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Enchantment Resort |
I’m not much of a morning person, so when my alarm went off at 8 a.m. on a recent trip to Sedona, Ariz., I struggled to leave the comfort of my warm, plush bed. To wake myself up, I reluctantly moseyed over to my hotel room’s sliding-glass door and opened the drapes. It wasn’t long before I laid eyes on the exposed view before me and immediately snapped out of my sluggishness. Just beyond my outdoor terrace, I was greeted by Sedona’s Boynton Canyon and its breathtaking red-rock formations.
Such a view is omnipresent at Enchantment Resort, a property nestled amid the canyon’s magnificent boulders. To complement the unique, Southwestern landscape, the hotel calls on an ambiance imbued with Native American culture and customs. From woven throw blankets on the chairs of outdoor seating areas to the harmonious sounds of traditional flute playing, the presence of indigenous culture is everywhere. What’s more, all of the spacious 218 guest accommodations — including Junior Suites, Casitas, Haciendas and Casa Suites — also add to the atmosphere, each bedecked with rich earth colors, appropriate furnishings such as beehive fireplaces and private viewing decks.
Another way clients can experience the Southwestern theme is by indulging in Enchantment Resort’s cuisine. At the upscale Yavapai Restaurant, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner while admiring 180-degree views of the canyon through massive windows. Signature meals include buffalo tenderloin and pan-seared sea bass. The hotel’s second restaurant, Tii Gavo, offers a more casual atmosphere and lays claim to a prickly pear margarita that’s a favorite among hotel guests.
After feasting on Enchantment Resort’s delectable cuisine, there are plenty of opportunities for clients to exercise their muscles. The property itself is located just footsteps away from private hiking trails that lead to sites with some of the canyon’s most stunning views, including Kachina Woman, a well-known rock formation said to be the guardian of Boynton Canyon. Other activities include playing tennis on one of seven outdoor courts, taking a dip in the outdoor whirlpool spa and mountain biking along several paths. Children ages 4 to 12 shouldn’t feel left out either — Camp Coyote offers supervised day and half-day programs where camp goers can explore the region’s Native American culture by going on nature walks and taking part in other activities.
Clients looking for a space where they can also do business should take advantage of Enchantment Resort’s new meeting facilities. Throughout my stay, I was able to tour its newest spaces — the Agave Ballroom, Ocotillo Ballroom and Manzanita Boardroom — each of which features floor-to-ceiling windows and comes equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as pull-down screens. The hotel’s expansive Anasazi Ballroom, Clubhouse and two additional executive meeting rooms host further meeting spaces that bring the total indoor event area to more than 13,000 square feet. All of the ballrooms divide into two or three configurations, allowing flexibility for the size of the group and, depending on the ballroom, can host anywhere from 40 to 540 people. Moreover, all meeting spaces are outfitted with alfresco courtyards that provide full views of the canyon’s dramatic scenery.
When not engaging in activities or business meetings, clients can enjoy Mii amo, a luxury destination spa located within the same grounds as Enchantment Resort. The spa, built inside the natural slope of a canyon wall, allows for spectacular views of the canyon from several of its treatment rooms. Here, clients can be completely immersed in tranquility. For example, I experienced a daily morning ritual inside the property’s Crystal Grotto — an intimate, circular space — where I was fanned with incense and given the opportunity to contemplate the wonders of the earth’s natural elements, all in an effort to clear my mind for the day ahead.
Perhaps the most inviting part of Mii amo, however, is its numerous 60- and 90-minute spa treatments for women and men, including massage therapy, clay wraps and facials. During my stay, I was determined to experience a unique spa treatment, so I opted for the 60-minute Blue Corn Body Polish, one of the spa’s signature services that borrows from the Native American tradition of using ground corn to cleanse the skin. Minutes into my session, I found myself slipping into a state of deep relaxation as my therapist applied a scrub blended with blue corn, mineral salt crystals and oil onto my skin. Before I knew it, the mixture was being washed off by seven Vichy showerheads that massaged as they swayed from side to side overhead. Afterward, a signature body lotion left my skin feeling refreshed and radiant. Needless to say, I received exactly what I had hoped for.
Other aspects of Mii amo make it a unique spa, including the fact that it provides 16 of its own casitas and suites for clients wishing to stay directly on this property.
Guests staying at Mii amo, as well those at Enchantment Resort, can indulge in many of Mii amo’s amenities, such as its library, indoor and outdoor pool, fitness and exercise studio and activities such as yoga and hiking. Mii amo also features its own restaurant, the Mii amo Cafe, which presents healthy dining options, many of which are made from locally-grown organic ingredients. After reveling in my spa treatment, I was fortunate enough to catch one of the restaurant’s cooking demonstrations for tips on how to prepare some of its well-known dishes. These classes, offered three times a week, provide the perfect activity for food-loving clients.
Whether on a family vacation, relaxing getaway or business trip, there is something for just about everyone at Enchantment Resort and Mii amo spa. And in addition to possessing a beautiful location, both properties boast exceptional staff members that always welcomed me with a smile or friendly conversation. They often wished me a delightful stay, and I’m happy to say I experienced just that.
Enchantment Resort
www.enchantmentresort.com
Mii amo Spa
www.miiamo.com
