Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa

The spa treatments were the highlight. My facial and my partner’s massage were amazing. Everything else fell well short of what I expected from a luxury hotel with a spa, despite the convenient Scottsdale location near PHX. We came to Arizona for several days, including a comedy show in PHX, and chose Sanctuary Camelback for its luxury reputation. At Elements, dinner was mediocre at best. The specials were overcooked and flavorless, and breakfast was just adequate. Our room was tiny, and the bathroom was even smaller. They squeezed in a large tub, leaving two people to awkwardly maneuver around it. The room and hotel cleanliness also didn’t feel luxurious. At over $1,600 a night, they need to do better. I’d rate the service, amenities, and hotel at three stars at most. There were so many problems I won’t list every deficiency. Checkout was another hassle. My spa and breakfast credits weren’t applied, and I had to call three times to get it fixed. I’m happy to pay premium prices for premium service, but Sanctuary didn’t deliver, and I won’t return.

A stay here is a peaceful break from the grind of city life. The staff are wonderfully attentive and help make the experience soothing. You can take in breathtaking mountain views from the balcony, through your room windows, or at the infinity pool. There’s also a well-equipped workout facility with its own pool and tennis courts, plus plenty for keeping up an active routine. I’d highly recommend this beautiful resort.

A few people recommended the spa, so I decided to try Thai Massage even though I usually get great massages at home. Sonja gave me an amazing treatment, with deep stretches and such natural movement of my body. I left feeling completely rejuvenated. I’ll look for Thai Massage back home in Cincinnati, and I’ll book with Sonja again when I return to The Sanctuary Spa.

The staff are what really make this place stand out. Everyone was attentive, kind, and cheerful, and the food at the on-site restaurant elements was delicious. We also had massages, and the woman who worked on us was fantastic. The property is beautiful, and the rooms are spacious, very clean, and nicely decorated. Some even have fireplaces. Staying here felt better than the Ritz or four seasons. They treat you like royalty.