Finding a Balance

Scottsdale offers a multitude of options to renew

By Andrea Poe

Hit with a trifecta of family crises, medical issues and expensive house repairs, I was in desperate need of a reset.  That was my three-day goal for my trip to Scottsdale, which reportedly has the most resort spas per capita than any other city in the United States. 

The first two nights I bedded down at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort, a renewal mecca terraced into the hills. I instantly understood why Beyoncé chose this gorgeous spot for her honeymoon. My casita was large and open with a broad view of Paradise Valley below.

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I dined at Elements, the resort’s acclaimed restaurant helmed by Chef Beau MacMillan of Iron Chef fame. I came to jumpstart my health, so I ordered shosito peppers tossed with caramelized garlic and opah served sashimi style. After dinner, I had a long soak in the enormous tub as I gazed out at the desert sky flecked with stars. 

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The next morning, room service included a tall green goddess juice and a vegan breakfast burrito. Next, I set out for a 45-minute myofascial stretching class led by a thoughtful instructor named Tim. The entire exercise studio is serious about its classes, offering everything from TRX to barre. Later, I headed across the bamboo flanked courtyard to the spa, where I lingered in the aromatherapy steam room and lounged in the quiet room (no talking in this preciously silent space) after a hydrating facial that involved what I was told were immune-boosting “phytonutrients.”

Hard as it was to pry myself off property, I was keen to explore Old Town Scottsdale, which I had heard has become a hot spot for the Wild West-meets-Mid-Century style. Shops, wine tasting rooms and galleries are anchored by outstanding restaurants. Over the course of my short stay, I discovered a few finds: The Mission, a local favorite prized for its fresh tableside guacamole, along with modern Latin dishes, like Peruvian clam soup loaded with chorizo. And, it was here that I discovered a healthy margarita made with organic ingredients and zero sugar called the Primerita. Farm & Craft is a buzzy corner restaurant with an anti-inflammatory menu that includes a tasty surprise – vegan ceviche made with golden beets, avocado, tomatoes and slivers of radish. FnB is a charming boite that’s always packed with locals, thanks to the creative menu spins by chef-owner Charlene Badman, like rutabaga paired with ginger crème fraîche and delicious local wine created by co-owner Pavle Milic.

If you’re in Old Town on a Thursday, skip the wine and cocktails and head to happy hour at Second Nature Clinic. Here, Dr. Meghana Thanki, a friendly naturopath who specializes in ayuervedic medicine, hosts the Zen Lounge, where she offers happy hour pricing on vitamin injections and infusions. For me, she administered something called a Fat Buster shot infused with Vitamin B and L-carnitine, which I can attest boosted my mental clarity dramatically for the next few days.

My final two nights were spent at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. The robust wellness program here includes meditation classes, along with hikes up formidable Camelback Mountain. Over the course of my stay, I explored the property’s 125 acres, where I spied quail, jackrabbits and hummingbirds; indulged in a deep tissue massage; and dined on a calorie conscious lunch at the spa-inspired restaurant called Sprouts, where I ordered a yellow gazpacho and grilled shrimp. My final night, I splurged on dinner at Lincoln, JW Steakhouse, which has one of Scottsdale’s finest wine lists and is prized for indulgences like filet topped with creamy crabmeat.  Even here, I found healthy options such as tuna poke.

Every place I visited in Scottsdale did its part in restoring my balance and wellness. There’s just something magical in the stunning Sonoran desert with its jaunty saguaro cacti and cobalt skies that makes it the perfect backdrop for a healthy escape.

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