best spa for a massage (Scottsdale, Chandler: salon, hotel, house)

[stoymonkey]

Can anyone recommend the best spa to go to for a massage? One that has a steam room and pool if possible. Thanks

[NJ2AZSusan]

Ahhhh...how to spa...one of my favorite subjects.

Of all the spas in the area that I have been to, and that includes the J.W. Marriott, the Camelback Inn, Copper Wynd in Fountain Hills, and the now-defunct Mist at the Radisson, the best by far was at the Scottsdale Princess.
They just add lots of little touches that make it great (not that a day at the spa can ever be less than great), like rose petals on the iced washcloths near the sauna, and an inhalation therapy room.

It is a totally separate building from the hotel, so it has its own pool, hot tub and other facilities just for "spa people".

Enjoy!
Susan

[azriverfan.]

Dolce in Chandler is great. They have a great hot stone massage. They are not lazy. They don't chat the entire time. They let you close your eyes and relax. They actually really give you a great massage.

In general, don't purchase massages and other spa treatments solely based on the name of a place. Do your research and ask around. In my experience, the big name establishments often have substandard service or service that doesn't warrant their prices. The Ritz Carleton spa in the Biltmore (24th and Camelback) had one of the worst massage spa treatments. It was seriously cheap and substandard and it was the Ritz Carleton. Absolutely terrible and would never recommend anyone going there. Very unprofessional and they were just lazy. The Phoenician was not impressive either.

Often times, you can receive much better treatment at a place that is trying to prove itself and develop its reputation than a place that has already established itself and doesn't really care how you feel about its treatment because it's not worried what you think.

[Rubee]

Originally Posted by NJ2AZSusan

the best by far was at the Scottsdale Princess.

I agree, Willow Stream spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale is one of the best and most beautiful I've been to (not just in Arizona).

Scottsdale Spas: Scottsdale Spa Services, Packages - Willow Stream

and I'll add another gorgeous one with excellent treatments - the new Joya spa at the Montelucia.

Joya Spa - Luxury Spa and Salon in Scottsdale Arizona | Wellness Spa Resort Scottsdale AZ

Both have rooftop pools.

[blisterpeanuts]

what are the prices like at these places, like the Dolce and the Scottsdale Princess? "if you have to ask, you can't afford it"

[ivanabacowboy]

My very first visit to Phoneix was an annual work meeting at the Princess. We had a choice of a day activity one day-golf, shop or the spa. I think most of us went for the spa lol!

That aromatherapy inhalation room at the Princess is so cool! My one friend fell asleep in there and actually would have missed her massage appointment had I not come in and found her. Wayyy relaxing obviously lol! Also the ying yang pools (ie hot/cold). The outdoor pool waterfall thing was awesome-where you sit basically under a waterfall.

I thoroughly enjoyed the massage. I dont remember which one I got. My friend got the hot stone and it was all she could talk about for weeks.

And you can cap it off with dinner at Bourbon Steak House at the Princess. Everyone I know that has been there has raved. We plan on trying to go in the next couple weeks. There was still the Mexican restaurant when we were there-I think that was replaced by Bourbon.

[ivanabacowboy]

Found the Princess price list. Not cheap. If you scroll there are a couple pages-the second page is the spa services.

http://www.fairmont.com/NR/rdonlyres..._PriceList.pdf

[stoymonkey]

I saw the Princess online and the waterfall amazes me! Thanks everyone I will look into these few. Oh and thanks for what NOT to look into! Although i dont have a lot of money, I'll spend top dollar for great spa experiences.

Although the Willow stream/Fairmont are, so far, the most expensive spa prices I'lve ever seen...

[NJ2AZSusan]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

what are the prices like at these places, like the Dolce and the Scottsdale Princess? "if you have to ask, you can't afford it"

A one hour massage starts at $159 at the Princess. And now they are giving out $25 vouchers toward a future service, so if you go back, it's a little less.

Although that is pricey, it does include use of the facilities for the entire day, including free exercise classes if you're so inclined. So you must plan to make a whole day of it to make it worthwhile.

They also put out healthy snacks: muffins in the morning and health cookies in the afternoon, and have delicious prickly pear lemonade available free of charge. And there are apples everywhere.

You can even have lunch there in the atrium, but that's not included in the spa price. Lunches run from $13 to about $21.

All in all, it's a very pampering and relaxing day, which is priceless.

Susan

[blisterpeanuts]

Originally Posted by NJ2AZSusan

A one hour massage starts at $159 at the Princess. And now they are giving out $25 vouchers toward a future service, so if you go back, it's a little less.

Although that is pricey, it does include use of the facilities for the entire day, including free exercise classes if you're so inclined. So you must plan to make a whole day of it to make it worthwhile.

They also put out healthy snacks: muffins in the morning and health cookies in the afternoon, and have delicious prickly pear lemonade available free of charge. And there are apples everywhere.

You can even have lunch there in the atrium, but that's not included in the spa price. Lunches run from $13 to about $21.

All in all, it's a very pampering and relaxing day, which is priceless.

Susan

Sounds nice. Will have to think about this for the next wedding anniversary. Although, I always stop and think, I could put that money into an iPhone instead, that will give me great pleasure all year round rather than just for one day.