Hotel Snapshot
Over the past two decades, Mii Amo—quietly nestled in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona—has built a reputation as not only a luxurious adults-only getaway but a trailblazer in the wellness space. Built on the grounds of a former tennis academy, the Relais & Châteaux spa retreat owes much of its allure to its location in Boynton Canyon, one of four major vortex sites in Sedona. According to New Age spiritualists, these vortex sites radiate energy, a result of high concentrations of quartz and iron oxide, and encourage self-reflection.
Regardless of how you feel about your chakras, there’s no denying the power of a breathtaking landscape and good old-fashioned rest and relaxation. Guests can choose between a 3-, 4-, 7-, or 10-night “journey,” as Mii Amo calls it, and a dedicated guide will help you curate your ideal itinerary, filling your days with holistic spa treatments, outdoor adventures, and artistic experiences. (Packages include daily resort credits, to be used on spa services and outdoor activities as desired.)
Spring is arguably one of the best times to visit; the temps are mild enough for hiking and biking Sedona’s majestic trails but warm enough for lazy afternoons spent poolside. When my husband and I visited in April, it also happened to be one of the few weeks of the year when the cottonwood trees release their seeds and send magical snowlike puffs of white drifting through the air.
Design & Character
Clean lines, earthy reds and browns, and natural materials like adobe and stucco define the desert-modern retreat, which received a two-year, $40 million overhaul that was unveiled in 2023. Masterminded by Gluckman Tang—an architectural firm tapped for projects like the 2014 Cooper Hewitt renovation and several Gagosian galleries—the expansion significantly increased Mii Amo’s footprint, which now includes a new signature restaurant, an airy two-story fitness studio, and a sensory garden with a reflexology path. The real showstopper is the living room, where a sunken burgundy lounge now sits in place of what was once an indoor swimming pool.
The Rooms
A total of 23 casitas dot the property, each one featuring a fireplace (or two), heated bathroom floors, and simple Southwestern-inspired decor, like macramé wall hangings and sinuous vases and lamps capturing the colors of the desert. Deep soaking tubs, paired with the property’s cedar-and-sage-scented bath salts, melt away any post-hike soreness. My husband and I stayed in a Casita King, whose private patio looked out at the towering Kachina Woman rock formation just outside the Mii Amo grounds.
Food & Drink
If you come expecting the lean (and sometimes unsatisfying) food served at wellness resorts, you’ll be happily proven wrong—and it’s all thanks to executive chef Zach Woodworth, who refreshes the menu at Mii Amo’s Hummingbird restaurant at least three times a year. Dishes range from lighter fare, like a beet-and-citrus salad and a garden wrap with an incredible carrot hummus, to heavy hitters like house-made pappardelle with Spanish rabbit. Daily meals are included, as are fresh-pressed juices and smoothies at the juice bar. Alcohol—yes, they have it—will cost you extra.
The Amenities
The spa is, of course, the beating heart of Mii Amo (details below). But a plethora of extra amenities—many of which are included—thoroughly enhance the overall experience: Join a guided meditation and explore the meaning of your dreams in the Crystal Grotto, a serene circular space with a red dirt floor. Get your heart pumping with cardio tennis or axe throwing. Take a peek at the budding artichokes and beets while touring the chef’s garden.
Guests can also pop over to Mii Amo’s sister property, Enchantment Resort, for artistic exploration and outdoor adventure. At the Artist Cottage, creative types can join a custom soap- or candle-making class, while the Trail House is a one-stop shop for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and more.
One of the brightest spots in my weekend was stargazing. A designated International Dark Sky Community, Sedona is known for its minimal light pollution and exceptional nighttime views, and astronomer Dennis Casper’s sense of wonder was so contagious that I contemplated investing in my own telescope.
Spa & Wellness
Guests travel from around the world to experience Mii Amo’s spa, and for good reason. Equipped with 26 treatment rooms and consultation spaces, it offers traditional treatments like Swedish and deep-tissue massages alongside more unique services, like aura photography and past-life regression.
I’m not sure I’ll ever again experience anything like the four-hand Abhyanga Shirodhara treatment, where two expert therapists massaged my body while perfectly in sync, using an oil blend intended to balance my dosha, or energetic state. Afterward, one of the therapists poured warm sesame oil onto my forehead, a supremely calming act that doubled as a rich hair treatment. One of my favorite post-treatment rituals was retreating to the relaxation lounge and basking in the glow of the surrounding red rock. (It was there that my sweet husband, in a post-treatment daze, dumped an entire juice shot down the front of his bathrobe, the casualty of a possibly too-effective lymphatic massage.)
Location & Neighborhood
Between 400 miles of hiking and biking trails and a solid lineup of fitness and wellness offerings, it’s unlikely you’ll want to venture outside Boynton Canyon. But if you do, borrow one of the on-site Volvos and make the 20-minute drive into town; Tlaquepaque, an outdoor shopping complex modeled after a traditional Mexican village, is a popular destination.
Fast Facts
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Vibe: Design-forward spa with Southwest-modern touches in a tranquil adults-only setting.
Rating: Five-star
Room count: 23 rooms and suites
Pricing: Three-night stays start at $4,600. Guests can book all-inclusive “journeys” for 3, 4, 7, or 10 nights.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The otherworldly views of Boynton Canyon—but the award-winning spa’s unique offerings, ranging from ancestral stone massages to prickly pear body wraps, are also hard to beat.
Dining: An all-day restaurant that serves up seasonal flavor-forward dishes, plus a juice and smoothie bar.
Amenities: In-room fireplaces, a fitness and movement studio, two outdoor pools and a hot tub, communal spaces for meditation and relaxation, tennis and pickleball courts (at Enchantment Resort), and a full-service spa with sauna, steam room, and hot tub facilities.
Airport: Sedona Airport (SDX), for private aircraft only; Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Prescott Regional Airport (PRC), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for commercial flights.
Sedona, Arizona, Arizona, United States
