Set among the amber Santa Catalina Mountains and the golden
Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch is often touted as the leading
wellness centre in the US, offering a myriad of creative, spiritual
and life-management classes. First up is a “biofeedback” assessment
to assess your stress levels by measuring your breathing,
temperature and skin responses. Participate in crystal sound
activation to bring the mind, body and spirit into balance or
attend a spiritual dialogue session to bring another dimension into
your daily life. Spiritual wellness aside, the sprawling 7,400sq m
spa promises to convert even the most hesitant guests with its 26
treatment rooms, nine gyms and state-of-the-art yoga pavilion.

Nestled in the shadow of the soaring red-rock Boynton Canyon,
Mii Amo (meaning “my path” in the local Yuman language) is steeped
in sacred Native American desert culture. Guests choose between
three-, four- and seven-night “journeys”, which include
accommodation in one of 16 casitas, all meals and two treatments
each day, as well as classes. Meals are nutritious and they don’t
demand a diet/detox. A well-stocked bar is on hand and dessert can
be delivered to your room upon request, though they do substitute
the bread basket for fresh juice at mealtimes. Embracing the
traditions on which Mii Amo was built, Native American teachers
provide intimate classes focusing on reflection and renewal. The
spa is a spiritual powerhouse, due to the metaphysical attributes
of its Boynton Canyon location, so be sure to book in for an
astrology or psychic massage session while you’re here.

A haven for chilling out, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain’s
indulgent spa takes a more traditional wellness approach than its
new-age competitors. White robes are practically mandatory as you
work your way through the pampering Asian-inspired treatment menu,
which includes medicinal herb massages and vibration therapy. Rooms
are clad in a neutral palette to accentuate the amber glow of the
surrounding mountains and most have outdoor tubs – ideal for
dark-sky desert stargazing. If you can’t tear yourself away from
the view, a selection of in-room spa treatments are also available.
For a more active approach, sign up for tennis lessons with a
gold-medal US champion.

Miraval Arizona structures its wellness programmes around the
position of the moon, tailoring activities to allow guests to soak
up its energy. Full-moon gong baths aim to remove mental and
physical baggage through the vibrations of Himalayan singing bowls,
with twilight zip-line adventures sure to remove any lingering
cobwebs. Particular emphasis is placed upon equine experiences that
require you to move your horse with just your mind… kudos if you
succeed. All rooms are clad in earthy tones and made from
sustainable materials, with glass walls bringing the outside in.
Expect private patios, fire pits, freestanding tubs and
indoor/outdoor showers. Get out into the desert and hike to the
summit of Mount Lemmon, then give weary feet a pummelling with the
acupressure stone found in the waterfall pond.

Make this your polestar for stargazing in Arizona. Some 80km
north of Phoenix, there’s little light pollution spilling into the
Sonoran Desert at night around here, so celestial shows are five
(billion) star. When not gazing upwards, guests spend their time
soaking in crystalline natural pools and rock-coddled hot springs.
The mineral-rich water sources that feed Castle Hotel Springs have
been used by native Arizonan tribes – including the Hopi and Zuni –
for centuries, and are thought to have healing properties. The team
at Castle Hotel Springs sees the surrounding desert landscapes as
vital to rebalancing your wellness, so expect to be heading out
between the saguaro cacti, too. The retreat is home to a unique
hiking route, the Via Ferrata, or “Iron Way”, on which participants
scramble up ladders and rungs to summit red-rock canyons, as well
as taking on a 60m-long aerial walkway. There are cottages and
bungalows on site, but we’d suggest booking one of the cute
clapboard Sky View cabins; at sunset, they offer front-row seats to
the changing light over the Bradshaw mountain range.

The oh-so-suitable name of this Arizona town pairs perfectly
with the offering at CIVANA Wellness. This is one for mindfulness
maniacs. Start your day (complimentary alkaline water bottle in
hand) with sunrise soul flow yoga that transitions into a sonorous
sound bath, then head to the retreat’s rose garden for some daily
intention setting. At nine, you’ll be starting a guided labyrinth
walking meditation, a warm-up for the total-body barre class that
follows. Then, it’s onto a breath lesson to improve your inhales,
before you pick from hikes, gong baths, aerial yoga, mindful
mixology, HIIT workouts and bike rides. If you’re needing some time
out from your time out, swan your way to the spa for a Spirit of
the Desert treatment; you’ll be rhythmically stroked along energy
pathways with herb-laced sachets and warm oils. By the time you get
to your room (a visual reimagining of a goop shop), you won’t need
much advice on getting a good night’s sleep.