Canyon Ranch – Tucson, Arizona

Upon arrival and check-in at the Clubhouse, the bellman takes your car and you are escorted to your room after a brief tour of the property via golf cart.  Pueblo-style casita rooms, dining venues, the spa, wellness and fitness centers, swimming pools, and other facilities are scattered throughout the property.  This encourages walking, or assistance by golf cart if needed.  You realize that you are already going to lose a few pounds just by being more physically active at Canyon Ranch.  The room accommodations are that of a luxury resort and you know that the comfortable beds and soft linens will be a welcome end to the hot desert days combined with exercise and the other appointments and activities you schedule during your stay.

Clubhouse (Photo courtesy of Canyon Ranch)

Our casita at Canyon Ranch

My meeting with Nurse Marilyn wasn’t as frightful as I expected

The weekly schedule of activities is comprehensive and you can fill your days with as much or as little as you desire.  You are encouraged to make reservations for some classes and events prior to your arrival as they can book up quickly.  All-inclusive packages will give you the opportunity to try several services, perhaps chat with a nurse about your overall health, and meet with a fitness and strength instructor (as we did).  There are also numerous additional options for fitness classes, spa treatments, lectures, hiking, golf, swimming, tennis, and much more.  We were particularly interested in their spa cuisine, so we attended a few Lunch and Learn cooking demos and went on a kitchen tour.  Executive Chef Scott Uehlein has elevated what was once considered diet food to healthy, yet flavorful and attractively prepared dishes and he has received many accolades for the cuisine at Canyon Ranch.

Lunch and Learn sessions with Chef Shawn Brisby at the Demo Kitchen

We were very pleased with the number of choices on the menu when dining at the resort.  You could either have your meals in the Clubhouse at the main restaurant or chose the more casual venue poolside at the Double U Café, which offered several theme night menus.  Lunch was also served at the Lunch and Learn sessions in the Demo Kitchen.  Each menu item on all of the menus lists the calorie count, number of carbohydrates, fats, and protein so that you know exactly what you are consuming at each meal.  There were several surprising choices like pizza, coffee cake, and desserts, such as ice cream and cookies.  After eating this way for a few days and feeling healthier and less bogged down with food, we did find it difficult to go back to eating like we usually do, especially while traveling.

Main Dining Room at the Clubhouse (Photo courtesy of Canyon Ranch)

Some of our dining selections at Canyon Ranch

The sun rises earlier in Arizona compared to what we are used to in Georgia, so we were up early each morning and ready to go.  Combined with hiking around the property and venturing out for some sightseeing and photo opportunities on their two-mile loop, getting lots of fresh air, staying busy with activities, and having earlier dining hours with lighter meals, we had more energy and felt refreshed and invigorated.  At the end of the day, which was complete with dramatic sunsets that spread across the stunning Arizona sky, we welcomed our newly found contentment and early bedtime.

The ropes course for the more adventurous

Mr. B went on a Night Vision Goggle Experience with a view of Tucson along the way

He met and chatted with new friends while searching for wildlife in the canyon

I stayed behind and captured this amazing sunset

We spoke to other guests at Canyon Ranch and found it interesting that everyone seemed to have a very personal reason for being there; whether it was spiritual, for health and wellness, rejuvenation, healing, to lose weight, exercise, or to just have a celebratory girl’s weekend.  The calming, healing, and healthy environment is conducive to achieve whatever your goals for a vacation or trip to Canyon Ranch might be.

Set your intentions for the day, meditate, or make spiritual connections