MII AMO
Mii amo has just undergone a sweeping transformation. Following a two-year closure and $40 million renovation, Mii amo is slated to re-open its doors on Feb. 2. After 20 years in business, it was time for some upgrades. The spa will debut 16 renovated spa casitas in addition to new rooms and suites – for a total of 23 spa rooms – and increase its size by about 40 percent. The spa now has a total of 21 treatment rooms: 14 single massage rooms, three facial rooms, two rooms with dry float tables, one sound lounge room and one couple’s massage room in addition to new steam rooms and saunas. “Being in Sedona and being in Boynton Canyon, a lot of what we like to expand on within the experiences have to do with our natural surroundings,” says Kalei Luna, spa director at Mii amo. “All of that is really a connection that you’re even further able to make within our spaces that have expanded.”
Mii amo
The expansion includes a new sensory garden, a new wellness-focus restaurant called Hummingbird, a two-story movement and fitness studio, a reflexology path and new public spaces including a consultation wing to provide a space for one-on-one interactions like energy work or mindfulness sessions. Guests also can now book a 10-day Journey or stay. When guests book a journey at Mii amo – you must be a guest of the spa to book a Journey. Enchantment Resort guests can book treatments at the spa based on availability with reservations – they’re connected with a journey guide who will tailor an experience to them. “It’s that whole creativeness of really speaking to the individual and working through that with them,” says Kalei. In conjunction with the new spaces for guests are some new spa treatments. One new offering is the celestial cycles treatment that aims to capture the essence of a season via a collection of four different treatments – massage, body treatment, meditation and an activity – that all reflect that season’s characteristics. Kalei gave us the example that in springtime, when there’s a perfect balance between day and night, there will be a focus on rebirth, renewal, inspiration and planting seeds for future plans. Each season will include different activities. Additionally, treatments were extended to 75 minutes at minimum to create a deeper experience.
Mii amo
“We wanted to have more of that time for a deeper connection with each of the therapists,” says Kalei. “It’s just really allowing for more time to just slowly and honestly get into things more deeply.” Despite the new changes, Mii amo is not drastically altering the experience it hopes to provide guests. Kalei says the staff is excited to get back to the refreshed space, but more than anything else, is excited to connect with guests. “We’re just there to support you, meet you where you are, and really hold space for any anything that you may be experiencing,” says Kalei. “While there are exciting things having to do with the café and some new offerings and new spaces, a lot of what people are looking forward to is really that space that they remembered or those connections that they remembered and what it felt like, and that’s all going to still be there. That’s what Mii amo is.”
EFOREA SPA AT THE HILTON SEDONA RESORT AT BELL ROCK
The 25,000-square-foot eforea spa at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock has a few new updates. Ramona Perschon, director of spa and wellness at Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, hired a new team of therapists and revamped the quiet lounge area with zero-gravity chairs that use chromotherapy or light therapy. The spa has also custom-designed spa tables by Oakworks. The tables are outfitted with real leather and an extra six inches of foam. Face cradles have spheres embedded in them to relieve pressure “It feels like you’re getting a massage on a cloud,” says Ramona. The spa is also home to a fitness center, weekly fitness classes, indoor/outdoor whirlpools, an outdoor warrior pit and a 25-meter lap pool. Ramona tells us that the spa is guided by these principles: being authentic and wellness-based simplicity with self-expression.
Eforea Spa at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
“Our spa menu captures the essence of Sedona, presenting treatments and products that use the blend of the natural elements here,” she says. Spa guests “want something uniquely Sedona.” One example is the custom Sedona Energy Vortex Treatment, which involves a variety of energy work that can include aromatherapy, guided meditation and Reiki to help ease tension and anxiety. Other Sedona-influenced treatments include the Turquoise Sage Desert mud wrap and Sound Bowl Therapy designed to release chakras or energy centers. Other treatments like the Balance Massage are designed to help active guests recover. Customization is important. Guests can add on a scalp treatment, chakra stone-balancing, hot stones or a smudging ceremony to their appointments. Eforea Spa even offers a Spa Me treatment where guests can book six different 30-minute treatments. “We’re looking to be the recovery hub for the resort,” she says. “We capture all the senses. We strive to customize every person’s experience.”
THE WILDE RESORT & SPA
The spa at The Wilde Resort & Spa has nine treatment rooms and one full wet room that includes a bath and shower. The roughly 2,500-square-foot spa includes men and women’s locker rooms, hot tubs, a remodeled co-ed relaxation room and steam rooms. Spa guests also can use the resort’s outdoor pool and a labyrinth. “Our credo is to go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome, cared for and eager to return,” says Robin Harrington, spa director. “We also want to make sure people are reaching that point of relaxation, bliss.” The spa also pays homage to Sedona’s reputation as an international destination for healing and spirituality by offering treatments that have an international angle to them.
The Wilde Resort & Spa
Hailing from northeast Africa is The Black Seeds of Blessing massage that incorporates black cumin seed oil thought to be anti-inflammatory and immune boosting and frankincense. The Mountain & Sea, a Japanese bathing ritual, includes a wild rice cherry buffing, a hinoki mint mineral bath and is finished with a kinoxei lime and plum blossom massage. The Sedona Forest Signature Massage uses a signature oil blend of juniper, sage, palo santo and cypress – the blend aims to capture the scent of Sedona. “Sedona is the central meeting place – it’s a vortex, if you will – of all of these spiritual traditions coming together. And it’s our natural beauty and our natural landscape that I think really accentuates that and makes that happen,” says Robin. The spa has featured newer wellness classes like sound healing. In February, Robin plans to offer a Decadent Duos couples massage. Living Chocolate will supply truffles. She’ll supply shea butter mixed with coffee and chocolate oils. Above all, the spa strives to help guests feel their best. “I want them to walk away not thinking about anything,” says Robin.
AMARA RESORT & SPA
The spa at Amara Resort & Spa reflects a key aspect of Amara as a whole. “Just like our property in general, from the spa to the gym, to the hotel itself, the spa is quaint, but it’s also luxurious,” says Jessica Carter, spa director at Amara Resort & Spa. Jessica says the six-treatment room spa aims to provide a luxe experience coupled with an intimate experience. “The guests feel much more relaxed here than they would in other luxury spas. I notice how … the therapists relate to the guests. It almost sometimes feels as if they’re in their own private practice because they’re so connected with the guest,” says Jessica. Popular treatments include the CBD massage and The Winds of Change, a service that entails balancing chakras with rattles, sage, crystals and oils. It finishes with a massage. One local treatment is the Sedona Serenity Gemstone facial. The therapist will use crystals like jade, lapis lazuli and white opalite and gua sha stones to promote circulation, lymph flow and release muscle adhesions. In a custom facial, the spa staff uses a microcurrent device to help with elasticity and circulation. Amara ‘s spa menu includes a Men’s Tune Up Facial. From the plush robes and slippers to the aroma of the oils used in some treatments, the spa strives to engage all the senses.
Amara Resort & Spa
“We’re all about the senses here,” she says. “The minute you walk in the door of our spa, we have essential oil diffusers going on.” New products available at the retail shop include Eminence skincare, NuFACE microcurrent devices and bracelets crafted by local artist Sue Horine. Jessica is planning on adding prenatal treatments to the menu. “We pay attention to every single detail so that the experience is wonderful in every way,” she says. “The spa is the heart of the hotel. It’s where people come to connect to themselves, to their bodies, to one another. It’s where they come to let go of all the stresses of life.”
L’APOTHECARY SPA AT L’AUBERGE DE SEDONA
Housed in a building that resembles a guest’s cottage, the L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona offers treatments that are inspired by the six-treatment room spa’s natural setting. “Philosophy-wise, we try to keep towards nature, herbs and essential oils,” says Joy Gosser, spa manager at L’Apothecary Spa. When guests first enter the spa, they’ll see a blending station where they can make custom body scrubs and bath salts using a variety of essential oils.
L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona
Metaphysical and holistic elements that draw visitors to Sedona are incorporated into the spa menu. One of the most requested offerings is the Desert Flower Massage. This 60-minute Swedish massage incorporates the spa’s signature blend of sage, lavender and calendula essential oils. Joy tells us that her eventual goal is to ensure that nearly everything is done in-house so it’s unique to the spa. One unique service is a sound healing experience that features a musician playing seven different flutes pitched to the chakras. Crystals and essential oils from the brand Isun are used during the Chakra Balancing Massage. The Peaceful Warrior CBD Treatment starts with a tincture shot infused with CBD, then the massage is performed and specific oils and used for certain areas. For example, a certain face cream dubbed “The Fix” is used.
L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona
“It’s just really a beautiful and unique experience that you wouldn’t see at another spa,” says Joy. One truly outstanding treatment option is the Creekside Massages. Available seasonally, up to two spa-goers can indulge in treatments in a creekside cabana under sycamore trees as they listen to Oak Creek babble nearby. At the end of November, L’Auberge plans to roll out an in-room enchantment. The therapist will greet the guest at the door and provide them with bath salts. While they’re bathing, the therapist will light a fire in the fireplace and set up the massage table. The spa also has a new outdoor patio where tarot card readings take place. “It’s a quiet setting where you can relax, and enjoy multiple different sessions,” says Joy. “Sedona is known for its spas. And I think people come to stay at L’Auberge not only for its beauty and its relaxing nature, but also to experience our spa treatments.”
L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona
