Colossal granite boulder formations dot the 12-million-year-old Sonoran Desert landscape, giving The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale its name. This natural wonderland has been preserved, allowing indigenous wildlife and plants to thrive.
Soaring amidst this stunning view are saguaro cacti with spring crowns of white blooms and wildflowers sporting vivid lavender, gold, and magenta blossoms. Verdant native trees, golf course fairways, and greens contrast with the rust-colored rocks, making a striking background against the deep blue sky in Carefree, Arizona.
History of The Boulders
Inspired by the Pueblo and Hogan styles, architect and real estate developer Bob Bacon blended the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and weathered granite rocks. He built The Boulders, which opened in January 1985, based on the vision of Laurence Rockefeller and Rusty Lyon to “create an exhilarating desert place, a landscape where man-made architecture would be subordinate to the natural environment, a setting where people could interact in an easy harmony with nature.” The Boulders Resort is 39 years old.
It is easy to get lost in the wonder of this magical place where you can commune with nature and escape everyday cares.
The resort’s architecture blends with the landscape with adobe-style buildings in low-rise clusters connected by paved golf cart pathways. The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale has earned environmental excellence awards for its eco-friendly design and operations and is a member of
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The Resort Accommodations
The Boulders offers 160 luxurious guest casitas with hand-hewn wood-beamed ceilings and fans, wood-burning fireplaces, wet bars, extra-large bathrooms, and dressing room areas. Private patios or decks overlooking the golf course or dessert are pleasing to the eye from any room.
Guests can also choose from 59 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom Villas or the 5,000 square foot five-bedroom Villa Retreat for family or multi-generational getaways.
The Spa
If you are looking for a wellness retreat, look no further. The Spa offers services and therapeutic treatments that will relax and revitalize you, from massages to rituals and skin care to haircuts for men and women.
Spa Features
- Labyrinth (a path to tranquility)
- Authentic Tipi
- Certified organic garden
- Fitness center
- Movement studio
- Classroom for wellness lectures
- Vichy treatment rooms
- Hydrotherapy tubs
- Separate facial and couple’s massage suite
- Shiatsu rooms
- Yoga studio
- Tea room
- Spa café
The setting inside is subdued and quiet, with a blend of Eastern and Western décor set in 33,000 square feet. Grotto-like hallways with trickling waterfalls lead to locker rooms, circular showers, the sauna, and a restroom.
The attendant at the reception desk at the entrance to the men’s and women’s facilities gave me a locker key and rubber sandals. I was delighted they had a small size to fit me. A soft robe was already in my locker.
Wellness
Two Wellness programs, Sound Meditation and Labyrinth Walk with Tipi Cleansing Ritual, clear the mind and instill a sense of strength and positivity.
Sound Meditation
Meditation deepens when using sound and music. It helps to instill a sense of strength and positivity. While I didn’t experience this sound practice during my visit to The Boulders, I have experienced a sound bath elsewhere.
Crystal singing bowls, made of quartz, are struck with a mallet, and overlapping vibrations are created during the session. The soothing sound is overwhelming, and you can’t help but go deeper into your mind and explore your spirit. You finish with a refreshed sense of well-being.
Guided Labyrinth Walk
During my visit, the guided Labyrinth Walk helped me calm my mind, allow me to hear the melodic bird songs, and contemplate creation. I enjoyed the Native American cleansing ritual inside the tipi as it gave me a taste of the historic Southwest culture.
Fitness Center
The Fitness Center offers state-of-the-art equipment to challenge your cardiovascular system, fitness classes, personal training programs, and weight training equipment. And if mountain biking on the Sonoran Desert trails doesn’t suit you, the Peloton bikes are a good option in the Fitness Center.
Spa Group Classes
The Spa offers group classes focusing on mind, body, and spirit. They include:
- Health – Guided meditation, stress reduction, set intentions, and nutrition
- Yoga – Outdoors at sunrise or sunset at Promise Rock, The Duck Pond, in the Yoga studio, or on a paddleboard in the Spa pool.
- Fitness – Water fitness in the Spa pool, Pilates, Zumba, or Western line dancing in the Movement studio.
- Adventure – biking, hiking, or rock climbing suitable for all skill levels and ages.
Group Meditation
Guided meditation, offered in the tranquil Spa Garden or the dedicated Yoga studio, is led by a highly specialized therapist. Discover how to improve your well-being and inner peace, release stagnant energy, open your creativity, renew your sense of purpose, and reconnect.
Group Spa Favorites
All treatments are 50 minutes:
- Desert Zen Massage – Swedish-inspired
- Arnica Therapeutic Massage – Deep tissue
- Organic Signature Facial – Custom facial for all skin types
- Vitamin C Facial – Antioxidant mask for anti-ageing
Outdoor Activities
The Boulders Resort sits on 1,300 acres in the Sonoran Desert. Several exciting outdoor activities are available to guests during the fall, winter, and spring seasons.
Rock Climbing Clinics
Become a rock star in a group setting or arrange an individual tour of the resort’s magnificent rock formations. The natural routes rise 75 feet and are suitable for beginners. No previous experience is required, and upper-body strength doesn’t factor into the activity. This 2.5-hour experience includes expert, seasoned guides who teach the basic skills and provide all the gear you’ll need.
Drone footage of your rock-climbing experience is available.
Guided Mountain Bike Tours
Daytime and nighttime guided rides offer different desert experiences.
The desert terrain is challenging and fun on the daytime 2.5-hour excursion. The tours include a bike, helmet, water bottle, and expert riding tips.
The nighttime tours are 1.5 hours and roll on the resort’s paved golf cart paths. Riders use a supplied 500-lumen LED lighting system. This activity is designed for night-riding novices.
Sonoran Explorin’ Nature/Wildlife Tour
You’ll learn about local plants, geology, animals, and history while getting a great cardio workout as you explore the Sonoran Desert with an experienced guide. Moderate to strenuous hikes provide incredible scenery, stunning views, and some challenges in the desert habitat. The guide will determine which trail is best for the group. Transportation to the trailheads and a waist pack and water bottle are provided.
Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga
Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 am, you can sign up for the SUP Yoga class. It’s one hour long and requires registration because of the limited number of attendees. There is a minimum and maximum class size, or you can reserve private sessions.
Golf
Two award-winning 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Jay Morrish are laid out amongst the boulders and desert landscape. A practice range, golf pro shop, and Golf Academy help you perfect your game at the resort.
Tennis and Pickleball
The Tennis Garden has four plexicushion courts like those used on professional tennis courts, four asphalt courts, and 12 new pickleball courts. Two full-time tennis professionals offer private lessons and weekly clinics.
Dining at The Boulders
Five onsite restaurants serve guests, and you can dine in the Pool Pavilion or your room seven days a week.
Palo Verde
Palo Verde serves Contemporary Southwestern food made with local Arizona ingredients and freshly foraged produce. The stylish design includes a modern wine display and comfortable furniture. Views of the scenic duck pond, rolling golf greens, and wildlife serve as entertainment.
Palo Verde Restaurant. Photo credit: The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale
Spa Café
The Spa Café offers a simple, healthy menu using fresh produce from the 5,600 sq. ft. Organic Garden. There’s a unique energy and peaceful atmosphere where people connect effortlessly with nature. The food is made to boost performance and well-being and caters to special diets. Guests can enjoy their meals inside or outside on the patio.
Grill Kitchen & Bar
The Grill Kitchen & Bar offers excellent service, a fantastic wine list, and delicious “American Classics” with rich and subtle flavors. It’s a great place for golfers and sports fans.
I ate lunch on the outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course fairways and stunning mountain backdrop. The lunch menu included soups, salads, appetizers, and mains. I ordered the Grilled Salmon Quinoa Bowl with toasted quinoa, petit greens, shelled edamame, local Wilcox tomatoes, and Mayer lemon vinaigrette.
Our waitress surprised me by asking me how I liked my salmon prepared–rare or medium. This was the first time a restaurant offered a “doneness” option for fish. It was moist and flavorful. I enjoyed it immensely.
Spotted Donkey
Lively and fun, the Spotted Donkey Cantina highlights Arizona’s regional flavors with authentic Mexican dishes made from high-quality, local ingredients. Guests line up for fresh margaritas with exclusive Herradura double-barrel tequila and custom-made guacamole with homemade chips and tortillas.
Discovery Lounge
The Discovery Lounge has stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the Sonoran Desert and a beautiful waterfall over the ancient boulders. You can relax by the cozy fireplace and watch the sunset, share dishes inspired by street food, and enjoy fine wines and signature cocktails made with top-shelf liquors.
Pool Pavilion
Poolside dining includes sandwiches, salads, and light savory bites. Nestled amongst the boulders, you can enjoy the waterfall while refreshing at the pool.
SheBuys Travel Tip: The resort fee includes an on-property shuttle, gratuities for bell service, concierge and shuttle drivers, fitness classes, fitness center access, basic guest internet access, club storage, and local and toll-free calls. Valet parking is available.
How To Get To Carefree
The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale is 33 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Guests can arrange transportation in advance with the resort concierge.
Ridesharing and taxi services are available from the airport.
Drive
Interstate 10 is the central corridor from the east or the west through Phoenix. Go north on Interstate 17, then head east on Carefree Highway to The Boulders. In my mind, I always hum the tune “Carefree Highway” by Gordon Lightfoot when I’m in the area.
Fly
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport serves the Valley of the Sun with many inbound and outbound flights per day. The airport is 35 miles south of the resort.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is a regional airport about 55 miles south of the resort, with two airlines serving the Pacific Northwest and destinations in the Midwest and Houston, Texas.
Scottsdale Regional Airport is 13 miles away. Private planes may land at the Carefree Airport with prior permission. Also located on site is a helicopter landing pad.
Best Time to Visit The Boulders
The Sonoran Desert climate in Carefree boasts over 300 sunny days per year. Carefree is a little cooler than Phoenix because it is about 1,500 feet higher in elevation, but temps are still in the triple digits in the summer. The best time to go to Carefree is in the spring and late fall. The monsoon season is from July to September and delivers most of the yearly rainfall of 12 inches in those months.
My visit to The Boulders was on a weekday in June. The resort was quiet in the heat, and many activities were on a break for the season. Triple-digit temps were already blistering in the afternoon. Shade from the trees and umbrellas, the appealing azure water in the pools, and a gentle breeze were welcome.
Final Thoughts
The Boulders makes a great home base for health and wellness experiences, challenging golf, Southwest culture, and desert outdoor adventures.
The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale
34631 North Tom Darlington Drive
Carefree, Arizona 85377
Phone Number 480-488-9009
Check-in is at 4 pm.
Check-out time is 12 pm.
Major credit card accepted
Currency is USD
24-hour cancellation policy
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