By Roger Naylor
Here’s all you need to know when planning your next getaway. Most of the world is loud, but Castle Hot Springs is quiet. There are lots of reasons to visit Castle Hot Springs—the scenic beauty, the captivating luxury, the remarkable farm-fresh cuisine, and the restorative wellness programs. Whatever prompts a stay at the resort; guests are all treated to an unexpected bonus while they’re here. In the desert, far from the clamor of civilization, quiet wraps around them in a soft and soothing embrace.
Too much stimulation and noise coming at us without a break can be overwhelming. Daily life is infiltrated with a general stress-inducing cacophony. We all must cope with a barrage of distractions. Technology keeps us informed, entertained, and occupied across a variety of devices, but we pay a price to be forever plugged in.
At Castle Hot Springs we unplug from gadgets and reconnect to what’s truly important. Strip away the noise and life slows down. Quiet time improves our mental health and helps us live consciously. It calms us, boosts creative energy, and increases self-awareness. It is a chance to reboot our brains.
Sounds of Silence
Don’t expect some sort of laboratory-induced silence at Castle Hot Springs. This is nature unhindered and nature rarely abides by the complete absence of sound. This is simply a very quiet place.
Quiet exists in that tranquil space where noises don’t merge together into a general din. Instead, at Castle Hot Springs we are able to distinguish the individual sounds we hear. At the resort, we are given the chance to focus on the rich details of our surroundings. We are given a chance to exist without distractions and we are given a chance to breathe.
Listen to the trilling of a cactus wren among the saguaros, the mesquite leaves rustling in a breeze or water from the stream spilling over rocks. Bees buzz from flower to flower and that catches our ears. Coyotes yip at the rising moon and it becomes our new favorite song. Even the smallest of sounds—the scurry of lizard feet scampering off the trail, the patter of butterfly wings—it all becomes a gentle symphony serenading our guests.
A stay at the resort is an immersive experience. Spend time soaking in the natural hot springs cupped in a stone bowl at the foot of the mountains. The heated water rich with healing minerals combined with the simple act of doing nothing can truly be mood-altering. It becomes a triumph of the now. You are living completely in that moment, without distraction or interruption. For those looking to indulge in similar activities (or non-activities) treatment services include yoga, meditation, tai chi, and customized massages. Stress really doesn’t stand much of a chance in this special quiet place.
Bring it Home
Urgency is not relevant at Castle Hot Springs as there is no need to hurry and multi-tasking doesn’t exist. Set your own pace during your stay. Sign up for tours and activities, or don’t. Give yourself permission to relax. Let the stillness wash over you, the desert warmth seep into you, and the peacefulness restore you.
Until we are reminded, it’s easy to forget that places like Castle Hot Springs still exist. Tucked away down a dirt road, deep in the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, solitude is a currency here. It became Arizona’s first luxury resort way back in 1896 and has always revolved around the pursuit of relaxation and revitalization. It was, and remains, a quiet retreat far from the demands of the real world.
Quiet needs to become a larger part of our lives in today’s fast-paced society and this is where you can start. Develop mindful habits during your stay at the resort that you can carry back to your regular existence.
Once you’re home, remember what it felt like to be unplugged. Even if you can only replicate the experience for a little while, it will continue to have an impact. Choose some quiet time to focus on your surroundings. Spend a morning on your porch or patio. Study the shifting cloud patterns in the sky. Listen for birdsong and the soft rustle of the breeze moving through your yard. Let your mind slow down and breathe again.
That newfound sense of clarity and calmness you feel? Just consider it the ultimate Castle Hot Springs souvenir. You’re welcome.