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Phoenix, Arizona's Golden Spas
By Renee S. Gordon
The first documented non-native to enter the southwestern
portion of our nation was a Moorish-African slave. Estevanico
had been a member of the ill-fated
Narvaez Expedition
in 1527 and was enslaved by the Indians for 5-years. During
captivity he learned several native languages and after escaping
he was selected to serve as a healer, guide, advance scout and
interpreter for a party led by
Cabeza de Vaca and in 1539 he took on the same duties for Friar
Marcos de Niza.
The friar's expedition was blazing a trail for Coronado and
seeking the "Seven Golden Cities of Cibola," the Seven Cities of
Gold. Each day he was required to send back a small cross to
indicate that everything was fine but not exceptional or a large
cross to represent riches. He passed through Arizona
successfully but in what is now New Mexico he was killed by the
Zuni. In spite of the loss of Estevanico, Friar de Niza sent
back glowing reports to Spain about the beauty of the landscape.
The first mural in the series, "Ancient Civilizations," depicts
the highly evolved culture that existed prior to European
contact. The area that is now Phoenix was settled around 2000
years ago and occupied by the Hohokam circa 700 AD. Pueblo
Grande, as the 500-acre village was named in the 1920s, was
located on the Salt River, consisted of 20,000-acres of farmland
and housed approximately 1,000 people. The farmland was
irrigated by a complex canal system that extended more than
100-miles and was as much as 78-ft. in width. The site was
abandoned around 1450 AD and the tribe was given the name
Hohokam meaning "those who have gone." In 1964 Pueblo Grande was
designated a National
Historical Landmark and visitors to the
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park can view two
prehistoric canals, a ballpark and reconstructed dwelling.
www.pueblogrande.com
Phoenix is a post-Civil water city that grew out of the 1868
settlement of Swilling's Mill, founded by ex-confederate soldier
Jack Swilling. The name Phoenix was the brainchild of Darrell
Duppa. He felt Phoenix was the perfect name because, reminiscent
of the mythological phoenix, the town had risen from the ruins
of an older civilization. The original city was only �-mile wide
and early lots sold for less than $50 each. It was incorporated
in 1881 and became state capitol in 1912.
From the time of first contact people entered the Valley of the
Sun in search of gold. The natives were not caught up in gold
frenzy because they felt that you could not eat it, it did not
provide warmth and it is too soft for most practical uses. Early
on they realized that the region had a spiritual, almost
mystical, quality that had benefits greater than that of the
yellow ore the Europeans sought. The indigenous people
recognized man's need for a harmonious relationship with nature
and honored the interconnectedness of an individual's mind, body
and spirit.
A tradition of healing, rejuvenation, health and wellness has
always existed in the Valley of the Sun. When Estevanico passed
through the area in the 1500s he carried with him a gourd, that
allowed him safe passage, adorned with owl's feathers that
identified him as a healer. Today Phoenix offers 400,000-sq. ft.
of spa space that range from day spas to more than 20 resorts,
out of a total of 40, with a mind-boggling array of services and
specialties.
In maximizing a personal spa experience and quest to "live your
life like it's golden," you should be certain to select the
venue that most fits your personal needs and goals. Even more
significantly, choose a site that evokes a spirit that enhances
your senses.
The 65-acre Royal Palms Resort and Spa grew from a 3,500-sq. ft.
Spanish Revival mansion built for Mr. and Mrs. Delos Cooke in
1929. The home had a Granada-tiled roof, inner courtyard, beamed
ceilings and on the grounds there were 900 palm trees imported
from Africa and a citrus grove. After WWII the mansion was
converted into an inn with areas in the main house becoming a
reception area and fifteen additional casitas. The resort was so
popular with its upscale clientele that 45 casitas were added in
the 1950s and the citrus grove was transformed into a 9-hole
golf course. In 2012 the casitas underwent a full renovation.
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| Royal Palms Spa and Resort in
Phoenix, Arizona |
A stay at the Royal
Palms is to experience a visit to a secluded, luxurious,
hideaway filled with such elegant touches as a 250- year old
fountain and 322-year old Mexican stone pavers. Accommodations
feature private patios or balconies with views of Camelback
Mountains and private label products. T. Cook's, the on-site
restaurant, is noted for its Mediterranean cuisine. The Mix Up
Bar is equally famous for its craft cocktail menu. Guests can
have a cocktail created exclusively for them by the resident
mixologist.
www.tcooksdining.com
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Alvadora Spa retains the Spanish Colonial style and couples it
with an aura of intimacy. The design deftly blends indoor and
outdoor settings with its use of natural stone, wood and colors.
Outdoor treatment rooms feature fireplaces and showers.
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| Alvadora Spa.Villa Fiore |
Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a member of Historic Hotels of
America and is a AAA Four Diamond property. Rates are seasonal
and you must make reservations, but then, so did Frank Sinatra
and the Rat Pack.
www.destinationdelivers.com
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is nestled in the
high Sonoran Desert in the foothills of the 150-acre Pinnacle
Peak. In the 1940s the property was owned by heiress Lois
Kellogg Maury whose Crescent Moon Ranch housed a finishing
school for debutantes and rental guesthouses. She sold the
127-acre estate in 1967 and ultimately it was purchased to
become a Four Seasons Resort. The resort opened in December of
1999, has been the recipient of AAA Five Diamond designation
since 2002, and has been named to Conde Nast Traveler's Gold
List and numerous other awards. It also is said to have the best
sunset view in all of Phoenix.
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| Four Seasona in Phoenix, Arizona |
The 210 rooms and suites are designed to become one with the
existing terrain and the effect is achieved by the
accommodations, large adobe casitas, being arrayed along the
natural curvature of the landscape. Both the arrangement and
architecture of the casitas is reminiscent of early native cliff
dwellings. Guest rooms feature walk-in closets, gas-burning
fireplaces, deep-soaking tubs and stunning views.
Guests can arrange a number of experiences through guest
services including guided hikes through the 40-acre Pinnacle
Peak Park, golfing at the Pinnacle
and Monument championship golf courses, designer shopping tours,
yoga classes and demonstrations by resort food and drink
experts. These demonstrations are interactive and feature both
tastings and historical information.
A particular favorite is the Tequila Tasting. While vodka may be
the most poured drink in the country, tequila holds its own in
this region. It is made from the agave plant and is 99% organic.
The Spanish conquistadors saw that the Aztec chewed on agave to
give them energy so, when the King of Spain forbid them to grow
grapes because they would be competing with Spain, they began to
distill agave.
The Spa and Fitness Center at the Four Seasons has received
numerous accolades including Conde Nast and Forbes Four Star
designations. The fitness facility features a state-of-the-art
exercise room, aerobics studio and sauna and steam rooms.
Fourteen treatment rooms are housed within the 12,000-sq. ft.,
full service spa. A complete palette of treatments is available,
many incorporating indigenous elements such as aloe vera,
Sonoran honey, and Sedona clay. The spa's signature services are
the Golfer's Massage and Head Over Heels, a treatment given by
two therapists simultaneously.
This is a great choice for a family. Four Seasons Kid's Club's
complete schedule of children's activities is available to
guests.
http://www.fourseasons.com/Scottsdale
The
Pima refer to themselves as the Akimel O'otham, "the people of
the river," the descendants of the Hohokam. The Pima and
Maricopa established villages and farmed the land for centuries
producing such crops as corn, cotton and beans. Their way of
life and their culture was sustained and nourished by a
pre-European complex system of canals and ditches that brought
water from the Gila River into the area.
When settlers entered the area they began to syphon off water
and by the late 1860s there was very little water left. The Gila
River Indian Reservation was established in 1859 and expanded in
1876 and again in 1915 but the native's farms continued to
suffer drought conditions. The Irrigation Act of 1902 enabled
the government to dam the Salt and Verde Rivers effectively
dealing a deathblow to the Pima and Maricopa farmers. The tribe
filed a suit to establish their water |