My Stay At Civana Wellness Resort
CIVANA Wellness Resort is located in Carefree, Arizona
The perfect getaway!! Add a wellness getaway to CIVANA to your bucket list!! My best friend chose Scottsdale for her bachelorette trip (which was an absolute blast but FULL of activity), and we knew we wanted to stay a couple days after to decompress and unwind. I’d been eyeing several wellness resorts for awhile, but Scottsdale has so many beautiful resorts that I know and love, so I wasn’t sure if we should try something new. And then, I stumbled across CIVANA, and it felt like the perfect experience to close out the bachelorette trip.
And let me tell you — pairing a wellness retreat with a bachelorette weekend might be my new favorite life hack.
Why CIVANA Was the Perfect Post-Bachelorette Reset
After a full weekend of celebrating, laughing, and running around Scottsdale, stepping onto CIVANA’s property felt like exhaling. It was restful, calm, and exactly the reset my body and mind needed. It also happened to fall on my birthday, which has always been a tender, reflective day for me. I treat birthdays like a personal New Year’s Eve — a quiet moment to look at where I’ve been, where I want to go, and who I’m becoming.
Spending my birthday at a wellness resort turned out to be the softest, sweetest way to open a new chapter. I set intentions, slowed down, and actually felt present. Honestly, I think this might need to become a tradition.
The CIVANA Vibe: Approachable, Warm, and So Refreshing
I’ve been to many spas, but this was my first time staying at a true wellness resort — and I loved how approachable it was. Some wellness properties can come across very intimidating or overly intense. CIVANA is the opposite: grounded, unpretentious, beautiful, and surprisingly accessible.
A few things I appreciated right away:
It’s easy to get to
It isn’t all-inclusive priced like many wellness resorts, which makes it more affordable to ease into wellness travel (all food/drink is a la carte)
Most classes are included
The rooms are spacious, minimal, and calming
The entire property feels airy and intentional without trying too hard
You’re given a journal, water bottle, and class booklet at check-in (a small detail I adored)
You can make the experience whatever you want — restorative, adventurous, structured, or totally chill.
We stayed two nights, and while it was wonderful, I would recommend at least 3+ nights to get the full experience. I could have EASILY stayed longer.
Classes, Rituals, and the Most Unexpected Moments
We decided to try a little bit of everything, and it made the stay feel incredibly special. Most classes are included, so it’s easy to explore without feeling like you’re constantly upgrading or committing.
Here were some highlights:
Numerology Class
Surprisingly fascinating — and very on-theme for a birthday spent reflecting on the year ahead.
Morning Intention Walk + Labyrinth
Walking the stone labyrinth as the sun rose was grounding and peaceful. It felt like the best kind of reset.
Evening Gratitude Circle
This ended up being one of the sweetest parts of the trip. Sitting with people from all different walks of life and hearing what they were grateful for brought so much softness to the day.
Floating Meditation… With a Twist
We showed up in swimsuits fully expecting a pool-based meditation — only to discover it was actually aerial meditation in silks.
Picture two girls in swimwear, climbing into hammocks from the ceiling.
We looked very new to the wellness world, but it was honestly such a comical moment and made our trip even more memorable — but learn from our ignorance.
Desert Bathing Hike
This was one of my absolute favorite experiences. Inspired by Japanese “forest bathing,” desert bathing invites you to move slowly, breathe intentionally, and connect with nature through your senses.
We weren’t racing to finish a trail; we were paying attention — to the texture of the cacti, the way the light hit the mountains, the sound of gravel under our shoes, the warmth of the desert sun.
It brought the same calming, grounding benefits as forest bathing, but with the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Think mindfulness meets nature therapy… with saguaros. I’m usually not the first one jumping for a hiking experience, but I would gladly participate in this again and consider it a MUST for anyone who visits.
Spa Time, Pool Time, and Good Food
CIVANA balances wellness with ease so well. You can sip a craft cocktail by the pool or order something light and nourishing. You can detox… or not. There’s no judgment either way. It is truly about meeting yourself where you are and indulging whatever it is you need.
I got an amazing massage, relaxed in the spa, sat by the pool, and enjoyed dinner without feeling like I was “on a program.” It focuses on living well — not restricting yourself.
Who CIVANA Is Perfect For
CIVANA is the kind of place that fits into so many seasons of life:
A mother–daughter getaway
A girls’ trip
A birthday reset
A solo escape
A post-bachelorette detox (truly perfect IMO — can we make this a thing!?)
A incredibly thoughtful gift for someone who’s overwhelmed or burnt out
It’s a perfect blend of peaceful, beautiful, and completely doable.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved my stay at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa. It was meaningful, restful, energizing, and honestly magical. If you’ve been craving a reset or simply want a soft place to land for a few days, this resort is such a beautiful choice.
Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need rest until you finally give yourself permission to have it — and CIVANA was exactly that for me.
