A desert oasis that brought me peace
SPA doctor
TWO years of pandemic, followed by war in Ukraine, have left me rigid with anxiety. My shoulders are frozen after countless hours on screen, doom-scrolling through the headlines. How do I start to uncoil?
THE SOLUTION
THE JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, offers help for both mind and body, from relaxing rituals to spa treatments for aching muscles.
The resort, in 50 acres of the Tucson National Park, has golf, tennis, multiple pools and access to miles of hiking and biking trails.
Each morning, Native American Larry Redhouse greets the day with a stress-busting ceremony around a fire pit. Shortly afterwards, a guide took us on a hike through the parkland, leading us across hillsides of giant cacti with a backdrop of panoramic mountain views.
That evening, guests – who were by now newfound friends – gathered to watch the sunset and enjoy a complimentary tequila.
After just one day, I could feel my anxiety slipping away.
I then visited the 20,000 square foot Hashani spa. It features a variety of healing techniques and I opted for an Antara Balance Massage, designed to increase blood flow throughout the body and relieve any pain.
The massage of CBD-infused coconut oil and passionflower increased circulation to my joints and muscles and the CBD tropical relief balm, scented with clove, cinnamon and ginger, helped ease the pain in my shoulders.
Finally, I found myself beginning to unwind, and I left knowing that my anxiety was behind me. l Rooms at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson start at £249 per night. A 50-minute massage costs £115 (marriott.co.uk).