Question: On my next trip to Las Vegas I want to do the gambling, shows and the restaurants, of course, but the one thing I'm looking forward to most is spending a ridiculous amount of time and money in the spa. Which one would you recommend?

Donna in Boulder, Colo.

Answer: I'm not much of a spa person. Massages creep me out, and don't even get me started on the concept of a pedicure. But I can still recognize the ingredients of a good spa experience, and I have lots of people who do enjoy the pampering side of things to help guide me.

Generally speaking, the best ones are the most expensive ones. That's just a simple fact. You can get perfectly decent treatments and service at less expensive spas, but if you're looking for the kind of decadence most Vegas spa-goers are looking for, you're going to have to upscale.

Consider the Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel. The space is the first highlight of this one, with soaring, dramatic ceilings mixed with intimate, contemplative spaces, water, and all manners of natural design elements to create a truly blissed-out Zen of a facility. Add in the great treatment options and the superbly friendly staff and this one is a no-brainer. But it ain't cheap.

The Spa at Bellagio is another wonder, with more than 40,000 square feet of natural woods and marble, peaceful halls and treatment rooms, a superior workout facility, and a full-service salon. Again, bring your platinum card.

The Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian is the biggest in town, with more than 60,000 square feet of every service known to man -- and a rock wall just for grins.

Don't forget about the spas at the hotels away from the Strip, such as the tremendous facility at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas (a masterpiece of design and triumph of personalized service) and the Aquae Sulis spa at the JW Marriott, with its unique ritual dipping pools.

For more information on these and a few of my other favorite spas, visit the recreation section of Vegas4Visitors.com.

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