Catalina Foothills Spas – the best places to relax in Tucson

Take a drive down Sunrise and behold the mushrooming of day spas…seemingly one on every corner in the Catalina Foothills.

Gadabout, Touch of Tranquility, Spa One, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at The Westin La Paloma Resort and Radiance Medspa of Tucson are all popular destinations with spa goers on all ends of the continuum.

Because of the insatiable demand for spa services, both in the Foothills and nationwide, new spas are constantly arriving on the scene.

Back in August, I took it upon myself to do a private “research project” – occasionally to the vexation of my husband – to see who was winning the war for customers.

The most economical choice among the lot is Spa One. It offers a membership which ensures regular visits and customer loyalty in exchange for lower prices. A good choice in a pinch for a facial, pedicure or the very affordable $39 massage. Don’t expect the trappings of the higher end spas in the Foothills.

The spa at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers reliable spa services in an old world setting. Next door is the Lodge at Ventana Canyon which is only available to those with a golf, tennis or social membership.

Down the road from them, on Kolb and Sunrise, is Gadabout Salon and Spa. It’s a very reliable selection and a step above Spa One but it’s often booked so it’s best to make a reservation a few days in advance.

My favorite spa in the whole of Tucson is without question Touch of Tranquility. Just don’t let its pedestrian location in the plaza near Basha’s fool you.

Once you step inside Touch of Tranquility, you immediately detect the soothing aromas wafting around the lobby. After you check in, you are escorted to the changing area where you’re given a luxurious robe and slippers. You then are taken to a transition room and given a welcome ceremony which gets you in the right frame of mind.

Now, you are ready for your spa services.

Not only are a superior manicure and pedicure offered but every detail of your environment and experience is anticipated from the complete comfort of the chair to the soothing (almost unnoticeable) music to refreshing your herbal tea.

The variety of spa services is indeed extensive and executed to perfection.

Instead of a traditional sauna, Touch of Tranquility offers wooden sauna chambers that intensify the experience of the relaxing Alpine mist.

And unlike other spas in which you’re shuttled from one service to another, Touch of Tranquility provides a transition room called the “Brine Room.” Here, you can recline with a cup of tea or glass of distilled water and watch the brine-coated stone waterfall which serves as a screen for relaxing projected images.

The massages, wraps and floating mud packs are all first rate. I was even able to make a convert out of my reluctant husband who scheduled a follow-up visit during his initial one.

As an expense capping mechanism, I also got a membership at Spa One for weekly visits, to intersperse with monthly visits to Touch of Tranquility.

My research continues… Canyon Ranch Spa is also on my list.

If you’d like to share your experience, or follow my steps to the places I mentioned, please do so.

Here are the Catalina Foothills Spas I was talking about:

Touch of Tranquility Spa
6884 E Sunrise Dr # 150
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 615-9608

Gadabout Day Spa – Kolb/Sunrise
6960 East Sunrise Road
Tucson, AZ 85928
(520)615-9700

Spa One
6330 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 741-1111

Radiance Medspa of Tucson
2870 E. Skyline Drive Suite 100
Tucson, Arizona 85718
(520) 628-8500

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N Resort Dr
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 299-2020

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
6200 North Clubhouse Lane
Tucson, Arizona 85750
(520) 577-1400

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa @ The Westin La Paloma
3666 E Sunrise Dr
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 742-7866

Canyon Ranch Spa
8600 E Rockcliff Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 749-9000