Lisa Starr tries out a next-generation signature facial at
Fontainebleau Las Vegas – the newest and tallest hotel on
The Strip. But does the experience soar above expectations?
The 55,000sq ft spa has tasteful and calming interiors / photo: DREX Agency_Mark Mediana
In development for 15 years and costing US$3.7 billion (€3.4 billion, £2.9 billion), the Fontainebleau Las Vegas finally opened in December. This newest and tallest hotel on The Strip, which has 3,644 rooms, features a soaring entry canopy and airy, modern lobby, evocative of its sister hotel, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Helmed by Vegas spa veteran Jennifer Lynn, the 55,000sq ft Lapis Spa is spread over two floors, with 44 treatment rooms and expansive men’s, women’s and co-ed thermal areas providing saunas, steam rooms, vitality pools, heated loungers and zero gravity recliners.
I visited to experience the US$330 (€306, £262) Lapis Signature Facial, listed on the menu as 90-minutes “designed to bring out the best in your skin”. This next-level treatment utilises GeneoX – a facial machine which launched last year.
Pops of blue The tone for my spa journey is set by large, well-equipped locker rooms decorated in neutrals but brightened by pops of blue furniture – the tables in this case, but later on sofas in the thermal area. It’s a purposeful colour which pays tribute to the spa’s namesake, lapis lazuli, a deep blue crystal associated with qualities of power and wisdom. I also noticed a bow tie motif dotted subtly around the property, a signature of Morris Lapidus, the architect of the original Miami location.
The tasteful and calming interiors continue throughout with other highlights including a Celestial Waters multi-sensory room with communal healing waters, customised by season, time of day and desired mood and one of the largest event saunas in the US boasting a massive video screen and several aufguss sessions daily. The Starry Night and ReBoot Lounges were delightful too.
Traditional meets tech Lying on a Gharieni treatment bed, my aesthetician, Claudia, quickly established a connection with me by gently pressing her hands on my body and feet and relaxing me with deep breathing accompanied by chimes. A nice touch before launching into the facial.
The GeneoX is a fascinating device which combines effective skincare tools and products with an experiential component, all packaged in an intuitive computer interface. As well as using a wand to deliver an ultrasound step and massage, Claudia performed an excellent hands-on lymphatic drainage massage. Additional components included a cryotherapy massage with ice-cold globes and the application of a Knesko eye mask while putting my face under a Celluma LED face shield, during which time my hands and arms were also massaged.
I’m usually ready to get up after 60 minutes on a treatment table, but the 90 minutes passed easily. The treatment was well-paced and the result was glowing and hydrated skin which lasted for several days – not easy to achieve in the desert climate.
My closing thoughts are that this facial is emblematic of what’s required for today’s treatment-savvy clients. Spa-goers of the moment are looking for more than a regular facial steam and massage. Incorporating modern technology tools while maintaining conventional and personalised, hands-on components is the recipe for the facial of today.
photo: Lisa Starr
"This facial is emblematic of what’s required for today’s treatment-savvy clients" – Lisa Starr
About GeneoX
GeneoX, a fresh device on the professional spa scene, delivers “a next-generation facial” in three steps
• Oxfoliation™: a cleansing and exfoliating process where OxyPods react with a Primer Gel to create a bubbly, CO2-rich environment on the skin’s surface
• Ultrasound: micro-vibrations are used to stimulate and condition the skin, as well as to increase its permeability to help with nutrient absorption
• Massage: a gentle massage works on lymphatic drainage to help sculpt and detox the face
The device offers pre-scheduled and customisable protocols and six ingredient blends to target specific skin concerns – whether customers want a Glam Facial treatment with gold flakes, a Hydrate Facial with blue spirulina and niacinamide or go for other options to illuminate, detox, balance or revive.
Starr was impressed with the layering of tech and manual therapies / photo: GeneoX
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Profile: King of Bhutan
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Sponsored: Beltrami – made in Italy
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Interview: Lyndell Nelis
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New opening: Kilolani Spa
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Lisa Starr tries out a next-generation signature facial at
Fontainebleau Las Vegas – the newest and tallest hotel on
The Strip. But does the experience soar above expectations?
The 55,000sq ft spa has tasteful and calming interiors / photo: DREX Agency_Mark Mediana
In development for 15 years and costing US$3.7 billion (€3.4 billion, £2.9 billion), the Fontainebleau Las Vegas finally opened in December. This newest and tallest hotel on The Strip, which has 3,644 rooms, features a soaring entry canopy and airy, modern lobby, evocative of its sister hotel, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Helmed by Vegas spa veteran Jennifer Lynn, the 55,000sq ft Lapis Spa is spread over two floors, with 44 treatment rooms and expansive men’s, women’s and co-ed thermal areas providing saunas, steam rooms, vitality pools, heated loungers and zero gravity recliners.
I visited to experience the US$330 (€306, £262) Lapis Signature Facial, listed on the menu as 90-minutes “designed to bring out the best in your skin”. This next-level treatment utilises GeneoX – a facial machine which launched last year.
Pops of blue The tone for my spa journey is set by large, well-equipped locker rooms decorated in neutrals but brightened by pops of blue furniture – the tables in this case, but later on sofas in the thermal area. It’s a purposeful colour which pays tribute to the spa’s namesake, lapis lazuli, a deep blue crystal associated with qualities of power and wisdom. I also noticed a bow tie motif dotted subtly around the property, a signature of Morris Lapidus, the architect of the original Miami location.
The tasteful and calming interiors continue throughout with other highlights including a Celestial Waters multi-sensory room with communal healing waters, customised by season, time of day and desired mood and one of the largest event saunas in the US boasting a massive video screen and several aufguss sessions daily. The Starry Night and ReBoot Lounges were delightful too.
Traditional meets tech Lying on a Gharieni treatment bed, my aesthetician, Claudia, quickly established a connection with me by gently pressing her hands on my body and feet and relaxing me with deep breathing accompanied by chimes. A nice touch before launching into the facial.
The GeneoX is a fascinating device which combines effective skincare tools and products with an experiential component, all packaged in an intuitive computer interface. As well as using a wand to deliver an ultrasound step and massage, Claudia performed an excellent hands-on lymphatic drainage massage. Additional components included a cryotherapy massage with ice-cold globes and the application of a Knesko eye mask while putting my face under a Celluma LED face shield, during which time my hands and arms were also massaged.
I’m usually ready to get up after 60 minutes on a treatment table, but the 90 minutes passed easily. The treatment was well-paced and the result was glowing and hydrated skin which lasted for several days – not easy to achieve in the desert climate.
My closing thoughts are that this facial is emblematic of what’s required for today’s treatment-savvy clients. Spa-goers of the moment are looking for more than a regular facial steam and massage. Incorporating modern technology tools while maintaining conventional and personalised, hands-on components is the recipe for the facial of today.
photo: Lisa Starr
"This facial is emblematic of what’s required for today’s treatment-savvy clients" – Lisa Starr
About GeneoX
GeneoX, a fresh device on the professional spa scene, delivers “a next-generation facial” in three steps
• Oxfoliation™: a cleansing and exfoliating process where OxyPods react with a Primer Gel to create a bubbly, CO2-rich environment on the skin’s surface
• Ultrasound: micro-vibrations are used to stimulate and condition the skin, as well as to increase its permeability to help with nutrient absorption
• Massage: a gentle massage works on lymphatic drainage to help sculpt and detox the face
The device offers pre-scheduled and customisable protocols and six ingredient blends to target specific skin concerns – whether customers want a Glam Facial treatment with gold flakes, a Hydrate Facial with blue spirulina and niacinamide or go for other options to illuminate, detox, balance or revive.
Starr was impressed with the layering of tech and manual therapies / photo: GeneoX
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Profile: King of Bhutan
Plans for a 'mindfulness city' nearly as big as Hong Kong have been unveiled by the King of Bhutan. Katie Barnes takes a closer look
Destination focus: London
Major hotel brands from Mandarin Oriental and Raffles to Six Senses are all investing in the UK capital, but how will they differentiate themselves asks Katie Barnes
Sponsored: Beltrami – made in Italy
Beltrami has more than 50 years’ experience creating bespoke textile products for spas around the world, with a focus on quality
Jeremy McCarthy: Details matter
Attention to detail is a superpower and necessity in the luxury spa arena, says our contributing editor
Interview: Esin Güral Argat
The owner of Joali Being tells Neena Dhillon what inspired her to create an island dedicated to transformative wellbeing in the Maldives
Family matters: The Wilhelmis
The father and son duo behind the Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting method share their exciting plans for research and innovation with Megan Whitby
First person: By royal appointment
Lindsay Madden-Nadeau has a hypo-healing experience at Atlantis The Royal, Kerzner's sister property to the iconic Atlantis The Palm
Interview: Lyndell Nelis
The wellness director for Atlantis Resorts explains how its two Dubai properties are 'smashing it' when it comes to spa performance
New opening: Kilolani Spa
Grand Wailea's famous Hawaiian spa has been transformed into a moon-inspired, open-air haven
Event report: Hotting it up
Jane Kitchen reveals the thermal spa issues and trends delegates were talking about at this industry gathering in California
Sponsored: High end
Hoar Cross Hall has a new gym to match its award-winning hotel and spa. We find out more about the transformation
Software: Building relationships
Using personal data to create tailored experiences is paramount for spas, but operators have been fined millions for breaching GDPR. How can software systems help navigate this?
Sponsored: Add life
Increasing life expectancy is one of the great achievements of our
times and Starpool is working to bring real meaning to longevity
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Swissline by Dermalab Inspired by the science of cellular rejuvenation and driven by the desire to optimise skin health an [more...]
