Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain: 10 Years and 10 Surprises

Photo courtesy of Sanctuary on Camelback

Hard to believe, but Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Why, I remember when this chic hotel was just the Paradise Valley Racquet Club (not really, but it's fun to pretend).

So what is Sanctuary on Camelback doing to celebrate? Why, they're giving you presents, of course!

Throughout 2012, the Scottsdale resort is giving away 10 surprises at random to hotel guests. I'm not talking about a crappy mint on your pillow, here. On the books are swank room upgrades, a voucher for a complimentary two-night stay and a private one-hour cocktail party under the stars at edge bar.

And, Scottsdale locals will be happy to know that Sanctuary Spa is giving away a one-year spa membership to someone in the neighborhood.

Here's a rundown on the specific prizes:

• Upgrade to a Mountainside Estate: They're the exclusive homes set high on Camelback Mountain (I assume this is where stars like Beyonce, Jay-Z and Britney Spears shacked up during their stays)
• Hot air balloon ride
• Half day in Sanctum, a private outdoor spa suite, with a couples spa treatment and champagne and strawberries
• Voucher for a complimentary two-night return stay
• Surprise dinner in XII, a private dining room with a view to the resort’s show kitchen
• Private one-hour cocktail party under the stars at edge, Sanctuary’s trend-setting outdoor bar deck, with up to 20 friends for a local patron (to be planned for a later date)
• Private mixology 101 clas
• One-year Sanctuary Spa membership for a Scottsdale-area resident
• Private cooking class
• Dessert surprise for all dinner guests one evening at elements