The Spa & Wellness Center. Photo Jill Weinlein
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary, Rancho de los Caballeros is an 18,000-acre sanctuary offering an authentic horse ranch experience. Steeped in history and tradition, it’s a 90-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. A ranch staff member will pick up guests in a ranch vehicle at the airport to whisk them away to the historic town of Wickenburg. Once at the ranch, guests will have a sense of play to unwind city life and become a cowboy or cowgirl.
Guests also enjoy playing on the picturesque 18-hole golf course where deer, quail, and roadrunners visit to admire the verdant championship greens.
Two years ago, Rancho de los Caballeros was purchased by friends who met at the ranch as young boys. The Cutler, Martin and Kempers vacationed here while developing happy memories and a long lasting friendship. When the ranch was available to purchase, these families united together and bought the property. They put together a three-year plan of improvements that includes new additions to the Spa at Los Caballeros.
Nicole Cloud. Photo Jill Weinlein
New Bunk House Wellness Studio
The minute you meet Spa Director Nicole Cloud at The Spa & Wellness Center, she lights up a room with her beautiful aura and her healing energy. ‘When I arrived at Rancho de los Caballeros, I knew I had to work here,’ said Cloud. ‘The land that the ranch is on is sacred. It’s on Hopi land. Magical things happen here.’
She walked into the General Manager’s office after seeing the ranch, and shared her vision of an enhanced Spa and Wellness program. Struck by her energy and confidence, she was happily hired.
Requesting a new indoor yoga studio, the owners took a historic bunk house near the equine center, and renovated the space into a welcoming, calm and peaceful wellness studio.
Lavender hangs upside down on the rafters, and mirrors are strategically placed in corners near altars of flickering candles. Aromatherapy wafts around the room to excite all of ones senses.
Walk the Signature Labyrinth. Photo Jill Weinlein
Exploring Wellness
Cloud likes to hold her morning Sun Salutation class next to the Labyrinth. ‘We breathe, stretch, meditate and afterward walk the Labyrinth’ said Cloud. ‘It’s a journey walking forward barefoot into a sacred space designed and built by a Hopi woman 20 years ago. Guests take their time and receive a message before walking out.’
She leads sunset yoga classes in this area too. ‘At sunset you wouldn’t believe what you see, hear and feel at this location,’ said Cloud. ‘I apply essential oils for aromatherapy to help change guests thoughts.’
The spa offers enhanced body treatments, a variety of massages, facials, clawfoot tubs for a relaxing warm epsom salt soak, and infrared sauna for pain relief, improved circulation and flush toxins,
Rancho de los Caballeros. Photo Jill Weinlein
Horse Therapy
The ranch offers a morning and afternoon two-hour horseback ride into the quietness of the desert. One may see some of the resident ranch cows, visiting mule deer and hawks soaring overhead.
Cloud has curated a new program ‘Horseback to Wellness.’ Guests saddle up at the corral on one of the gentle horses to a picturesque spot with a flat area. Cloud leads a one-hour desert yoga, breath and stretch class where participants will find communion with the elements. Then horseback to the corral for breakfast before free time at the spa.
‘Horse to Wellness’ is available Thursday through Sunday throughout the year. Classes include Pranayama workshops for breathing techniques, Restorative yoga for relaxing and healing, and Somatic Pilates for focusing on body awareness and mind-body connection.
Rancho de los Caballeros. Photo Jill Weinlein
Water Therapy
When the ranch dug its swimming pool in 1947, they designed and built the first non-rectangular pool in Arizona. Others thought an oval shaped pool was too daring, but soon more pools were designed and built offering this soothing pond-like shape.
Set outside in the center of the C-shaped main building, it’s near the reception lounge, main dining area and lively saloon.
Soon the ranch is expanding to offer two new swimming pools with cabana service. One pool will be an adult-only lap pool, while the other will be an inviting pool for families. There will also be new dining and wellness areas.
Tennis and Pickle ball courts. Photo Jill Weinlein
Tennis and Pickleball Therapy
The newly resurfaced courts are offered at no charge. Lessons are available to guests from a professional instructor at a reasonable rate. The ranch has racquets and tennis balls available for loan.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing recreational sports in the U.S. It combines the liveliness of tennis with the quick reflexes of table tennis on a badminton-size court. There is equipment for guests to borrow for this sport too.
This family-friendly ranch offers a Los Caballeros Kids program for ages 5 to 12. Supervised activities include horse visits and horseback riding, swimming, tennis, crafts, and hiking.
Casita 360. Photo Jill Weinlein
Sleep Therapy
Guests will have the opportunity to stay in one of the new Santa Fe-inspired suites, or spacious remodeled guest casitas. Guest casita #360 features Southwestern design tones with handcrafted furnishing.
Along one wall in the living area is a pull-down Murphy bed for families. The casita also has a fireplace, kitchenette, cloud-like king-size bed in the spacious bedroom, and large bathroom with a walk-in shower and whirlpool bathtub.
Gold Course Views at Restaurant 19. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Culinary Therapy
Rancho de los Caballeros is reinvesting in the destination with new Western dining opportunities. Besides the main dining room and Restaurant 19 at the Los Caballeros Golf Club, the owners have broken ground on a new culinary offering at the new pool area.
Epicurean delights include appealing appetizers, hearty entrees, grilled proteins and vegetarian options.
Tres Amigos. Photo by Tony at Rancho de los Caballeros
From November to May is the optimal time to visit Rancho de los Caballeros. There are multiple all-inclusive packages to experience this authentic guest ranch and spa. On Cyber Monday and Black Friday, guests will receive three nights for the price of two.
Now is the time to awaken your senses, breathe and experience a luxury ranch destination in Arizona.
