In short… A 3-day “journey” at Mii Amo, a beloved Southwest holistic wellness resort and spa outside of Sedona, Arizona, reopened in 2023 after an expansive, two-year $40 million renovation.
The surroundings… The adult-only Mii Amo shares a 70-acre campus with its older sibling, Enchantment, the slightly dated (I’m told a redesign is in the works), family-friendly resort next door. The shared campuses are tucked into the stunning Boynton Canyon, whose rock faces erupt upward at the edges. There is easy trail access for guests, as well as tennis and pickleball courts.
The resort sits in an energy vortex, attracting a clientele looking to commune with nature, combining hiking and outdoor activities with a serene property that encourages deep relaxation, inward reflection, and expansive, non-traditional treatments. The landscape informs the experience—it is not hard to unwind in the shadow of such natural beauty.
The backstory… The current owners, Tanzerra Resorts, are also behind The Cove in Eleuthera and Twin Farms in Vermont. The property, originally home to the Yavapi-Apache nation and other indigenous groups, became a working ranch after the Homestead Act of 1862. It operated for over 100 years, until the late ‘80s, when tennis pro John Gardiner developed part of the land for his renowned Tennis Ranch. It grew into a resort in 2001. Mii Amo, which operates as the spa component of a stay at Enchantment, added more private spaces for Mii Amo guests specifically after their recent renovation.
The price of a stay at Mii Amo includes three meals a day in the restaurant, juices and smoothies from the juice bar, and a large stipend that typically covers one treatment each day. I was attracted to the breadth of options and the knowledgeable practitioners, offering everything from deep tissue massage to more interesting treatments like hypnosis, energy clearing, and sound baths. The overall vibe from the service providers was one of total buy-in to the rich energies of the area—they were soulful, engaged, caring, and very talented. It’s always nice to go to a proper spa where the people are so clearly engaged in and passionate about their specialty.
The vibe… Luis Barragan’s architecture meeting Georgia O’Keefe’s Southwest spirituality. The rust-red walls that frame the property reflect the surrounding rock face of Boyton Canyon. Inside, the property is clean, modern, and very serene. There is a Crystal Grotto where you can meditate each morning, your feet on the earth, or a movement studio where they host classes like yoga and stretching. In addition to the paid services, there is a deep daily offering of mostly free activities, inside and out. The number of guest rooms (23) means the property is never overrun—you can sit for your meal whenever you’d like, there is no jockeying for space in the sauna (or by the pool), and no battling for the treadmill (or the suddenly au courant Power Plate) in the spacious, light-filled gym.
Guests are gathered upon arrival (in the lobby’s conversation pit) to share names, hometowns, and “intentions” for their “journeys,” in Mii Amo parlance. It felt a bit White Lotus at first, but I knew ditching my hang-ups and approaching the stay with earnestness and sincerity would be most impactful. We were encouraged to hydrate well (for the altitude) and to wear our robes across the entire property, including at mealtime, suggestions I took to heart.
Because Mii Amo is a Relais & Chateaux property, there is a slight sheen of a more corporatized service protocol, mostly in the restaurant. The restaurant staff was incredibly kind, but one got the sense that they weren’t particularly at ease—the service could feel a little stiff at times.
The rooms… Simple, calm, and comfortable. My room had a small porch that looked out onto the canyon and the kitchen gardens; a fireplace and a deep, comfortable bed made it a welcome sight each evening. The shower doubled as a soaking tub, and the soaking salts were so good I pocketed what I didn’t use to bring home.
The food & drink…. There is one restaurant on-site, Hummingbird, where all three meals are served, plus an adjacent juice bar dispensing fresh juices, smoothies and coffee drinks all day—included in the stay. I generally found no fault with Mii Amo except for the food offerings. While I think most people would be pleased, I am cursed with high expectations—especially for a place recognized as the best spa in America by Travel & Leisure. I felt that for a property with a wellness focus, there was an opportunity to have a more interesting and healthful offering. The salmon, for example (a wellness classic), came with a butter sauce, and the peanut butter they used (yes, I asked) had both palm oil and cane sugar. I had hoped for a more interesting “healthy menu” in the vein of ABC Kitchen—using nuts and good olive oil for good fats, high-quality protein sources, and more exciting vegetable preparations. Generally it just felt like the culinary, while nicely executed, seemed disconnected from what is happening in the wellness world more generally. It felt more Publix and less Erewhon.
The wellness… Top notch. Before my stay, I worked with a “Journey Guide” from their staff to help sort through the various options and pick a slate of offerings that worked for me. My goal was mostly to relax and start the year with some quiet time to reflect on 2025 and dream about 2026—Mii Amo delivered that and more. I’d go so far as to say I may have experienced a breakthrough during my Energy Clearing session.
The service menu ranges from the traditional (Massage & Bodywork, Skincare) to more interesting (Sound Resonance Therapy, Energy & Spirit), so there is really something for everyone. I wanted to make sure I tried some of the things I don’t have access to back home, like a good Sound Bath. It was epic.
Beyond the top-tier treatments and the deep offerings of free daily activities, I loved the bright gym, paneled on two sides in floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the property and the rock faces stretching in the distance. I started each day there.
There was a great sauna, steam room, and hot tub in the men’s lounge, as well as the outdoor pool and hot tub. One could easily pass the days bouncing between them, in and out of the plush robes, which are restocked throughout the day.
Is it kid friendly… No. While children are welcome at Enchantment, the rooms, spa, and public spaces of Mii Amo are 16 and up, which ensures a quiet, serene atmosphere conducive to the programs on offer.
Be sure to… Pack your hiking shoes and Brick your phone. There are copious trails, including a 2.5-hour out-and-back hike deep into Boynton Canyon—at the end of the trail, I felt a solitude I had not experienced in years. It was the first time I can recall sitting in complete and total silence—no airplanes overhead, no hum of cars from a distant roadway, only the occasional chirps from a pair of bluebirds.
After my daily hikes and treatments, I spent the day relaxing between the pool, the hot tub, the sauna, and reading in the deep living room chairs next to the fireplace. For someone seeking more activity, the properties Trailhouse was staffed with guides to help with booking additional adventures (mountain biking) or identifying longer hikes in the area.
Parting words… While the two flights and the two-hour drive from Phoenix make getting to Mii Amo from Charleston a bit of a chore, the serenity the property delivers makes up for the effort. Mii Amo would be a nice place to visit if it were anywhere in the world, but the powerful energy and beauty of the area elevates it to a very special place, worthy of a visit for many. While the price surely changes throughout the year, I found the nightly rate to be an absolute steal, considering all that comes with it.
Date of stay: Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18
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