Mii amo, a destination spa in Sedona, Arizona, announced its plans to reopen on February 2, 2023 and revealed details of its $40 million renovation and expansion.
The expansion includes a new light-filled movement and fitness wing, a signature restaurant, dedicated consultation wing with a spectacular view of Boynton Canyon, and a private suite of spaces exclusively for Journey guests, in addition to new treatment rooms, guest rooms and suites. Mii amo’s original architect, Gluckman Tang, was engaged to expand and enhance their original design.
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In the 22 years since its original opening, Mii amo has received much acclaim, including being named Travel + Leisure World’s Best Spa four times, most recently in 2018 and 2019, prior to its closure in early 2021 for this extensive renovation and expansion.
“For two decades, Mii amo was a pioneer in the spa space,” said Tracy Tang, chairman of Enchantment Group. “We decided to invest in a major renovation and expansion because we are committed to Mii amo and its continued standing as a trailblazer in the world of luxury wellbeing.”
Casitas
In addition to a full renovation of Mii amo’s existing 16 Casita guest rooms and suites, three new Casita buildings have been added. All accommodations include fireplaces, private outdoor spaces, and heated bathroom floors and are arranged within a quiet courtyard compound. The new suites include their own private courtyards with fireplaces and outdoor seating. Most of these accommodations include soaking tubs with views of Boynton Canyon.
Gathering
The Crystal Grotto, one of the most beloved spaces of the original Mii amo, is being refreshed and remains an ideal site for daily meditation and reflection. This circular space, with its earthen floor and domed ceiling, centers around a pedestal of petrified wood featuring a gentle fountain and an illuminated quartz crystal. Lit by an aperture overhead, it is designed so that once a year, on the summer solstice, a beam of sunlight strikes the crystal, connecting earth and sky.
In the Living Room, a new sunken seating lounge allows guests to relax and connect to the earth, while private niches line the perimeter of the room and offer connection to the sky and sun. A wood-burning fireplace adds warmth to the room.
All new spaces connect guests to the destination spa’s natural outdoor surroundings. They include the Relaxation Lounge and Garden, Journey Plunge Pool and Garden, a Sensory Garden with a reflexology path, and expanded outdoor dining, an outdoor lounge and fireplace. Other landscape features include a labyrinth, a hammock grove and yoga lawn, all with views of the surrounding red rock walls. The Mii amo Pool, refreshed with a new pool deck, offers spectacular views. New furnishings and accessories complement the natural colors of the Canyon.
Spa & Wellbeing
Spa facilities now include 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 as well as new steam rooms and saunas. A new consultation wing with a dedicated relaxation space has been added to provide a private setting for sessions with Mii amo’s mindfulness team and therapists.
As part of a commitment to ‘slow wellbeing,’ Mii amo will extend the length of all treatments. Formerly offered in 60- or 90-minute sessions, the new Mii amo standard will be 75-, 100- or 125-minute sessions. According to Mii amo Managing Director Stan Kantowski, “Slow wellbeing is about having the time and space to reflect, reconnect, restore and re-engage with the facets in our lives that most serve and fulfill us. At Mii amo, we want to lean in to supporting this intention with each of our guests.”
Whole Body Fitness
New fitness and movement studios with expanded programs present physical fitness as an integral part of wellbeing and health. Looking out onto the Sensory Garden, the 3,300 square-foot fitness and movement studios provide ample space for personal and group instruction. Newly hired fitness leaders will guide guests through a series of classes and programs, serving as liaisons to the adjacent Trail House at Enchantment Resort. Trail House offers hike-in/hike-out, bike-in/bike-out experiences under the guidance of expert hiking and mountain bike guides and naturalists, providing an opportunity for guests to create deeper connections to the Canyon and surroundings, through a 400-mile trail network.
Dining
Hummingbird at Mii amo, the new signature restaurant, will showcase an eclectic culinary program focused on wellness, a cornerstone of the Mii amo experience. Designed to be an airy, light-filled space by day and a tranquil, candlelit space by night, the restaurant will source seasonal produce from its own Chef’s Garden as well as from nearby farms, ranches and orchards. The fully redesigned juice bar will provide refreshing and nutritious beverages by day, and full bar and wine service in the evenings.
“Through this major renovation and expansion, we were given the opportunity to further elevate Mii amo’s sense of place, with design that frames the red rock walls and landscape, brings natural light into every space of the building, and connects the guest to the Canyon,” said Dana Tang, the architect of Mii amo.
The Journey
“Since opening in 2001, Mii amo has used the term Journey in reference to the Mii amo guest experience,” said Mii amo Managing Director Stan Kantowski, “Our intention is to serve as co-creators of each guest’s experience or Journey. We are committed to offering personalized support for all individuals as they uncover their way, not ‘the’ way. Our process is never prescriptive. We utilize our expertise to cultivate trusting, lasting relationships with each guest, working side-by-side to craft a Journey with them rather than leading them down a predetermined path.”
As part of the renovation, new spaces were designed exclusively for the enjoyment of Journey guests to enhance the sense of privacy while fostering a sense of community. These include a private Relaxation Lounge, the Journey Plunge Pool and garden, and Journey Lounge, with views of the iconic Kachina Woman rock formation. The Journey Lounge will be a place for Journey guests to unwind, study and listen – with a fireplace, lounge chairs, library and space for lectures and presentations. Journey guests will also have a private concierge space with dedicated Journey Guides.
Shopping
The reimagined Mii amo Boutique will support the guests’ wellbeing journey at Mii amo and at home, highlighting both coveted and emerging designers – from men and women’s apparel and athleisure, to gifts and home goods. Featured skincare products will be by BABOR, a leader in professional skincare across Europe. BABOR became 100 percent Climate Neutral Certified in 2020, further elevating the brand’s sustainability focus and aligning with Mii amo’s emphasis on connection with the natural environment.
How to Experience Mii amo
Mii amo will open reservations in November for the destination spa’s reopening in February 2023. Journey guests may embark on three, four, seven or 10-night all-inclusive Mii amo Journeys to fully immerse themselves in the intimate destination spa’s expanded facilities and programming. All Journey guests enjoy accommodations at Mii amo. Guests of neighboring Enchantment Resort enjoy the privilege of access to certain Mii amo spaces, amenities and services based upon availability and with advanced reservations.