While there is no shortage of enticing spas in the Phoenix area, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (Paradise Valley, AZ) is raising the bar with the introduction of the Spa House, a private house dedicated to health and wellness. Boasting four bedrooms, a full kitchen, a movement studio, a treatment room, an outdoor patio and pool, and four neighboring casitas, the retreat is the perfect complement to the resort and Sanctuary Spa. “Sanctuary’s dedication to wellness and wellbeing is apparent as soon as guests step foot on the resort grounds,” says spa director LaRae Verros. “We wanted to take our commitment further and create an all-encompassing residential enclave that would be solely dedicated to the spa’s holistic mission.”
Incorporating a whole-mind, whole-body focus, the Spa House is designed to offer groups a tranquil place to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect. With refreshments similar to those served in the spa, it comes stocked with specialty snacks, such as organic dark chocolate, raw nuts, and coconut water. The bathrooms feature Red Flower amenities and a host of aromatherapy bath salts for a soothing soak. Even turndown service is customized with a healthy spin. “Turndown amenities range from custom journals for jotting down reflections, fresh-cut flowers, personal cards offering a mantra or yoga pose suggestion, and even an adult coloring book that offers similar benefits to meditation,” says Verros.
Spa House guests can also take advantage of a Spa Concierge, who is available to provide assistance and schedule treatments both in-house and at Sanctuary Spa. “We want to make sure guests of Spa House feel they have a dedicated point-person for their personal journey,” says Verros. With that in mind, the Sensei in Residence ensures one of the spa’s Sensei therapists, a select group of elite, licensed therapists is always on call to perform a selection of highly specialized treatments. “Bringing the spa experience full-circle is Spa House’s treatment room for in-home massages, which can accommodate two guests at a time,” says Verros.
According to her, the idea behind the in-house spa menu was to provide treatments that would enhance the mind-body concept. “We wanted to offer a variety of services, ranging from our Sensei treatments for renewal to body exfoliations for rejuvenation,” says Verros. Ultimately, the goal was to allow each guest to create their own experience. “Our Sensei-administered services capture a mind, body, spirit approach to holistic wellness and restoration,” says Verros. “They are especially relevant for guests who have been affected by major life changes, be it serious illness, cancer treatment, losing a loved one, or other traumatic experience.” Spa House guests may also opt for the Spa House Satori program, which is inspired by the spa’s celebrated Satori Wellness Retreats. The multi-day program can be customized to meet any group goal.
Helping to facilitate fitness goals is the on-site movement studio, which is ideal for private classes or personal training sessions. It comes equipped with yoga mats, Pilates reformers, stationary bikes, free weights, and other fitness equipment. There is also a dedicated menu of Spa House classes, which includes Awake sunrise stretch, Breathe meditation, Clash indoor cycling, and Energy cardio drum.
Of course, the hope is that guests will continue on the healthy path they’ve embarked upon at Spa House once they depart. That is why the spa has teamed up with Skin Authority to launch an in-home kiosk offering virtual coaching to Spa House guests. “It was important to the teams from Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and Skin Authority that the healthy lifestyle lessons taught at the Spa House carry on outside the four walls of the property,” says Celeste Hilling, CEO and cofounder of Skin Authority. “Skin Authority’s Virtual Coaching continues the conversation.” The complimentary educational chats with certified skin coaches help guests customize a healthy skin plan. The My Skin Authority mobile app ensures that the conversation can continue long after guests have returned home.
While guests may be reluctant to venture away from the Spa House, they do have all of the resort’s facilities at their disposal. From the inviting spa and the state-of-the-art fitness center, to the popular pool and tempting restaurant, they’ll want for nothing. “Now that Spa House is open, we’re excited to see how guests and groups utilize the space,” says Verros. “I am confident there will be key discoveries that inspire new initiatives and program ideas.”
Owner: Privately owned, managed by Westroc Hospitality
Spa Director: LaRae Verros
Opened: 2002; Spa House: May 2016
Client Base
25% male
Space
12,000 square feet; 13 treatment rooms
Spa House: 3,500 square feet; 1 treatment room
Product Lines
Clarisonic, Jane Iredale, Mio, Naturopathica, NuFace, OPI, Oribe, Pure Fiji, Red Flower, Skin Authority
Equipment
EquiPro, Free-Motion, Ivanko, Matrix, Oakworks, SpaSoft, Yeah Baby
Architect
Allen + Philp Architects (Scottsdale, AZ)
Interior Designer
Lynne Beyer Design (Phoenix)