Adventures in spa-world

Posted by Staff in California, Sundays Spa Report

Unknown to most Californians, the largest state park in the contiguous United States lies between Palm Springs and San Diego, the Anza-Borrego Desert…and adrift in the center of this sea of sand is a spa resort, Borrego Ranch.

Formerly called La Casa del Zorro, the resort was recently taken over by spa industry innovator Joseph DeNucci, former COO of the famed Miraval resort in Arizona. Under the new ownership the resort has undergone a makeover from quirky dessert retreat to sleek modern meets Spanish spa enclave…definitely a move in the right direction since their goal is to make this the ultimate high-end desert getaway.

At Borrego Ranch their philosophy is “So-B-It,” where guests are encouraged to vacation as they choose, whether it is going to dinner in your bathrobe or falling asleep on a couch while reading in the lobby library.  

Although Borrego offers many of the amenities top health spas like Miraval offer, such as a full work-out facility and lighter options on the menu, they also let you indulge with a full bar and delectably un-healthy offerings on the menu…so dieters beware and hedonist come have fun. A word of caution though…the menu is very gourmet and eccentric, although most dishes are delicious, those that are not culinary-adventurers will find it hard to find something simple to eat.

Since I could easily go stir crazy lying by a pool all day in the middle of a desert, my favorite part of the resort was the activities menu. With choices for the mind, body and spirit…there is a class for every type of personality. For the mind, digital photography classes, stargazing and aqua Tai Chi…for the body, yoga, archery and rock climbing…and for the spirit, a walk through a labyrinth to broaden your understanding of who you are, to the equine encounter, an exercise in communicating with horses.  Of all activities the most memorable was the Walk the Walk…a walk across a 35-foot high beam…and by high we are talking 30 feet in the air! 

For the less adventurous vacationers, Borrego Ranch is home to Morado Spa, a beautifully appointed two-story retreat where guests can spend their days indulging in an array of pampering and holistic therapeutic treatments. From massages, soaks and scrubs, to acupuncture and herbal medicine, Morado offers a wide variety of options, ranging from the traditional to the unexpected.

Since the resort is still in the transition process I would recommend giving them a few months to get everything inline.  Locals say that the best time to visit the area is in the spring, when the desert flowers are in full bloom.  With rates starting at $300 for a poolside room and $400 for a one bedroom casita with private spa…the rates are up there, but on the lower end compared to most high-end spa resorts.  For more info visit BorregoRanch.com