Getaway To Arizona - Desert, Spa And Culinary Adventures

New Year’s resolutions aside, I chose to begin the year with a rejuvenating experience that would encompass many things I love and hopefully set the stage for a healthy, peaceful and inspired year ahead.  With two daughters home for the holidays, we decided on a three-day girls’ trip to sunny Arizona to enjoy the beautiful desert scenery, fitness and spa activities, and healthy cuisine.

Early January, it turns out, is a good time to catch the tail end of shoulder season rates at some of the top resorts in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

For our adventure-minded threesome, The Boulders Resort suited perfectly with its unique setting among 12-million-year-old granite boulders, for which it’s named, and a choice of activities.

Located in the town of Carefree, north of Scottsdale, The Boulders is about a 45- minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. After settling in to our cozy guest casita, we began to explore the resort’s 1,300-acre property, which includes championship golf, tennis, pools, hiking, biking, rock climbing and a state-of-the-art spa. We discovered several walking trails through cactus gardens and natural desert terrain, and found amazing views on the Boulders Trail, a short uphill hike to a perfect vantage point for watching the sunset.

The resort and several outfitters offer expert-led hikes and mountain bike excursions on the Sonoran Desert trails, but we used our rental car to explore on our own. Just a few miles from The Boulders, my daughters joined local trail runners on the popular Pinnacle Peak Trail, which features panoramic valley views and numerous desert plants including banana yuccas, jojoba and the prickly cholla.

A short drive further northwest at Cave Creek Regional Park, we hiked a beautiful five-mile loop on the Go John Trail where we found endless opportunities to photograph the iconic saguaro cactus. After the hike, we stopped to explore the funky town of Cave Creek, and old mining town transformed with a myriad of eclectic shops and hip eateries.

Other well-known hiking spots include Camel Back Mountain, centrally located with sweeping views; and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, encompassing more than 100 miles of trails.

Our most thrilling adventure was on the paved golf cart paths back at The Boulders, where we signed on for a Moonlight Bike Ride that also happened to be a wildlife viewing opportunity. After meeting our guide, Rico Riley, from Black Mountain Adventure and being outfitted with bike, helmet and handlebar light, we set out in darkness on a 1.5-hour ride on the winding and slightly hilly cart paths. We stopped a few times along the way as Rico pointed out the geologic wonders and local flora. We spotted a herd of javelina, a grey horned owl and a shooting star. Halfway through the ride, we heard a pack of coyotes howling nearby, and soon after, a full moon rose above the horizon.

A movement class called “Sonoran Stretch” inspired us to start our mornings early at The Boulders Waldorf Astoria Spa, a 33,000-square-foot facility with an airy feel and calming landscape views. With the mammoth boulder mounds as a backdrop, we enjoyed pool time and yoga, meditation in the labyrinth, and a stroll in the organic herb garden where guests are invited to snip fresh herbs for use in personalized spa treatments.

From an extensive menu of desert inspired and unique spa treatments, the three of us tried different massages featuring local herbs: the Arnica Therapeutic, a deep tissue massage with sage and arnica infused oil for muscle soreness and inflammation; the Abhyanga, a traditional Indian oleation massage for nourishing skin and calming the nervous system, followed by an Ayurvedic herbal wrap; and the Silent Stone Massage with ancient basalt stones and blue cypress and vetiver oil blend.

The inviting terrace of the Spa Café tempted us often with fresh juices and its health-focused menu of artisan dishes, and we enjoyed discovering the foodie culture that the Scottsdale area is known for. We sought out regional cuisine and stayed with the Southwestern/Mexican influence at Palo Verde and The Spotted Donkey Cantina in Carefree. Our last night, we savored the creative shared plates at The Herb Box in Old Town Scottsdale, notably the Korean fried cauliflower and Indian spiced kale and onion pakora.  Of the signature margaritas found on many menus, our choice was the “Skinny Senorita” made with organic Tres Agaves Blanco tequila, blue agave nectar, and lime juice – and deemed by my daughters “a skinny girl cocktail that doesn’t feel wimpy.” Perfect for a no-guilt girls’ getaway. 

Though Super Bowl XLIX is talk of the town as the Phoenix/Scottsdale area gears up to host the big game with a variety of food, wine, music and media events, our intent was on a more serene experience. We embraced the stillness and beauty of the Sonoran Desert and enjoyed relaxation and fitness activities together. We narrowly missed a rare Arizona snowfall on New Years Day, but we had a good dose of warm sunshine and a bright start on the new year.

If you go: Red eye flights make it convenient to escape to the Southwest for a long weekend and arrive back on Monday morning in time for work. Phoenix/Scottsdale offers a wide selection of hotel and resort choices from moderate to deluxe. http://www.visitarizona.com/hotels-lodging/resorts