The Spa at Camelback Inn has always been a cornerstone of the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, but after a sweeping $25 million transformation, the legendary destination is stepping confidently into its next chapter – one rooted in desert wisdom, intentional design, and well-being.
Originally opened in 1989 as one of the Southwest’s first full-service resort spas, the Spa at Camelback Inn reemerges as a modern sanctuary guided by ariVéa, a holistic philosophy inspired by the natural rhythms of the Sonoran Desert.
Built around six foundational truths (the power of nature, the timelessness of wellness traditions, the preciousness of water, the importance of personalization, the impact of intention, and the significance of stillness), the reimagined spa is designed to help guests feel present, nourished, and restored. From immersive wellness circuits to pathway-aligned treatments and cuisine, every detail reflects a thoughtful approach.
“With deep respect for our heritage and excitement for the future, we’re honored to debut this fully reimagined spa experience,” General Manager Richard Romane said. “The Spa at Camelback Inn’s transformation reflects a renewed commitment to providing a meaningful, personalized, and deeply restorative environment where guests can reconnect with themselves and with the healing energy of our desert surroundings.”
Spanning 32,000 square feet, the newly redesigned spa was brought to life by architect DesignOne-Studio and acclaimed design firm EDG, with an emphasis on natural materials and quiet sophistication. The aesthetic celebrates the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Guests arrive in a lobby grounded in pillowed French limestone, limewashed plaster walls, custom stone mosaics, and layers of warm travertine and Jerusalem Gold limestone.
A soothing palette inspired by terracotta landscapes and sun-washed stone is softened by linen-like textiles, organic textures, and sculptural desert greenery. Art plays a central role throughout the space, beginning with a striking installation of hand-molded ceramic cacti by Southern California artist Dustin Gimbel, created exclusively for the spa to echo the hues of the surrounding terrain.
Behind reception, tactile ceramic works by Mexican artist Charabati Bizzarri add depth and craftsmanship, reinforcing the spa’s connection to earth-driven artistry. Custom furnishings and lighting continue the natural narrative, including dramatic S-shaped chandeliers crafted from agave fiber, while a bespoke music program and signature aromatics set a multisensory tone from the moment guests arrive.
Outside, the spa’s pool and relaxation areas mirror the same design philosophy. Bioclimatic cabanas automatically adjust to wind and moisture for year-round comfort, while sculptural plantings, expanded lounging areas, and carefully framed views of Camelback and Mummy Mountains ensure the landscape remains a constant, calming presence.
At the heart of the transformation is a renewed focus on ritual – specifically the interplay of movement, stillness, heat, cold, and water. Indoors, the custom-designed Wellness Circuit guides guests through a Himalayan salt sauna, aromatherapy steam cavern, experiential cold therapies, limestone infrared loungers, and a sunlit solarium featuring an 18-person vitality pool. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Camelback Mountain.
Nearby, The Sanctuary offers a serene co-ed relaxation space, while the Stillness Lounge takes sensory restoration even further with Mind-Sync Harmonic Wellness Loungers, weighted blankets, eye masks, and noise-canceling headphones designed to reduce stress and improve sleep.
Beginning in February, the spa’s outdoor wellness offerings will debut with Wellness Waters, a fully integrated hydrotherapy experience set entirely outdoors. Guests are invited to move through Flow, the main pool; Still, a tranquil salt pool; and Chill, a cold plunge, all surrounded by panoramic desert vistas.
As one of the only outdoor, multi-temperature hydrotherapy circuits in the region, the experience offers contrast therapy immersed in nature, enhanced by landscaped terraces and uninterrupted mountain views. The Villa offers a secluded pool suite with a double treatment room, a heated vitality pool, and a lounge patio for couples or groups of up to 10.
Personalization remains central to the spa’s philosophy, reflected in its four Pathways to Well-Being, each aligned with a core element of the ariVéa approach. Detox draws on the Sonoran Desert’s natural elements to create a full reset through purifying rituals, including the Juniper Sage Grounding Massage and Adobe Clay Detox, complemented by green juice, guided hikes, or studio-to-trail movement classes.
Soothe focuses on nervous-system recovery with treatments such as the Sonoran Rose Facial and Lipid Body Renewal, paired with chamomile and valerian root tea, guided breathwork, and stillness meditation. Harmonize centers on balance and energetic flow, featuring offerings such as the Return to Balance Massage and the legacy Bindi Body Balancing treatment, alongside matcha elixirs, yoga flows, and sound baths.
A new Wellness Studio offers a rotating schedule of yoga, sound baths, meditation, breathwork, and specialty classes, while the redesigned 24-hour Fitness Center features Technogym equipment, Peloton bikes, dedicated strength-training zones, and personal training. Seasonal, pathway-aligned programming, such as Detox hikes or Harmonize sound baths, enables guests to extend their wellness journey throughout their stay.
Culinary wellness takes center stage at Ora Café, the spa’s new all-day dining concept. Designed with guidance from a licensed nutritionist, the café offers dishes aligned with each Pathway to Wellness, using icons to help guests select meals that support their chosen intention.
The menu highlights clean flavors and ingredients grown in the JW Garden, with dishes such as Shakshouka with cage-free eggs, a Kefir Yogurt Açai Smoothie Bowl, and the Power Bowl with herbed quinoa, avocado, and chipotle chicken. Beverage offerings range from adaptogenic smoothies and freshly blended juices to tea-inspired cocktails and signature lattes like the Adaptogenic Mushroom Latte and Rooibos Vanilla Chai.
Ora Café is led by Restaurant Chef Jennifer Mikhaiel, an Arizona native whose wellness-driven approach blends thoughtful technique with regional ingredients. Rounding out the experience is a curated retail boutique offering skincare, wellness tools, and artisanal goods inspired by the Pathways, along with a Nail Lounge featuring manicures and pedicures using Dazzle Dry, a non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free nail system.
With its thoughtful blend of heritage, innovation, and desert-driven intention, the Spa at Camelback Inn’s transformation redefines what wellness in the Southwest can be. For more: camelbackspa.com.
