Running Water Spa — Hotel in Phoenix

Two weeks ago, I had the worst experience with this hotel and spa that I have ever had in my entire life.  The absolute worst.  I live here in Phoenix and my sister and I were looking for a place where we could get a massage, lunch, and some drinks at the pool.  Scottsdale Camelback Resort was not that place.  First of all, the term "Resort" is a misnomer, because this place is far far from resort quality.  We had called ahead the day before and asked if we were allowed to use the hotel gym before our 11 AM appointments and we were told that was fine.  Despite this, the woman at the front desk was completely caught off guard and totally frazzled that we were there.  She kept muttering about how early we were.  All we needed was a locker to stash our stuff--it should not have been that big of a deal, especially since we asked first.  Since there is a restaurant on site (allegedly), we asked if it was open and we could grab a coffee.  Nope.  Nothing open before noon.  Ok fine--stupid but fine.  The massages were 50/50.  My actual massage was great and someone should let my massage therapist know that he can do much better than this dump.  My sister was unfortunately put in a massage room next to the bathroom.  Being able to hear bathroom conversations and toilets flushing is not really a "resort" spa experience!  We tried to speak with the spa manager about this issue and there was literally nothing in the world she could have cared about less than our experience there.  We were told that everyone complains about that room and management just does not do anything about it. After the massages, we thought we would grab lunch at the restaurant that should be open and use the pool.  We went to the restaurant and were informed that they could not take cash or credit cards and could ONLY do room charges.  But we were not staying at the hotel, so there was no possibility for food or drink.  At that point, we decided to cut our losses and go somewhere else.  When we tried to check out, we got a whole new set of issues. I had a gift certificate, my sister did not.  You would have thought we were asking these people to solve differential equations.  I have actually never seen incompetence of this level.  No one could work the computer system and no one could properly ring up two massages, one paid for with credit card and the other paid for with gift certificate.  The front desk woman charged us double and struggled to understand that.  The manager would stop by and help for a second and then wander off (because again, this lady just does not give a flying F about anyone setting foot in this spa).  Finally, she says to us, "you better sit down, because this will be a while."  We finally went to the front desk and spoke with the hotel manager, Erin.  While she seemed understanding and polite at the time, she was not able to resolve anything.  She told us that we could go and she would take care of the charges.  We were not surprised that she did not do this.  My sister was charged approximately double and had to dispute the charges with her bank to get her money back.  No follow-up call from the general manager.  No apology. It was literally the worst and I have been to most of the actual resorts in the area.  You can go to a real resort, even the Phoenician right down the street, get a massage in the same general price range, and deal with people who can do simple things like....oh I don't know....math or even basic...

Decent facility. The outside is the old style villas and nothing stands out if you drove by it you could miss it. The interior is nice and modern and you enter through the main lobby to get to the spa which is downstairs (elevator or stairs are available). It did feel that the spa may have been an addition at some point in time which is why it is downstairs and inside the main building. The locker room is decent, smallish, and clean. Shower is in there. I never wear the slides or robes at spas, much more comfortable to wear light lounge wear or whatever you feel comfy slipping on and off quickly between appointments. The waiting/resting room is quaint and has two of the treatment rooms inside it which could be good or bad though in my experience other places the resting room is very separate from any treatment rooms to preserve the quiet and ability to relax. I only saw an exercise room, bathrooms separate from the locker room, and a pool topside. Not sure if there were other amenities warranting a day pass to the spa. My Swedish massage was fantastic and my facial was lovely. Larger-sized person friendly, though I can't speak to the robes.

My only minor complaint is that during my facial. I removed the 1 piercing I had the was removable but while on the table she actually jiggled my lip rings trying to see if they were secured as if I've never had a facial or perhaps she did not believe me the two previous times she asked if they were secure enough. My fake eyelashes were more at risk of coming off. I appreciate the need to inform guests or recommend that any jewelry likely to come out if it is rubbed on during a facial is required but not 3 times and not warranting...

This is a super quant small and quirky spa and resort from, I don’t know, the 80’s? They forever have my business because, as usual I was running late. Walked downstairs and someone already at reception, I thought man I am going to miss 15 minutes of my massage. Receptionist looked up, said “Mollie?” Handed me a locker key, told me to go get changed and sophia would be waiting for me. Omg talk about customer service. No worry about check in, no worry about the info they needed, you’re here, go get your treatment, we’ll take care of that after. The locker room is small and the bathroom is outside it, that took a minute to figure out! There’s a small gym downstairs that looked pretty well equipped for its size and a small pool and hot tub upstairs - the vibe was decidedly adult - thank goodness, no influencers or kids. One complaint - the “grill.” I mean I know it looks like it was built in the 80s but its still serving food from the 80s. Chinese chicken salad, really?! And not a vegan option to be seen. Come on that’s all easy enough to change without renovating the adorable time warp of the space! Impossible burger, Beyond burger, heck I’d take a classic Boca burger! But all in all a lovely spot. Update: how often does an employee walk by, have no need to interact with you, but sees you sitting alone ands asks if you need a water. These ladies...