Asanctuary
on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa Paradise Valley, Arizona
ROBERT VANCE
by Joseph Schmitt
Robert Vance, Spa Director of Sanctuary on Camelback
Mountain Resort & Spa (http://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com)
is back in the city of his youth and loving it. “There
is so much to do in Phoenix,” says Robert, “we
really do have it all…and more. The one thing I’m
always happy to see when I return, is how truly great
the people are.” As a true aficionado of this beautiful
part of the United States, Vance is our insider’s
guide to the best things to do in see in the Phoenix area.
What are some cool places to go for
cocktails around Phoenix?
If you are looking for a romantic setting with
sexy cocktails and a stunning view then the new edge
at Sanctuary is the place to go. For the chilly
nights they provide heaters and throws to cover up with
while enjoying the starry nights and valley views. The
amazing bartenders make global-inspired cocktails with
fresh ingredients and you’ll also find a great
wine list, including my favorite, Cakebread Chardonnay.
If you are looking for cocktails in a “hideaway”
setting you should try LON’s at the Hermonsa
(5532 North Palo Cristi, Paradise Valley. Tel: 800-241-1210.
http://www.lons.com).
They have a fire pit outside of the main building that
is the perfect setting for drinks. If you are a self-confessed
wine lover and love an adventure, then go to Kazimierz
World Wine Bar (7137 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale.
Tel: 480- 9463-004). It is a very cool candle-lit wine
bar in Old Town Scottsdale with live jazz and blues
most of the week and a wine menu that will send you
into a spin. It’s similar to reading a government
document but the ownership sneaks some fun and wit into
their listings. You can order by the glass, bottle,
run, or magnum. You won’t find any box wines here!
What are the best restaurants for
a romantic dinner in the city?
One of my favorite romantic dinners was at Vincent’s
on Camelback (3930 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Tel:
602-224-0225. http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com),
a culinary monument that’s been around for over
twenty years. The warm environment and friendly staff
negate that “stuffiness” you often find in
fine-dining establishments. It’s easy to turn dinner
into a three- or four-hour culinary experience. The
food is complex in flavor yet simple in its presentation.
Three words to remember “Grand Marnier Soufflé.”
My other favorite romantic restaurant existed before
I began to work there, so there is no bias when I suggest
elements Restaurant at the Sanctuary. When I
lived in Phoenix previously I had an amazing dinner
date there and found the restaurant to be absolutely
beautiful. It is a very intimate space that stays quiet
enough to talk and all the tables have an amazing view,
so be sure to make your reservation a little before
sunset. Chef Beau MacMillian (of Iron Chef America fame)
does a stunning job with the synergy of taste and presentation.
If possible, arrive early and have a cocktail at jade
bar first, then make your way over for dinner.
Where are the best places to see
great art in Phoenix?
First Friday (http://www.artlinkphoenix.com)
is the first Friday of each month and is an opportunity
to check out the local art venues. The way to do it
is to start from the Phoenix Art Museum (http://www.phxart.org).
You can park for free there or you can take the new
Light Rail system (http://www.valleymetro.org),
which stops at the museum. From the museum they provide
a shuttle and a map to the Art Walk area. There are
over 100 different venues to check out. Meanwhile, Scottsdale
also has its own Art Walk (http://www.scottsdalegalleries.com)
every Thursday night in the area of Main Street and
Marshall Way. This is a smaller event but always a great
deal of fun. Being in the heart of Scottsdale, there
is a multitude of bars and restaurants in this area
so when you tire of the art, you can get your drink,
dine, or dance on.
What are the best places for gay
travelers to see and be seen?
AZ88 (7353 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale.
Tel: 480-994-5576. http://homepage.mac.com/az88) is
an iconic destination for good drinks, food, and people
watching on their patio. AZ88 is always bumping early
in the evening, especially on Saturdays. Around 9:30
it begins to quiet down as everyone disperses to carry
on the night elsewhere. Next door to AZ88 is PURE
(7343 East Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdales. Tel: 480-9471077.
http://www.puresushibar.com).
Done all in white, PURE is reminiscent of a hip LA sushi
house. If you are looking for a “little something”
to hold you over during your evening, stop by PURE for
some great sushi.
What are some of the annual events
our readers may be interested in attending?
The Phoenix Pride Festival (http://www.phoenixpride.org)
is usually held in April at a local park [and is a wonderful
event for GLBT visitors]. For you cowboys and cowgirls
out there, the Road Runner Regional Rodeo (http://www.agra-phx.com),
hosted by the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association, takes place
every January. When the rodeo is in town, area nightlife
can be as much fun, if not more, than the daytime Rodeo
events. The Human Rights Campaign and specifically
the Arizona Steering Committee (http://phoenix.hrc.org)
of the HRC also produce a number of events each year
for the community including launch parties, hosted fundraising
events, and the annual HRC Dinner.
Where can we find the best gay nightlife
around town?
Being someone who greatly enjoyed the gay nightlife
while living in Los Angeles, I have elevated expectations
for bars and clubs. I am, however, pleased to say that
there is something for everyone in Phoenix. In Central
Phoenix, stop by Kobalt (3110 North Central Avenue,
Phoenix. Tel: 602-264-5307. http://www.kobaltbarphoenix.com),
a smaller bar that’s always packed to the hilt
on Friday and Saturday. Forbidden (6820 East
Fifth Avenue, Scottsdale. Tel: 480-994-5176. http://www.forbiddenaz.com)
is a newer bar and club in Scottsdale, located right
across the street from the Hotel Valley Ho. I would
suggest going over to Valley Ho for cocktails and then
walking over to Forbidden to dance the night away. Another
suggestion would be Charlie’s (727 West
Camelback Road, Phoenix. Tel: 602-265-0224. http://www.charliesphoenix.com).
Although Charlie’s is famous for its “cowboy”
theme with sawdust and line dancing, there’s something
for everyone. Weekends there are less cowboy and a little
more everybody, and it never fails to make for a fun
evening. Finally, BS West (7125 East Fifth Avenue,
Scottsdale. Tel: 480-945-9028. http://www.bswest.com)
in Scottsdale tends to be a big draw with two floors
and a DJ that plays great dance music. It’s a fun
little bar that is always packed on the weekends.
As Spa Director, what are your suggestions
for a more “holistic” holiday?
Again, I may be biased, but one of the best “holistic
holidays” available right now is the Satori Wellness
program at the Sanctuary. This is a personalized 3-day,
4-night program that focuses on the individual’s
needs. Our goal is to build a program that changes with
you, so we [conduct an] interview and then compose a
program that includes nutrition, relaxation, education,
activity, and most of all, joy. No two programs are
the same and the number of people we invite to participate
in this program is limited so that individual attention
can be paid to each guest.For someone wanting to take
an extended “holistic holiday,” Mii Amo
Spa at the Enchantment Resort (525 Boynton Canyon
Rd., Sedona. Tel: 888-749-2137.
http://www.miiamo.com) in Sedona offers a unique
spa experience. Because of the location, Mii Amo incorporates
a great deal of Native American knowledge and traditions
into their programs and you will be able to experience
some products and practices that are unique to Arizona.
Sedona is known for its dramatic red-rock scenic beauty
and is just a short two-hour drive from Phoenix.
 What
are your favorite treatments at the Sanctuary?
My favorite treatment at the Sanctuary is the Luk
Pra Kope. It is 90 minutes of heaven because it is a
combination of a body treatment and a Thai massage using
steamed herbal poultices. For facials, I love the new
Resurfacing Facial. I have a hard time sitting still
for too long and this 30-minute facial makes my skin
feel and look amazing and is done in enough time that
I don’t get twitchy. As far as body treatments,
I love the Signature Body Ritual. It is a wonderful
exfoliating treatment that smells like coconut cream
pie because it uses natural coconut and coconut essential
oils to scrub and moisturize.
What are your favorite places for
a healthy “spa lunch” in Phoenix?
My favorite way to enjoy a lite spa lunch is poolside.
Why not enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch while taking
in your daily requirement of Vitamin D? There are some
amazing locations to enjoy a poolside salad or wrap
and maybe a little wine or mimosa (little being the
operative word). The Sanctuary has one of the most amazing
pools in town with its infinity edge and stunning view
of the valley. It is a private pool, so you would have
to be a guest of the resort to enjoy it, but that also
helps keep it tranquil. The Golden Door Spa (34631
N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree. Tel: 866-397-6520.
http://www.theboulders.com)
at the Boulders also offers poolside spa cuisine with
a beautiful view of the million-year-old boulder rock
formations.
With so much natural beauty in the
area, where do you go to get back to nature?
There are many ways to enjoy the beauty of Arizona.
I often suggest Camelback Mountain to our guests. There
are two different paths to the top of the mountain and
both are moderate to advanced in their challenge. I
recommend starting early in the day and taking a little
backpack lunch. Once you get to the top, you have the
BEST view in town. Camelback Mountain has an unobstructed
view of the whole city, where you collect your thoughts,
take in the views, and find the perfect spot to sit
down and have a little lunch before heading back down
the mountain.
[Published:
May, 2009]
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