority of the space is devoted to treatment rooms. The mens locker room was not good. The décor is uninspired, the lockers were tiny (I could barely fit my shoes in them and I do not have large feet), and the bathroom area lacked basic items, like hair brushes or combs. I did like that the refreshments included iced tea, not just the usual hot teas.

I was most looking forward to trying the amenities, especially the various Aquavana rooms. But the amenities were a big letdown, especially the Aquavana (which I quickly learned was just their name for the wet area). First off, this area was also very small and the décor was non-existant (unless blank walls and wet concrete floors is your thing). The steam room was too hot (it hurt to walk across the floor) and the whirlpool was tiny. No more than two people could fit in it at a time. The sauna was nice and large and the herbal room was a refreshing experience I have never had at other spas.

The co-ed amenities were a bit better. The wave room was fantastic and I really enjoyed relaxing in there. And the salt grotto could have been good, but the stone seating was so bad. I could never get comfortable and probably spent no more than five minutes in there. The co-ed lounge is very nice and I did relax in there and read a magazine.

Overall, I would rank this spa second tier. For me, Encore and Aria are still tops, with canyon ranch, Bellagio, and Qua comprising the second tier. Glad I tried it, but next time I am staying on the north end of the Strip, I am definitely going back to Encore

 

Sorry it was a let down but it's probably good you tried it. My sense of it is the same as yours. It is a good spa but it can't beat Encore. (I have never tried the ArIa spa.)

 

Let down is a good description. It wasn't bad in any way. I guess my expectations were higher because of its reputation

 

1.mandrian
2.encore
2a aria
3.qua
4.bellagio
5. Canyon ranch