Normally Atlantic City isn't where people come to relax. AC is a wild place, where the small hours of the night can be spent winning or squanpooped dering a fortune, finding or losing love, or being entertained by singers and dancers or people winning and squandering fortunes and/or love. New York may be the City that Never Sleeps, but Atlantic City is the City that Doesn't Know the Meaning of a Catnap. Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation,
for when you come back to your work your
judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because
then the work appears smaller and more of it
can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony
and proportion is more readily seen.
- Leonardo Da Vinci
So how's a weary thrill-seeker to rejuvenate? In this mad, mad town, it's good to know that there are places that refresh the body, mind and spirit. The party- pooped of Atlantic City have found the cure to what ails them; spas.
Located in one of the hottest casino/hotels in Atlantic City, Spa Toccare at the Borgata is designed to pamper. It's a mega spa comprised of 50,000-square-feet of relaxation with 22 treatment rooms, a fullservice hair salon, the Shaving Grace barbershop, and one of the best fitness facilities in town, the Pump Room.
Sweat out that night of partying here while using the latest in weight training and cardio equipment. They even have the cool cardio equipment that have personal TVs, so you don't get stuck watching CNN, when you'd rather sweat it out to the Food Network and plan out how you're going to replace all those calories you just burned off.He that can take rest
is greater than he that
can take cities.
- Ben Franklin
 Here's an interesting fact; killer bees produce a potent healing serum known as propolis. Instead of going through the tedious and life-threatening process of traveling to the Brazilian rain forest, finding hives, surviving multiple deadly stings and extracting the serum from the bees, patrons of Spa Toccare can get the Botanical Republic facial. For a full-body treatment, propolis is mixed with a fine olive oil and topped with warm, creamy coconut milk (I know, it sounds delicious) (except for that bit about the killer bee serum) to give the skin a completely rejuvenated glow and smooth feel.
If being covered in healing goo isn't a gentleman's idea of a good time, perhaps a massage is in order. In addition to the usual massage treatments, Spa Toccare offers up So Happy Together (Dynamic Duo Treatments). Despite the name, Batman and Robin have never actually been seen getting So Happy Together massages, although with all that crimefighting, they could really use the relaxation of the Toccare Touch for Two. All of the Dynamic Duo Treatments include 30 minutes of relaxation in the spa suite in addition to the massage, and for an extra $150 couples can continue to rent the suite for another hour. To relax.
For the single man on the make (perhaps as a precursor to the So Happy Together treatments) there are a variety of manly treatments, like the Classic Man Body, the Borgata Buster, and the Executive Soak. Because men, too, should be fresh and relaxed and ready for another wild night in Atlantic City.
If you require a little less maxin' and a little more relaxin', consider The Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at the beautiful Seaview Marriott Resort in Absecon. The Seaview Marriott is a 670-acre resort that's perfect for a sophisticated bachelorette party or a girls' weekend away, although men are certainly welcome. Not only does the Marriott have the Red Door Salon, it 's a beautiful hotel with a Nick Faldo Golf Institute, two 18-hole championship golf courses, restaurants and one hell of a Sunday brunch.
The Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons are an exclusive chain of spas known for their pampering touch. Guests at this location can enjoy the benefits of the Marriott along with the services of the 12,000 square foot spa including hydrotherapy, massage and a fitness facility.
One of the areas in which the Red Door excels is with beauty and treatments that'll make you look and feel like a million bucks - which is why it's so popular with bridal parties. Their beauty experts can help you with skincare, makeup & hair design, waxing, manicures and facials. It'll feel good to look that good.
If you love beauty products, check out the new kid on the block at bluemercury spa. With Kiehls, Molton Brown, Fresh, Laura Mercier, NARS, Trish McEvoy, Acqua di Parma, Creed and more, skin is glowing and happy in bluemercury's capable hands. Located in the incredibly hot Quarter at the Tropicana, guests are offered oxygen facials, therapeutic couples massage, and amazing skin-care treatments. What a day at the beach and a night in the clubs can take away, a treatment at bluemercury can put back.
No matter what your need, bluemercury has the treatment for you. They even have a prenatal massage for ladies in their second or third trimester that will improve circulation, reduce foot swelling, and release lower back tension. Ask them about a treatment for loosing with 20 in blackjack and I'm sure they can come up with something.Reality is the leading
cause of stress among
those in touch with it.
-Lily Tomlin
These are just some of the stand out spas and treatments that are available in Atlantic City these days. Fortunately the whole city is recognizing the fact that relaxation and pampering are a big part of the ideal weekend in Atlantic City (along with winning lots of $). Almost every casino is equipped with a gym and health spa, each having something just for you.
The Health Club and Spa at Resorts is famous for their Swedish, shiatsu and aromatherapy massages, as well as for a one-of-a-kind Eucalyptus breathing room.
The Trump Plaza Health Spa offers a special "Just For Men" package that includes massage, scalp treatment, facial, manicure, pedicure and blow-dry. You even get a complimentary espresso, cappuccino and juice.
Trump Marina Health Club offers you a "Ticket to Paradise" that includes an hour of Swedish massage, a half-hour of tanning, a choice of a manicure or pedicure, and a choice of a facial or a shampoo, haircut and style along with use of their fitness facilities.
Other nice spas can be found at the Taj, Caesars, Bally's, The Hilton and Harrah's. The options are plentiful, so relax about relaxing; you'll find the right spa for you.
SERENITY NOW
To Avoid Insanity Later
 Tai Chi
This Chinese martial art focuses your Chi with a series of poses that quiet the mind, breath & body to foster balance and relaxation. Problems caused by poor posture, tension, streaks of bad luck, the guy next to you taking the dealer's bust card and loosing on the river will all disappear, allowing you to free your body's potential for vitality or to gamble indefinitely, whichever you prefer. More info: paultaichi@comcast.net
 Yoga
Channel your Chakras with yoga breathing (pranayama) and posturing (asana). These isometric exercises will stretch your muscles, increasing flexibility and tone your body. As a supplement to traditional therapies, yoga has been shown to help with arthritis, sciatica, and other physical ailments - yet if you do this at the blackjack table YOU'RE the weird one, go figure.
 Pilates
Pilates trains numerous groups of muscles with efficient, low impact & weight bearing exercises. These moves will make you aware of how your body feels, to control and center it. Many of the casino spas offer pilates classes daily. Check the Spa Directory above for phone numbers. Your benefits are muscular elasticity & balance, joint mobility and looking great on the beach.
 Surfing
Surfers call it being "stoked". You might call it a heightened selfawareness that comes from being attuned to your body, board, and the rhythms of the ocean beneath you. Or you could lighten up and just shred some tasty waves, dude. Local favorite spots include the Margate Pier, the Ventnor Pier and States Avenue in Atlantic City. Body-surfing & boogy boarding can do the trick too.
 Hot Stone Massage
With all the harsh things that this modern life does our bodies (lovely, interesting harsh things), sometimes treatment is in order. A hot stone massage involves the application of water-heated basalt stones to key energy points on the body in order to massage the tension away. The stones relax the muscles far more than a traditional massage. This treatment is a wonderful path to peace and tranquility. Spa Toccare at the Borgata offers hot stone massages, as well as an impressive variety of other massages.
 Facials For Every Skin Type
Dry, oily, weatherworn or worried--for every skin-type there is a specific facial treatment to revitalize and beautify. From the 24-hour hydramemory facial for dehydrated skin to botanical-enriched anti-aging treatments, the facial has become a mainstay of the spa experience and is not to be missed. Many different types of refreshing facials are offered up at the bluemercury spa or you can see the skin care experts at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon.
 Finnish Sauna - Steam
According to the Finnish Sauna Society (yes, there is such a thing), Aikaa varataan riittävästi, which translates into, Reserve enough time. For an incredibly relaxing experience, saunas are the perfect end to a hard workout, day of sightseeing or a day at the blackjack table. The proof is in the steam--have you ever seen a stressed-out Finn? As they say in Finland, Sauna jätetään siistiin kuntoon--inarguable evidence that those Scandinavians are on to something good. As a spa standard, there are enough saunas in Atlantic City to do the Finnish Sauna Society proud. You'll find them in almost every spa or better hotel gym."Never purchase
beauty products
in a hardware store."
-Miss Piggy
Spa Directory
Big Easy Spa at Showboat
(609) 343-4056
bluemercury apothecary
(609) 347.7778
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
(609) 404.4100
Health Club and Spa at Resorts
(609) 340-6414
Health Club at Harrah's
(609) 441-5825
Health Spa at Caesars
(609) 343-2688
Primarily Color at the Claridge
(609) 340-3416
Spa at Bally's
(609) 340-4600
Spa at the Hilton
(609) 340-7262
Spa at the Sands
(609) 441-4091
Spa at the Taj
(609) 449-6100
Spa Toccare at the Borgata
(609) 3317.7555
Trump Marina Health Club
(609) 441-2000 ext. 8960
Trump Plaza Health Spa
(609) 441-6710
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