Yes, summer in Scottsdale can be hot – let’s get that out of the way right up front. Even so, or maybe because of this, now is an ideal time for a summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale. The crowds are gone, the hotel rates are reasonable, and it’s easy to get a dinner reservation where and when you want it. Even better, the dry heat of the Sonoran Desert can be very healing. These are some of the many reasons why we loved our long summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale recently.

After weeks of gloomy overcast weather in San Diego, we needed a little bake in the sun. We were also needing a dose of healthy activities even more, and Scottsdale is the perfect place to deliver both. When we realized how focused the entire community of Scottsdale is on healthy living, we planned our trip and set off for a long weekend. Yoga classes and sunrise hikes in the desert were on the agenda, along with healthy meals, sunset kayaking and even a little wine tasting.

Our four-night stay delivered an ideal summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale.

Summer Wellness Weekend in Scottsdale

We all need a wellness check now and then, and wellness means different things for different people. For me, wellness means decluttering my mind, enriching my spirit and spending time outdoors. Since the desert has always held a special role for me in my own sense of peace and calm, I searched for options in desert locations that provided something new and different. Scottsdale delivered on the promise.

Not only did my summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale meet my needs, the destination surprised me. There are more healthy options here than most places, even though Scottsdale is already well-known as a wellness hub. Year-round sunshine, the warmth of the sun, the bleak beauty of the Sonoran desert. These attributes cry out to many visitors as people escape their sometimes dreary lives back home.

Summer in Scottsdale is an even more perfect time to tap its resources while topping up your own.

Two Resorts Offering Very Different Experiences

Over four days in the summer heat, we baked the evil toxins from our bodies at two wonderful and very different Scottsdale area resorts. The first two days were spent at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, and the second two days at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa. Despite temperatures higher than 110F, we were kept comfortable with cooling misters, dips into refreshing pools, and moments in air conditioning that refueled our bodies.

When temperatures soar here, the people of Arizona know how to escape the hot weather. Outdoor activities are enjoyed in the morning or at night when the thermometer drops. During the day, quiet time spent swimming at the pool or enjoying spa services is just the ticket.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

The Four Seasons experience always delivers a luxurious stay. The Scottsdale location excels among its peers in the luxury category – no small feat with so many amazing luxury resorts in the area. From the moment you turn into the drive and make your way to the reception desk, the surroundings become more and more beautiful. Gigantic saguaro cactus soar above sandy terrain and picturesque boulders. This is a highly manicured version of the Sonoran Desert, and it is postcard perfect.

The resort itself is styled with a desert vibe in architecture and design. Casitas are grouped around the property, interspersed with pools, gardens and desert vistas that make me breathe deeply from their beauty. Pathways wander throughout, leading guests on a meditative walk from the lobby and spa areas to their rooms and other amenities. Along the way, I enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds. Nature is an amenity here, with environments that encourage the appearance of birds, butterflies, lizards and more. The absence of noise is a sound I love to hear, and this resort does that well.

Suites at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale

We had the opportunity to stay in a spacious suite during our visit. Our luxurious suite contained a living room with full bathroom, master bedroom, master bath and walk in closet. A cool retreat from the heat of the Arizona weather, the spacious rooms are decorated in the calming desert colors of taupe, sand, white, sage and deep blue. Wood floors and trim include sturdy wooden shades to doors and windows to block sun and heat.

Our suite also featured a large landscaped patio and private plunge pool for cooling off from the summer heat. After dinner, it felt like heaven to float in this mini pool and dip under the refreshing water for a pre-bedtime chill.

One standout here is the master bathroom, which included an enormous soaking tub and all the fixings for a meditative bath. Salts, scrubs and other potions were laid out and ready for use – and that we did. Also of note is the very spacious walk-in shower with exterior door to a private outdoor courtyard. Another shower head outside allows guests to enjoy the evening stars while rinsing off the day. I have to say, it was kind of magical.

Spa Experiences at the Four Seasons

The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale Troon North has some impressive treatments. The one most interesting to me is called Coco Mole Energizing Wrap – a very specific and appropriate treatment using elements from the Sonoran Desert itself. It’s scheduled as a 90 minute experience and it felt like hours – in a good way. I left feeling rejuvenated in a relaxed jellyfish kind of way. I went straight to the pool and poured myself into a shaded lounge chair, the sound of birds singing as I was lulled into a restful catnap.

The Coco Mole is not a massage treatment, although massage elements are included in the process. It features a Vichy shower, which I have never experienced before. First I was scrubbed head to toe with a stimulating cafe mocha sugar scrub, which felt like an amazing exfoliating rub down. Then smooth cocoa mole mud made from Sonoran Desert extracts was spread across my skin. Once that was applied, I was cocooned in warm sheets and blankets to stew for a bit. Unwrapped like a burrito, the Vichy shower came next as a warm rain shower washed over me in waves, sprayed  from an elaborate contraption above. The whole experience was sensory incredibleness.

From there, I staggered to the indoor whirlpool for a peaceful soak. Also available are wet and dry saunas and other experiences available to all spa guests.

Talavera Restaurant

Still feeling like jelly, I had nonetheless worked up a good appetite. While mindful of my wellness path, the menu at the celebrated onsite restaurant Talavera was calling to me. The space is billed as a contemporary Spanish steakhouse, and the design pays that off well. We found the menu welcome in its diversity, and leaned into the seafood options in addition to a sample of their specialty steak. Instantly we could understand why Talavera gets such high marks. Everything – including the service – was spectacular.

I think eating delicious things that make you happy is a form of wellness, don’t you? We splurged right out of the gate on appetizers of Gambas al Ajillo (jumbo shrimps in a saucy garlic mixture with toasted bread), and Pulpo Alla Gallega (octopus with potatoes and chorizo in a paprika sauce). From there, we tasted the Chilean Sea Bass, a specialty of the chef served with English peas, thyme, caviar and jicama. Of course we needed to try the steak at this Spanish steak house, and the 8 oz Prime Tenderloin was perfectly prepared. It was served with charred peppers and Mexican onions in a Cognac peppercorn sauce, and the combination of flavors was tantalizing.

This was definitely a splurge meal, so we had to try dessert as well. Our server recommended the Cinnamon Churros, crispy donut-like friend dough twists sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. These are served with three dipping sauces: Warm Chocolate Sauce, Vanilla Caramel and Guava-Lime Sauce, each equally delicious and appropriately decadent.

Morning Hike

After a day of relaxation and that extravagant dinner, some sort of physical exertion was needed. A sunrise hike up nearby Pinnacle Peak seemed like just the ticket. In the early morning desert heat, it was the ideal way to begin a beautiful day in Scottsdale and avoid the mid-day sun.

We set out from the resort at 7 am, and followed the easy paths up to the base of the hiking trails. Pinnacle Peak stretches beyond 2,700 feet, and the elevation gain of the hiking trail is about 1,300 feet. We did not go that far, and yet felt great about sweating it out along well-groomed trails. The views of the valley from here are spectacular, and we got a good workout exploring the paths as we passed boulders, saguaros and other desert plants. It was so quiet and beautiful. The only break in our peaceful solitude was the occasional friendly hello from other hikers.

We sweated buckets, and it felt extraordinarily cleansing. We made sure to bring drinking water, because the summer temperature continued to rise throughout our morning excursion.

CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa

The country-club beauty of the Four Seasons experience was complemented by a wonderful – and very different – luxury experience at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa. Here at CIVANA, the idea of wellness is central to the core offerings of every guest stay at the resort. Daily programs and classes are offering from daybreak and into the night. CIVANA offers each guest a robust list of activities, classes, explorations and options. For our two-night stay, we chose experiences designed specifically to address the areas of wellness we needed most.

With nearly two dozen items listed on CIVANA’s daily class schedule, guests here can chart their own wellness course. I wanted to mix up relaxation with exertion, and inner peace with the gorgeous outdoors inherent in the Sonoran Desert of the Scottsdale area. I got my wish. My well-rounded schedule included the right blend of activities designed specifically for me.

A Variety of Wellness Experiences

The schedule at CIVANA is vast, which lured me from the moment I reviewed it. Everything from intense outdoor workouts to peaceful mediation inside the rock-lined labyrinth. From hanging in bands during aerial yoga to the surprisingly hard work of proper breathing. From transformative journaling to joyful dance. Almost overwhelmed, I settled on a course of activities to occupy my mind and body. I was also careful to leave room to do nothing at all but lay in the warm sun by the pool and zone out.

With several delicious dining options onsite, there is little reason to leave CIVANA during the length of your stay. In fact, the only time we left was for the sunrise hike detailed below. For someone used to go-go-go excursions that keep me busy experiencing a destination, this was in itself a practice I need more of. Evidently, peace and quiet is a good thing occasionally. Who knew?!

Spa Treatments at Civana

A plethora of holistic spa treatments make the Spa at Civana a popular part of guests’ itinerary. Every spa appointment allows for use of the spa facilities and private pool area, which we enjoyed immensely from positions in both shade and sun. In keeping with my summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale theme, I chose the Spirit of the Desert treatment.

Spirit of the Desert is described as an opportunity to absorb the healing power of the desert. Perfect! The treatment started with sound bowl meditation to ground and center me. Warm poultices made from local plants and minerals were used to apply pressure and relieve muscle tension. Afterwards, a massage with essential oils and warm stones helped promote my rebalancing of mind, body and spirit. It all may sound a bit woo-woo, but I loved the feeling before and after. Believe me I left this session light and happy, feeling the Spirit of the Desert had helped me reach new ground.

Desert Bathing – Nature Immersion

A highlight of the entire trip was a sunrise hike along the nearby Jewel of the Creek Trail in Carefree. Waking at 5 am to join the group for a 5:30 am departure was the hardest part of this experience. The rest was pure joy, even the rattlesnake we walked past about half-way through the morning. But not to worry. He was very chill and did not bat an eye when 20 people trudged past, unaware of his presence.

Based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-joku, this is the Sonoran Desert version of forest bathing. In this practice, hikers seek to bridge the gap between themselves and nature. Other than our guide’s occasional details about the desert, geology and environment we were walking through, our hike was relatively silent. Human chatter was replaced with bird song, the sound of grasses rustling in the wind, and our footsteps echoing on the canyon walls.

More Than Yoga

CIVANA is much more than a yoga retreat., Even so, there are many yoga options here that complement the overall experience. We had space in our calendars to partake in several, and were very happy with the outcome.

Myofascial Release – This practice releases the toxins and restores connective tissues between muscles and bone.. And wow, is it painful but needed. A small ball or roller is used to trigger and release areas of the body where pockets of tightness can develop. I may have screamed out loud.

Slow Flow – Right after releasing the evil toxins, it felt like sweet comfort to stretch, breathe and flow through this Vinyasa-inspired class. It was the ideal combination.

Sleep Sound Journey – After dinner, this session featured sound bowl therapy in an effort to unwind the mind and encourage deep relaxation leading to a deep sleep. It worked its magic, even on some people during the class.

Wellness Activities Outside of the Resorts

Regardless of where you stay in the area, there are a collection of experiences that perfectly fit a summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale. We had the opportunity to experience several that we encourage visitors to try.

Sunset Kayaking

A perfect way to cool off from the summer heat, floating on Canyon Lake is about as tranquil as it gets with the services of Yak N Sup. We paddled our kayaks easily across the lake and along a stream bordered by rocky canyon walls. The only sounds we heard were the splashing of water over our oars, birds singing to each other, and distant laughter. The clean, clear water was a great way to mop our brows as needed, framed against the setting sun as a picturesque backdrop.

Wine Tasting in Old Town

Old Town Scottsdale is a magnet for visitors and locals both, looking for fun places to explore and things to do. Wine tasting is not the first thing I think of when visiting Scottsdale, so when we wandered into the Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room I was curious about their wines. Tasting wines with owner Terry Glomski, we were impressed with the quality of his wines and the breadth of his collection. We tasted a variety of vintages – both red and white, and chose our favorites from the selection (both reds). This is definitely worth a visit when in Scottsdale.

Ayurvedic Medicine at Second Nature Clinic

Also in Old Town Scottsdale, the Second Nature Clinic is focused on providing ayurvedic and naturopathic medicine under the expert guidance of Dr. Meghana Thanki. Her counsel is about how natural health methods can become a regular part of anyone’s self-care routine. Using methods passed down through centuries of natural medicine, she helps to restore balance and manage or eliminate health conditions. We loved learning about her Zen Lounge happy hours for the mind, body and soul every Thursday afternoon.  After a session learning about how to better take care of ourselves, we bumped up our healthy journey with a quick vitamin shot. We left better equipped with healthy diet and practices we can manage at home, and feeling fueled for the rest of our summer wellness weekend in Scottsdale.

Stargazing in the Deep Desert

A short journey into the deep desert near Scottsdale brought us a tremendous nighttime opportunity under the stars. Guided by a professional NASA astronomer, we peered through a telescope into the night sky with Stellar Adventures. This was quite literally a tour of the universe as our guide pointed out planets, far away stars, constellations and even flaming meteors. He pointed out satellites traveling across the sky above us, and oriented us to our spinning planet and the universe around us. This was another great way to find perspective about our roles on this planet and how small we are in comparison to the rest. It was so good for the mind and soul.

 

Dining

I love to eat good food, and I love it more when the food is good for me. Our culinary exploration of Scottsdale focused on healthy things that are also delicious. We found quite a few places that cater to this philosophy, and fed our bodies while we relaxed into our wellness journey.

Farm & Craft – Old Town Scottsdale

Farm & Craft is focused on serving healthy and sustainable food. Ingredients are organic, hormone-free and delicious menu options include anti-inflammatory, gluten-free and other dietary options. With an eye towards healthy eating, we enjoyed the AZ Bowl with brown rice, sweet potato, black beans, avocado and added chicken. The Breaky Burrito was also delicious with egg, chicken sausage, white cheddar, salsa and more. Of course, we had to try the impressive Sandia Margarita served inside a watermelon. Loved this place.

The Herb Box – Old Town Scottsdale

The Herb Box is a local favorite, and we can see why. The menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients with a variety of veggie-forward options. In keeping with our wellness theme, we found plenty of menu choices here that were both healthy and delicious. Stand-outs were the Kale, Corn and Sweet Onion Pakora with Sweet-Hot Serrano Glaze, and the Korean Fried Cauliflower in a Hot Pepper Sauce. The BLT Chicken Caesar Flatbread was very filling and very tasty.

True Food Market

Affiliated with the ever popular True Food Kitchen restaurants, True Food Market is a fast casual concept just debuted in Scottsdale. The menu is extremely healthy, with variations on dishes I have enjoed at the mother ship restaurants. Here you order at the counter and your food is brought to your table. Creative concoctions including  bowls, wraps and salads are the mainstay of this fresh and easy restaurant. I suspect it will be another big hit for this brand.

Summer Wellness Weekend in Scottsdale – An Itinerary Both Full and Relaxing

For all these reasons and more, Scottsdale makes for a great summer destination for wellness and relaxation. To find out more and view options to visit, check out the Experience Scottsdale website for details, intineraries and deals.