Carefree Resort & Conference Center

CIVANA exceeded every expectation I had! From the moment I arrived, the location, amenities, and overall atmosphere created an immediate sense of peace. Every staff member I encountered was genuinely kind, welcoming, and accommodating, making me feel cared for throughout my stay. (It was also a nice gesture to receive the steel water bottle, along with other gifts). One of my favorite parts of the experience was the variety of wellness classes and activities. They weren’t just enjoyable, they were educational, intentional, and unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. I left with practical ideas and inspiration to continue creating wellness rituals long after I returned home. I especially loved the beautiful walking/meditation labyrinth. Taking time to walk it quietly became one of the most grounding moments of my stay. The spa was exceptional! The treatment waiting area was incredibly peaceful and gave guests the opportunity to truly slow down before and after their services. My facial was rejuvenating, and my skin glowed beautifully even the next day. All of the spa amenities were excellent, but my favorite was the eucalyptus steam room! It opened my sinuses, gave me a great sweat, and after the session cold, iced towels were waiting for the guests. More than anything, CIVANA gave me exactly what I didn’t realize I needed: a chance to calm my nervous system, reconnect with myself, and simply breathe. It wasn’t just a getaway; it was a reset. I left feeling rested, inspired, and equipped to bring more intention into my everyday life. I can honestly say this has become a place I plan to visit every year, and I cannot wait to return!

I really loved so many things about my stay here. I stayed 3 nights and left feeling centered and relaxed. The classes were really great as well as the atmosphere of the resort. The chakra balancing sound healing was my favorite class. Reasons I only gave it 3/5: My first full day there I was in and out of my room a few times changing in between classes, pool, etc. I had to call and ask for my room to be cleaned because it wasn't done by mid afternoon. There is construction going on by the spa(they mention it on the website) but you think they would offer something to make up for the fact that you could not relax at the spa pool with construction going on right next to it. My spa treatment was good, but definitely overpriced. Still I had a really relaxing and great time here and left thinking I would for sure return for another visit, but I'm now reconsidering. When I checked out I was told I would be emailed a receipt for everything charged to my room while I was there. I never received a receipt and have since sent 2 follow up emails requesting the receipt and I am continuing to be ignored, so not exactly a great way to treat your guests.

This resort was absolutely beautiful. The service was 10/10 from start to finish. Every class and instructor was top-tier, and there were so many incredible classes to choose from that I had to remind myself to slow down, relax, and simply enjoy the space. The food was delicious, healthy, and thoughtfully prepared. The spa was stunning. I had a wonderful massage and thoroughly enjoyed the hot and cold circuit, as well as the pool. My room was clean, spacious, and comfortable. One of the best parts of my stay was the people. I met so many wonderful individuals, and the saying, "You come solo, but you're never alone," could not be more true. Seeing familiar faces in the classes each day made it easy to connect with others and build meaningful conversations. My favorite experiences were the dance class, mixology class, and numerology session, but every activity added something special to the experience. I highly recommend this resort and fully intend to return every year. It's the perfect place to slow down, be still, get quiet, and focus on yourself—your mind, your body, and your overall wellness.

Civana is beautiful on the surface and the marketing is genuinely excellent. Paid influencers will make it look like the most serene transformative wellness escape of your life. The reality is more nuanced and as someone who went specifically chasing that experience I feel obligated to be honest. Let’s start with what is actually wonderful. The spa facility itself is genuinely impressive. The salt pool, the cold plunge, the thermal circuit, the luxurious upstairs waiting area as you prepare for your treatment – that part lives up to the hype. The desert sunsets are breathtaking in that way that only Arizona can deliver. Now for the part the influencers left out. The rooms are small, dated and not what you would expect for what you are paying. Not even a mini fridge or microwave. For a wellness resort at these prices that is a basic miss. The wellness classes are encouraged to be booked in advance because they fill up fast. Fine. But miss one and they charge you $15. So instead of feeling relaxed we spent the weekend stress watching the clock making sure we did not miss a class. The irony of feeling stressed at a wellness resort was not lost on us. Finding one of our classes required a cross resort trek in over 100 degree Arizona heat with zero transportation provided. We arrived flustered and overheated to a bungalow packed with 30 people. Sardines in the desert is not the vibe. The spa is the centerpiece of the whole experience and at $250 to $300 for a day pass plus treatment you expect to be transported. The massage was mediocre at best. I added a $45 scalp massage that amounted to five minutes of oil applied to my hair and nothing more. And when you check out they auto add a 20% tip that came out to $65 in our case. Just be aware so you are not caught off guard after an already expensive day. Here is my honest recommendation. The Carefree and Scottsdale area is gorgeous. Book a condo nearby for a fraction of the price, enjoy the desert, and if you want a spa day book a single treatment at Civana for access to the amenities. You will get the experience without the glorified hotel markup. The spa facility is worth experiencing. The full resort stay is not worth the price they are charging for it.

I was not thrilled with our stay at Civana. There were definitely highlights, but overall I think it is average. Highlights: the spa! That was terrific. I had a wonderful massage and the spa experience was 5 stars- relaxation room, massage, staff, and the spa pool. We had our massages in the late afternoon and stayed at the spa pool until it closed. Other positives were the classes, the hike, and the setting. The food was also very good, fresh, healthy and creative. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We rode bikes to town and got brunch one day, which was really fun and a nice way to see the area. The negatives of our stay were that the classes weren’t broadly available. We signed up 27 days in advance (think you can only do so starting 30 days before your trip). Many were already waitlisted and people who did last minute trips couldn’t get into any classes. Why not offer enough to accommodate guests??? I would have loved a longer massage but they didn’t offer a 75 or 90 minute option. The regular pool was very average, maybe below average because it was quite dirty. There were lots of dead bugs, bees, and debris in the pool. I was shocked it was that dirty. They overcharge for a lot of things- like $35 for sunscreen and $15 for a tiny sparkling non alcoholic tea at the pool. The pool drinks are tiny and pricey. The property is small so not a lot of space to explore. We ordered room service one night which was nice. We had tuna and Caesar salad and called to say we put the tray in the hallway, requesting they come get it. I didn’t want other guests to smell those leftovers the next day. The dirty plates were still there at 10 am the next day. The rooms were nice but not 5 Star. Overall: I think it is overrated and they need to improve some things, especially offering more classes and improving the main pool.