Review: My 48 hour stay at CIVANA Wellness Resort in Carefree, AZ
As I reflect upon my time at the CIVANA an all-inclusive wellness resort in Carefree, Arizona. In this post, I’ll give you the full rundown of my experience staying at the top-rated wellness resort.
This trip was a last-minute decision for me. I spotted a great special deal and secured 40 percent off my hotel stay. CIVANA has been on my bucket list of places to visit for a few years now. I’ve been so busy at work this year that I haven't taken a proper vacation. With a lot of vacation time left and this trip happened to fall within my budget, I said “Why not”. I invited two friends to come but their plans fell through and they weren’t able to join me. So I booked a flight to Phoenix and off I went on a solo trip!
Planning your stay at CIVANA
Arrival at CIVANA
Civana is an all-inclusive wellness resort located in Carefree, AZ, an hour from Phoenix, AZ. I arrived on Sunday morning and departed on Tuesday evening. A quick 48-hour trip was just what I needed to reset and rejuvenate after a busy season at work. Next time, I’ll add another day to my stay because Jet lag kicked my butt on the first day.
Nestled in a secluded area near Arizona's Red Mountain, Civana offers a tranquil escape. I opted to take an Uber from the airport, although the resort provides shuttle transportation at an additional cost. Arriving early on Sunday morning, my room wasn't quite ready, so the hotel staff kindly stored my luggage. Each guest receives a complimentary stainless steel water bottle and a guided journal, which were especially helpful during my visit in the 100-degree heat. I enjoyed a quick bite at the Seed cafe and explored the property before my first class began.
My Experience
The Classes
Civana offers more than 50 wellness and fitness classes weekly taught by some of the best experts in the industry. The resort offers different modalities of yoga, guided meditation, pilates, guided hikes, meditation, spin classes, TRX, rebounding, sound therapy, wellness education classes and so much more. There is a broad variety of classes to choose from based on your fitness level. This was my driving motivator when booking a stay at the resort. A friend traveled to the resort in the spring and had nothing but positive things to say about the wellness classes. If you book a stay at the resort, you’ll want to reserve your seat in classes weeks in advance. I was waiting to see if friends would join me, but by the time I booked my classes, several of the ones I was interested in were full, and I was placed on a waitlist. The resort encourages guests to book two classes a day and offers a small fee for additional classes.
Here are the classes I took during my stay:
Healing Your Inner Child: Demystifying the Codes of Self-worth, Self-love, Success and Joy
During my 48-hour stay at Civana, I aimed to maximize my time by balancing experiential and fitness classes. One of my first activities was the 'Healing Your Inner Child: Demystifying the Codes of Self-Worth, Self-Love, Success, and Joy' class led by Heather Luna. If you're unfamiliar with inner child work, it involves addressing and healing emotional wounds formed during childhood (typically before the age of seven). During the class, the instructor walked through different types of emotional wounds and methods of rediscovering yourself and identifying what brings you joy. Inner child work is something my therapist and I have been working on, so it was great to hear an additional perspective. We did an exercise in class that helped me rediscover hobbies I was good at as a child and that I need to reintroduce as an adult. As a child, I loved writing, scrapbooking, dancing, tennis, and playing dress-up.
Tea Making Class
My next class was led by a naturopathic doctor who taught us how to make herbal tea at home. As an avid tea drinker, I was eager to learn about the various health benefits of tea, particularly for gut health. The doctor shared resources for finding herbs online and in the local community and discussed different teas that are beneficial for specific ailments and autoimmune conditions. She even advised me on herbs to avoid as an individual with Crohn’s disease. At the end of the class, we created our custom tea blends. I blended peppermint and fennel to enjoy later in my room.
Daily Set: Intention Ceremony
Each morning Civana hosts a daily 15-minute intention circle class outside in the rose garden focused on helping guests set an intention for the day. Each class allows for up to 15 participants to reflect, meditate, and reflect on what mindset they want to have each day. The wellness guide leads a guided meditation to help you relax and shift your focus. This class was one of the most impactful experiences during my stay at Civana and I plan to incorporate this ritual at home every day. I found it helped me ease any anxious thoughts I had during my trip.
Somatic Experience for Emotional Release
As you may recall from my earlier blog post, I've been exploring somatic movement at home. I was eager to experience an in-person class, especially during this particularly challenging period. Given my recent experiences with trauma and life changes, I hoped that somatic movement could help me process and release emotions. While the class itself was beneficial, there was one aspect that didn't align with my personal beliefs. Towards the end, the instructor guided participants in a practice that involved speaking in tongues. I respectfully declined to participate. Despite that, I left the class feeling lighter both emotionally and physically.
Rebounding: A Joyful Journey
After my somatic movement class, I decided to try a rebounding class. If you're unfamiliar with rebounding, it's a low-impact cardio workout that involves jumping on a mini trampoline. This fun and energetic class is designed to improve lymphatic drainage, remove toxins, boost immunity, and slow down aging. It felt like reliving my childhood, jumping and dancing to popular music from the past two decades. I had a blast and got a great workout. The class was so enjoyable that I'm considering buying my own rebounding trampoline. I've even found some free online classes on YouTube.
Floating Guided Meditation
That evening, I decided to try a floating guided aerial meditation class. I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone during my stay at Civana, so I signed up for experiences I hadn't tried before. Despite initial anxiety, I'm glad I attended the aerial meditation class. The wellness guide assisted each participant in getting into the aerial silks, which felt like relaxing in a hammock. Initially, my body felt warm, but as I relaxed, a cool sensation washed over me. The guided meditation was so soothing that I fell asleep halfway through the 90-minute class. I was reluctant to wake up! I'm now searching for similar classes in Atlanta. If you know of any local studios offering floating guided meditation, please share the information.
Daily Reset: A Gratitude Ceremony
In the evenings resort guests are invited to attend a daily gratitude circle ceremony. Just like the daily intention ceremony held in the morning, 15 guests sit in a circle outside. This class takes place during the golden hour right before the sunset. The wellness guide asked each guest to think of something you are grateful for that day. Then she asked us to think of a goal that we have been eager to reach and speak of that goal if has already been reach. She then walked us through a meditation about gratitude. This meditation was so impactful for me. I have been doubting that God is going to help me achieve one personal goal that I’ve been eager to reach. During this class, I was finally able to visualize accomplishing this goal and mentally see it taking place. So much so that I almost felt a flood of positive emotions come through during the class. I had to thank and hug the wellness guide at the end of class for helping me shift my mindset.
An Introduction to Meditation
The final class I attended at Civana was a 30-minute introduction to meditation. The instructor shared her journey with meditation and highlighted the many benefits of this practice. She explained how a 21-day meditation challenge helped her establish a consistent routine. Inspired by her experience, I decided to embark on my own 21-day meditation journey. As of today, I'm on day four, and I'm eager to see where this practice will lead me.
Civana offers two on-site dining options: Seed, a grab-and-go cafe specializing in smoothies and salads, and Terras, a more formal restaurant. Both menus feature seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. While the food at Civana was not a standout for me, personal preferences vary. I found the pre-made salads at Seed to be less ideal for those with food sensitivities. However, I did appreciate the smoothies, particularly the Golden Lassi, which was a refreshing blend of mango, pineapple, turmeric, ginger, plant-based yogurt, and milk. I added almond butter for extra protein.
For breakfast and dinner, I dined at Terras. While the food was enjoyable, I found the portion sizes to be smaller and my salmon had bones both times. For breakfast, I ordered the breakfast sandwich with sweet potato home fries. There is a Target a few miles away so next time, I’ll plan to get a few items from there to keep in my room for snacks and food. I also noticed a few guests ordered delivery from outside restaurants.
Downtime at Civana
As you might be wondering, did I take any time to relax during this vacation? Absolutely! Civana encourages guests to unplug and focus on self-care. I followed their advice and spent my downtime resting in my room, exploring the resort grounds, walking the labyrinth, visiting the two gift shops, and journaling.
The Accommodations at Civana
I stayed in a double queen room during my stay at Civana. Each room included a bicycle for exploring Carefree, Arizona. The en-suite bathroom featured top-of-the-line amenities, including a luxurious walk-in rainfall shower, full-sized shampoos, conditioners, and body wash. Additionally, the room featured amenities such as a tea kettle, a hot plate, and a complimentary bottle of water, which were convenient for enjoying tea in the evenings. I appreciated that the bedding was allergy-free, ensuring a comfortable and restful sleep.
Departure at Civana
I recommend reserving your car with the resort or scheduling your Uber ride in advance. I ran into several other travelers who were having trouble finding an Uber since the resort is located in a remote area.
Now it’s time to answer the two common questions I’ve received since my return back to Atlanta
Did I feel safe traveling alone as a Black solo traveler?
CIVANA felt like a real community. As a Black solo traveler, I felt right at home among the other guests. I ran into other Black women traveling alone and plenty of other solo travelers. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and supportive, it made me feel like I was part of something special.
Will I Visit Civana again?
Absolutely! I'm already planning my next visit. My friends and family have even commented on the 'Civana glow' I've acquired. They jokingly asked what was in the water at the resort, as I seemed to have returned a transformed person. It's clear that Civana has had a positive impact on me, and I'm eager to experience it again. I plan to try the spa when I return. Civana’s spa is rated #2 in the world.