Legendary US destination spa Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona, has relaunched after a substantial renovation and expansion project costing more than US$40m (£34.1m, €38.9m).

Nestled at the base of Boynton Canyon amongst its striking natural landscape and towering red rocks, the 22-year-old resort closed for two years due to the update which has increased its footprint by more than 40 per cent (to approximately 42,000sq ft).

The project has both refreshed existing resort facilities and updated the destination with extra treatment rooms, 16 new accommodations, a brand new movement and fitness area, a signature restaurant, a consultation wing and a private suite of spaces exclusively for Journey guests.

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

“At Mii amo, everything we do is enveloped in the beauty and power of the place,” said Tracy Tang, Co-owner of Mii amo. “We look forward to welcoming guests back to Mii amo to experience our expanded vision and our new and enhanced spaces.”

Tang is also chair of the board of directors at Enchantment Group – a US hospitality group 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.

Slow wellbeing

Mii Amo’s updated spa includes 26 treatment rooms: 14 single massage rooms, three facial rooms, two wet rooms, one sound lounge room and one couple’s massage room, as well as new steamrooms and saunas.

A new five-treatment-room 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.

In a nod to slow wellbeing, Mii amo has extended all treatment durations. Formerly offered in 60- or 90-minute sessions, the new standard is 75-, 100- or 125-minute sessions.

Social spacesAs part of the overhaul, Mii Amo’s Crystal Grotto for meditation and reflection has been refreshed. Meanwhile, the Living Room has a new sunken seating lounge that allows 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, an 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 – offers striking panoramic views and is complemented by new furnishings and accessories inspired by the natural colours of the Canyon.

New fitness and movement studios with expanded programmes are also giving Mii amo guests a new focus on physical fitness.

Looking out onto the Sensory Garden, the 3,300sq ft studios provide space for personal and group instruction. Newly-hired fitness leaders guide guests through a series of classes and programmes, serving as liaisons to the Trail House at the adjacent Enchantment Resort.

The Trail House offers hike-in/hike-out, bike-in/bike-out experiences under the guidance of hiking and mountain bike guides and naturalists, providing an opportunity for guests to create deeper connections to the surroundings, through a 400-mile trail network.