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You don’t have to go deep in the desert to find a little tranquility these days, at least not in Arizona, where the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort has just unveiled a new $25 million spa renovation that completely reimagines the celeb-loved space, just in time for the property’s 90th anniversary.
A destination steeped in Scottsdale history, the JW Marriott property was one of the first full-service spa resorts in the Southwest, and Camelback Inn quickly became a restful retreat for both locals and guests through the years like Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bette Davis and John F. Kennedy. It was also known as one of J. Willard Marriott Sr.’s favorite haunts, a tidbit the staff at the property still regale you with to this day.
Tim Chan
The new spa draws inspiration from the resort’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, with limestone walls bathed in sandy beige tones and custom stone mosaics, while sculptural furnishings mirror the crecendos of Camelback Mountain outside. Textures and textiles welcome you to the co-ed relaxation room — dubbed “The Sanctuary” — where guests can lounge in deep chaises or curl up with a cup of tea after their treatment. The space is airy and inviting, with a thatched ceiling and views of the outdoor pool offering a surprisingly buoyant alternative to the dark and insular spaces that have seemingly become de rigueur at other spas. A circuit of ice showers, aromatherapy stream rooms, Himalayan salt saunas and hot tubs, meantime, sits among terra cotta-style walls and custom cacti sculptures that introduce some greenery indoors. The spa says the materials and details selected for the renovation were intended to “blur the line between indoors and out, encouraging relaxation, introspection, and reconnection with nature.”
