WELLNESS REIGNS

Scottsdale spas remain in the headlines with overall health and wellness becoming a major focus. Many of the spas are shifting their focus from a la carte treatments to those that incorporate healing of not only the body, but also the mind and soul.

True to the spirit of innovation, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (www.scottsdaleprincess.com) was the first resort to debut Well & Being Spa, a Trilogy Wellness concept now sweeping the country. Drawing on the Southwest's indigenous roots and time-tested Asian influences, the spa Wellness allows visitors to choose from a bevy of a la carte spa services or develop a health and wellness program that factors in mental and physical wellbeing. Create a customized workout plan that incorporates unique fitness elements such as aerial yoga, learn how to reach a mental Zen-like state with an intentional living coach, and step into the bod pod for a complete analysis of body fat to lean muscle mass.

The Spa at the Boulders (www.theboulders.com), taps into its Sonoran Desert surroundings and American Indian legacy with a menu of treatments and self-guided experiences. At the heart of the spa menu is a choice of three journeys: Desert Zen, Global Shaman and Radiant Oasis. Each of these experiential intentions incorporates scents from the resort's Organic Garden and the surrounding desert landscape. New popular treatments include the Yuzu Sage Splash, which begins with a gentle body polish of powdered herbs, honey granules and mineral rich salts, and is followed by a Vichy shower combined with a lime peel foaming gel. It concludes with an application of desert sage, yuzu and jasmine body lotion to lock hydration into the skin.

Indulge in a Satori Wellness retreat at The Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com). Named after the Japanese word for enlightenment, the four-day retreat incorporates spa and fitness activities in an inspirational desert setting. Days are filled with luxurious spa treatments, rejuvenating exercise classes, nature walks, and spa meals individually created by Sanctuary's award-winning chef, Beau MacMillan.

Slip back in time during the Hammam Experience at Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia (www.omnihotels.com/scottsdale). This longtime tradition originated in Northern Africa and Moorish Spain around 600 AD. The treatment incorporates a multi-stage bathing ritual that aids in increasing circulation, improving balance, strengthening the immune system and flushing toxins. Begin the ritual in the spa's warming room, which is set at 98 degrees. Tile benches are warmed and ergonomically matched to the human body so as to relieve built-up tension. Next, move to the scrub room and lay on a 150-year-old rosewood bed and receive a black soap and kassa glove scrub. Once rinsed from the scrub, the hot and cold ritual begins. The treatment concludes with a second cold deluge.

TIMELESS DESERT TECHNIQUES

Scottsdale's Sonoran Desert is a surprisingly lush landscape fed by snowmelt from Arizona's mountainous north and thunderous summertime rainstorms during the monsoon. Savor the desert's verdant bounty with exotic treatments and innovative spas that draw upon the Sonoran Desert's native plants, herbs and minerals, setting Scottsdale's spas apart from all others.

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale) is a high desert hideaway offering a variety of treatments incorporating the natural botanicals of the Sonoran Desert, including the Jojoba & Prickly Pear Polish and Willow Herbal Wrap. The former utilizes deeply penetrating jojoba oil with the healing properties of prickly pear to leave the body smooth and moisturized, while the latter cocoons guests inside linen sheets soaked in white willow bark tea to detoxify the body by sweating out pollutants. Spa Avania at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch's (www.scottsdale.hyatt.com) promises to rehydrate your body with its signature Desert Essence Body Wrap. Utilizing trehalose extract, a special ingredient found within desert cactus, this warm, dry wrap includes a full-body dry brush exfoliation and a hydrating serum. Finish the treatment off with a hydration cream.

The Phoenician's (www.thephoenician.com) stunning Centre for Well-Being offers the intensely detoxifying and regenerating Desert Serenity Scrub, Wrap and Massage. A gentle exfoliation is followed by an application of mineral rich clay, aloe vera and essential oils, cleansing and purifying the skin, while a full body Swedish massage melts away stress. Fight damaging dehydration at Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland Resort (www.kierlandresort.com) with the Agave Enchantment, a skin-softening exfoliation paired with a body mask brimming with desert plant extracts to stimulate, rejuvenate and rehydrate the body.

AMERICAN INDIAN INSPIRATIONS

These exotic therapies marry age-old, time-tested Native American remedies and healing techniques with modern day pampering. The Spa at Talking Stick (www.talkingstickresort.com) – an open-air spa located on the 14th floor of the resort – combines traditional American Indian ingredients harvested from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community gardens with healing methods that have withstood the test of time. Relax during a Peaceful Healing treatment, traditionally used to heal farmers, hunters and weary travelers. Raw pima cotton poultices are filled with steaming desert herbs to produce luxurious aromas that bring your mind to a state of rest. Rhythmic pressure is applied along energy pathways of the body, offering renewed feelings of vitality and balance, followed by a massage of warm reviving oils.

The Adobe Clay Purification Treatment at The Spa at Camelback Inn (www.camelbackinn.com), inspired by American Indian healing rituals, uses pure red adobe clay and herbs indigenous to the Arizona desert, such as sage, juniper, and sandalwood. After the adobe clay is applied to the body to relax muscles and draw impurities from the system, a Southwestern-inspired soap and cactus fiber cloth is used during a Vichy shower to remove the clay. The Spa at the Boulders tempts with a signature Turquoise Body Wrap based on the American Indian belief that turquoise is a protective stone that exudes positive energy, providing a sense of self-confidence. Indulge in an ultimate three-part exfoliation, which begins with a nourishing clay wrap and concludes with a pure honey wrap and honey butter application. During this wrap nirvana, the therapist performs a rain-stick ritual and uses traditional essential oils to harmonize the spirit.

Furthermore, many Scottsdale spas offer traditional American Indian hot stone therapy, where heated river rocks are placed strategically along pressure points to help melt away tension, relieve muscle aches and pain, and create a calming atmosphere. After being brought into a meditative state, the body is re-energized with the help of sensory stimulating oils.

SOUL FOOD

Across Scottsdale, innovative therapists are incorporating local delicacies, edible desert plants, coffee and various alcohols into their treatments to add a dash of comfort, spoonful of calm and cup of warmth to the traditional spa treatment.

Inspired by the scent of blooming citrus trees sprinkled across the grounds of the Mediterranean-inspired Royal Palms Resort (www.royalpalmshotel.com), Alvadora Spa offers the Citrus Ritual. The treatment begins with a full body exfoliation on a heated stone table. Continue to relax in a garden tub on a private patio area. The ritual finishes with a gentle orange blossom moisturizing lotion application. Savor the restorative power of VH Spa, a posh sanctuary tucked inside the restored 1950s-era Hotel Valley Ho (www.hotelvalleyho.com), with the CoffeeBerry Yoga Facial, which harnesses the antioxidant power of the coffee plant for a treatment that will leave you brightened and fresh.

An invigorating treatment using Fijian Exotic Orange Blossom oils, the Orange Blossom Body Ritual at Jurlique Spa at the FireSky Resort & Spa – A Kimpton Hotel (www.fireskyresort.com) provides a total skin renewal that addresses sun damage and age spots. Bliss Spa at the W Scottsdale (www.wscottsdalehotel.com) boasts the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, an invigorating polish that uses warm Japanese camellia oil and a lime and ginger salt scrub to leave skin smooth and soft.

The aforementioned Sanctuary Spa is an Asian-inspired gem that offers traditional Thai luk pra kope treatments. This includes a footbath of fresh lime and essential oils, followed by a cooling white Thai clay exfoliation and topped off with Thai massage – a steamy blend of medicinal herbs rolled, massaged and pressed into tight muscles and problem areas. Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia's Joya Spa puts a traditional Moroccan twist on body care. This North African country and its fertile meadows inspired the Moroccan Cleansing Ritual, which combines traditional Moroccan Tea with exotic synergies, followed by a rare volcanic body masque, a citrus foot treatment, and a massage application of argan oil.

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