Castle Hot Springs has been named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in Arizona in this year’s edition of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

Each year, the readers of Travel + Leisure – with a total audience of more than 33 million across all platforms – share their thoughts on air travel, destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, and more in their annual survey. The list – curated on reader-generated survey responses – recognizes the greatest travel brands spanning the world on all seven continents.

This recognition is a powerful testament to the experience Castle Hot Springs provides, as Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are a leading barometer of the air carriers and modes of transportation, places, and companies that satisfy some of the world’s most passionate and discerning travelers, according to a news release. Additional information about methodology including criteria can be found here. You can see the full list of the World’s Best Winners in Travel + Leisure's August 2024 issue, on newsstands July 19 or digitally on Apple News+.

Tucked against the Bradshaw Mountains just 50 miles outside of Phoenix, the sprawling 1,100-acre property is comprised of 30 cabins and bungalows and was once the wellness retreat of choice for America’s titans of industry - The Cabots, Vanderbilts, Wrigleys, Roosevelts, Astors, etc. 

Adjacent to Lake Pleasant Regional Park, the expansive nature-driven resort melds its natural surroundings with an array of adventure activities paired with restorative wellness programs designed to cater to the traveler looking to experience the perfect mix of ‘soft adventure’ and ‘slow travel.’ Guest accommodations have been built with the intention to immerse guests in the environment at every moment – commune with nature, enjoying the sights and sounds of Mother Nature and taking time to reflect, relax, and reconnect. At the heart of the desert oasis lies historic world-class hot springs. Castle Hot Springs boasts a ‘digital detox’ philosophy alongside a formidable culinary and ‘Flavor Farming’ agricultural program. 

Contrast hydrotherapy and the minerals found within the waters are known to remedy anxious minds and soothe aches and pains whilst also improving mobility and boosting skin health. Those in search of an extra layer of water relaxation and learning can opt for the new Connecting with Water Guided Tour, where an activity guide will take guests on a walking tour of the hot springs and share/educate guests about the hot springs’ geology, natural components of the water, therapeutic benefits, water infrastructure, and lead a guided soak in which guest will be invited to experience the waters using all five senses.

Visitors can also participate in Paddleboard Yoga or book a Watsu Water Therapy session, where a spa therapist will gently move you through a womb-like rhythmic dance within the thermal waters. In turn, you’ll leave feeling rebirthed with natural pain relief, decreased muscle tension, increased flexibility, improved circulation, and overall enhanced well-being.

Additionally, a culinary evolution is well underway at Castle Hot Springs. At Harvest restaurant, guests can enjoy a true farm-to-table experience, serving hyper-seasonal & nutrient-dense dishes with the freshest produce picked at their prime. Chef Knouse frequents the on-property farm (a stone’s throw from the restaurant) multiple times each day, both for inspiration and to ensure sustainability and flavor are at the forefront of the culinary direction, where they incorporate the farm’s produce to the ever-evolving menu of seasonal creations. 

The 2024 T+L World’s Best List is featured in the August 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure and select highlights of the list will be found at https://www.travelandleisure.com.