Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center welcomes all people to experience the pure beauty of God's creation in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.
Spirit in the Desert is a holy place where people experience profound hospitality and leave renewed to live lives of meaning and purpose in the world. Spirit in the Desert welcomes all people of all faiths. We are an inclusive retreat center that practices biblical hospitality. Both group and personal retreats and workshops are welcome here, as well as family reunions and other life celebrations.
We offer meaningful programs focused on spiritual well-being, healing workshops for veterans and 1st responders and leadership and professional development for all who have a ministry vocation.
This oasis in the desert also features a labyrinth, the "Islands of Silence" meditation path and a Prayer Pathway for those who choose a quiet personal option. Two chapels are available.
The sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking. At an altitude of 2700′, the campus can be 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
In a peaceful and quiet setting, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center welcomes groups, retreats, and individuals with advance notice. All bedrooms have private bathrooms, a patio or balcony, most with spectacular mountain views. Our chef will serve homemade, healthy meals and our heated swimming pool and hot tub will help you relax.
Six meeting rooms with free WiFi and AV support will provide the perfect setting for your meetings and gatherings.
Faith
Interfaith:
Interfaith, Interfaith (no specific type)
Open to All:
Open to All, Open to All
Mission/Lineage: Spirit in the Desert is a holy place where people experience hospitality and renew their callings in the world. Founded by a Lutheran who had a life changing experience at a retreat center, Spirit in the Desert is open to all people of all faiths.
Average Cost: $$
Comfortable lodging with in-room bathrooms, home made nutritious meals, well equipped meeting rooms, and a beautiful campus provide an amazing setting for your events. Rooms include lush linens and towels--including towels for pool/Jacuzzi. Pet policy allows service animals only.
Work Exchange:
Yes!
Spirit does offer opportunities for volunteer work/reduced cost for lodging/meals. Please call the center for availability.
Environment: Desert, Mountain
Gay Friendly: Yes!
Special Needs: Allergies, Wheelchair Access
Restrictions: No Drugs, No Smoking
Environmentally Sustainable:
Yes!
Because of our desert setting, we have taken active steps to reduce water usage including circulating hot water pumps so the heated water is readily available, low-flow toilets, upgraded water softeners, water stations with filtered drinking water.
Language: English
Overnight Guest Capacity (defined as):
52
Meeting Space Capacity (defined as):
100
Meeting Rooms:
| Room Name | Square Feet | Capacity | Description |
| Ravenscroft Chapel | 1000 | 100 | With one glass wall facing beautiful Black Mountain, the setting couldn't be better for your gathering. Your audio visual needs are met with wireless and wired microphones, 11' screen and LCD projector, and the traditional flip charts and white boards. |
| Conference Rm 2 | 468 | 25 | This is the perfect sized room for a smaller group or a break out session. It also has a sliding partition so you can break into 2 small groups if needed. |
| Bash Board Room | 660 | 30 | Featuring executive style chairs and flexible table arrangements, this space is a favorite for medium sized groups who want to feel a little pampered. |
| Upper Estrem | 588 | 50 | This space is 28x21 so it lends itself to flexible seating configurations. |
| Lower Estrem | 875 | | Also known as St. Kate's Table, this room has a German feel in honor of Katie Luther ... Martin Luther's wife. The built-in bar and refrigerator also makes this a favorite hospitality space for groups. |
| Sunset Chapel | 375 | 30 | The 3 walls of windows with a spectacular mountain view lends itself to worship, prayer, and small group meetings. |
Groups Served: 12 Step / Addiction / Recovery, Arts / Crafts, Business, Church / Faith / Religious, Educational, Families, Health / Healing, Lesbian / Gay, Meditation Groups, Mens Groups, Music, Nature / Adventure, Non-profit, Peace / Justice, Personal Development Groups, Reunions, Womens Groups, Writing, Yoga Groups
Amenities: AV Service, Carpet, Chapel / Temple, Church / Prayer Services, Gardens / Outdoor Space, Hot Tub, Labyrinth, Laundry Services, On-line / Internet Access, Swimming Pool / Lake, Walking/ Hiking Trails
Special Features: The labyrinth, Islands of Silence meditation path and the Prayer Pathway, along with the natural Sonoran Desert vegetation, lends itself to a meaningful event where guests can wander and get lost in their thoughts and reflections. All levels of hiking are close by as well. Good area for cycling too.
Technology and AV: The Ravenscroft Chapel is equipped with audio and visual reinforcement with wireless and wired microphones, LCD projector and 11' auto screen. All other conference rooms have portable LCD projector and screens, audio/visual, flipcharts, etc.
Room Types: Hotel
Total Number of Rooms:
26
Children OK: Yes!
Housing: Each room in the Estrem Center is spacious, has two queen size rooms and a private bath.
The Yackel Hospitality Lodge has a combination of two twin and/or full size beds and all rooms of a private bath.
Food: Restricted Diet Options, Vegetarian or Vegan Options
Meal Availability: Available On Site
Location of this Retreat:
7415 E Elbow Bend Rd
Carefree, AZ 85377
United States
Travel Info: Adjacent to Scottsdale and Phoenix. 40 minutes from the Sky Harbor International Airport. Less than 2 hours from Sedona and just 3 hours to the Grand Canyon. The pine forests near Flagstaff are 2 hours away. Both San Diego and Albuquerque are only 6 hours away by car. Uber, Supershuttle, limo and taxi services are available at the airport and online. Spirit in the Desert does not have it's own transportation to/from the center.
| | |
Woman Veteran
4/5/2019
|
I CAME FOR THE HEALING OF MEMORIES WORKSHOP FOR VETERANS and I almost didn’t come because of the trauma I wrestle with and the fear of being with others, but your staff, the leaders of the workshop and the quiet and safe campus held me there and I’ve found a new sense of peace and healing. ~ Combat Veteran
|
Barb
3/4/2019
|
OUTSTANDING ACCOMMODATIONS AND GREAT HOSPITALITY
I have stayed here annually for a retreat event that happens in late February and early March for over ten years. The center is an oasis by itself with peaceful surroundings and well prepared food. And yet is close to interesting shops and restaurants for those who want to leave the Center. The accommodations are spacious, but it is a retreat center so no TV’s in sight and the wifi works well. ~ Witchita, Kansas
|
Sallee
1/13/2019
|
OH MY GOSH, YOUR FOOD … BEST EVER!
I didn’t want to leave and cross back over the pond to London. I know I’ll be back again and until then will savor the thought of delicious food, hospitable hosts, and desert beauty that amazed this old Brit! ~ London, UK
|
Pastor G
1/12/2019
|
WONDERFUL AND LIFE-GIVING!
I recently spent 4 days at Spirit to pause and let my spirit catch up with me…as a very busy pastor my days are filled and weighted…but here I can read, write, pray, run, walk and enjoy the saguaro, coyotes, sage, sun…Jacuzzi…what you do for clergy is nothing short of wonderful and life-giving! ~ Ashland, OR
|
Allen
9/26/2018
|
I decided to enroll in the four-day “Boundless Compassion” retreat at Spirit in the Desert led by international speaker/author Joyce Rupp. 50 attendees both local and national, learned that compassion can be our standard operating procedure and genuine concern for all others can be the way we always act.
|
Reservation Criteria: Events are considered booked and confirmed when the deposit and signed contract are received by Spirit In The Desert.
Notification of cancellation must be submitted in writing to Spirit In The Desert.
Retreat Contact: Guest Services
Phone: 480-488-5218
Website:
View Retreat Website
Organization Contact:
Spirit in the Desert
7415 E Elbow Bend Rd
PO Box 3254
Carefree, AZ 85377
United States
Organization Website: View Organization Website