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Arizona’s iconic Mii amo resort relaunching in 2023 following US$40m revamp

11 Nov 2022 US destination spa Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona, is due to reopen on 2 February 2023 with all-new facilities after undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion project.

The 22-year-old resort closed in early 2021 for a comprehensive refresh that has cost more than US$40m (£34.1m, €38.9m).

Mii amo has been updated with a movement and fitness area, extra treatment rooms, a signature restaurant, a consultation wing, new accommodations and a private suite of spaces exclusively for Journey retreat guests.

“For two decades, Mii amo was a pioneer in the spa space,” said Tracy Tang, chair of the board of directors at Enchantment Group – the US hospitality group behind Mii amo which develops and manages hotels, resorts, destination spas and golf courses.

In addition to Mii amo, Enchantment’s portfolio includes Enchantment Resort and Seven Canyons Golf Club in Sedona; the Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia; and The Cove, Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

“We decided to invest in a major renovation and expansion because we’re committed to Mii amo and its continued standing as a trailblazer in the world of luxury wellbeing.”

Mii amo’s original architect, Gluckman Tang, was tasked with expanding and enhancing the property’s original design.

A fresh new spa inspired by slow well-being
Mii amo’s spa will reopen with 21 treatment rooms including 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 steamrooms and saunas.

A new consultation wing with a dedicated relaxation space has also been added to provide a private setting for sessions with Mii amo’s mindfulness team and therapists.

As part of a commitment to slow well-being, Mii amo will extend the length of all treatments. Formerly offered in 60- or 90-minute sessions, the new standard will be 75-, 100- or 125-minute sessions.

According to Mii amo managing director, Stan Kantowski: “Slow well-being is about having the time and space to reflect, reconnect, restore and re-engage with the facets in our lives that most serve and fulfil us.

“At Mii amo, we want to lean into supporting this intention with each of our guests."

Social spaces
As part of the overhaul, Mii amo’s popular Crystal Grotto for meditation and reflection has been refreshed.

The circular space, with its earthen floor and domed ceiling, centres around a pedestal featuring a fountain and an illuminated quartz crystal. Lit by an aperture overhead, it's 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 will allow guests to relax and connect to the earth, while private niches line the perimeter of the room and offer a connection to the sky and sun.

All new spaces have been designed to 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, expanded outdoor dining space and 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 – will offer striking panoramic views and be complemented by new furnishings and accessories inspired by the natural colours of the Canyon.

Mindful movement
New fitness and movement studios with expanded programmes will give Mii amo guests a new focus on physical fitness.

Looking out onto the Sensory Garden, the 3,300sq ft studios will provide space for personal and group instruction. Newly-hired fitness leaders will guide guests through a series of classes and programmes, 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.

New accommodation
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 will include fireplaces, private outdoor spaces and heated bathroom floors and are arranged within a quiet courtyard compound.

The new suites will feature private courtyards with fireplaces and outdoor seating. Most of these accommodations include soaking tubs with views of Boynton Canyon.

Dining
Hummingbird at Mii amo, the new signature restaurant, will showcase a diverse culinary programme focused on wellness.

Designed to be an airy, light-filled space, the restaurant will source seasonal produce from the on-site Chef’s Garden as well as from nearby farms, ranches and orchards.

The fully redesigned juice bar will provide nutritious beverages by day, and full bar and wine service in the evenings.

The Mii amo Journey
“Since opening in 2001, Mii amo has used the term Journey in reference to the Mii amo guest experience,” said Kantowski. “We intend to serve as co-creators of each guest’s experience or Journey. We're committed to offering personalised support for all individuals as they uncover their way, not ‘the’ way.

"Our process is never prescriptive. We utilise 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, a library and space for lectures and presentations. Journey guests will also have a private concierge space with dedicated Journey Guides.

Journey guests will be able to pick between three-, four-, seven- or 10-night all-inclusive Mii amo packages to immerse themselves in the destination's expanded facilities and programming.

Retail boutique
The reimagined Mii amo Boutique will offer items to support guests’ wellbeing journey at Mii amo and at home. products will range from clothing and athleisure, to gifts, home goods and skincare supplied by brands such as Babor.

Reservations for Mii amo have reopened this month ahead of the destination’s relaunch next February.