Creme de la Cleanse: Spring Cleaning at Mii Amo Spa
The treatment
Any morning that begins with lavender scones and leads to dozing in a crystal grotto is off to a solid start. So goes the sedative rhythm of a Mii amo spa break in Sedona. Boldly branded as a spiritual retreat where body bliss takes a back seat to reflective revival, this is one of America's best destination spas. Serious spa aficionados book annual pilgrimages to revel in a menu like no other. Eager to try something entirely new, I sign up for Anasazi Ubtan - a fusion of ayurveda (ubtan is a traditional exfoliation) with Native American botanical ingredients. My therapist invites me to choose from three essential oils, each representing a dosha - a set of physical and mental characteristics. Serene and stoic, she intuitively taps out stress triggers without the exchange of a single word. She slathers my entire body with a juniper and indigenous chaparral herbal paste, swaddles me in thick towels and sweetly tickles my face with her delicate fingertips. It's all so good I could cry. After rinsing, she finishes with Mii amo's juniper, orange-spice body lotion leaving me hydrated and refreshed.
The benefits
Anasazi Ubtan nourishes and promotes well-being long after the therapy is complete. The herbal paste works to drain excess oil, purifying and toning the skin. Calm, sympathetic and knowledgeable, the staff here is simply superb. Showcasing extraordinary diagnostic ability, my therapists excelled at cleansing me emotionally as much as physically.
The spa
Two hours north of Phoenix, Mii amo is tucked away in a red rock canyon. This full-service venue within the Enchantment Resort claims to be the Southwest's most spiritual spa location. A Yuman word for "passage," Mii amo promotes personal transformation through mind, body and spiritual therapies. Shaded by ancient cottonwood trees and evoking a chic, modern pueblo, the spa's 16 courtyard guest rooms offer lofty comforts with private terraces and cozy fireplaces. Yoga and Pilates are top-notch while tequila-hued morning hikes are as glorious as it gets. In a week at Mii amo, you pack in more do-your-body-good-ness than any other spa in Arizona.
The basics
Mii amo Spa at Enchantment Resort, 525 Boynton Canyon Rd., Sedona, Ariz.; 888-749-2137; miiamo.com, three-night program rates from $1,960.