The treatment begins with a warm waterfall shower in the Oasis Courtyard. Tired feet are then bathed in a eucalyptus footbath, as this weary trekker sips herbal tea. A chamomile exfoliation, an herbal bath, an aromatherapy wrap including a face and scalp acupressure massage, gets any body back in the grove tip-to-toe. You’ll feel ready to hit the trails once again. Better still, trek up to the rooftop, adults-only pool area, plop yourself down on a comfy lounge in one of the private cabanas, and nap. Even those who haven’t just hiked the Canyon will enjoy the treatment.

In addition to the pool the Willow Stream spa also houses a gym, yoga and Pilates studios, a café classrooms for fitness class, hot tubs, a cold plunge pool, and a Eucalyptus-infused, hammam-style, inhalation room excellent for the respiratory system and for re-energizing. Mood lit and with soft piped-in music and comfy pillows it’s also a great spot to grab a quick nap between treatments. There are also a number of common rooms some with mini fridges stocked with bottled water and prickly pair lemonade. Here and there are bowls of fresh fruit, organic muffins and herbal teas. Little touches include things such as bowls of iced facecloths located just outside the steam rooms.“We recommend clients come at least one hour before to really enjoy the full spa experience,” says Michael Tapscott, treatment manager.

Another indigenous treatment is the Turquoise Wrap at the Golden Door Spa, Boulders Resort. Inspired by the Native American belief that turquoise is a protective colour, this signature treatment begins with a turquoise bath in a hydrotherapy tub, followed by a dry brushing with blue cornmeal, then a wrap with ionized turquoise clay. Great treatment but I did feel a little rushed out the door at the end of it all.

Fresh from my “beauty blast” at the Centre for Wellbeing, The Phoenician is luxury from the moment you arrive. One of the first things you notice of the sprawling Southwestern-style property set at the base of Camelback Mountain is the meticulously landscaping - not a pebble or cactus out of place. Signature features include an adult-only swimming pool lined with Mother of Pearl, Nature’s Gym (an outdoor fitness experience) and intuitive art guides to help guests tap into their inner resources. Touches of pampering can be found in the cashmere blend blankets on treatment tables, leather lounge chairs in the Meditation Atrium, and on demand chauffeur service to get you around the resort.

Yes, there is something about Scottsdale – all of Arizona, in fact – that makes a body feel newly alive.

If You Go:

The Phoenician & Centre for Well-Being 6000 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 North America: 800-888-8234 Worldwide: 480-941-8200 Website: www.thephoenician.com

Anne Dimon is founder/editor of www.traveltowellness.com

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