On the menu today is a New York-New York specialty: dessert-inspired body scrubs. Yes, you read that right. Choose from a number of delicious-smelling exfoliating treatments like Lemon Meringue Pie, Peach Cobbler, Blueberry Tart, Rainbow Sherbet, Tiramisu, Green Apple Torte or Raspberry Truffle.

I'm treated to a sweet-and-sour mix, which smells like a sugary chocolate cookie...in other words, heavenly. My skin tingles as the therapist rubs the sea salt combination from head to toe, explaining that the sea salts, rich in minerals and vitamins, help unveil the glowing skin hiding just beneath the surface.

This treatment is also supposed to purify my skin and help it absorb lotions and nutrients. What it also does, I realize, is make me feel special, carefree and completely at ease. All in the space of 30 minutes.

At the end of my treatment, my therapist wraps me -- still covered in salt scrub residue -- in a soft white sheet and leads me to the steam room. "I'll come back in a few minutes," she promises with a smile. "The steam, combined with the scrub, will do wonders for your skin."

I nod happily, inhaling the intoxicating scent of the sweet-and-sour scrub. Aromatherapy at its best.

After showering, I'm given a shea butter "topping" to rub into my skin. It's a summery citrus scent and my skin practically sighs as I smooth it over my body.

By the time I leave the spa, giving Jose a final wave goodbye, my skin -- now glowing and luxuriating in the lemony shea butter lotion -- is silky soft. And my smile, from having spent my morning in such a relaxing and healthy manner, is a mile wide. I meet my friend for a late breakfast on the terrace at New York-New York's Il Fornaio...and beam when she says, "You look great."

"I feel great," I reply with a laugh.

It may seem like a hotel named after one of the world's busiest cities is the last place coming to mind when you think of relaxation. But as I describe my spa experience to my envious friend and we lean back in our chairs to people watch, I realize it's the first time in months that the jagged edge of stress in my mind is completely gone. Although themed after the bustling Big Apple, the spa at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino takes you to a luxurious oasis in the middle of the Nevada desert.

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