2009 Las Vegas Day Spa Expo - a return to holistic spa wellness?

I attended the Day Spa Expo in Las Vegas with a friend recently, to explore latest trends in the Spa World today and discover what's new and fun.

Our first reaction: as judging the size of this year's event, the effects of a down economy are visibly affecting the spa industry. The result is a significantly smaller exhibition than last year.

So where is the spa industry heading, I am asking my friend and myself? What we discover is that spa services and spa designs might be heading into a new direction. Going forward, there is a sense that spas are going to include more fitness and wellness aspects into their treatment menus than they have been up till now. We met 2 young and enthusiastic spa owners from Canada, who are offering facials at their spa but also integrate fitness with the latest ‘whole body vibration' exercise equipment, which stimulates muscle toning and weight loss.

Skincare seems to engage electronic devices more than ever, such as the use of ‘Microcurrents' or LED Lights, both technologies used to diminish the appearance of fine lines, age spots and wrinkles.

Body Treatment products are moving away from chemicals, preservatives and parabens to basic more wholesome formulas. One company uses food based products for scrubs and lotions. I have seen this trend before, but not to such an extend.

Let's take a look at some other observations. We stayed at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas. The hotel choice was motivated by having access to the ‘Canyon Ranch Spa', with 70 000 square feet the biggest spa in the world today. It got completed this last year and spans the whole area between the ‘Venetian's' previous ‘Canyon Ranch Spa' all the way to the ‘Palazzo'. The design of the spa seems to be based on the concept of green design and architecture. This new kind of design - all earth tones, very simple design elements with clear lines - is a drastic departure of the previously visited more opulent Las Vegas spas. Except of the co-ed lounge, which is stunning in it's simplicity and impact, the overall impression of the ‘Aquavana' spa at the ‘Palazzo' is that of basic simplicity, you might call it bland.

Or am I just spoilt, having visited and gotten used to the lavish spas of the past few years? Have I taken ultra luxurious spas for granted and can't see the beauty and value in basic quality any more? Is this a reflection of our current times, that we have gotten dependant on luxuries, where a departure from those opulent times is experienced as a loss?

As I am reflecting on these developments, the new concept of the ‘Canyon Ranch Spa' might pave the way into a new direction for other spas as well, where being pampered and experiencing sheer luxuries during spa stays is not it any more , but a return to the more necessary aspects of body wellness. Spas might embrace medical aspects, fitness and healing over pampering and frivolous spending. The prices might be still the same but the message is different.