11 Apr 2018
Camelback Mountain’s Sanctuary Spa unveils remodel with Women's Quiet Room
BY Jane Kitchen
Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, US, has completed a refurbishment and expansion that has introduced a new look throughout and a new feature, the Women’s Quiet Room.
The spa features separate women’s and men’s spas, with a total of 12 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms and a private, stone-walled outdoor treatment room called Sanctum.
Sanctuary Spa’s redesign is the work of interior designer Lynne Beyer, whose ongoing relationship with the resort has spanned the design of jade bar and Table XII private dining room; the expansion of Sanctuary’s signature restaurant, elements; and last year’s Spa Casita and Suites remodel.
Mark Philp of Allen + Philps Architects is the project architect.
The Women’s Spa has been expanded from 12,000 to 13,200sq ft, and the women’s steam room has been doubled in size. The transition from the foyer to the locker room has been reconfigured for privacy, and seating in the lounge has been expanded.
The new windowless, cocoon-like Women’s Quiet Room offers spa-goers a tranquil alternative to the more social environment of the women’s lounge. Its design, too, is a departure from the rest of the spa – intimate and insular with an emphasis on curves. Sculpted ovals suspended from the 11ft ceiling cradle an eight-foot-long light fixture crafted from paper and wood by artist William Leslie and titled “Wave after Wave.”
Sheer, off-white luminescent panels create privacy between the 12 chaise lounges in the Women’s Quiet Room, each of which is covered in a neutral tone and complemented by a small side table. Walls are draped and accented with cool-toned artwork, and a scallop-patterned carpet tile in a dark neutral is designed to evoke the colour of wet sand.
“At Sanctuary Spa, we seek to provide the ultimate wellness experience. The renovation added approximately 1,200 square feet to our women’s amenities area, and of all the enhancements, the addition of the Quiet Room is the most dramatic," said LaRae Verros, spa director. "This cocoon-like room allows us to provide a dedicated, exclusive enclave for guests to relax and meditate in, or just enjoy peace and stillness that few truly get to relish in during the everyday. Although the entire spa emanates tranquillity and relaxation, we wanted to give spa-goers something powerful and different — what better than a room that epitomises serenity? In addition, the refresh has given us the opportunity to expand our steam room and seating areas, providing more spacious and open surroundings for our guests to relax at during their spa day.”
In the foyer, a new colour scheme of warm, deep browns and natural tones greets women as they enter the spa. Where once the view to the locker room was open, a dramatic plexiglass-backed screen has been installed to enhance privacy while allowing an interplay of light and shadow to create a sense of mystery. Storage has been expanded with new quarter-sawn oak cabinetry in a warm, medium tone. A base cabinet topped with alpine granite serves as a reception desk. The foyer also features new carpet tile in a pattern that hints at a wood plank deck, as well as new wall covering and lighting.
Seating has been increased in the women’s waiting area by as much as one-third to accommodate up to 20 spa-goers. All furnishings have been custom-designed to fit the space and to maximise flexibility.
The lounge’s long exterior wall is an expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows and glass bi-fold doors that maximise natural light. Sheer drapes soften the light and billow when the doors are opened. Along this wall, several floor-to-ceiling stone dividers create smaller spaces for conversation and support curved backless banquettes covered in light, neutral upholstery.
On the opposite wall, a long banquette upholstered in serene blue seats up to six and is punctuated by five small round movable tables. Another intimate seating area is positioned by the windowed wall at the far end of the lounge. There, a glass bi-fold door opens to an outdoor water element.
The women’s locker room, whirlpool and shower areas have also been remodelled.
The men’s spa retains its original footprint, but with all new finishes and furnishings. The one architectural change to this side of the spa was to open up the vestibule leading to the foyer.
The foyer uses natural light from a floor-to-ceiling window, and includes accents of leather and marble. On one wall, a backlit lattice screen adds visual interest. The textured wall covering, carpet tile, and furnishings in this area are all new and feature a warm, neutral palette.
The Men’s Lounge features an all-new colour scheme of greys and tans, new furnishings, wall coverings and artwork. Four large leather upholstered chairs – tailored and masculine in feel – are arranged in pairs with accent pillows in pops of blue and gold around a simple, Parsons-style coffee table. On the walls are framed black-and-white abstracts and architectural etchings.
The men’s locker room has also been remodelled and outfitted with digital locks. The wet area of the locker room features large-format porcelain tile in two colour schemes – one light grey, the other dark charcoal – on the floor and wall. A new vanity of engineered quartz stone is topped with a new mirror with mounted sconces for enhanced lighting.
The men’s whirlpool area has been given a new tile surround, and the men’s waiting area includes new ergonomic chairs with light neutral leather-like covers.
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