To say that Canyon Ranch Tucson is an all-inclusive spa and wellness resort is a bit like saying the Beatles were a rock band from Liverpool — it’s certainly accurate, but it leaves out both of their central roles in defining their genres, as well as the significance of their continued influence on the form. Founder Mel Zuckerman opened Canyon Ranch Tucson at the tail end of the seventies, seeking to replace the somewhat punitive approach of the health spas of the day with something more positive, more empowering, and more spiritually transformative. Long story short, it worked, and for decades travelers have made the pilgrimage to this site, a few minutes’ drive outside of Tucson, to chill out, to work out, to dry out, or some combination of the three. While the serious health focus means there’s no alcohol served here, and the cooking is uniformly healthful, mealtimes are a source of pleasure all the same. So are the accommodations, a selection of rooms and suites in a soothing modern style, equipped with luxuries that are substantial but always tasteful. If it were an ordinary hotel, Canyon Ranch would be a very fine one, secluded as it is on 150 acres of spectacular Sonoran desert landscape, with every creature comfort anticipated and effortlessly provided. But of course it’s no ordinary hotel; this is an experience that demands an active approach from its guests, even if the activity is limited to selecting spa treatments and other forms of relaxation. Canyon Ranch’s advisors reach out ahead of your stay to make a plan that’s consistent with your goals, and to schedule your activities, whether they’re fitness classes, medical assessments, coaching sessions, art lessons, or spiritual wellness experiences. In between your pre-booked activities you’ll find there’s always something on, from a hike you’ll want to join to a class you’ll want to drop in on. By nightfall you’ll have had a full day but a thoroughly relaxing one all the same. And, ideally, by the end of your stay you’ll have at least begun down the path of one tranformation or another, whether it’s a renewed dedication to health, a new outlook on spiritual or mental wellness, or a whole new direction for the path of your life. How many hotels can honestly say that? Please note: Canyon Ranch Tucson requires a minimum stay of two nights.