Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa is a luxury, boutique resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The resort is set on the northern slope of Camelback Mountain, overlooking Paradise Valley. With only 109 rooms, each guest is promised a personalized and unique experience.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain can be easily accessed from the PHX airport, which is about 20 mins from the resort. Ourisman Travel clients can book transportation in advance with the concierge directly, or utilize our Hotel Plus service which includes concierge assistance. Guests will be greeted upon arrival at the airport and transferred to the resort. I used this service and enjoyed the seamless process. Upon arrival, I was greeted by their attentive staff who offered my group bottled water and led us to the lobby for check-in.
The best time of the year to visit Scottsdale is from late September to November and March to early May. While visiting during their off-peak season can be very hot, the pros include lower rates, easy restaurant reservations, and sunny pool weather. The nightly rates increase during their peak season, but the earlier you book, the better.
Casitas, Suites, and Villas
The resort’s Casitas, Suites, and Villas are nestled among the red rock and lush desert. The large windows and spacious rooms help to blend indoors and outdoors. The room design is contemporary and chic, with earthy tones and textures, and desert-inspired local artwork. Scottsdale is a vast art city with a street of art galleries in Old Town. Despite being in a desert, the rooms are kept at cool temperatures. Here are the types of rooms available in the resort, with each having a walk-in shower and soaking tub:
- Mountain Casita, King or Double: entry-level room, 500 sqft.
- Casitas (Mountain, Camelback, Terrace, Spa Patio) range from 500-875 sqft.
- Suites (Mountain, Camelback, Spa, Two Bedroom) range from 1,000 to 1,500 sqft.
The Spa Suites, located near the spa, are fit for guests looking for ultimate relaxation. They’re even more spacious and earthy-toned than the other rooms featuring an Asian-inspired design. Each of the Spa Suites also includes an outdoor soaking tub and glass rock fireplace, which are especially useful in the evening or the winter months when it gets cooler.
Eight Private Villas sit higher on the mountain above the resort and are accessible by car or golf cart (can be rented during your stay or you can call staff to pick you up). Pro tip – we’ve been told that many A-list celebrities have stayed in the Villas due to their privacy and perfect views!
Food and Bev
Watching the sunrise or sunset on Camelback Mountain during dinner or breakfast is one of the most beautiful scenes at Sanctuary. The food at the Elements restaurant is world-class and a must-try while on property.
Chef Beau MacMillan leads the team at the restaurant, which is responsible for breakfast, lunch, poolside services, and dinner. The menu is highly seasonal, but they tend to offer American Cuisine with Asian accents. Ourisman Travel clients can also leverage their Virtuoso amenity, which offers daily breakfast credit for two guests per bedroom (up to $30.00 per guest/$60.00 maximum per room per day). On the dinner menu, the Charred Octopus is a must!
If you are into cocktails, the Jade Bar under Christian Rollich is known for exceptional mixology, using fresh, local fruits, juices, herbs, and vegetables. You must try the Mekong cocktail, a mixture of gin and lemongrass with coconut, carrot, kaffir lime, ginger & citrus. The Jade Bar menu is also available at the pool.
Facilities and Activities
Sanctuary was originally designed as a tennis resort in the 1950s, meaning tennis and pickleball are popular activities amongst guests. Other amenities available to guests include complimentary access to daily spa facilities, a fitness center, and daily wellness classes, including Paddle Board Yoga and Sound Meditation.
A free shuttle service takes guests into Old Town Scottsdale or within a five-mile radius, allowing you to explore the area without extra charges. You can use the free shuttle to visit the golf clubs (Phoenician, Eagle Mountain, Troon North, etc.), which are just 5-20 minutes from the resort.
Pool and Spa
The resort’s main pool, the Infinity Edge Pool, is exclusively adult-only on the weekends. Guests must be at least 16 years or older to gain access. Two satellite pools are located on property as an alternative for guests traveling with family members 15 years and younger.
Camelback Mountain Resort is one of the top destination spas in the country; we highly recommend booking a spa treatment to get the whole experience of Sanctuary Resort. You can leverage the Virtuoso amenity ($100 Spa credit to be utilized during stay) for a valuable and unforgettable experience. The spa offers an extensive spa menu, including Asian-inspired treatments rooted in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine, and spa facilities, including showers, a jacuzzi, a steam room, and a quiet meditation room, available for all hotel guests to enjoy.
Plan Your Vacation with Ourisman Travel
The name “Sanctuary” speaks for itself. This resort is ideal for travelers looking for a weekend getaway with exclusive spa services. As a Virtuoso affiliate, Ourisman Travel clients can enjoy the following value-added amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability)
- Daily breakfast credit for two guests per bedroom (up to $30.00 per guest/$60.00 maximum per room, per day)
- $100 Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not valid on spa products, not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
For more information on Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa reach out to our team at [email protected] or submit a travel request form.
