Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort Tucson

I first visited Canyon Ranch when it opened, i think Dec. 1979, (not Nov. 2024 but had to chose a date for this review.) A Houston friend called who was there and excitedly said come and see CR, there is nothing like it in the world! So I arrived from Houston the next day. We all became friends with Enid and Mel Zuckerman and were returning regularly for the next 6-7 years. Our lives were completely changed. I was the model on the CR brochure and I recommended CR to my friends.Our health and lives benefited beyond what we ever could have imagined. Canyon Ranch and the Sonoran Desert are with me all my life now even after forty five years. I am sad to read negative reviews here about CR. I just recommended CR to my primary care doctor and I hope the negative reviews are not true. Mel called me Miss Canyon Ranch. To this day I live up to that name and I hope CR is still the life changing, even life saving, place that is was and was meant always to be. It was an opportunity to make our lives the best they can be and you get out of the experience what you put into it....participate in all the Ranch has to offer.

I took this trip for some me time from my busy life and splurged to treat myself. From the moment I arrived I have been disappointed. Let’s start with after 7hrs traveling to get here, there is no-one at the front to help with luggage or bags or to great you warmly upon arrival. My room was positioned in the back of the property, I asked for it to be moved closer to everything, they couldn’t do so. Ok fine. I was starving, it’s an all inclusive resort… restaurant told me in 15minutes too late to order anything.. go to the cafe… I go to the cafe… they are sold out of sandwiches. ‘Sir - where can I get something to eat… we are in the middle of nowhere and this resort is supposed to be all inclusive? Oh, they serve dinner at 5”. (In 2 1/2hrs). Great. I go to the room to decompress, no water or any beverages in the fridge in the room, no snacks or food. I go to the bathroom, I cut my hand on sharp chipped porcelain sink they never fixed… the faucet is dirty… I head to dinner, they have one restaurant and I am ONE person, sorry mam, we can’t accommodate you until later… unreal. This place costs a fortune, what a disappointing day. Service horrible, food availability horrible, facilities are super run down, room is unclean - I’m really disappointed and I’m staying here another three days. I highly recommend Mirival over this, I won’t make that mistake again.

10/10 this was the best experience I have had. It was absolutely beautiful, relaxing, fun, and restorative. From the campus, to the classes, the gym, the spa, the food, the services I genuinely loved it all. All of the staff from the pick up all the way to drop off were welcoming, friendly, and helpful. My partner and I chose the spa renewal package and got to tailor the services to what we each wanted - head neck shoulders massage, acupuncture, private yoga, a collagen facial, along with many others. All of the service providers were kind, welcoming, helpful, and knowledgable. Between those, the classes, and presentations I actually learned a ton about health and wellness (and Im a therapist). We started our mornings with walks which was nice to see the area. Then we would do the yogas, meditations, and health related classes, go to the gym which had everything we needed, and then used the spa for hot tub/sauna/cold plunge which was all amazing and relaxing. As a vegetarian that eats whole foods, the food was fantastic. I really liked all of the options and felt nourished and was able to get enough protein. They also had wellness shots, smoothies, salad bars - it was just so so nice. We chose the Tuscon location to get to see a new area, coming from NYC and it was beautiful. Also the buildings were really pretty, we thought it was such a cool aesthetic and the people were quite chill and easy going. It was a nice ambiance, I never felt judged or like anyone was rude, plus we got to be casual and comfortable. It was a chilled out vibe. We stayed for 4 nights which was enough to hit a ton of services and classes, but I wish I could've done more! I actually teared up leaving and have been sad since lol the sign of a good and needed trip!!! Would absolutely recommend.

Living on past laurels Spent five nights at this location. We have been to many spa’s in the U.S. this one is generally old, old, tired and d the spa facilities are plain dirty! They provide little value for the extreme costs. Rooms: we requested a room close to the center, and despite being half empty were placed in a tomm as far away from the center of activities. The rooms have no warmth, charm, carpeting or rugs. A cold motel room like vibe. Spa: this is a spa resort. The spa facilities seem like they have not been touched for 30+ years. It feels just plain dirty. I had to alert an attendant that in the inhalation room of the men’s locker room, the level of dirt and mold on the drain was disgusting. Food-dining: The food was adequate, nothing to write home about. When I inquired about kombucha, they had a 6 oz can for $7. There were no charges for anything else. Bizarre. The seating areas are uncomfortable. When one goes to a spa, these price points, dinner should be in a nice environment with comfortable chairs. The Pavillion felt like a bad college cafeteria. Like the facilities, it lacked charm, warmth, and cleanliness. Customer service: early one morning called down for coffee and breakfast treats as our roll was the furthest distance. The hotel person said “you want me to do this for you, why?” When I tried to explain the concept of room service, he said no! Exercise: the gym room with equipment was very good. The classes were mixed up. 3 times they were either cancelled or moved with no notice.

This was my first visit to a Canyon Ranch resort, and while there were some positive aspects, I left with significant concerns. The staff was incredibly attentive, going out of their way to ensure that my friends and I had a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The spa services were lovely, and the rooms, though average, were clean. About half of the fitness instructors, along with all the experts leading the academic health and wellness lectures, were experienced and knowledgeable. However, despite these positives, I’m troubled by the state of the property, especially considering Canyon Ranch's reputation as a world-class resort. Based on our three-day stay from Thursday to Sunday, it’s evident that the facility is in dire need of an upgrade. The entire resort feels outdated, stuck in the 1980s, which is disappointing for a property at this price point. The spa area, in particular, smelled musty, and the hot tubs had brown residue and debris at the bottom. The relaxation rooms, once probably luxurious, now appear dark, dingy, and worn out. A more modern, organic refresh is sorely needed. The fitness classes were a mixed bag. While some instructors were excellent, one in particular stood out for all the wrong reasons. Her yoga and weight lifting classes were poorly cued, lacking safe guidance and modifications. Many participants, myself included, found her instructions unclear, and her habit of wearing dirty gym shoes from the street into the barefoot space felt unsanitary. Unfortunately, she led multiple classes during our stay, and since Canyon Ranch doesn’t list instructor names on the schedule, we were unable to avoid her sessions. The food was another disappointment. It was a solid C-, with everything tasting institutionalized, reminiscent of a nursing home menu. I understand that the ranch is undergoing construction and operating with an abbreviated space and menu, but the quality was underwhelming. Several guests mentioned that the food used to be much better, which only added to our disappointment. Overall, while there were enjoyable moments during our stay, Canyon Ranch Tucson clearly needs significant improvements to live up to its world-class reputation. I welcome a personal conversation with someone at CR Tuscon to hear their thoughts.