Catch My Drift
In the Ottoman empire, hammams were considered the place where men got together to conduct business, bathe and interact. Drift Spa's hammam, a first for Las Vegas, may not come with the mystique of those ancient wet saunas, but it does give couples a new option for a meeting place within the spa.
The wet sauna is just one of the amenities at Drift Spa, the new spa at Palms Place, the new 47-story condominium suite hotel that is part of the Palms.
Hammams use heated stone slabs, aromatic inhalation and lots of steam to cleanse the body of toxins, said Jennifer Noble, spa director of Drift. "People are always looking for a place they can meet and spend time in the spa. The hammam is just that," Noble said. But unlike a typical steam room, where temperatures reach 120 degrees, a hammam only goes up to 88 to 92 degrees. "The lower temperature allows you to stay all day."
Other amenities at Drift include a wet spa with underwater jets, a cool dip pool with a waterfall, steam room, sauna and outdoor fireplace in the relaxation area. And that's all available before guests spend a nickel.
The 50,000-square-foot spa features 20 treatment rooms on two levels decorated in golds, burgundies and earth tones with dark wood floors. On the second level, a fitness center overlooking a pool, LA Sunset Tan (see story, page 12) and Palms Place Salon share space with Drift. Michael Boychuck, colorist to the stars at Amp Salon at the Palms and Color at Caesars, helped created the 800-square-foot salon with two chairs, two manicure stations and three pedicure chairs.
"It's more accommodating for the guests there and the residents," Boychuck said.
Yes, the spa offers facials, body wraps, massages, exfoliation treatments and specialized therapies for men (see sidebar for more information on spa treatments).
Overall, Drift strived to create an environment where guests could indulge in different treatments during their entire visit.
Said Noble: "You can literally be here all day, work out, get spa treatments, spend time in the hammam, the pool, come back in for a mani and pedi, go to Sunset Tan and be ready for the evening."
Contact Image Editor Susan Stapleton at sstapleton@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2909.
signature treatments
• Ashiatsu Deep Barefoot Massage: Massage therapists use lightly oiled feet to work out the knots while supporting their weight with overhead bars. $160 for 50 minutes
• Coconut Grove Ritual: Includes a body exfoliation with organic virgin coconut oil, brown sugar and shredded coconut, followed by a coconut wrap and hydrating massage. $150 for 50 minutes
• Cherry Blossom Ritual: This experience starts with a cherry blossom exfoliation followed up with a liquid silk massage with rice bran. Afterward, a cherry blossom wrap ends with a dusting of silk powder. $150 for 50 minutes
• Rockin Desert Quench: First the body is warmed with agave nectar, then exfoliated with crushed desert plants and flowers. Then the body is massaged with warm basalt stones. And organic desert aloe wrap and body butter finishes the treatment. $200 for 80 minutes
• All treatments have a 20 percent service charge added to the cost.
what you need to know
• Locals receive a 20 percent discount Monday through Thursday through May.
• Yearly membership for the entire facility starts at $5,000 and includes discounts on spa treatments, use of the pool, personal training and fitness classes.
• For more information or reservations, call Drift Spa at Palms Place at 944-3219.
