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The healing properties of the Arizona sunshine are transformative. The rugged, mountainous scenery juxtaposes the soft, pampering treatments at Arizona’s wellness retreats and spas. From earthy to luxurious pampering, you will find a personal self-care resort to suit your style.

I am a spa treatment devotee. I have been a guest at several of the spas below — the others are at the top of my retreat bucket list. The eight amazing Arizona resorts listed below are in no particular order.

Note that some information in this piece was obtained during a sponsored press trip, but all recommendations are my own.

The Spa at Camelback Inn is perfect for a full spa day getaway with your besties or a blissful day of solitary contemplation. Part of the J.W. Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, the Spa at Camelback Inn has everything you need for a full day of indulgent escape. The spa service restaurant, Sprouts at the Spa, offers wellness-focused cuisine and cocktails. Enjoy your time relaxing by the spa pool between your treatments with a refreshing beverage while admiring the breathtaking Camelback Mountain views.

Their age defying facial is one of my favorite treatments. We all want our skin to look as smooth and firm as possible! The bonus with this choice is the arm refreshing treatment. Our arms do the lion’s share of our daily work and we never thank them, so now is the time.

Another amazing option is the hydrafacial. Served with the “vortex-fusion of antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid” — you will be ready to face the world.

Pro Tip: Stay in one of the casita-style rooms and enjoy a round of golf at the Camelback Golf Club for a well-rounded wellness retreat.

As the ancient boulders rise from the earth, the Boulders Resort and Spa sits squarely at their feet. Forming a magnificent backdrop for your personal wellness program, the Boulders area is steeped in traditional spirituality. The meditation labyrinth with its natural beauty and reflecting pond is a peaceful spot for self-care and reflection. The simple act of thoughtfully walking the meditation labyrinth is an exercise in keeping your thoughts solely focused on your footfalls and personal mantra.

In addition to traditional massages and spa treatments, Boulders offers powerful ayurvedic massage. The application of essential oils and strategically targeting energy points in the body is both pain relieving and preventative care. Ayurvedic massage increases circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system, and opens the life force to cleanse the body. It puts nirvana in your spa day.

Another terrific option at Boulders is their 80-minute health coaching session. The health coach performs a heart health assessment of your diet, fitness, body fat, and more. Together with the spa’s personal trainer, they will set you on a path to an improved lifestyle.

Pro Tip: After your relaxing spa day, kick up your heels in Old Town Scottsdale. A great spot to show off the new you.

An immersive stay at Canyon Ranch Tucson is designed to embrace your journey to wellness. Several pathways with focused treatments and wellness programs hone in on specific health intentions. Selections like lifestyle reset, live your healthy weight, optimal health, rebuild resistance, and others allow your all-inclusive visit to be the best fit for you.

The pathways are designed for 3, 5, or 7-night stays. However, guests can extend and customize their wellness retreats to suit their needs. You can even live at the Tucson facility and be surrounded by the beautiful scenery while living a wellness-focused lifestyle.

In addition to their state-of-the-art spa facilities, you can explore life in the desert, Santa Catalina Mountains, and Sabino Canyon with challenging physical activities. Some activities are rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. You may also join less strenuous activities like yoga classes, tennis, pickleball, and more. You could also just sit and simply be.

Pro Tip: In addition to Tucson, Canyon Ranch has facilities in Lenox, Massachusetts; Woodside, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aji Spa is part of the Sheraton Grand at Wildhorse Pass and is based on the physical and spiritual doctrines of the indigeneous Pima and Maricopa tribes. When you leave this five-star spa, you will feel like a million bucks.

The ancient Shegoi wrap and massage include an application of Shegoi oil, considered sacred for its healing properties. While you are soaking in all the Shegoi oil under your wrap, the technician completely relaxes you with a scalp and shoulder massage.

The nearly two-hour-long chakra balancing treatment should be part of everyone’s wellness experience. As your therapist clears the energy through your core chakras, your transformation ends with a chakra card reading and with setting your wellness intentions.

Pro Tip:  Play a round or two at the Whirlwind Golf Club since your swing should be more flexible after a day at the spa.

CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa in the Sonoran Desert offers guests a growth journey through personal health and wellness. Your experience at the spa begins with a hydrotherapy thermal circuit including hot and cold pools, a stay in the heated sanarium, and finishing with a cold waterfall shower. This suggested entree into your spa retreat sets your mind to relaxation and healing mode while you contemplate your inner self.

After the water bath, one of my favorite spa treatments is reflexology. The spa offers a 60-minute foot massage that utilizes pressure points to open pathways and send love to organs throughout your body. I can feel the tranquility taking over just thinking about this amazing treatment.

One of CIVANA’s signature treatments, CIVANA Calm, helps replace magnesium deficiencies caused by chronic stress. Their botanical tonic magnesium helps to bring balance and a sense of wellness to your body. Chronic stress aggravates many health conditions and alleviating stress offers restorative healing powers.

Yoga classes, equine therapy, kayaking, and hiking join a variety of meditation classes like floated guided meditation while relaxing in a hammock. If aerial yoga has piqued your interest, you can attend a class here and explore the weightless feeling of zen.

Pro Tip: CIVANA has adapted the art of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) into a nature immersion desert bathing experience — one worth a try.

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia is home to Joya Spa, a luxurious retreat with unsurpassed wellness amenities. You can reserve your spa-ready suite for a full or half day and enjoy a private oasis for a sumptuous time.

Rituals have survived hundreds of years because they offer solace and solidity. The Hammam Experience at Joya Spa is one of these immersive rituals. It begins with a black soap exfoliating scrub followed by a succession of steam, whirlpool, cold dunk, and a heated aromatherapy session. The almost two-hour ritual ends with an invigorating, customized massage.

Pro Tip: The Hammam rooms are gender specific.

L’Apothecary Spa at the exclusive L’Auberge de Sedona is located in a tranquil, nature-filled environment along Oak Creek.

The very first spa treatment you want to experience is the seasonally available Creekside Massage. Imagine indulging in your choice of massage under a canopy of sycamore trees as nature’s sound healing energy bubbles around you. An unplanned sigh escapes your lips as you lean into total relaxation.

Custom blended for you, massage treatment oil is the key ingredient in the L’Aromatherapy Essential Massage. Design your own aromatic essence for the 60-minute therapeutic Swedish massage.

One last must try — the Agave Salt Glow. The Agave Salt Glow is a full-body scrub with sea salt enhanced with essential oils. The scrub is followed by a white tea body butter slather.

Pro Tip: L’Apothecary Spa is only accessible to guests of L’Auberge de Sedona. Thereby securing the exclusivity of this wellness resort.

Well & Being Spa located in the grande dame of luxury hotels, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, is an elegant, full-service spa served up with a few twists.

Their 90-minute alpine arnica deep tissue massage uses steamed towels and arnica gel to loosen tight muscles and improve movement. Arnica is an herb used topically to soothe achy muscles and reduce inflammation.

If you haven’t tried the traditional Chinese technique of cupping, you might consider Well & Being Spa’s 60-minute treatment. Heat is used to create a vacuum in the cup and it is then guided along your body creating a suction that moves your Qi (your vital energy). It increases circulation and relieves pain. It can also leave pretty serious bruising, so plan this treatment after your pool day.

Pro Tip: After your luxurious spa treatments, explore some of Scottsdale’s fabulous outdoor adventures like hot air ballooning.

[Yoga, CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa, Carefree, AZ]

There are so many amazing wellness resorts in Arizona, that it is difficult to decide which one to experience first. You will be hooked by the breathtaking scenery, colorful sunsets, and attention to personal wellness that pervades this southwest paradise.

With unique wellness activities, outdoor adventures, body treatments, guided hikes, and more all wrapped up in stunning, picturesque views, you will find infinite inner peace at Arizona’s wellness retreats.

For more trips on traveling to Arizona, check out these articles:

Whether she is leaving on a jet plane or exploring the open road, Sandi loves to visit destinations that offer cool and interesting activities, fabulous culinary creations, and fun libations. Semi-retired from a long career in marketing, Sandi is making the most of her boomer traveling, go-go years, with a goal to visit as many places as possible. Having 33 states and territories, 23 countries, and a grand collection of national and state parks in her travel log; her current goal is to visit all 50 states in the next 5 years.

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.