The Boulders in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a world famous golf destination. So how did a not-famous non-golfer (aka yours truly) find herself off on a quick weekend getaway in the Arizona desert? It turns out The Boulders also has a world-class spa.
More beautiful sunset light on the mountains as seen from The Boulders in Scottsdale, Arizona
Itching to get out of town more, I had talked with an avid-golfer friend about the possibility of meeting up in the Southwest for a little r&r (and, in her case, r&r + golf). After some research we settled on The Boulders, located about 40 minutes north of Phoenix, an easy, non-stop flight from San Francisco. I booked my hotel and flight, and, alas, she changed her mind.
Not one to be deterred (and, more realistically, not one to enjoy paying cancellation charges), I decided to forge on ahead. So what if I didn’t play golf? I figured i could enjoy the hot weather, the spa, and a chance to check out a little bit of the Southwest, a region of the United States I’d never travelled to before.
I hopped on a late morning flight from SFO and arrived in Phoenix a couple hours later. From there, it was a quick and easy Uber ride through the gorgeous Arizona desert landscape to the hotel (about $40 in 2018). After relaxing a bit in my enormous room (complete with a patio), I took a walk around the property before enjoying a light supper at the lobby bar.
Lots of cool “desert architecture” to discover on walks around The Boulders greater property
The next day, I went on a long walk through more of the property, which not only includes an enormous golf course, but also numerous private homes and residences, all designed in what I’ll call “desert chic.” Giant cactuses (cacti?) towered up out of the dry, rocky landscape, which, having never seen such plants “in the wild” before were a thrill to behold.
After my walk, I headed down to the spa to use the fitness center before my treatments. Between working out, indulging in the steam room, sauna, and whirlpool, my two treatments, time relaxing in the outdoor garden and labyrinth, and concluding it all with a dip in the quiet spa pool, I spent almost the entire afternoon at the spa! So, you know, basically a totally perfect day.
At dusk, I headed back to my room, then went on a quick walk to a lookout point at the massive boulders on the property for which The Boulders is named and watched as the beautiful desert landscape changed to hues of purple and gold.
Some of the best enchiladas of my LIFE at The Spotted Donkey at El Pedregal
Having read there was a lively Mexican restaurant on the edge of the property, I decided to check it out for dinner. I walked down to The Spotted Donkey at El Pedregal and sat at the bar. I enjoyed some of the best enchiladas I’ve ever had in my life. Sitting next to me were a group of some awesome older ladies, who happened to not only be locals who lived just up the road, but also major college football fans who gather at The Spotted Donkey every Saturday to watch games together! Thanks to their Arizonan hospitality, I immediately felt right at home.
The next day I had a flight to catch in the afternoon back to San Francisco, so I took it easy: enjoyed some coffee in my room, then went to Palo Verde (The Boulders’ upscale restaurant) for chilaquiles, then headed back to fitness center for a quick workout and dash through the steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. By the time I had showered, it was time to bid adieu to The Boulders … and start planning my next trip to Scottsdale! Not sure when it will happen, but after soaking up the desert sun and all that delicious Mexican food, I can’t wait to go back.
The labyrinth at The Boulders; photo from their website, I didn’t think it was appropriate to be taking pictures of the spa while I was there :)
Spa and spa treatments
The spa at The Boulders offers really excellent facilities which include a steam room, sauna, and whirlpool, plus a beautiful meditation garden and labyrinth.
I did an hour-long massage and a “Citrus Rebirth,” which is one of the best spa treatments I’ve ever done. Laying down, I was first scrubbed with a citrus scrub, which was showered off me while I was still laying down — it was one of the most indulgent and luxurious experiences to let the warm water move over me without having to move. After I was dried off, the woman doing the treatment rubbed a special citrus oil into my skin. After the treatment finished, she said the oil should penetrate into the skin for about 20 minutes, so she suggested I head to the meditation garden and walk in the labyrinth.
In the garden, I found a hammock to chill in for a while, then walked the labyrinth. I highly recommend the spa at the Boulders!
The spa pool at The Boulders (photo from their website)
The Boulders Resort & Spa: the good
My room at The Boulders was beautifully decorated, a tranquil blend of Southwestern and luxury items. It included a little sitting area in front of a fireplace, which I was able to use both nights! I also had a little patio that I could sit on to enjoy my coffee in the morning.
I found all three of the restaurants on the property (the lobby bar, Palo Verde restaurant, and The Spotted Donkey at El Pedregal) to be excellent.
And, of course, the location is absolutely gorgeous, the houses designed to blend into the dramatic desert landscape. Plus, with three restaurants, the pools, and the spa, I never felt the need to leave after I arrived. It made a great short getaway from San Francisco where once I arrived on the property I was able to just relax and enjoy my time there.
Just a little of the course at The Boulders
The Boulders Resort & Spa: the not-so-good
My only two critiques of the Boulders were the awful, loud pop music blasting in the hotel lobby and at the main pool and being able to hear the people in the room above me through the ceiling. First, I don’t know why you need to blast bad music at a pool where people are trying to relax, and secondly, I don’t know why buildings can’t be built to anticipate the noise people make when they walk around in them (and seem to need to drag their wheeled suitcases around all the time). But, these two drawbacks did not seriously impede my ability to have a nice stay at the Boulders. If I marry a golfer, I will insist we go back!
The final word
If you or someone you love plays golf, I would highly recommend a visit to The Boulders. If you don’t play golf, I’m not sure I would add it to my “spas to visit” list quite yet. That said, if you live near an airport that offers well-priced, non-stop flights to Phoenix and are looking for a place to go that’s warm, beautiful, and offers pretty good value for your money, definitely consider booking a stay at The Boulders.
I, for one, am already dreaming of an excuse to do another “Citrus Rebirth.”
The Boulders Resort & Spa
Ambiance 4.5/5
Treatments 5/5
Value 5/5
The Boulders Resort & Spa is located at 34631 North Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree, AZ 85377
