The Serene Scottsdale View From Sanctuary Resort
A Hideaway that is Pure Luxury, and Purely Worth It
May 26, 2009
Of course, everyone's heard about them all. However, there is one resort and spa in the Valley that should be the first you choose to visit whether you’re looking to spend fifty dollars, or a thousand.
Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain. Well-known to locals as the hideaway for numerous celebrities and musicians. An original investor was Charlie Chapman’s son. A protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright designed the facilities. Since 2007, it has been rated as the top resort in the United States by Reader’s Choice, voted the most excellent spa by Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, and rated as having the best service by the Gold List.
This luxurious intimate retreat is snuggled into the side of Camelback Mountain, and is one of the main reasons development was eradicated above the 1,700-foot level of the mountain. There are 98 mountain and spa casitas, each offering spectacular panoramic views along with an added collection of private mountaintop houses. The never ending amenities and services offered reflect the resort’s mission statement to provide guests with all the elements needed to nurture the soul, mind and body.
Sanctuary Spa
To correlate with the resort and restaurant’s Asian inspired theme, Sanctuary Spa’s staff, décor, services and atmosphere are tailored to perfection in order to make sure the guests leave more relaxed and peaceful than they have in years. Guests can enjoy a Zen meditation garden, Watsu pool, state-of-the-art fitness center offering Pilates and Yoga, a movement studio, infinity pool, fitness and nutrition consultations and can choose between twelve indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. The spa’s been named in “The Top Ten U.S. Spas” by the Reader’s Choice Platinum List and “Best Spa for Accommodations” in Reader’s Choice Awards 2006 Luxury Spa Finder.
It has a more extensive list of packages and services than the list of plastic surgeons in the Valley, and ten times the privacy. For couples, the spa offers an outdoor retreat named The Sanctum, a stone-walled secret room which let’s you experience the elements of earth, water, air and metal through tranquil massages, rejuvenating treatments and meditation. Then there’s The Couple’s Suite, another private room to experience the treatments together, which boasts rain showers and a fireplace.
If treating oneself to a day of relaxation, guests can choose from such a wide range of options, from taking meditation classes in the Zen garden or relax in the vitality pool, or choose from the list of unique packages. Packages include catering to the needs of a bride-to-be, groom-to-be, mother-to-be or graduation student, and those are just a few of the packages. There is even a transformation package, which includes a haircut and style, makeup application and lesson, plus a manicure and pedicure.
And in tribute to the resort’s history, which first became well known when it was the John Gardiner Tennis Ranch, there are five championship tennis courts available for all the guests’ use.
Elements Restaurant
After a day of unwinding at the Sanctuary Spa, the perfect end is to dine in Elements Restaurant, headed up by Iron Chef winner Executive Chef Beau Macmillan. One of life’s unforgettable experiences includes watching the Arizona sunset fade out over Camelback Mountain and reveal a panoramic view of the Valley’s flickering lights. The Asian-inspired menu changes monthly, as one of Macmillan’s signature flairs is that he will only cook with the most fresh and organic seasonal harvest, supporting the local farms.
Anyone who lives in Arizona or visits cannot claim that they have eaten a remarkable meal at a one-of-a-kind acclaimed restaurant until they have dined at Elements. Chef Macmillan’s passion for food shines through all the details, and then some. He is the personal chef for Wayne Gretzky, and has cooked for practically anyone whose anyone, ranging from U2 to President Bush.
There has never been a resort with this much luxuriousness without the usual reflection of pretentiousness. It doesn’t matter if you’re used to living the high life, or if you decide to splurge a little for a day. Sanctuary Resort and Spa is worth every dollar.
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