When it opened in the late 90s it made quite a splash with design travelers who had yet to see a property of this magnitude in the Arizona desert. Today, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is a unique luxury design hotel defined by dramatic views of Paradise Valley. The resort is set amongst a series of post-and-beam buildings with intermittent cubist structures surround a central pool with its clean lines a secluded loungers. Sanctuary is home to an in-house spa with Asian-inspired treatments rooms opposite a meditation garden, movement studio and fitness center. The on-site eatery is a popular destination with visitors and local alike, called Elements, with its farm-fresh cuisine with Asian accents with adjacent Jade Bar offering late night cocktails overlooking the sprawling hotel grounds. 

The Room:

A total of 105 mountain and spa casitas offer a colorful Southwest design palette with concrete walls and hardwood block or tile floors. Mountainside casitas feature views of Camelback Mountain as well as a small seating area atop fluffy, almost too-colorful couches opposite small business desk with LCD TV overhead. Spa casitas are definitely a preferable room category, with suite-level spa casitas being the best, with better living area with lava rock fireplaces and large private furnished-terraces. Bathrooms feature double-sink vanities with rain showers and walk-in closets all beginning to show their age. A selection of 4 private homes is also available for overnight rental, with fully outfitted kitchens and luxurious craftsman-meets-southwest décor a short walk from the main resort.