By: Babs Harrison
The desert is a powerful place to heal. And the original Arizona spa retreat sets the tone for ultimate transformation and tranquility.
Surreal natural landscapes, a sunny, dry climate, and solitude are deeply restorative to the body and soul. The overwhelming vastness of the land and sky can take your breath away at first sight. Slow down, listen to the silence, and you’ll begin to discover astonishing beauty in the smallest details of desert life.
“Nobody sees a flower — really — it is so small — we haven’t time — and to see takes time….” said Georgia OʻKeeffe who lived in and painted scenes of the desert.
Take some time for yourself away from the distractions of everyday life to rest, recharge and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural environment. An Arizona spa retreat helps you reap the benefits of the desert setting to wondrous effects. By having time to appreciate the beauty in small things, like the scent of rain or the intricate design of a flower, you cultivate an increased sense of wellbeing and contentment.
There are four great, arid deserts in North America, and Arizona contains a piece of each of them. Primary and home to Castle Hot Springs is the Sonoran Desert, the most biologically diverse of the four with 3500 species of plants and 500 species of birds. Rich in flora and fauna, it is the only desert where the saguaro cactus grows in the wild. This complex terrain spreads across the southwestern quadrant of Arizona, and our award winning luxury spa has been a part of the landscape for many years.
Health and wellness retreats, Arizona has in spades, but Castle Hot Springs is one desert wellness retreat that stands out from the rest. Itʻs ranked as one of the best hotels in the world, and top in Arizona by Travel + Leisure since its revival five years ago. This luxurious oasis with palms, orange trees, natural mineral springs, and an organic farm lies within 1100 mostly undeveloped acres of Sonoran Desert. Here, guests are comfortably nestled within the serenity of a canyon, a sanctuary where nature becomes part of the healing process.
In a world where life seems louder by the day, Castle Hot Springs is a respite and a retreat to the silence of the desert. Here is a place where you can slow down, take a mindful pause for self-care, and disconnect. The beauty of the surroundings will nurture you in so many ways. Here are a few:
Arizona Skies
The desert is known for intensely blue skies, a result of how the remarkably pure, dry air interacts with sunlight. At Castle Hot Springs you can gaze at this uplifting color while languorously floating in the hot springs. The naturally warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pools soothe the body while you engage in dreamy, blue sky thinking. At night, in a canyon far from city lights, therapeutic soaks in the outdoor springs are accompanied by a sky streaked with dazzling stars.
Some therapies are even in the continuously flowing hot springs pools. Watsu is like a slow dance in shallow water. While you float effortlessly on your back, pondering the sky and leafy crowns of the palm trees, the therapist gently leads you in stretches to release long-held muscular and emotional tension. Aquatic Energy Balancing is a gentle therapy to clear energy blockages and align your energetic system, all while you float carefree in the warm water.
Unique Botanicals
Throughout history, people have recognized the healing powers of plants. Aloe vera, sage, desert lavender, jojoba, and prickly pear are a few that Castle Hot Springs incorporates into their spa treatments. Embark on a mindful stroll through the desert and you may see these medicinal plants growing in the wild. Experience the benefits of desert botanicals with spa treatments like these:
Sonoran Desert Transformation: a mineral-rich wrap, massage, and hydrating treatment with purifying turquoise sage and lavender.
Lavender Lemongrass Journey: an exfoliation, body-butter wrap, and massage highlighting the relaxing benefits of locally-harvested lavender.
Prickly Pear and Shea Butter Wrap: A deeply hydrating massage and wrap featuring a natural body butter with Arizona prickly pear extract blended with jojoba and aloe vera.
Nurturing Surroundings
Nature is part of the wellness experience at Castle Hot Springs, and the resort is designed in such a way so that guests are always visually or physically immersed in its beauty. Most of the spa treatments for example are enjoyed in private, climate-controlled spa tents that open to views of the spring-fed creek. You can hear the soothing sounds of the gently flowing water, or listen for the distinctive call of the cactus wren, the official bird of Arizona. On a walk to the hot springs, look for a covey of Gambel’s Quail, a fast-moving roadrunner, or an iridescent hummingbird hovering as it feeds on nectar from flowering plants.
Whether you’re craving deep relaxation, quiet reflection, or time spent in nature, Castle Hot Springs offers a healing wellness experience. Book your escape now and harness the restorative power of the desert’s beauty.