One of the many things that made me excited about my recent decision to move to Sedona was the chance to be near the area spas. I love spa treatments – the way tension melts away after a massage, skin feels smooth as butter after a body scrub, and a good facial makes you simply glow, without makeup. Just thinking about past Spirit Path body wraps in New Mexico, Chardonnay Vitalite Vinotherapy in San Diego, and a Lomi Lomi massage in Hawaii makes me feel better – even up to five years later.
To help get a sense of what Sedona spas do best, I booked some of the most popular treatments. (I know, tough job!) All seven spas I visited impressed me with tranquil surroundings (nothing says relaxation like a steaming cup of tea and a fluffy robe), and very friendly, knowledgeable therapists who seem genuinely to enjoy their work. And each spa offers something special. Want to feel like royalty? Check out a Sedona’s New Day Spa signature body treatment. Feeling romantic? Try couple’s massage at Sedona Rouge. Worried about wrinkles? Lynne at Complexions Skin Care has it covered. For pain relief in a breathtaking location, we have Therapy on the Rocks. Breathe Spa is fresh air for first-time spagoers. Hilton Sedona Spa has a great gym, fitness classes, and outdoor pool, all at your service when you book a treatment. And for luxury indulgence, try a three-, four-, or seven-night stay at Mii amo.
Don’t expect to walk in and receive a treatment on the spot, particularly during peak season – make a reservation. Luckily, while Sedona is a spa capital of the Southwest, treatments won’t cost an arm and a leg. Duration of treatment determines price; the ones I sampled range from $75 to $270 (for 60 to 90 minutes). Though I had no manicures or pedicures this time, you can usually book one for even less and still get a taste of the spas described below.
Breathe Spa at Piñon Pointe
Breathe Signature Facial
Breathe Spa sits quietly among The Shops at Piñon Pointe, but there’s a lot of luxury lurking behind that modest storefront – all the amenities of a resort or even a destination spa, with rich wood accents, nine treatment rooms, soft robes, and locker rooms that include blown-glass sinks, electric fireplaces, showers and saunas. A water wall and warm earthtones greet you as you enter, creating a soothing oasis from the hustle and bustle of Uptown.
The Breathe Signature Facial soothes with wonderfully luxurious cleansers, exfoliant crèmes and a customized masque from Jurlique, the respected Australian skin-care specialist with a completely natural, plant-based line. My aesthetician, Grace, applied steam to open pores to extract bacteria. But the highlight was a neck, shoulder and facial hot-stone massage, which was new to me – and it felt incredible. Smooth river rocks tone the skin while the warmth melted away tension in my neck.
During the facial, Grace massaged hydrating lotion into my hands, which she then wrapped in plastic and placed in warm mittens – leaving my skin feeling incredibly soft. While I masqued, I was treated to a reflexology session: Pressure points on my feet were massaged to relieve stress throughout my body. Cool cucumber slices sat on my eyelids to reduce puffiness; at the end, a special crème applied to the sensitive eye area left me feeling a far sight more alert and refreshed than when I walked in.
