Just over an hour’s drive from Phoenix is a literal oasis in the desert. Stunning scenery, ample activities, and mouthwatering dining options are part of the package—but perhaps the biggest draw is the resort’s ancient natural hot springs and their mineral-rich waters, revered for centuries for their purported healing power.
The geothermal features act like natural hot tubs, and have drawn everyone from Native American tribes who journeyed to the springs for medicinal purposes, to frontier ranchers and explorers, and later, to celebrities and dignitaries.
“Castle Hot Springs’s waters paint the land with a spectrum of hues reflective of the minerals running through them,” says General Manager Kevin Maguire. “Lithium bears a deep purple shade, while iron evokes rusty red and oxidized copper merges into blues and greens. Historically visitors came for the minerals’ cures; ailments such as rheumatism, gout, arthritis, plus general aches and pains were alleviated by soaking in the three pools cascading into various temperatures––all initiating from the springs.”
First built in 1896, the historic Castle Hot Springs destination, which sits on 1,100 acres in the Sonoran Desert and is nestled against the majestic Bradshaw Mountains, underwent reconstruction and development in 2019, though always honoring the legacy of the property. Dedicated to wellness, it provides the perfect destination for guests to recharge while connecting with nature—its very design creates a feeling of being far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life; of stepping back in time to when time moved more slowly and moments were appreciated.
There are just 34 rooms at the resort, and the accommodations were built to immerse guests with the environment at every opportunity. The Sky View Cabins are positioned for stargazing, while the Spring Bungalows feature private fireplaces, as well as outdoor tubs. And yes, the tubs source mineral water directly from the springs.
Since the resort employs a “digital detox” approach—where guests are encouraged to unplug from the stresses of daily life and connect with nature and recharge—none of the rooms’ furnishings include televisions, but instead, shelves of books.
In addition to swimming and soaking in the thermal springs, there are a variety of activities on property, including horseback riding, hiking, and training in archery amongst the resort’s surrounding rugged terrain; pickle and bocce ball on the great lawn; yoga and meditation sessions; and Arizona’s first-ever Via Ferrata cable climbing course.
Keeping to the theme of wellness, the ingredients for the food served at the resort’s Harvest restaurant on grown on its 3-acre farm. A team of agronomists cultivate and harvest more than 150 crops each season. Guests can even tour the farm, often tasting crops along the way that may later end up on their plate. There’s also a flower garden where flowers are grown for the floral arrangements, spa products, and even culinary arts.
“‘Flavor Farming’-driven culinary and agricultural teams at Castle Hot Springs emphasize growing and utilizing crops for flavor rather than size and yield,” explains Lead Agronomist, Ian Beger. “The agricultural team, comprised of Arizona natives, grows more than 500 varieties of rare and indigenous fruits, vegetables, herbs, and florals (and more than 30 types of heirloom tomatoes alone) annually on the resort’s thriving one-acre organic farm and greenhouse, all of which supply the resort’s dining capabilities.”
Every detail of the destination has been carefully designed and executed, leaving guests to do nothing but relax, recharge, and to leave inspired. CastleHotSprings.com