Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa  is off to a fresh start in the new year, unveiling the results of a series of renovations and refreshments of its private villa collection. Rebranded as The Villas at Sanctuary, these eight architecturally distinctive mountain homes offer resort guests the intimacy of a private retreat with full access to Sanctuary’s award-winning resort amenities, from the world-class Sanctuary Spa to critically acclaimed dining at elements restaurant and jade bar to a wide array of recreational activities. Further differentiating the villa experience is an exclusive, amenity-rich Sanctuary Elevated package, available throughout the year.

Now known as Villa del Sol, Villa Roca, Villa Terraza, Villa Montana, Villa Mesa, Villa Luna, Villa Norte, and Villa Ventana, the eight villas occupy more than an acre of land each and feature amenities ranging from private pools and jacuzzis to wrap-around terraces and home theaters. Several have undergone changes in the past year ranging from complete transformations to modest remodeling. Among the highlights:

Villa Luna

Villa Luna, formerly Casa 10, has been renovated by award-winning Phoenix designer Lynne Beyer to take full advantage of the breathtaking vistas from its perch high on Camelback Mountain. The 5,500-square-foot five-bedroom, four bath showstopper by architect Paul Christian Yeager, who employs many of the same principles as Frank Lloyd Wright, features a secluded master suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private indoor and outdoor shower with oversized soaking tub, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, two powder rooms, a gourmet kitchen, dramatic staircases and original stone travertine flooring. Beyer has reconfigured the interior, moving the living area to face an expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with swiveling chairs to take in the full view, while the dining room has been moved alongside the fireplace to create an inviting setting for dinner parties and family meals. Beyer has transformed the outdoor wrap-around patio into an open-air living space and added a hot tub and water feature to the master bedroom patio. The master shower opens out to a view of the fountain and a pool will be added next year.

Villa Roca

Villa Roca, formerly Gallery, has been refreshed by Beyer with new exterior paint, all new flooring, artwork and updated furnishings inspired by the Scandinavian contemporary aesthetic. Beyer has rearranged rooms to create an inviting flow throughout and installed seven-foot plank porcelain tile flooring with the look of hardwood. The shower has retained its original pebble flooring. A secluded, 2,800-square-foot getaway, Villa Roca was once owned by tennis player Ken Rosewall and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, spacious living, dining and kitchen areas, and private pool with two decks. Generous floor-to-ceiling windows invite the dramatic desert views in.

Villa Ventana

Villa Ventana, formerly Hi Lob, has been renovated by its owner and reintroduced to Sanctuary’s collection as Camelback Mountain’s crown jewel. Villa Ventana sits at the highest point on Camelback Mountain, affording guests 270-degree views of Praying Monk, Mummy Mountain, Four Peaks and other points of interest. Its suspended patio is the perfect setting to take in a desert sunset. New flooring, furnishings and artwork grace its two master suites, stunning renovated kitchen, indoor-outdoor living space, private pool, infinity-edge hot tub, and separate studio-style guest house with bedroom, full bathroom and wet bar.

Villa del Sol

Villa del Sol, formerly Spa House, is a unique guest enclave dedicated to complete wellness, with distinct spa-centric amenities and a strong emphasis on the whole mind, whole body focus of the world-class Sanctuary Spa. Ideal for corporate retreats and gatherings, the 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom villa accommodates up to eight guests and features a treatment room for massages (spacious enough for couples) and a movement studio for private classes and personal training. For larger groups, four additional Terrace Casitas are available for rent adjacent to the villa. Its exclusive amenities range from Sanctuary Superpower minibars to in-room services and transformative wellness programming. Villa del Sol guests’ needs are attended to by a spa concierge and a dedicated sensei in Residence.

Sanctuary Elevated: A Villa Exclusive

Villa guests are privy to an exclusive Sanctuary Elevated package that takes the resort’s renowned guest experience to the next level. Requiring a minimum two-night villa stay, it includes a choice of two of the following three activities:

• Private guided hike along Camelback Mountain’s Echo or Cholla trail (up to eight guests)

• Private Aerial Yoga class (up to six guests) combining traditional yoga poses with postures using a soft fabric trapeze suspended at hip height

• Private Yoga Nidra class (up to eight guests), a sleep-guided meditation that breaks down barriers to rest, lulling practitioners into the deepest possible state of relaxation while still maintaining consciousness. 

The package also includes a $500 resort credit for use toward spa services or food and beverage at elements restaurant, jade bar, and via in-villa dining during stay. Also included is unlimited access to Sanctuary’s four Deco-Turf championship tennis courts and four newly introduced pickleball courts. Sanctuary Elevated package rates start at $3,414.