🏰 CASTLE HOT SPRINGS
A Historic Place of Healing in Arizona.
Welcome to AURASWELL, the premier curated community for wellness enthusiasts.
Subscribe to our newsletter and/or request access to the private group for curated opportunities to network with a vetted community of influencers/investors/entrepreneurs/tastemakers, while also discovering new destinations, people, and brands. Our ethos is to accelerate wellness across the nation and around the world. Namaste for joining us. 🙏
Quote of the Day: “Building a business is about having a great idea and seeing it through with integrity.” –Sir Richard Branson
🌙 Interested in joining the private WhatsApp group? Email auraswellcollective@gmail.com OR fill out this form.
🌙 RAISE YOUR ENERGY with this playlist.
🌙 YOUR VISION BOARD
💫 Manifest your next INVESTOR / GROWTH STRATEGY
Interested in learning more about how to fundraise and how to take your business to the next level? Email christina@foundermade.com for more information.
💫 Manifest your next INFLUENCER EVENT
Interested in learning more about how to scale your business with strategic partnerships and custom events? Email christina@foundermade.com for more information.
💫 Manifest your DREAM REAL ESTATE
I know the BEST teams in luxury retail/office/residential real estate in NYC, Miami, Hamptons. Email auraswellcollective@gmail.com.
What do you want to manifest or promote to our community? Email auraswellcollective@gmail.com.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest wellness events and destinations, discover new wellness brands, and drive the wellness industry forward.
🏰 PLACE: CASTLE HOT SPRINGS
A Historical Healing Sanctuary. Get Treated like Royalty.
By Iona Paulet
Castle Hot Springs is a historical icon, nestled in a rugged and remote desert location northwest of the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area. Boasting a colorful history, yet untouched for nearly 40 years, this natural gem in the Bradshaw Mountains continued to produce restorative thermal waters as it waited for an inevitable return as a favorite destination resort.
Proud member of Historic Hotels of America, the resort as a wild backstory…
First opened in 1896, it is considered as Arizona’s first wellness retreat. Before that, the indigenous Yavapati journeyed here to bathe in the property’s mineral-rich hot springs. And in the early 20th century, America's industrial elite, the Roosevelts, Wrigleys, and Astors wintered here, taking the waters, horseback riding, and sunbathing. After WWII, the U.S. Government leased the property and turned it into a convalescent retreat for wounded soldiers. JFK spent time here recovering. It then went back to being a resort for wealthy sun seekers and it would have kept on as such if a fire hadn’t shuttered the resort in 1976, leaving the springs for trespassing, skinny-dipping teens. Now, fifty years since it saw its last paying guests, a local Phoenix couple has reopened the hotel.
The resort has been built to deliver complete relaxation: all three accommodation types are designed to immerse and emerge. Inspired by the American Southwest’s distinct desert landscape, find tailored textiles, custom ironwork and rustic features, a nod to their legendary history and beautiful masonry within.
The Sky View Cabins: Stargaze in the desert
Set on an elevated foundation overlooking the lush grounds with breathtaking views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert, these private cabins are exquisitely appointed. Each have a panoramic platform deck equipped with a telescope for stargazing, lounge seating and a private outdoor tub and shower.
The Spring Bungalows: Enjoy the benefits of pure spring waters
Soak in the healing properties of the natural spring waters in the comfort of a private Sonoma stone tub as you gaze on the quiet peaks and swaying palm trees. Clear your mind as your listen to the babble of a creek meander down the gentle hill slope.
Last but not least, follow the footsteps of iconic families at the Historic Cottage
Perched above it all, the Historic Cottage is a dwelling that once lodged iconic families such as the Roosevelts, Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts. Impeccably restored, the nearly century-old Cottage rests on a hillside backed by towering saguaro cacti, with a spacious covered deck that overlooks the beautiful canyon, Lodge building and the Bradshaw Mountains.
What we love:
Castle Hot Springs has three, tiered soaking pools set in the canyon above the resort.
Meals at the all-inclusive resort feature ingredients plucked straight from the resort's garden, like fresh basil on the wood-fired pizza.
The resort offers several on-site activities, including archery, horseback riding, paddleboard yoga, wine tastings, farm tours, and a via ferrata climbing course.
Horseback riding through the desert with Josh Wamboldt, wrangler and guide
Wellness at its finest, as nature intended
Did you know ? Derived from the Latin phrase, the acronym “SPA” translates to “health through water”.
Castle Hot Springs’ wellness ethos stems from its connection through the natural hot springs cascading throughout the resort. Soak it all in and rejoice in the mineral-rich hot springs surrounding the resort, which make you pause for soothing moments in nature.
The wellness experience at Castle Hot Springs draws inspiration from the land and the soothing waters of the natural hot springs. Particularly rich in Lithium, Magnesium and Bicarbonates, these minerals, along with herbs and plants from our farm, have inspired a focus on Joy, Serenity, and Renewal.
The farm-to-table body scrubs, mineral scrubs and clay masks use seasonal herbs and plants plus other local botanicals that are blended on-site with the mineral-rich spring water. Think Lavender Lemongrass Journey for a hydrating wrap and scalp massage, or go for even deeper hydration with a Prickly Pear and Shea Butter Wrap.
There are energy therapies too: reiki and craniosacral, and a chakra tune-up with tuning forks and singing bowls that work with the healing power of sound.
No matter the treatment, the primary goal here is to offer the most luxurious and relaxing experience possible. BOOK HERE.
🏰 PERSON: MIKE AND CINDY WATTS
Owners of Castle Hot Springs
Responsible for restoring the remote resort to its former glory, owner Mike Watts has reimagined an off-grid oasis for a new era. The resort endured fires and floods after it opened in 1896; after a 1976 blaze, it closed to the public. Nonetheless, three local business partners see an opportunity to revive Arizona’s first resort. Mike Watts and brothers Chris and Howard Nute bought the property for $1.95 million through an online auction in February 2014, and the new Castle Hot Springs owners hope their plans for a spa-resort retreat will put it back on the map.
“For 40 years, people have been trying to do this and haven’t been able to”, Howard Nute says. “We would like to be the people that accomplish that.”
Inspiring entrepreneurs, breaking free from usual models…
“Being ‘independently minded’ allows us to focus on our perception of the most important aspect of developing the guest experience. Our focus is on staff development that results in each being inspired on their own to want to genuinely look after the guest in all aspects of care. Being independent also allows us to focus on things without necessarily being driven to be a hotel chain financial model.”
🏰 PRODUCT: TYPOLOGY PARIS, P31
This Tan-Complexion Serum can change your life.
Composed of six plant extracts and rich in beta-carotene, this serum revives complexion's radiance with an immediate subtle tan. This treatment is not a self-tanner. It delivers an instant subtle sun-kissed effect. Rich in fatty acids, jojoba oil has nourishing and repairing properties. It helps protect the skin's barrier while making it more supple and plump.
🧘 WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
Your wellness fix in all dimensions.
💪 PHYSICAL: Work out a sweat with KKSWEAT, founded by Kara Liotta and Kate Hickl. This workout features high energy, low impact workouts including barre, strength, and sculpt. BOOK HERE.
💗 EMOTIONAL: Explore Nadia Josse’s breathwork classes HERE.
📚 MENTAL: Explore the world of Aman, uncovering each destination in the exclusive coffee table book and brand directory, Places of Peace. BUY HERE.
🙏 SPIRITUAL: Extend your life with these secrets from “The Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner. There are 9 lessons in the book for living longer, from the people who have lived the longest.
😎 SOCIAL: :LAST CALL to Join Female Founder House for Wellness Day on May 11th in NYC. This event will offer a new way to network, have fun and unleash from a fast-paced life, all while elevating one’s health in a wellness experience that will leave you feeling energized, healthier and uplifted.
🌎 ENVIRONMENTAL: Saving Gracie needs your help saving the lives of 50+ rescue animals. By donating, you provide them with healthy hay and grain, clean and fresh water, 'Gold Standard' medical care, and upkeep and maintenance of pastures and facilities on Gracie's Farm. DONATE HERE.
Interested in curated luxury event(s), fundraising, brand/influencer partnerships, or growth consulting? Email auraswellcollective@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram @auraswell