Staycation: Stillness and Relaxation at the Royal Palms in Scottsdale
Sometimes you need a getaway even when you can’t get away. For me, that is accomplished by spending a day at one of my favorite spas, located in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Palms Resort is a vintage Spanish Colonial desert escape, conveniently located a stones throw from downtown Scottsdale, nestled at the base of the iconic and picturesque Camelback Mountain.
The resort was built in the 1920s as a private estate and opened as a hotel post World War II in 1948. It has undergone various transformations over the years, which have preserved and maintained the original architecture as well as adding tasteful and welcome additions to the property. It is now known as one of Scottsdale’s most luxurious and unique hotels and spas.
Enter the resort along a grand palm-lined walkway and notice the grounds, which have an elegant, European feel while being transported to another world.
When deciding where to spend our day of relaxation, we knew we wanted to experience something unique, something historic, and something revitalizing. Alvadore Spa (in the Royal Palms) is where all of our 6 senses could enter tranquility. Every wall, window, plant and design element is part of a bigger picture, satiating body, mind and spirit, and taking you back in time to wonder who else has wandered these halls and been massaged in these rooms.
The massage rooms were cozy and peaceful with warm colors and sweet peek-a-boo windows looking out to the nature-filled grounds. My therapist offered a complimentary orange blossom (yes, please!) or lavender aroma therapy with my treatment which I kindly accepted. To prolong our treatment, we spent some time reading in Florence’s Alcove while draped in thick, luxurious lounge robes.
As we walked the grounds after our spa treatments it was so uplifting, and with senses heightened, my eyes went to every small detail, the tile patterns, leaf colors and rhythmic sounds of the fountains—even the spa’s outdoor fireplace and seating area was fit for a Queen!
In addition to the Alvador Spa experience, here are a few other reasons we love the Royal Palms Resort:
There is very kind, engaging service staff, everywhere on the property
Doors, doors, doors! So many stunning vintage doors leading you to another outdoor “room” with fountains, pools, sweet sitting areas and more lush landscapes
The food at T. Cooks restaurant is to die for! I loved the salmon, it was some of the best I’ve had in a long time (even though it’s far from the sea)
If you’re staying at the resort, be sure to spend some time by the pool, and go the extra mile by renting one the private cabanas—totally worth it
We realize that pampering can put a strain on the budget, so check out these wallet-friendly tips:
As it happens, the Royal Palms Resort also made the 2018 Historic Hotels Annual Directory. Talk about a Bucket List—perhaps someday I’ll spend a year traveling to as many of these as I can. Care to join??