A year ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a friend’s wedding. The intimacy, the colors, and the intricate pathways of the property made the atmosphere feel more like a family estate than a hotel. There are no kitchy ballrooms or large unused spaces, every inch of the property was created as if it was part of the original estate built in 1929 as a summer retreat for Delos Cooke.

And now, with the recent addition of the Alvadora Spa Suites, you can relax with spa amenities right in your room. As a guest of the Spa Suite, upon arrival you will be offered an Orange, Lavender and Honey Smoothie made with fresh oranges on the property. From there, let the bellman whisk you to your room, offering stunning views of Scottsdale’s Camelback Mountain. The rooms – designed by renowned spa consultant Sylvia Sepielli – feature color therapy and rock salt lamps,a soaking tub and steam shower, and such fitness amenities as a ballet barre, yoga mat, dumbbells, and a slew of wellness DVDs to choose from. In addition to providing every known comfort, the suites are designed to stimulate the chakras. The color lamp changes daily to honor the chakra of the day, and with each night’s stay you’ll awake to a new Chakra of the Day card, daily gemstone, and a yoga pose that will open the corresponding chakra. If you choose, enjoy the spa in the comfort of your room, as your entry chaise hides a massage table as well as linens so that your massage therapist can come to your door unburdened. But the best is yet to come; every night as a Spa Suite guest, a therapist will magically appear for your Turndown Ritual, replete with a fifteen-minute chair massage followed by either an aromatherapy steam shower or color- and scent-coordinated bath. Finish with a cup of tea and salute the spa life before you snuggle into your plush bed. For more information call (602) 840-3610 or visit www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com

– M.B.W.

July/August 2007

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