Once I moved across the country, I soon ended up living near Camelback Mountain in the trendy Arcadia section of Phoenix, Arizona as everyone said I would love it and they were right. I could see the telltale mountain from my farm casita rental. Shortly thereafter, I purchased property nearby. And big surprise, I ended up staying near Camelback and now have views of Papago Park and am kind of nestled in between both. I was also told (in new age land of Sedona of course) that Camelback is an amazing energy vortex mountain and wholeheartedly believe that.
So when Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa reached out to work together, it was as if the mothership was calling me because they are built into the side of Camelback Mountain with 53 acres of your own private paradise. It’s no wonder this award-winning boutique resort is unlike any other luxury hotel in Scottsdale. One of the many unique and fun perks to staying here includes the golf carts that will save you from sweating as you swing by your suite halfway up the hillside. They also have a shuttle that goes 3 miles around the property if you want to explore Camelback culture outside of the resort. But honestly, you never need or really want to leave once you arrive. I checked in, hopped in my car to follow the golf cart to my mountain view suite and parked on the hillside.
Arriving at my mountain suite at Sanctuary on Camelback. Seven is my lucky number so not too surprised the room had one in it.Door to paradise at Sanctuary on Camelback.View to the left, that is monk rock sticking up at Sanctuary on Camelback.The living room in my mountain suite at Sanctuary on Camelback.The bedroom at Sanctuary on Camelback.Views from the private patio at Sanctuary on Camelback of Paradise Valley.Views straight ahead at Sanctuary on Camelback.View to the left on the private patio at Sanctuary on Camelback.Lounge chairs waiting for you to relax at Sanctuary on Camelback.The oversized bath tub at Sanctuary on Camelback with his and hers robes and sink.Ninjas came in and delivered this sweet gesture while I was busy in awe at Sanctuary on Camelback.
With 109 casitas and suites and eight private villas that stretch across the 53 acres, you will instantly relax and savor the views. The 69 mountain casitas, 41 of which are suites ranging up to 1,500-square-feet with wood burning fireplaces and outdoor terraces, share a sleek, spacious and contemporary design sensibility with 12 Camelback casitas and suites, which are distinguished by their perch high into the resort’s namesake mountain, granting premium views of the aptly named Paradise Valley beyond.
I walked down the hillside and popped out next to the pool at Sanctuary on Camelback on my way to dinner at Elements.The view near the hot tub at Sanctuary on Camelback.Up the steps to the left of the infinity pool led me to an outside lounge at Sanctuary on Camelback.Views from the lawn at Sanctuary on Camelback.Heading toward the front of the building at Sanctuary on Camelback.This is what you see when you pull up in your car at Sanctuary on Camelback.To your left, an interesting sculpture at Sanctuary on Camelback.And inside Elements, the fine dining concept at Sanctuary on Camelback.Perfect positioning for sunset views at Sanctuary on Camelback.If you want to be more tucked back at Sanctuary on Camelback.We were seated right in the front row for sunset viewing and you can also sit outside if you can hack the heat at Sanctuary on Camelback.Popped by Jade bar to see the scene, lots of people working on laptops or socializing at Sanctuary on Camelback.
Dining concepts are created by Food Network celebrity and Executive Chef Beau MacMillan with Asian and French twists. Chef Beau Mac was off filming when we dined at Elements with its sparkling sunset views but we still had an outstanding culinary experience.
Going first for a visually stunning drink that tastes as good as it looks is the Hopped Collins with gin, lemon, lavender, grapefruit and peach bitters at Elements Restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Big eye tuna tartare is a refreshing must on a hot, sunny Arizona day at Elements Restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. Mixed with toasted pine nuts, soy sesame, scallion, cucumber and ginger, it hit the spot in place of our usual go-to seafood tower.We love when the chef sends out a random amuse bouche (French for mouth amuser) and this tangy and crispy duck confit just fell off the bone at Elements Restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Because you can enjoy fresh seafood anytime in Arizona, we slurped down some Island Creek oysters and I delved into the mignonette sauce pretty hard at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Playing along with the French and Asian influence, we went for the shrimp and lobster dumplings at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. Excellent little nuggets of yum indeed!Our waiter raved about the gnocchi and my love of carbs couldn’t resist the tender braised lamb shoulder and ricotta chive gnocchi at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Switching up our drinks to the rose two ways – mine with bubbles and our guest a tangy Whispering Angel rose wine at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.This foie gras was outstanding at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. The Hudson Valley foie gras mousse was creamy, smooth and you could taste the complex five spiced rhubarb jam in every bite. I even asked for the bread basket to finish every last bite.Switching back to my favorite William Fevre Chablis white wine, we took a dinner break to capture the sunset outside at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. Everyone else had the same idea too!Still cannot believe this view right outside our table at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. It’s breathtaking!Back to the business of eating, we dove into the Wild Isles salmon which was huge, flaky and perfect on the bed of somen noodles, bok choy, shitake mushrooms, ginger, coriander and miso at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Our girl and guest She Forks PHX getting that food porn shot at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.She Forks PHX ordered the Alaskan Halibut with spring vegetables, jalapeno peppers jelly, beech mushrooms, ginger chilli ponzu which was light and flavorful at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.For some sides we tried the heavier kimchi brussel sprouts with bacon in red dragon broth and BBQ chicharrones which was pretty salty at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Some more sides included the butter whipped potatoes with sweet corn and chunky pancetta (also salty) and the schezuan green beens which we loved as it was lighter mixed with toasted cashews, onions, chillies and soy at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.Once the sun set and we digested a bit, we delved in for the final course which included liquid desserts like the Domaine L’Alliance Esquisse Sauternes from Bordeaux, France which was small but mighty in flavor.She Forks PHX went for some hot soothing tea with many flavor options available at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback accompanied by honey from New Jersey ironically where she is from!Dessert is not officially over until someone has salted caramel lava cake (aka chocolate heaven) Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback.We love when art and dessert become one like this passion fruit cheesecake at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. I need a bag of those delicious dried meringues to eat stat!Our favorite of the trio by far was the coconut brulee with matcha green tea macaron and almond crumble at Elements restaurant in Sanctuary on Camelback. Bravo to the pastry chef, they are really elevating dessert!The next day looked a lot like this at Sanctuary AZ for a well needed pool day after some fantastic yoga by Danny who stressed we are human beings, not humans doing. We love a place that encourages mental, physical and emotional wellness! There are also signs to not be on your cell phone around the property and no smoking to keep things zen.After lounging most of the afternoon after yoga, we meandered down to the tennis court area at Sanctuary AZ.There are lessons and matches listed on the monthly itinerary in your room at Sanctuary AZ.Then someone mentioned a salt water lap pool and I had to go explore that too at Sanctuary AZ.Make sure to jump in for a few zen laps and soak up the soothing salt water and those views at Sanctuary AZ.
Did you know you can rent out whole houses on the property? The Villas at Sanctuary are available at nightly (two night minimum), weekly and monthly rates. The villas, each unique in style, climb Camelback Mountain and offer dazzling vistas from which to enjoy the desert landscape by day and city lights and stars by night. Guests enjoy the ultimate retreat of a private villa as well as full access to the resort and its amenities. The private villas are perfect for family gatherings, getaways with friends or corporate retreats. Here’s a sneak peak inside of some that were available that evening.
Our first stop on the golf cart tour at one of the villas available for rent at Sanctuary AZ.Imagine that pool party at Sanctuary AZ! This property used to belong to an athlete.Loving this villa’s open kitchen and living room space at Sanctuary AZ.Another view of that open kitchen at Sanctuary AZ.Just some of the amazing sunset views at Sanctuary AZ with monk rock sticking up.Mummy Mountain at night at Sanctuary AZ behind the infinity pool.Sanctuary Spa also offers some lovely accommodations which we hope to experience soon!Villa Luna at night at Sanctuary AZ, one of the largest houses available to rent.
This magical place was extremely hard for me to leave. I felt such a strong connection that I carried a sense of being gone for a week when I got home and back to reality. It was just what my soul needed and according to all the love on Instagram, apparently hit home with a lot of other people too! We can see why this outstanding location gets stellar reviews… and you can see why I fell in love with Camelback Mountain so easily.
