Sonoran Spa Tucson, Arizona

This Tucson resort spa is too small to have the luxurious, pampered feeling of larger Arizona spas.

However, its definitely worth visiting because it offers a good menu of wonderful healing treatments and a friendly and welcoming staff.

Here, the feel is more like that of a friendly, holistic health practice than of a ritzy resort spa.

The Sonoran Spa is on the grounds of the Westward Look Resort, although you don’t have to be staying at the resort to have a treatment here.

Cactus and native plants surround the patio at the Westward Look Spa

Westward Look has a casual ambience and a retro Southwest charm.

The resort sits on 80 acres of scenic, saguaro cactus-dotted desert in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

This Tucson resort's close proximity to restaurants, shopping and outdoor attractions makes it popular with travelers.

Westward Look’s low summer rates make it a popular in-town getaway with locals.

This is a great accommodation for birders and nature lovers.

After your spa treatment, take time to stroll the flower-filled gardens and cactus-studded desert grounds and you’re sure to see iridescent hummingbirds, zebra-tailed lizards or cottontail rabbits.

The spa at Westward Look Resort

Their treatment menu offers a range of therapies designed to restore your sense of health and well-being.

The Westward Look Spa uses natural remedies and native desert plants and oils in many of their treatments.

Ingredients include herbs such as sage, jojoba, rosemary and aloe, which grow in the Wellness Garden outside the spa.

Spa specialties include the Desert Stone Massage, a Mud Trio Wrap and an Aloe Vera Body Wrap, which soothes sunburned or irritated skin.

Westward Look Spa’s combination reception area, spa shop and spa lounge

But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in therapies and service.

The spa is in its own building, tucked away by the tennis courts and fitness center.

Inside, it has a cozy, herb shop feel to it.

The décor reflects Westward Look Resort’s old Southwest feel with rough-hewn wood furniture, wrought iron fixtures and Native American rugs and art.

Sonoran Spa’s main space is multipurpose – the reception desk, spa shop and spa lounge are all in the same room.

So, after I checked in and changed in the locker room, I waited for my therapist back out in the lobby.

The spa's women's locker room

A small table in the hallway between the locker rooms and treatment rooms held hot tea and water.

At the back of the reception/lounge area is a small salon where they offer manicures and pedicures.

Treatment rooms are decorated in soothing earth tones with natural elements like dried wreaths.

The locker rooms are small with just one shower and restroom. They do not have saunas or steam rooms.

The covered patio at the Westward Look Spa

For this treatment, there is no disrobing. The only requirement is to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.

Reiki is a Japanese healing therapy.

Its basic principle holds that everyone has a life force energy that flows through them.

In Chinese medicine, this would be referred to as "chi."

The Reiki practitioner, using only her hands, helps draw energy into your internal energy field, thereby assisting the body to eliminate energetic "blockages."

These blockages are often the source of pain and discomfort.

Once blockages are cleared, the body has renewed energy and achieves balance.

My therapist was a lovely woman with a calm demeanor and gentle disposition.

She instructed me to lie face down on a massage table and to breathe deeply.

She then started at my feet, holding her hands, palms down, a few inches above my body.

Slowly, she moved her hands up along my spine, pausing in certain areas where she sensed restrictions in my energy.

Post treatment, Westward Look Spa guests can swim in the lap pool

After reaching my head, she instructed me to turn over onto my back.

She then started again, moving her hands over my forehead and working downwards, passing her hands over each chakra – the main energy points of the body, according to Ayurvedic medicine.

In essence, the practitioner directs energy to the points of your body that she senses need help.

A Reiki practitioner generally doesn’t touch you; the hands are always held above the body.

After the treatment, I spoke with the therapist about my experience.

She had correctly identified that I had been having gastrointestinal discomfort and pain in my neck and shoulders, even though I had not told her so.

At the end of the treatment, I felt energized, relaxed and alert.

Reiki is a subtle experience. Anyone can benefit from it. However, some may have a hard time accepting the theory behind it.

I had friendly and efficient assistance from the moment I called to schedule an appointment to my final departure.

All of the staff was warm and gracious.

Location: North Tucson

Address: 245 East Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85704

Google Map Directions: Click on "+" and "-" signs on Map Controls in upper left hand corner to zoom in and out on the location.

Phone: (520) 917-2467

Hours: Open daily 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Size: 3,000 square feet

Amenities:

The Westward Look Spa is a small facility with:

• men’s and women’s locker rooms, each with one bathroom and shower
• outdoor covered patio
• yoga classes offered throughout the week.

Sonoran Spa guests may use Westward Look Resort’s lap pool and Jacuzzi next door.

The main pool at the Westward Look resort

The Sonoran Spa focuses on wellness treatments from the East and West including massage therapy, wraps, scrubs, organic facials and Ayurvedic treatments.

Signature therapies include:

• Mud Trio ($99 for 60 minutes): an application of Moor Mud, Sedona Mud and Red Clay and a body wrap revitalizes and draws toxins from the skin.
• Pressure Point Facelift ($99 for 60 minutes): face is cleansed and toned followed by an extensive massage and pressure point therapy that brings vibrancy to the skin.
• Shiatsu ($109 for 60 minutes): a Japanese body work that helps balance energy flow thru the body using carefully applied pressure to specific points on the body.
• Abhyanga massage ($109 for 60 minutes): an Ayurvedic treatment that uses a brisk massage technique that lubricates the muscles and joints and nourishes the skin.

They also offer a few treatment packages ($115 - $229). Create your own package by combining any two 60-minute or 90-minute treatments in one day and receive a 10% discount.

Lunch may be included in a package for an additional $20.

The Sonoran Spa’s salon offers manicures and pedicures ($28 - $79).

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations or reschedules must be made at least 4 hours prior to treatment time to avoid full charge for the scheduled treatment. Package cancellations require 24-hour notice.

Service Charge: No.

Facility Fee: No

Spa Check-In Policy: Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to treatment.

Spa Etiquette: Cell phones, pagers and tobacco are prohibited. Guests are asked to keep their voices at a minimum.

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.

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