Checking In: Castle Hot Springs
As soon as you turn onto the unpaved dirt road headed toward Castle Hot Springs, you can sense that something unique is about to happen.
With cellular reception waning, I found myself a bit nervous. I was heading to what felt like the middle of nowhere with no phone and no plans except for the promise that I'd experience a different kind of wellness in exchange for my digital detox, involving luxury accommodations, Farm-to-Fork culinary delights, adventure activities, and relaxation. I took the risk and spent three days, two nights disconnecting from my electronics and genuinely connecting with new friends, the fantastic staff at Castle Hot Springs, and the Sonoran Desert's beautiful surroundings.
Did the expectations set meet with reality? Here's what it is like to stay at Castle Hot Springs.
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Castle Hot Springs.
Castle Hot Springs' wellness history dates back to 1896 when the original hotel (and Arizona's first luxury resort) opened, offering a dry climate to increase people's health. For wealthy Victorian families, it offered something that no other lodge had before - a chance to connect with nature through soaking, sunbathing, hiking, and trail rides with all the modern amenities (like electricity) in America's Wild West. In 1976, the resort's largest building was destroyed in a fire, and the grounds remained desolate until 2014, when the current owners purchased the property and set out to restore the resort to its former glory!
Now, this adults-only retreat features not only the original lodge renovated with all of today's amenities, but also newly constructed Spring Bungalows and Skyview Cabins, in addition to the three-bedroom Cottage. With only 32 rooms, the staff can personally attend to each guest. All the rates include full board (meaning a farm-fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner are waiting for you)!
Getting There.
The resort is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, about an hour drive from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airpot (PHX). There are three ways to get to Castle Hot Springs from the airport:
Rental Car: You can easily rent a car at the Phoenix Airport. The last several miles are on a dusty dirt road, so be sure that it has some clearance and four-wheel drive! (I recommend an SUV).
Transfer: If you plan to spend most of your time on or around the resort, you can arrange for a transfer.
Helicopter: Want to make a first impression? The resort can help you arrange for helicopter transfer straight to the hotel's private helipad!
We can arrange All of this for you!
Simply contact Cari through the Trip Planning page!
The Stay.
MY FAVORITE ROOMS
You really can't go wrong with either the Spring Bungalows or the Skyview Cabins.
For an elevated stay with a bit more privacy and space, the Spring Bungalows would be the clear winner. There is a private terrace with a fireplace and a spacious outdoor, custom stone tub where you can soak in the natural spring waters in solitude.
The Skyview Cabins offer an unencumbered view of the night sky and the breathtaking Sonoran desert mountains. The rooms are smaller than the Spring Bungalows for a slightly less expensive experience, but you won't be skimping for amenities! All the cabins sit on elevated platforms surrounding the pond, with a spacious deck complete with clawfoot tub (for soaking) and a telescope (for stargazing).
SOMETHING SPECIAL
When the resort claims that it is Farm-to-Table, they really mean it! You can take a farm tour or a spin through the greenhouse, where the hotel grows much of the produce and spices used in the restaurant and bar. If you don't know what a mokum carrot is, you will after a stroll through the garden with the farmer.
RECOMMENDED FOR
Self-proclaimed foodies, cocktail enthusiasts, and adults looking to get off the grid will love Castle Hot Springs.
DON’T FORGET TO BRING
Your swimsuit! The hot springs on the property are exclusively for guest use, and the bathhouse, cabanas, and sundecks surrounding the springs are top-of-the-line. So, grab a towel and get to soaking!
Eat & Drink.
AT THE HOTEL
Harvest is where the magic happens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu changes regularly depending upon what is fresh and in-season so that each visit will be slightly different. You might try a breakfast consisting of a freshly-baked cinnamon roll or crab benedict. For lunch, enjoy a farm-fresh panini with chips. You may find coconut carrot bisque, prime ribeye with truffle-whipped huckleberry potatoes, or braised oxtail ragout for dinner. Whatever you order, it's sure to be a homerun!
In addition to Harvest, Castle Hot Springs has several other eating options for you to try! You can relax by the pool with poolside service (serving lunch and snacks), or check out the chef's alfresco patio kitchen. Are you going on a hike? Let the restaurant pack you a picnic hamper to enjoy on the trail.
Bar 1896 teems with creativity. Grab a glass of wine from a list specially curated by the team of sommeliers. Or cozy up to the bar and chat with the mixologist, who will likely be busy concocting a delicious new drink that incorporates fresh ingredients from the farm (think: basil, edible flowers, and homemade syrups)! He might even create you your very own recipe! Be sure to go in with an open mind! I now drink gin solely because the mixologist turned me on to Monkey 47.
ROOM SERVICE
In-room dining is available, whether you want a private, romantic breakfast in your Spring Bungalow or some snacks while enjoying the deck of your Sky View Cabin.
BEST LOCAL HAUNTS
I mentioned you were in the middle of nowhere, right? But with food this good, you won't be wanting for anything else.
Time to Play.
THE SPA
Castle Hot Springs may not feel like a traditional wellness resort, what with the incredible food and curated cocktails menu. But while the restaurant and bar are busy taking care of your soul, there are plenty of opportunities to take care of your health, too!
Detox! You are in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Put down the phone and go explore your surroundings. You never know - you might make friends with some wild burros!
Soak in the mineral-rich waters of the hot springs to relax your muscles and smooth your skin. The same healing waters flow into your private bathtub in your room!
Start your day with meditation or yoga with a trainer instructor to build your practice.
Schedule a massage from a skilled therapist and relax in the cabanas next to the babbling spring creek.
Exercise! There are plenty of hiking trails surrounding the resort. Grab some water and lace up your shoes!
OUR MUST-DOS NEARBY
There are loads of activities to try on or near Castle Hot Springs, depending upon your energy level and interests!
On-Resort Activities
Be sure to reserve your spot for one of the many included resort activities, including guided hikes, paddleboard yoga (in the hot spring!), farm tours, or meditation sessions.
ATVs
Take an ATV out into the Sonoran Desert for an adrenaline-pumping way to explore the area surrounding the resort.
Horseback Riding
From November to May, you can join a cowboy for a trail ride customized to your ability.
Cocktail Tastings
Cozy up to the bar and chat with the mixologist, who will likely be busy concocting a delicious new drink! He might even create you your very own recipe! I now drink gin solely because the mixologist turned me on to Monkey 47.
Golf
If you want to venture back into the real world, you can book a tee-time at the Quintero Golf Club (about 35 minutes drive away). Can't wait to hit the links? Arrange for a helicopter to pick you up from the resort and whisk you away to the course in style.
Lasting Impressions.
In three days, Castle Hot Springs became one of my favorite places in the United States. The staff takes such care and effort with the grounds, the food, the accommodations - remarkably, they spare no detail in making sure your stay if perfect. And being able to take some much-needed rest (and digital-detox) time was precisely what the doctor ordered (even if I didn't know it at the time).
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Thanks so much to the teams at Castle Hot Springs and WanderLuxe Destinations for hosting my stay. Thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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