Spa Index, Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas, reviews The Phoenician, flagship property of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Luxury Collection, in Scottsdale, Arizona

The beautiful Sonora desert, spectacular grounds of this five-star resort, and its expert team of spa, wellness and sports professionals makes for an ideal setting to exercise the body and replenish the spirit

July 21, 2004 -- Spa Index, a prominent online guide to day spas and stay spas, toured one of the United States most-respected wellness destinations this Spring. The Phoenician and the Center for Well-Being is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Luxury Collection, and is spread over 250 picturesque acres located at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona's Valley of the Sun.

"Many of our readers have remarked on not only their appreciation for the Centre for Well-Being Spa and the reasons for their yearly visits, but also the Centre's approach to spa treatments in the desert" said Kevin McClain, the founder and co-director of SpaIndex.Com. "After searching for a destination resort which caters to the luxury-minded discriminating traveler, the sportsman, and the spa enthusiast, I listened to reader recommendations, and noted the Centre is often cited as one of the ten best spa centers in the United States. I planned my visit see if I could really 'find it all' in this desert outside of Scottsdale."

"Just arriving at the Phoenician tells you that you will soon be enveloped in breathtaking beauty" said McClain. "From the landscaped circular driveway, to the view of Camelback mountain and the Sonoran desert, to the grand water fountain, each announces that you have reached a true destination resort."

The Centre for Well-Being, the centerpiece of The Phoenician, is a two-level, 22,000 square-foot spa with 24 private treatment rooms, a full-service salon, and retail boutique and fitness center offering state-of-the-art weight equipment. The Centre is also a peaceful sanctuary showcasing a serene Meditation Atrium.

McClain interviewed the Spa Director of the Centre for Well-Being, John DeFontes. Having interviewed dozens of spa directors and owners over the years, DeFontes was by far the most impressive, demonstrating a clear and simple vision for what a spa destination should and should not be.

When asked if the reputation of The Phoenician, one of the premier destination spas in the country, influences the menu of treatments offered spa guests, DeFontes answered that he is a spa purist, and believes all spa treatments should be tailored for the individual client so as to provide a mind-body experience. The Centre does take advantage of its ideal location, as well as the rich culture and history of its desert surroundings, by incorporating many native indigenous ingredients and ancient native American healing techniques into its spa treatments and therapies, but you won't find trendy treatments and gimmicks on the menu.

DeFontes added that spa clients would be better served in the long run by beginning a holistic program which permits them to establish a lifelong path, rather than indulging in a fad treatment which may sound enticing, but will not provide either an appropriate spa experience or any long-lasting value.    

As a testament to DeFontes' vision and management style, over his seven year tenure with the Centre, many of his staff have flourished and done on to become prominent directors and specialists throughout the spa community, sharing his particular style of wellness.

One such employee is Joan Laubach, who created and has perfected one of the Centre's signature treatments, the Acussage. Laubach is a registered massage therapist and licensed acupuncturist. She created the 80 minute combination acupuncture and massage to treat acute and chronic pain, enhance energy and regulate body functions, and has clients regularly returning to The Phoenician from all over the world. Laubach shared that she actually receives fan mail from those who claim their lives have been enhanced by her technique.

In addition to the well-regarded Centre for Well-Being, The Phoenician offers its guests world-class facilities for golf and tennis, most notably, the Tennis Garden. The Phoenician's tennis facility is steered by Director Yaz Tavatli. The Tennis Garden is simply outstanding. The garden offers twelve courts on site. Eleven are lighted playing courts with eight hard surface courts, one Wimbledon grass court, a Prestige Plexicushion surface on the Center court with true spectator seating, and, a rebound ace surface.

"I have been fortunate to play on three of the four surfaces of the grand slam events but I had not played on the Australian surface" said McClain. "The Phoenician is the only place in Southwest that has four different surfaces for the tennis aficionado."

All of the tennis pros for The Phoenician are either former satellite or tour pros with extensive collegiate team tennis experience.

"At the Phoenician's tennis garden, I discovered something about a good tennis pro" said McClain. "If they are professional, talented, and passionate about the game, they not only detect your flaws, they make you appreciate that they have done so. Instead of becoming chagrined or defensive, you actually want to plug through and improve your game."

"I came away from The Phoenician with a restored passion for many things" concluded McClain. "Good health. Wellbeing. Fitness. The Phoenician defines what a destination resort is all about, and sports and spa enthusiasts alike will find everything they need and desire on these grounds."

The 654-room Phoenician offers elegant accommodations, six restaurants, nine swimming pools, 12 tennis courts, championship golf (The Phoenician's Golf Club includes a championship 27-hole golf course, driving range, putting green, and pro shop, as well as daily clinics and private instruction), shopping, an extensive art collection, a Funician Club and the full service spa, salon and fitness center.

To read a detailed review about McClain's experiences on the The Phoenician's tennis courts, in the spa, and touring the grounds, visit the website for SpaIndex.Com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas and visit the Featured Spas section.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 105,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit http://www.starwood.com.


SpaIndex.Com is a comprehensive online guide to day spas and stay spas, offering spa listings in 39 countries, tips for the spa enthusiast, online specials and promotions, recipes for spa cuisine and at-home spa treatments, and reader and staff reviews of some of the best spas in the world. Kevin McClain is the founder and co-director of the San Francisco Bay Area based SpaIndex.Com. He regularly tours and reviews spa resorts and destination spas for SpaIndex.Com, while additional executive staff tour and review day spas and urban hotel spas. SpaIndex.Com also operates SpaWire, a spa, salon and wellness industry newsletter and forum. SpaIndex.Com is a member of the International Spa Association (ISPA) and The Spa Association (SPAA).