Agave SpaCapture the Essence of Arizona at Elegant Scottsdale Spa
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OverviewIf you love tequila, them you just might love the signature treatments at Agave, The Arizona Spa.Tequila is the fermented juice of the agave plant, one of the most common succulents found in Arizona. Agave Spa takes inspiration from this hardy plant to create a unique set of signature treatments in a pampering, full service spa setting. This spa is part of the luxurious Westin Kierland Resort, located in north Scottsdale. Kierland is an elegant, multi-storied building with a wealth of amenities including golf, tennis, a water park and fine dining.
It also pays homage to Arizona’s long history and diverse environment, giving this resort a special touch. Native plants fill the large garden courtyards. Sculpture, murals and storytelling signs introduce visitors to the Native American cultures of the area. Next door is the 730-acre, upscale Kierland Commons - an outdoor shopping venue with over 70 stores and numerous restaurants - that makes a perfect spot to stroll and window shop after a day at the spa. ConceptAgave, The Arizona Spa takes inspiration from the agave.
This spiky-leaved succulent, also known as the century plant, has long been an important resource to Arizona's Native Americans. They roasted the sweet, edible hearts for food, made fiber from its dried leaves and used the dried flower stalks to make a unique fiddle-type musical instrument. They even used it to make soap and medicines. Agave Spa blends oils and extracts from the agave into spa products and treatments to create soothing therapies. This Scottsdale spa isn’t just about agaves, however. The spa also offers a very diverse spa menu with services ranging from acupuncture and hypnotherapy to couples massage and gentlemen’s treatments. There are even teen spa services. Agave Spa also has a full salon offering nail care, hair care, makeup services and wedding packages. AtmosphereSouthwestern is definitely the style at Agave Spa. Desert colors of rich golds, tans and browns create a warm glow throughout the rooms.Though the building looks small from the outside, the interior is quite spacious.
The locker rooms are large, comfortable and well-stocked with everything a spa goer might need, such as sun screen, disposable shavers and combs. Large, flagstone shower stalls even have disposable flip-flops. I really liked the Relaxation Room, where clients wait for their therapist. This peaceful, softly lit lounge has comfortable, high-backed lounge chairs, low wood tables and ivory pillar candles. A scattering of bright pink bougainvillea petals and niches with abstract sculpture made the space feel luxurious. I also loved the refreshment table with its pitchers of lemon water and agave limeade, which is naturally sweetened with agave syrup. The spa even provides a little recipe card so that guests can make the refreshing elixir at home. Each of Agave Spa’s 20 treatment rooms is named for a different part of the tequila distilling process. They echo the tranquility and style of the Relaxation Room with their Southwestern colors, handmade throws and Native American-inspired earthenware. My Treatment ExperienceI signed up for the Blue Agave Paraffin Wrap ($190 for 80 minutes).Because much of the body is fully wrapped during this treatment, my therapist began by fully explaining what she would do, just in case I had any second thoughts about being wrapped up.
She then showed me an Apache burden basket. According to Apache Indian tradition, I was to visualize placing my worries into the basket. The therapist gave me a moment to complete this Herculean task, and then placed the basket on a hook on the outside of the door so I could leave my cares behind before we entered the treatment room. The Mescal treatment room is used for body treatments, so it is quite large with a massage table, a private shower and counters full of fragrant oils and scrubs. After I lay down, face up on the table, my therapist began to exfoliate my body with an agave sugar scrub. This granular, citrus-scented mixture gently sloughed off all the dried and old skin cells. Once that was completed, she prepared a warm shower for me. She stepped out of the room while I washed off with the spa’s wonderfully fragrant agave and grapefruit bath gel. After I had settled back onto the table, the therapist returned. The next step was a gentle bodymassage using agave nectar oil. Finally came the wrap. The therapist dipped long strips of gauze into a warm paraffin mixture. She then wound the strips around just about very part of my body. While I lay wrapped, the therapist gave me a great scalp massage. Though I must have looked like an Egyptian mummy, the warm paraffin felt amazingly soothing to my joints and muscles.
After unwrapping me, the therapist advised me to not get wet for a few hours so that I could reap the full benefits of the oils and paraffin. You’ll definitely want to keep this in mind if you book this treatment. I noticed that little flakes of paraffin dropped off of me with every step! The Blue Agave Paraffin Wrap was one of the most relaxing and soothing therapies I’ve ever had. Afterwards, I marveled at how soft my skin was. It hadn’t been that soft since I was a baby! During my visit, I also had a hair cut ($50) in the Agave Spa’s salon. Their salon is very spacious and comfortable. My stylist did a great job and gave me one of the best hair cuts I’ve ever had. ServiceAttentive service is the approach at Agave Spa. And it starts right at the reception desk, where the staff was wonderfully friendly and helpful.A spa attendant escorts guests from the lobby to the locker rooms. She gave me a very thorough tour of the facilities and demonstrated how the keypad lockers worked. My therapist was also very skillful. Soft spoken and graceful, her calm, quiet demeanor helped me to relax and let go any tension or unease. My hair stylist was also wonderful, not only giving me a great hair cut but also giving me tips on places to eat and things to do in the Kierland area. Favorite FeatureThe locker room whirlpool with its beautiful mosaic tile backdrop and domed skylight.
The mural is a reproduction of a photo taken in Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona. A local artist reproduced the photo onto two inch tiles. Relaxing in this soothing spa felt truly luxurious. Fast Facts: Agave, The Arizona SpaWhat to Know Before You Go: Agave Spa recommends scheduling spa appointments at least 3-4 weeks in advance; allow additional time for appointments on holidays and weekends.All services must be guaranteed with a credit card or room confirmation number. Location: North Scottsdale Address: 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Google Map Directions: Click on "+" and "-" signs on Map Controls in upper left hand corner to zoom in and out on the location. Phone: (480) 624-1500 Hours: Spa Facilities, Spa Boutique, Reservations, and Juice Bar: Daily 6:00 am – 8:00 pm Fitness Center access is available 24 hours/7days to resort guests with their room key. Size: 15,000 square feet Cost: Prices for individual treatments range from $80 for a 25 minute neck, back and shoulder massage to $210 for the 80-minute Agave Enchantment body treatment. The average treatment cost is $125 for 50 minutes for the majority of massages, body treatments and facials. Agave Spa has a full suite of amenities including:
Agave Spa has a very comprehensive menu of treatments, from acupuncture to facials. Specialized therapies include:
Agave Spa Packages (ranging from $250 – $665, includes gratuity) allows visitors to choose 2-, 3- or 5 services during their visit. Packages may include spa lunches for an additional fee. A group yoga class is complimentary with all spa services. Agave’s salon offers hair treatments, manicures/pedicures, makeup services, facial waxing and wedding services. Age Policy: Open to guests 16 years and older. Call the spa reception desk to inquire about select salon services appropriate for children with parental supervision. Child Care Services: The Westin Kids Club (available to kids 4-12) is available at a 10% discount to parents while visiting the spa. Cancellation Policy: Agave Spa has a 4 hour cancellation or reschedule policy to avoid being charged for a scheduled treatment. Service Charge: None for single services. All Agave Spa day packages include a 20% gratuity. Facility Fee: For resort guests not receiving a spa service, there is a $20 per day charge to use the spa facilities – sauna, steam room, whirlpool – and fitness classes. All resort guests receive complimentary use of the Westin Workout Powered by Reebok Fitness Facility. Non-resort guests must purchase a service at Agave Spa which gives unlimited access to the spa facilities and fitness studio on the day of their service. Spa Check-In Policy: Agave Spa recommends checking in 30 minutes prior to your scheduled treatment. Spa Etiquette: Agave Spa requests that guests turn off all cell phones and pagers inside the spa. The spa is a non-smoking facility. Return to Arizona Spas page from Agave Spa page
The information in this review was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
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