Story and photos by Aefa Mulholland
The 7 Reasons I
Love Scottsdale’s Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
1. Deliciously
decadent Sanctuary basks high on the north slope of Scottsdale’s Camelback
Mountain. The distinctive 1400-foot-high red rock formation really does look
surprisingly like a camel, complete with two humps, head, and upturned snout.
This elegant ruminant sits to the northeast of Phoenix, seemingly contemplating
the valley below. Spectacular hiking can be had on its flanks and it’s an
incredible place to watch the sun rise over the fifth largest city in the land.
Not that I managed to do that during my recent stay. After all, it’s also an
incredible place to stay up late by the fire bowl at jade bar or a perfect
place to breakfast out on your own private patio… or at the restaurant
elements… or at the gorgeous edge outdoor eatery… With temptations like this
it’s no wonder I never hiked.
2. Checking in to
the resort and spa, I was met by incredible staff, lush greenery and
landscaping, and the sweet smell of orange-yellow Acacia blossoms filling the
evening air. Staff manages to be perfectly attentive at every turn, but never
intrusive or obsequious. I was ushered onto a golf cart and zipped through the
resort to my stunning Spa Casita, the Jade X room. The resort also has 74
mountainside casitas and a slew of spectacular mountain town homes that host
the A-list when they sashay into Scottsdale.
3. Chef Beau
MacMillan’s elements restaurant is one of the finest food destinations around.
Offering farm-fresh American cuisine with Asian accents, the menu is changed
monthly to reflect seasonal harvests. Depending on where you sit, you can gaze
out at the head of the camel, the sun set over Paradise Valley, and a desert
sky full of stars. Sit savoring sumptuous Dungeness Crab Summer Roll, so
delicious that it’s reason enough in itself to jet off to Scottsdale. Really,
it’s that good. Check out packages that offer opportunities to shop with the
chef, then feast on your perfectly prepared groceries.
4. Stars are
struck by it. Sanctuary is a haunt of Beyonce, Jay-Z, Britney, Jennifer
Aniston, and John Mayer.
5. After a day of
toil or a night of play, plunge into the stunning infinity edge pool or
whirlpool, open 24 hours a day.
6. The former
tennis ranch boasts the intimate indoor/outdoor Sanctuary Spa where
Asian-inspired treatments are carried out. The subtle modern lines of the spa make an amazing contrast with the jumble of red rocks towering over it. The spa has
ameditation garden, reflecting pond, and Watsu pool.
7. There’s
nowhere better in the Valley of the Sun to celebrate sunset and another day well
spent than at Sanctuary’s celebrity magnet lounge, jade bar. An effervescent
champagne cocktail menu is on hand Monday through Thursday to suit every
celebratory mood. Drinking can be educational, too: jade bar reveals the
secrets of three or four cocktails at weekly mixology classes on Saturday
afternoons.
Sanctuary on
Camelback Mountain, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale,
Arizona, 480-948-2100, www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com
Story and photos by Aefa Mulholland
The 7 Reasons I
Love Scottsdale’s Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
1. Deliciously
decadent Sanctuary basks high on the north slope of Scottsdale’s Camelback
Mountain. The distinctive 1400-foot-high red rock formation really does look
surprisingly like a camel, complete with two humps, head, and upturned snout.
This elegant ruminant sits to the northeast of Phoenix, seemingly contemplating
the valley below. Spectacular hiking can be had on its flanks and it’s an
incredible place to watch the sun rise over the fifth largest city in the land.
Not that I managed to do that during my recent stay. After all, it’s also an
incredible place to stay up late by the fire bowl at jade bar or a perfect
place to breakfast out on your own private patio… or at the restaurant
elements… or at the gorgeous edge outdoor eatery… With temptations like this
it’s no wonder I never hiked.
2. Checking in to
the resort and spa, I was met by incredible staff, lush greenery and
landscaping, and the sweet smell of orange-yellow Acacia blossoms filling the
evening air. Staff manages to be perfectly attentive at every turn, but never
intrusive or obsequious. I was ushered onto a golf cart and zipped through the
resort to my stunning Spa Casita, the Jade X room. The resort also has 74
mountainside casitas and a slew of spectacular mountain town homes that host
the A-list when they sashay into Scottsdale.
3. Chef Beau
MacMillan’s elements restaurant is one of the finest food destinations around.
Offering farm-fresh American cuisine with Asian accents, the menu is changed
monthly to reflect seasonal harvests. Depending on where you sit, you can gaze
out at the head of the camel, the sun set over Paradise Valley, and a desert
sky full of stars. Sit savoring sumptuous Dungeness Crab Summer Roll, so
delicious that it’s reason enough in itself to jet off to Scottsdale. Really,
it’s that good. Check out packages that offer opportunities to shop with the
chef, then feast on your perfectly prepared groceries.
4. Stars are
struck by it. Sanctuary is a haunt of Beyonce, Jay-Z, Britney, Jennifer
Aniston, and John Mayer.
5. After a day of
toil or a night of play, plunge into the stunning infinity edge pool or
whirlpool, open 24 hours a day.
6. The former
tennis ranch boasts the intimate indoor/outdoor Sanctuary Spa where
Asian-inspired treatments are carried out. The subtle modern lines of the spa make an amazing contrast with the jumble of red rocks towering over it. The spa has
ameditation garden, reflecting pond, and Watsu pool.
7. There’s
nowhere better in the Valley of the Sun to celebrate sunset and another day well
spent than at Sanctuary’s celebrity magnet lounge, jade bar. An effervescent
champagne cocktail menu is on hand Monday through Thursday to suit every
celebratory mood. Drinking can be educational, too: jade bar reveals the
secrets of three or four cocktails at weekly mixology classes on Saturday
afternoons.
Sanctuary on
Camelback Mountain, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale,
Arizona, 480-948-2100, www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com
