A Day of Relaxation and Fun in Scottsdale

Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated project by the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. I was asked to share some of my favorite places. This post was not reviewed by a 3rd party. All opinions are mine and may not reflect those of the company. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. All photos are mine and subject to copyright.

Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert is a great place to spend the day to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. The desert’s curative climate, medicinal plants and therapeutic herbs create soothing teas, balms and poultices. For this reason, Scottsdale’s award-winning spas are rare gems that everyone should experience at least once a year or at least once in a lifetime. This past Saturday, I discovered the world of Scottsdale through one of their spas and fun dining.

The perfect day must start out with coffee. After a couple recommendation, my girlfriend and I headed to Cartel Coffee Lab in 5th Avenue in the heart of Scottsdale, where she ordered the creamy chai latte and I a rich, nutty espresso. Baristas at Cartel roast their coffee beans on site, which means everything is fresh. What a perfect place to start your retreat. We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast sandwich.

Big Ben Sandwich

Needing some time of reflection, balance and harmony, I chose Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch to awaken my senses with a beautiful backdrop of the Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. The spa’s treatments and regimens center around a “time-of-day” philosophy and how the body prepares to Awaken (morning), Balance (midday) and Renew (evening). I chose the Herbal Poultice Massage. The masseuse uses heat and herbs mixed with ginger and lemongrass to reduce aches and soothe muscle tension, and I have never felt sooo relaxed afterwards. The staff reserved a table for me to enjoy a guilt-free cuisine that will completed the whole relaxation experience.

Grilled Salmon Southwestern Salad

Spa Avania also features an outdoor French Celtic mineral pool and lotus pond, relaxation areas, steam and sauna, hot and cold plunges.

After having a relaxing day at the spa, it is time for some fun! Of course, my curious peaked when I discovered a restaurant called Posh. As a culinary explorer, its "improvisational cuisine" made me more excited to try this place out. Instead of a traditional menu, customers get a personal checklist to fill out. You indicate how many courses you want. There's a rundown of the day's featured meats and seafood, so you can mark whether you would like or not. You can also note how you like your meat cooked, whether you'll eat raw meat or fish, whether you want an all-vegetarian meal, etc. Even though you can specify your cravings, you won't know exactly what dishes you're getting until they arrive at the table as part of a multi-course tasting menu. Posh was well-prepared, seasonally fresh, and served in a series of small plates.

My girlfriend and I completed the fun day at an exclusive lounge called Citizen's R+D. You walk through an alley and come to a staircase, where you find posted rules on the outside of the building.

To paraphrase: no approaching women, no off-menu orders or substitutions, no yelling, no unsupervised entry, and charmingly, "No firearms. The Wild West era is over, let's keep it that way."You call the number at the bottom of the rule list. A man will come down and get you, if there is room, and will escort you. Once inside, the first thing you notice is that the place smells of burning sugar, which is like caramel, candy and all things wonderful to drink. The room is outfitted with black modern couches and dark-wood tables. A fireplace adds warmth and the art added style. It was the perfect way to end a relaxing and fun day in Scottsdale.