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You don’t have to go deep into the desert to find a little peace these days, at least not in Arizona, where the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort just unveiled a new $25 million spa renovation that completely reimagines the space loved by celebrities, just in time for the property’s 90th anniversary.
A destination steeped in Scottsdale history, the JW Marriott property was one of the first full-service spas in the Southwest, and the Camelback Inn quickly became a relaxing retreat for both locals and guests over the years such as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, and John F. Kennedy. It was also known as one of J. Willard Marriott Sr.’s favorite haunts, a tidbit the staff at the hotel still regales you with to this day.
The new spa draws inspiration from the resort’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, with limestone walls covered in sandy beige tones and custom stone mosaics, while sculptural furnishings reflect the soaring Camelback Mountain outside. Textures and Textiles Welcome to the hybrid relaxation room – dubbed “The Sanctuary” – where guests can relax in deep sofas or enjoy a cup of tea after a treatment. The space is airy and inviting, with a thatched roof and views of the outdoor pool providing a surprisingly thriving alternative to the dark and isolated spaces that seem to have become It is necessary In other health resorts. A circuit of ice showers, aromatherapy stream rooms, a Himalayan salt sauna and hot tubs, meanwhile, nestle between terra cotta-style walls and custom cactus sculptures that introduce some greenery indoors. The resort says the materials and details chosen for the renovation were intended to “blur the line between indoors and outdoors, encouraging relaxation, contemplation and reconnecting with nature.”
Of course, it’s almost always sunny in Scottsdale, and guests are encouraged to explore the outdoor pool, which is located separately from the resort’s main pool and is accessible only to spa visitors. The spa at Camelback Inn is one of the only places in the area where you can experience a multi-temperature hydrotherapy circuit located entirely outdoors, allowing you to jump from the main pool to the salt pool and take a cool dip while basking in the desert sun. Meanwhile, the cascading waterfall holes that line the middle of the pool are designed at a special angle to target stress points on your body.
Perhaps the most innovative part of Camelback Inn’s spa update is the venue’s new “Stillness Lounge,” designed as a post-treatment room that continues your wellness journey with zero-gravity lounge chairs, weighted blankets, eye masks, and noise-cancelling headphones. As one spa worker explained, we are often out of a state of bliss when a massage or facial is over, and this can actually re-create stress for the mind and body. The Stillness Lounge offers cozy seating, a relaxing sleep soundtrack and guided meditations to help you stay calm for a few more minutes, before slowly returning to the present.
As seen in the Sakun Lounge
Lagrate Weighted Blanket for Adults
This microfiber weighted blanket is similar to those you can find at spas, with 15 pounds of pressure that mimics a gentle “hug” or feeling of being pampered.
The Spa at Camelback Inn offers four “Paths to Wellness” as part of its menu of services, with each path aligned with an area of intention focus. The “detox” track includes a “juniper sage massage” and a milky clay detox, the latter of which uses a clay wrap to cleanse and purify the body; The “Soothing” track includes a facial, along with body fat replenishment, which features “warm oil cleansing and rich fat injections to hydrate the skin.” The “Harmonization” track seeks to achieve balance in the body, through an invigorating massage focusing on the head and feet; The ‘Restore’ menu offers regular rejuvenation with hydrating and brightening treatments for the face and body.
Guests can supplement their treatments with a calendar of intimate, instructor-led classes (think sound baths, breathing exercises, yoga and meditation), with a guided hike to Mummy Mountain (a more beginner-friendly trek than Camelback) or with a smoothie and energy bowl at the spa’s new Ora Café.
“With deep respect for our heritage and enthusiasm for the future, we are honored to begin this completely reimagined spa experience,” Richard Roman, general manager of JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, says in a statement. “The Camelback Inn’s spa transformation reflects a renewed commitment to providing a purposeful, personal and deeply rejuvenating environment where guests can reconnect with themselves and the healing energy of our desert surroundings.”
The spa at Camelback Inn is now open. Make a reservation and check the resort’s room rates here.
