Each week this summer, I will be highlighting one of my favorite valley properties to showcase the best things to do, eat, and expierence at each resort. Nothing says summer vacation like a fabulous resort at a price point that doesn’t break the bank!
I’m so excited to share the first property in my 2018 Summer Staycation Series with you, the brand new luxury wellness resort in Carefree, CIVANA.
With 5-7 complimentary classes and programs including fitness and cooking options daily, two pools, a couple health focused restaurants, and the absolute most chill vibe in town, I was thrilled to check in and unwind. CIVANA was born out of a desire to make wellness more expansive and approachable. Grounded in the philosophy of wellness through oneness, the CIVANA tribe believes in the sustainable interconnection of the individual, community and natural environment. According to the website, CIVANA is a place for the traveler to rest, nurture, nourish and discover in both playful and impactful ways. Guests are encourage to Seek Deeply, Travel Lightly, and Live Fully which is exactly what I did for 24 hours.
Oh ya, CIVANA offers staycations, spacations, and daycations for AZ locals and visitors this summer!
This slice of heaven in the desert is dreamy!
Stay
We checked into our room at CIVANA that happened to have a stunning view of the Carefree mountains, expansive pool, and the scenic landscape that the resort was built around. The room itself (and entire property for that matter) blends in perfectly with the natural AZ desert and focuses on minimal and sleek designs. I’m a sucker for a hotel bathroom and this did not disappoint. A gorgeous shower, neutral color palate, and super soft towels were the perfect touches to an already stunning hotel room. The idea of CIVANA is to check in to check out…of life that is. I actually felt bad checking my e-mail here even thought they offer free wi-fi around the whole property. With not much more noise than chirping birds and the wind blowing through the trees, CIVANA has created an oasis for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Speaking of the city, CIVANA is about 20 minutes north of the 101/Pima.
Eat
For lunch we opted to eat poolside under an umbrella at the resort’s signature restaurant, Terras. We started with a power greens and fruit salad followed by a roasted chicken club. Although the menu featured more healthy options than not, I am guilty of ordering a side of french fries to balance out the abundance of kale I consumed in 24 hours.
Terras restaurant is all about choice. With colorful, veggie-forward options for everyone and every craving—totally free of GMOs, hydrogenated fats, hormones, and preservatives, it will certainly be memorable, healthy, and delicious. Think farm-to-table produce, grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood, and decadent desserts. And whether you’re gluten free, grain free, vegetarian, vegan, or you just need a side of fries every once in a while, the Terras chefs have got you covered.
For dinner we opted to split a bunch of dishes because after all, variety is the spice of life or something like that right? We had the prime rib special, a loaded baked potato (by loaded I mean, in the healthiest way possible!), a garden salad with the yummiest champagne vinaigrette, crab cakes that were to die for, and get ready for it…avocado chocolate mousse that came highly recommended by three staff members at the property. It was one of the best thing I’ve ever eaten. In fact, I was googling copycat recipes while I sat there inhaling it and not sharing with my husband. Needless to say, I tried to recreate the mousse at home last night and it’s not nearly as good so a visit back to CIVANA purely for avocado mousse is in my near future.
For breakfast the following morning we went light…I mean, I did have a photo shoot at 9am for god sake! The garden omelet with every green vegetable you can image was great and the spicy sweet potato breakfast wrap was the perfect balance of flavors. No complaints about the food but my favorite part of breakfast was the juice variety! We indulged in a variety of citrus juices then blended those with fresh carrot juice and followed all that with a green juice AND a ginger turmeric wellness shot! In case 3 morning beverages wasn’t enough I topped it all off with a Golden Milk which is a blend of almond milk, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, maple syrup, and a few other ingredients that made this Christmasy tasting drink the perfect way to wrap up the first meal of the day. Oh wait, I wrapped up breakfast with the key lime tart above…because it’s never too early for a (healthy) dessert!
Play
From interactive juicing demos, astrology classes, aerial yoga, and guided desert hiking- there is something for everyone offered in the daily activity calendar. If you like to stay active CIVANA offers pickle ball, various styles of yoga, barre classes, and a state of the art gym that has almost any piece of fitness equipment your biceps or glutes desire. If chillaxin’ is more your style, meditation, morning affirmations, and watercolor art class is for you! Whatever you decide to fill your days with, make sure to reserve a few hours to soak in the sun at the glistening pool and be sure to catch a sunrise or sunset over the desert landscape- it’s stunning!
