Copperwynd Resort & Club, Fountain Hills

I'm kind of a spa junkie. Having lived in Phoenix for about 10 years, I have been to many day spas and overnight ones as well. CopperWynd pretty much blows them all out of the water (yes, even the Phoenician and Camelback). Sitting on top of a mountain next to their gorgeous pools with amazing views isn't even the best part. It's the staff! They are very professional without being stuffy. And they're genuinely friendly. I had a massage with Tucker. Before he started he asked me what areas I would like concentrated on and which areas to avoid. And while giving the massage, he continually checked in to make sure I was comfortable. It truly was amazing. After speaking with another guest there, I don't think Tucker is the exception, but rather the rule with their massage therapists. After the massage I went back down to lay at the pool a bit. The grounds are so well kept and the flowers are beautiful! I highly recommend CopperWynd to anyone visiting/living in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Last week I went to the Copperwynd Spa for a massage, but came out with bruises all over my legs! A short time after she began the massage, I asked her to use a little more pressure because I was there for a therapeutic massage, not a Swedish. Rather than working the muscles with her hands, she took her forearm and rubbed it repeatedly over the knots in my back until it hurt. When she got to my legs, she rubbed the front of my calves so hard in the same spot over and over again until it hurt, too. I’m not sure why an experienced masseuse would rub so hard on the front of someone calf because the muscles are on the back of the calf. I had to tell her not once, but twice, that she was hurting me. I noticed after I showered that she had caused bruises and thumb prints all over my legs! I tried to speak to a manager, but I was told that they were either in meetings or at lunch, and I could wait 60-90 minutes for them to return. I asked them to have the manager call me, because I received terrible service – and should never have sustained bruises – but no one called. I even showed the bruises to the girl at the front desk so she could attest to my complaint. I tried calling the hotel manager today but he was indignant and told me that they would not be crediting my account, but showing my credit card company proof that I had paid for the massage. The problem is, I was required to pay for the massage BEFORE I received it, so unless I was willing to walk away (and get charged for being a no show), I was forced into paying for the service up front. When I finally spoke to the spa manager, he took the side of the masseuse, and told me that she was their best masseuse, and since I asked her to dim the lights (they were extremely bright when she started the massage), she “couldn’t see whether I already had bruises on my legs” so there was no proof that she, in fact, caused the bruises! (If she couldn't see my legs, how could she have given me a massage in the first place??) They are refusing to reverse the charges. I’ve received massages for years and have NEVER been bruised before. This was terrible treatment from the masseuse, and even worse treatment from the management staff. I would urge everyone to steer clear of this spa.

Due to an unexpected problem with our intitial hotel booking, we were most fortunate to make reservations at the mountain top CopperWynd at the last minute and arrived late in the evening. From the moment the desk clerk welcomed us by name the service was friendly and accommodating. Every request was greeted with a "yes". There are only 40 well appointed quest rooms. Boundless views of the '4 Peaks" and McDowell Mountain range are available from every location of the hotel including the rooms, bars, restaurant and from the pools. Adult only rules at one pool are welcome. The restaurant is renowned and sophisticated. 2 very good fee golf courses are next door.

Copperwynd seems nicely decorated, and popular with the locals. Hotel service was only aveage. If you share your room with your sig other, you'll have to share the mint on your pillow. PS, the local police use GATSO type speed cameras, so be careful.

Our stay at Copperwynd was delightful. Our villa was lovely, comfortable and spacious, the clubhouse was beautiful, and Alchemy is absolutely fantastic - gorgeous views and wonderful food! As a gardener, I especially appreciated the beautiful gardens and landscaping. Virtually every spot you looked at demonstrated incredible attention to detail and care. Service throughout was cordial and attentive. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy the climate and scenery. We'll be back!