The International Spa Association reported in its 2019 U.S. Spa Industry Study record highs of $18.3 billion in revenue over the past year. In addition, spa openings out-paced spa closures by a margin of 400, bringing the number of spa locations nationwide to a new high of 22,160 — and Arizona spas are setting the pace for the industry.
Arizona, declared by Forbes in 2019 as one of the nationwide leaders in the spa and wellness space, continues to innovate and push the industry to new levels each day.
Here is a look at some of the top Arizona spas and what they’ve done to continue to thrive in one of the most competitive markets in the world:
The Phoenician Spa
The Phoenician completed the biggest renovation and refresh in the storied resort’s 30-year history about 18 months ago. Among the most sweeping of changes was to The Phoenician Spa, which is now housed in an eye-popping and built-from-the-ground-up three-story building of its own, complete with a rooftop pool, 24 treatment rooms, a salon, a 4,600-sq-ft fitness center and even a tennis lifestyle shop. Its treatments also continue to be cutting edge. In addition to standard and seasonal offerings, The Phoenician Spa offers everything from tarot card readings to harmonic bowl healing.
The Spa at Harrah’s Ak-Chin
Less than two years ago, as part of the casino’s multi-million dollar expansion, it celebrated the grand opening of The Spa at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, a first for the Maricopa property. It has both treatment rooms and a couple’s suite as well as adjustable beds to ensure guest comfort and increased relaxation, complimentary LED Light Therapy in each treatment room, a dedicated Esthetics Room with back bar feature, and the Signature Hungarian Face Massage that is featured in all of Eminence Facials.
AWAY Spa
In honor of its 10th anniversary late last year, Arizona’s only W Hotel debuted its AWAY Spa. Located on the first floor of W Scottsdale, the AWAY Spa Scottsdale includes seven treatment rooms, a co-ed lounge, men and women’s locker rooms featuring dual steam showers, and a beauty lounge. The spa features a variety of customized treatments ranging from traditional deep tissue massages to makeup and hair and an innovative Spa After Dark Concept featuring spa-driven cocktails, glow-in-the-dark treatments and DJ-fueled tunes.
CIVANA
This truly unique wellness resort debuted almost exactly a year ago and is built on four pillars: Movement, Spa, Nourishment and Discovery. Its two-story, 22,000 square-foot spa centers around the theme of “healing through water” and features 23 treatment areas including one Watsu® therapy pool, two couples treatment rooms, three wet treatment rooms including a Vichy shower, five facial rooms, and 14 massage rooms. There is also a communal area of hydrotherapy immersions – the Aqua Vitality Circuit – that includes a European-designed Kneipp hot/cold wading pool, therapeutic soaking pool, a cold deluge shower, and the five-climate KLAFS SANARIUM.
Hashani Spa
In late 2019, The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa completed a renovation to its property, including the award-winning Hashani Spa in Tucson. Now, the 20,000-square-foot spa has a whole new look – while still keeping its roots in all things Sonoran Desert in mind – thanks to head-to-toe re-imagining of the design, furniture and equipment throughout as well as an update to its acclaimed adult only saline pool, cabanas, decking and hot tubs. As with some of the other resort spas, Hashani is also embracing more cutting-edge services with options including oncology massages, cupping, lymphatic drainage and even an Arizona Copper Peptide Facial.
Joya Spa
Joya roughly translates to jewel. The name is fitting given this Omni a crown jewel in the spa kingdom, in Arizona or otherwise. The custom-built, 31,000-square-foot building and only Hamman-inspired spa in the region features treatment rooms named for different Moroccan dances, monkey vines throughout imported from Costa Rica, a bathing ritual circuit that dates back to ancient Rome, and naturopathic services by a board-certified naturopathic physician. Never one to rest on its laurels, the Joya Spa Terrance and men’s sauna just completed refreshes; a new spa menu will debut in the spring with the introduction of two new skincare lines: Skin Authority and Knesko.
The Spa at Camelback Inn
When it was built in 1989, The Spa at Camelback Inn was the largest and most comprehensive resort spa in the Southwest, and the first among Arizona spas and one of the first in the country to offer a comprehensive fitness and exercise center, a unique blend of desert-inspired body and massage treatments, lifestyle-enhancing wellness programs and Scottsdale’s first spa restaurant. As relevant as ever and always being refreshed, today 32,000-square foot spa features 32 treatment rooms, a heated outdoor lap pool, private poolside cabanas, separate men’s and women’s locker rooms, co-ed Jacuzzi, a full-service hair and nail salon, skincare boutique, retail spa boutique and one of the best juice bars in the state.
Alvadora Spa
Late last year, the Royal Palms debuted a new look and offerings at its 11,000-square-foot Alvadora Spa that touched all elements of the Mediterranean-inspired retreat. Beyond that, they welcomed an in-house herbalist to provide custom botanical treatments as well as small-batch, hand-formulated products. The new botanical program and on-site apothecary, led by herbalist Rachel Sloat, utilizes plants, herbs, flowers, roots, berries and citrus foraged locally as well as sourced from the Mediterranean. The program currently features two new body treatments and will later expand into teas, extracts, masks, exfoliants and oils this year.
Amara Spa
As a city where visitors travel from all over the world to experience Arizona spas and the serene landscape and metaphysical energy that many believe is connected to meditation and healing, it’s only natural that the award-winning spa reflects these techniques. At this intimate spa, limited to just six treatment rooms, expect gemstone-enhanced treatments, eucalyptus steam rooms, meditative and spiritual rituals, private yoga and all-natural products.
Eforea Spa
When the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock completed its multi-million dollar transformation in recent years, among the biggest enhancements was made to the 25,000-square-foot Eforea Spa, which also features a wellness center. Taking advantage of the locale, this Arizona spa has gained national acclaim for its use of indigenous and locally-inspired spa treatments, including several that include energy and bodywork. An added unique element: the spa offer’s a build-your-own-body-scrub option, where guest can sample and then select their favorite all-natural ingredients and make their own preferred body scrub to take home.
Well & Being Spa
The 44,000-square-foot Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers everything from aerial hammock yoga and aqua fit yoga to a eucalyptus inhalation room and aromatherapy blending bar. Among regular patrons’ favorite ways to spend a day with the girls are congregating the scenic rooftop pool, complete with food and drink offerings, as well enjoying the indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi areas that are connected and almost like a grotto. And then there are the indoor, single sex areas – a favorite is the indoor cold plunge and whirlpool areas, which are right next to each other. And, in coming months, the spa will also launch wall yoga and singing bowl sound therapy. Tibetan Singing Bowls have been used for centuries for healing and meditation purposes.
This 33,000-square-foot gem features sweeping views of the awe-inspiring 12-million-year-old boulder formations nearby. The facility incorporates the elements of feng shui and a Zen-like ambiance while staying true to the natural environs and Native American influences for the region. All guests can enjoy the yoga studio, steam room, sauna and O’furo, which is a Japanese bath, as well as an outdoor pool and jacuzzi. The facility also offers the Sun Suite, a 700-square-foot space tailor-made for girlfriend getaways with a private whirlpool, terrace and outdoor fireplace steam showers, a private patio, outdoor shower, private Jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor massage tables and more.
