2021-08-19 23:48:44
Think back to your last vacation. Perhaps there was a beach or a spa or snow-skiing. Most certainly, there was a smartphone involved. (For a few overworked souls, there may have even been a laptop.) Yet for all the pervasiveness of digital devices, the pendulum is beginning to swing the other way. Tech-free retreats are the new “it” vacations, and it sounds like it’s just in time—we all could use a digital detox. Disconnect for awhile and recharge your mind at these quiet escapes throughout Arizona’s remote landscapes, where the scenery is far superior to the cell reception. Escape to a Southwestern paradise with your own private casita at the base of Boynton Canyon when you stay at Sedona’s Enchantment Resort, where blazing red rock, aquamarine swimming pools and vibrant green tennis courts set the scene for visual splendor. You won’t even notice the limited cell phone signal, as you’ll find plenty of ways to stay occupied: hiking Boynton Canyon Trail through an energy vortex, marveling at the soaring Fay Canyon Arch, mountain biking through miles of desert trails, teeing off at the exclusive 18-hole, Tom Weiskopf-designed course at Seven Canyons Golf Club and taking part in mind-body experiences such as Qi Gong and Vinyasa yoga. At the end of your day, use all your senses at Che Ah Chi restaurant, featuring American Indian-influenced cuisine, an award-winning wine list and awe-inspiring views of red rock canyon walls. Also in the area is Junipine Resort, a quiet escape with private condo-style accommodations amid the forests of Oak Creek Canyon, about 8 miles from the artisan shops and gourmet eateries of downtown Sedona. Bask in the sounds of nature from your wrap-around deck, cozy up next to your wood-burning fireplace and stroll the hiking trails latticing throughout the 12-acre estate. Nearby West Fork Trail in the Secret Mountain Wilderness offers even more natural beauty. Synonymous with renewal of the mind, body and spirit for more than four decades, Canyon Ranch in Tucson is the ultimate escape for a reset. Turn off your phone for a few days and make the most of this all-inclusive experience, where you’ll spend your time exploring the sprawling spa complex, enjoying outdoor adventures from archery to hiking, moving your body with yoga or tennis, and honing your mind with meditation and sound healing. Bonus: the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding Santa Catalina Mountains provides the ultimate stress-free environment. Another luxury option is The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Marana, boasting the dramatic beauty of the Tortolita Mountains paired with plush accommodations. Leave your phone in your room as you sunbathe at the hotel’s three swimming pools, when you unwind with a gemstone-inspired treatment at the spa or when you’re focusing on your golf game on the three Jack Nicklaus-designed courses. When you’re ready to venture off-property, follow the 6.8-mile Wild Burro Loop to be surrounded by desert flora of all kinds, from mesquite and ironwood trees to saguaro and barrel cacti. For a more casual getaway immersed in natural beauty, Aravaipa Farms Orchard and Inn in Winkelman is the spot. Surrounded by fruit trees and the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, the inn offers a garden and orchard, spotty Wi-Fi and no televisions. Guests have plenty of time for hiking, bird watching and eating the farm-to-table dinners offered nightly. “It’s funny how many people get out here and say, ‘It was so nice not to have my phone dinging all the time,’“ says co-owner Jill Madden. “I think people want that more than they admit.” Located an hour north of Phoenix, Castle Hot Springs requires visitors to traverse just over 7 miles of unpaved roads before they arrive, but the remote locale in the Bradshaw Mountains makes the journey worth it. Guests can soak in thermal pools, tour the 3-acre farm and, since Castle Hot Springs is a refuge from light pollution, soak up views of a dazzling night sky. While the Wi-Fi is strong, cell service is not, so be ready to hang up and follow the resort’s motto: “disconnect to reconnect.” At the safari-style Under Canvas Grand Canyon, guests enjoy the best of the natural world (160 acres of forest near Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim) with just enough amenities to keep city slickers happy. Cozy up in a spacious tent outfitted with rustic-chic West Elm furniture, a real bed and a private bathroom. During the day, indulge in outdoor fun like driving tours and guided hiking. As for your devices, leave them in the car. The intentional lack of Wi-Fi is meant to inspire a connection with the great outdoors. If completely off-grid is your goal, Shash Diné Eco-Retreat outside Page is a natural choice. Located on tribal lands and steeped in Navajo traditions, this rustic (think: no running water or electricity) bed-and-breakfast offers an authentic Navajo Experience, which includes a three-night stay in a traditional earth-and-log hogan, mutton and vegetable dinner, Navajo storytelling and sweeping vistas of desert lands. Other accommodation options include glamping tents, an Old West-style covered wagon and an ultra-modern metal “cabin” called the Kyoob. At night, gather around a campfire and take in the dazzling night sky filled with countless glittering stars. Whether you’re camping in Arizona’s vast desert or tucked into a sumptuous suite at a five-star hotel, the important part of disconnecting isn’t the surroundings—it’s reconnecting with what matters most: Your loved ones, yourself and the ever-fleeting bliss of being in the present moment.
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