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The Resort
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is a resort with a unique history dating back to the early 1950’s. It is comprised of small clusters of single story casitas that almost blend into the mountain setting. The exquisitely manicured landscape with its native plants and bright desert flowers provide just the right accents to create an exclusive feel. |
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Sanctuary’s small size allows its staff to provide personalized service to its guests. We witnessed several staff members address customers by name as we toured the resort…Sanctuary has a health and wellness focus and offers an impressive fitness center, lap pool, fitness classes, and even fitness packages. After a good workout, guests can opt for a relaxing service in the spa, followed by a healthy meal in the incredible restaurant, elements, where Chef Beau MacMillan (who hails from Boston), creates culinary masterpieces that feature an Asian flair. Chef MacMillan was recently featured in Iron Chef America where his creative uses of the secret ingredient, American Kobe Beef, led to his victory over Iron Chef Bobby Flay.
Sanctuary Spa
The Vibe
Earthy and organic, the Sanctuary Spa is unique for Scottsdale, a region full of big name and big sized spas. Sanctuary Spa is small, but its high quality treatments and personalized service make it a big player in the spa world. The spa artfully blurred the lines between the indoors and outdoors with its floor to ceiling windows, glass doors, and indoor/outdoor treatment rooms. Sanctuary brought the outside in and carried an earth-toned theme throughout the décor.
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The Little Things
The sun, the outdoors, and the earthy colors made for a very natural feel. It was easy to relax and rejuvenate at Sanctuary. I especially enjoyed the relaxation room with the warm sunshine, warm desert breeze, amazing views of the mountain vistas and soothing sounds of the running waterscapes in the adjacent courtyard.
The Guy’s Side of Things
The men’s locker area had many of the same amenities as the women’s locker area, although the guys were treated to slightly larger facilities. Eric relaxed in the men’s Jacuzzi and steam room before his treatment. He then spent time after his treatment in the relaxation room sipping on the many varieties of complimentary teas available.
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The Star Treatment(s)
Massage, any way, any shape, any style! The spa’s signature treatment is the Table Thai Massage, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try the Watsu massage, given in the spa’s outdoor Watsu pool. Jennifer, my massage therapist, made me comfortable in the water and was able to thoroughly stretch parts of my body that are difficult to stretch on land. |
I enjoyed relaxing in the pool and hearing the soothing, native music under the water. I also loved feeling the sun peek through the overhead canopies onto my face.
Eric took in a 90 minute Deep Tissue massage that he ranks as his best massage yet. He was impressed by the therapist’s ability to really dig deep into his muscles yet relax him at the same time.
The Distinctive Element
The vibe. I truly felt a connection with nature while I visited Sanctuary. From the stone columns in the relaxation room to the green robes and outdoor treatment rooms, it was refreshing to be in a spa that focused on it’s surroundings and capitalized on it’s breathtaking views.
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What to Keep in Mind
Sanctuary is a small spa so treatments book up fast. Be sure to schedule your appointments well in advance…For a truly memorable experience, reserve the couple’s outdoor spa suite called Sanctum. This open-air treatment room has a heat lamp, massage tables, private whirlpool, couch, and room service...You absolutely must, must, must eat at elements, the resort restaurant, during your visit. |
We ate there for lunch after our spa treatments and enjoyed it so much that we went back a few hours later for dinner. The meal ended up being our favorite experience of our entire trip to Arizona!
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