Sense of Place

Wine makers call it terroir—the essence of a particular landscape combined with the subtleties of time, rain, wind, and soil that infuse individual wines with unique characteristics. The same reference can be applied to destinations, and at Arizona’s Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, guests are invited to connect with the spirit of the ancient desert setting through Native American-themed treatments and therapies, as well as a unique Storytelling & Song program that brings to life the legends of native cultures. “Our primary goal is to create more tangible interactions with the Pima and Maricopa cultures for our guests,” explains Ginger Sunbird Martin, the resort’s cultural concierge. “That objective is reflected in every aspect of the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa experience, from unique treatments based on generations of Native therapy at Aji Spa, to the sharing of our vital oral history—rich in legend and lore—through the Storytelling & Song program.” Locally grown indigenous cuisine is served at both Kai and Ko’sin restaurants onsite, and local arts and crafts are available for purchase. Aji Spa, which means sanctuary in the Pima tongue, offers soothing therapies that focus on balance and harmony, while taking advantage of such local ingredients as cypress, juniper, and cactus bud, along with red clay and smooth stones from the Gila River. For more information call (602) 225-0100 or visit www.wildhorsepassresort.com

—D.B.

January/February 2007