Phoenix/Scottsdale area advice with non-golfer wives in tow. Civana? (resort, spa, wellness, hikes advice)

[bonvivantva]

My wife and I have another couple we go sailing with each year.  We booked a trip for April of 2020 which obviously got cancelled.  Then we planned to use our flight voucher to go this winter, but due to limited flights, curfews and other issues, we decided to use our vouchers for a different kind of trip instead.  Since we're looking at a Dec 1-10 timeframe and we can get to the Phoenix airport with our vouchers we're thinking the south west would be nice.  Any information about the weather, golf, and activities in general that time of year would help.

 

I can search on here and find all kinds of good info on courses already, but any advice is welcome.  What I'm really interested in is advice on lodging that would work for us.  The girls will want to hike, do spa days, go to the botanical garden, etc.  Since we'll only rent one car, we'll need a place the girls can mostly stay on site or uber to nearby places.  Or a place with a nice course we could play and let the girls take a car would also work.  I think ideally, we'd find a resort with a heated pool, a really nice nature trail, a spa, and say yoga/wellness classes so the girls are happy.  Then my buddy and I could drive around the area playing whatever courses we like.  It looks like there are plenty of great options for dining in the area as well so I'm not as worried about that as we'll be spoiled for choices.  Years ago I stayed in Tucson at the Westin La Paloma and had a great time.  The golf was great.  It had a nice pool.  I remember eating some real great food, and driving in to town for a divey college texmex place that was delicious.  We did a waterfall hike, went to the boneyard, went to the sonoran desert museum, etc.  Just had a great time.  I think that's the kind of stuff we'd be interested in.  More outdoorsy stuff than casinos or big resorts.  Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks! 

Edited September 4, 2021 by bonvivantva

[azgolfer44]

8 hours ago, bonvivantva said:

My wife and I have another couple we go sailing with each year.  We booked a trip for April of 2020 which obviously got cancelled.  Then we planned to use our flight voucher to go this winter, but due to limited flights, curfews and other issues, we decided to use our vouchers for a different kind of trip instead.  Since we're looking at a Dec 1-10 timeframe and we can get to the Phoenix airport with our vouchers we're thinking the south west would be nice.  Any information about the weather, golf, and activities in general that time of year would help.

 

I can search on here and find all kinds of good info on courses already, but any advice is welcome.  What I'm really interested in is advice on lodging that would work for us.  The girls will want to hike, do spa days, go to the botanical garden, etc.  Since we'll only rent one car, we'll need a place the girls can mostly stay on site or uber to nearby places.  Or a place with a nice course we could play and let the girls take a car would also work.  I think ideally, we'd find a resort with a heated pool, a really nice nature trail, a spa, and say yoga/wellness classes so the girls are happy.  Then my buddy and I could drive around the area playing whatever courses we like.  It looks like there are plenty of great options for dining in the area as well so I'm not as worried about that as we'll be spoiled for choices.  Years ago I stayed in Tucson at the Westin La Paloma and had a great time.  The golf was great.  It had a nice pool.  I remember eating some real great food, and driving in to town for a divey college texmex place that was delicious.  We did a waterfall hike, went to the boneyard, went to the sonoran desert museum, etc.  Just had a great time.  I think that's the kind of stuff we'd be interested in.  More outdoorsy stuff than casinos or big resorts.  Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks! 

Check out this thread.
 

I’d check out Phoenician, Montelucia, or Sanctuary. Can’t really go wrong with any of those spots right next to Camelback Mountain. Happy to give you recs for food or spas. 

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[bonvivantva]

15 hours ago, azgolfer44 said:

Check out this thread.
 

I’d check out Phoenician, Montelucia, or Sanctuary. Can’t really go wrong with any of those spots right next to Camelback Mountain. Happy to give you recs for food or spas. 

.

 

 

Thanks for the advice, those you suggested, and the Westin Kierland from the thread all look like great options.  

[Abh159]

I'll second the Phoenician. I stayed their earlier this year in a similar situation to you (went with another couple and the guys played golf while the wives hung around the resort) and it was great.

 

The onsite course at the Phoenician isn't anything special so you'll most likely want to use the car to get to other courses, but the resort has just about everything you said your spouse would want (hiking at Camelback mountain next door, onsite spa, onsite fitness center / wellness studio, multiple pools, etc.). 

[azgolfer44]

 

13 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

I'll second the Phoenician. I stayed their earlier this year in a similar situation to you (went with another couple and the guys played golf while the wives hung around the resort) and it was great.

 

The onsite course at the Phoenician isn't anything special so you'll most likely want to use the car to get to other courses, but the resort has just about everything you said your spouse would want (hiking at Camelback mountain next door, onsite spa, onsite fitness center / wellness studio, multiple pools, etc.). 

 

Agree. The course is fine, and maybe worth playing once, but lots of spots within 30 minutes that you will enjoy more.  (We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, and even Papago for something really close)

[Abh159]

4 minutes ago, azgolfer44 said:

 

 

Agree. The course is fine, and maybe worth playing once, but lots of spots within 30 minutes that you will enjoy more.  (We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, and even Papago for something really close)

 

That's exactly what we did. Played the Phoenician for our first round as sort of a "warm up" round. And then played some of the better courses in the area the rest of the trip. 

 

The Phoenician course was in good shape and well manicured, but it's very short and is just sort of blah. It's basically your stereotypical resort type course (not a ton of trouble, fairly easy greens, etc.).

[bonvivantva]

I appreciate that this is a long-shot, but has anyone ever stayed at Civana?  It's not a golf resort, but it is a spa/wellness resort I think the girls would love.  The location seems fine for us to get to the main courses we're interested in (We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, Troon, TPC Stadium, etc.)  We wouldn't exactly enjoy the same level of golf convenience as it sounds like you get at Kierland, and we might have to add a pre-round meditation hike or post-round Sound Healing class to our itinerary, but it might still be a good option for us..

[azgolfer44]

4 hours ago, bonvivantva said:

I appreciate that this is a long-shot, but has anyone ever stayed at Civana?  It's not a golf resort, but it is a spa/wellness resort I think the girls would love.  The location seems fine for us to get to the main courses we're interested in (We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, Troon, TPC Stadium, etc.)  We wouldn't exactly enjoy the same level of golf convenience as it sounds like you get at Kierland, and we might have to add a pre-round meditation hike or post-round Sound Healing class to our itinerary, but it might still be a good option for us..

Never stayed there but heard it’s a nice spot. Might also check out the boulders if you want to be in Carefree.  

[puttnforthe8]

12 hours ago, bonvivantva said:

I appreciate that this is a long-shot, but has anyone ever stayed at Civana?  It's not a golf resort, but it is a spa/wellness resort I think the girls would love.  The location seems fine for us to get to the main courses we're interested in (We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, Troon, TPC Stadium, etc.)  We wouldn't exactly enjoy the same level of golf convenience as it sounds like you get at Kierland, and we might have to add a pre-round meditation hike or post-round Sound Healing class to our itinerary, but it might still be a good option for us..

 

Civana is a pretty nice place if you are looking for a wellness resort.  There is not much else and imo could get boring and less enjoyable being away from other activities.  But if it is pure relax and not worry, then I recommend.

 

One thing you should do:  is double and triple check anything you book - from room types to activities booked to food.  While the place is great, they are notorious for saying one thing to customers and then you get something different or it is not available, etc.  Get emails, verbal confirmation and then reconfirm in both.

[vallygolf]

The spa at the Phoenician is fantastic.  As mentioned Camelback hiking is within walking distance, and the Scottsdale fashion district is a 3 minute uber.  IMO if you want more flexibility for yourself to play better courses, the girls will find much more to do at the Phoenician.  That said I am not familiar with Civana.