The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, is aptly named, because there is a true feeling of being cocooned within a mountain sanctuary, far from any stress. As soon as you enter the resort, nestled in the Camelback Mountains, you are warmly greeted at the main building, and after checking in you take a golf cart ride to your suite. The air is pure and the suites are luxurious, especially the bathrooms, with deep soak tubs, glistening tiles and rain showers. There is no better place to go and recharge your batteries.
The resort is self contained, with top notch dining on site, and you don’t need to leave, especially for a short visit. The rooms are luxurious, and the balconies have awesome mountain views that make you never want to leave. But just spending time in the room is not enough to fully enjoy this resort. Although, I have to admit that the deep soak tub could tempt me to stay inside for a long time.
I had never visited Arizona, and despite being warned about the summer heat, I decided to brave it. OK, so 110 degree heat is pretty stifling, even sans humidity, but if you remain indoors or near the pool, you can still have a great time.
Still, it’s best to venture beyond your room and have a spa treatment or two. The spa is divine and totally Zen, with an outdoor water and rock garden that you can see from the relaxation room. The treatment rooms are located just a few steps outside in a separate building, which was different from other spas I have visited. You can see the rock garden on the way, and if it isn’t too hot, it’s nice to enjoy the area. The treatment rooms have windows that can be opened, weather permitting, so you can see and hear the water running in the garden as you are having your treatment.
Although it was too hot to open the window, I was so relaxed during my facial, that I didn’t need the outside sounds. I had the Wakai Facial, rich in antioxidant berries, and omega 3 and 6 to promote circulation, hydrate and oxygenate the skin. During the facial, my aesthetician massaged my face and rolled warm herbal poultices over my face to help increase lymphatic drainage contour the face.
After my facial, my skin felt rejuvenated, hydrated and tingling from the increased circulation. If I had more time I would have loved to try some of the wide variety of wellness body treatments, including Luk Pra Kope, which means a massage with medicinal herbs, or the Divinity Detox Wrap, which includes lymphatic stimulation and a body mask with essential oils and marine extracts.
After my facial I spent time in the relaxation room, sauna and shower. I felt completely relaxed and able to continue the feeling by sitting by the pool and enjoying the mountain scenery beyond. Taking frequent dips in the pool, as well as drinking lots of water, was essential in order to stay hydrated.
The Sanctuary staff is extremely attentive and genuinely interested in the comfort of every guest. It was so refreshing to bask in the warmth of such effortless service. This level of service really promotes the feeling of seamless relaxation. From the golf cart drivers to the front desk and wait staff, everyone goes above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. The difference with Sanctuary is the genuine and down to earth way that customer service is executed. It simply feels as if you came to stay with friends, and that is rare.
For more information on Sanctuary visit, www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com.
