Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
in Uncasville, Connecticut

Julie Register visited this Casino Spa in Southeast Connecticut in December 2002

I had been on the road for over five hours. Traffic around Danbury and Hartford was horrible. I knew better than to hit those areas at rush hour (3-7pm). I was thrilled when I got off I-395 at the Uncasville exit. Mohegan Sun appeared suddenly out of the forest like a tall splinter of glass piercing the sky. I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. I pulled up to the valet parking and headed into the monolith.

Inside the Resort
I was delighted by the decor inside the Mohegan Sun. Wide strips of birch "bark" are woven high on the lobby ceiling. The lobby is ringed with towering, stylized trees with beaded canopies. They surround mosaic paths of red ceramic and marble encircling a large, gently overflowing pool. Comfortable sitting areas invite people strolling by to sit under the trees and relax. The water from the pool flows underground and emerges in a thundering waterfall flanked by escalators. The water cascades to the lower level where there is a high-end shopping mall anchored at each end by a casino. Across from this cascade is a larger waterfall. Between the two is a very tall Dale Chihouly sculpture of white and blue glass which reminds me of a geyser frozen in time.

Inside My Room
I was just as pleased with my room. The furniture had an interesting design. The view was lovely. The bathroom was inviting with a separate room for the WC, iridescent tiles in the floors and walls, sleek fixtures and nice amenities. One note of warning, though...the mini-bar under the television is electronic. If you remove an item, it is automatically charged to your account - even if you put it back. I was traveling with my 19 year-old son who had to see and touch (but not consume) everything in the fridge. We had a bit of accounting to do at check-out. By the way, there were no double/doubles when I checked in, but they delivered a roll-away bed for my son in no time at all.

Inside the Spa
The entire third floor of the tower is occupied by the spa, salon, pool and fitness center. Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun was designed to echo the Mohegan tribal culture. Each spa therapy room was named after a specific Moon, the time keepers for Mohegan Indians marking changes in the seasons, mood and activities. Each room also honors the Mohegan creation story with a suspended ceiling frame that represents the sacred Grandfather Turtle - the original keeper of time. The spa has a nice retail area and separate men's and women's locker rooms - each with changing area, vanity, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and relaxation lounges with refreshment bar. There are 16 treatment rooms including a couples, a facial and two suites. The Mother Sky Suite has a treatment table and a large whirlpool. Father Sky Suite is equipped with a shower, dry pack and treatment table. This is where I had my treatment - the Purification Ritual.

The Purification Ritual Treatment, like all Elemis signature services, was a ritual journey beginning with a "Welcome Touch" to get me in the spa frame of mind and ending with "Awareness" to gently bring me back from my "travels." After the Welcome Touch, I was given a dry brush followed by a Lime and Ginger Salt Glow to exfoliate and improve circulation. [The essential oils used throughout the treatment are Elemis' own premium grade made from the best product at the best harvesting time which allows deeper absorption.] This was followed by a Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Float. I started on the massage table and was covered with marine extracts and an essential oil blend containing fennel for colon cleansing and juniper, a diuretic, to give my body a kick-start. I was advised to drink lots of water following the treatment. I then moved to the dry float bed where I lay on a flat hard surface which slowly lowered me until I was suspended in and enveloped by what I can only compare to a water bed. It was warm and comfortable - like a cocoon. The warmth helps the products absorb into the skin deeper. While I was in the dry float, my scalp was massaged. Heavenly! When it was over, I headed to the shower to rinse off with terry mittens and lots of warm water. I again relaxed in the dry float then had a lovely, relaxing citrus Well-Being Massage. In addition to bolsters to support under the knees and ankles, shoulder bolsters were used while I was on my stomach during the massage. This was the first time I had shoulder bolsters used and, at first, I thought they were unnecessary. However, at the end of the massage, when they were removed, I could really tell how much value they added to the massage. I highly recommend their use! All in all, I enjoyed and savored this treatment for two and a half hours. It was relaxing and detoxifying.

The Salon has stations for hair, manicures and pedicures as well as two facial treatment rooms. My son had an Elemis Healing Facial for Men in one of those treatment rooms. He loved the treatment - a 50-minute therapeutic facial designed to cleanse the male complexion. Soothing rosemary, thyme and lavender premium grade essential oils were used to treat and restore congested skin, easing sensitivity and shaving irritation. I bought him an Elemis Men's Collection home care kit (containing Dual-Action Cleansing Wash, Aching Muscle Super Soak, Energising Skin Scrub, Sharp Shower and Skin Survival Cream) which he has used faithfully since the visit. I think his skin looks markedly healthier. He is very happy with the results. However, he noted that he could hear all of the hubbub of the salon during his facial - dryers, chit chat, etc.. I recommend you request the facial room in the spa for any facial treatments you may schedule. There's only one, so be sure to book it well in advance.

The pool is large - good for laps. The area also has a whirlpool and snack bar. The pool is free of charge for registered guests of the hotel.

The Fitness Center has LifeFitness equipment, lots of treadmills and eliptical machines, a circuit (concentrated on upper body - not too many leg machines), a spinning room and a spa pod. Use of the fitness center was free if you had spa treatments, which both my son and I did. However, my husband stayed there two weeks after our visit and did not have a spa treatment. He wanted to use the fitness center but was told there would be a charge of $15 for one day or $25 for the entire stay even though he was a guest of the hotel. He chose not to. However, I think he would have ended up ahead if he had spent an hour or so at the fitness center instead of the casino!

For those with younger children (six weeks to twelve years), Mohegan Sun offers Kids Quest, a great place for them to have fun while you visit the spa or casinos.