What It’s Like to Stay at Mii Amo, a Tranquil Destination Spa in the Arizona Desert
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Welcome to Checking In, a new review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best new (and revamped) luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.
Mii Amo
Describe the hotel in three words: Restful, restorative respite.
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What’s the deal?
On the page, Mii Amo might sound a bit Goop-y (Gwyneth Paltrow has stayed here, after all), but the destination spa and resort in Sedona, Arizona, has the gravitas to back up its claims. Initially opened in 2001, the property closed for two years starting in 2021 and reopened in early 2023 after a $40 million renovation. Along with refreshes to the longstanding amenities (the outdoor pool with views of the surrounding landscape; the signature spa areas), Mii Amo expanded in size by 40 percent, adding seven new casitas—bringing the total number of rooms to 23—a signature restaurant, a two-story gym and fitness studio, and more.
Before you even arrive on the property, you’ll liaise with your “journey guide,” who works with you to curate an experience focused on your specific needs and desires. The all-inclusive journeys (either three, four, seven, or 10 days) include your room, a daily credit to use at the spa or trail house, speciality programming like lectures and fitness classes, three meals a day at the restaurant, juices and smoothies, and more. On top of that, you’re nestled in Boynton Canyon, one of Sedona’s four “energy vortex” sites that’s made of absolutely stunning red rocks. You’re not paying for the nature, but it’s one of the most incredible added benefits of a stay at Mii Amo.
The Best Room
The two-bedroom luxury suite offers the most amenities of any room, with space for up to six people looking to enjoy their journey together. Inside, you’ll find a separate living room with a fireplace, two bathrooms, and a private massage room so you don’t even have to venture into the main spa to work out all those knots. Outside, a private courtyard features a fireplace and whirlpool, while the outdoor shower is the perfect place to cool off after a hike on one of the surrounding trails.
Even the smaller rooms, though, are well-appointed, more than enough for a solo traveler or a couple. Fireplaces are commonplace, and you can curl up on the private patio’s daybed for an afternoon snooze. My bathroom had both a spacious walk-in shower and a soaking tub, from which I enjoyed a late-night dessert and cup of tea one evening. What more could you ask for when on vacation?
The Rundown
Did they greet you by name at check-in?
Yes, although they had a head start after my car checked in at security before driving up to the entrance. Mii Amo’s staff met us at the vehicle, taking my luggage and ensuring that it was deposited in my room before I completed check-in at the front desk.
Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? (Bonus points if it wasn’t just fruit juice).
Yep. While I waited for someone to help me, I was offered a glass of elderberry hibiscus iced tea. Alcohol is served at the restaurant, but I wouldn’t expect Champagne upon touchdown at a spa where many guests are likely trying to detox.
Is there a private butler for every room?
No, but the Mii Amo staff is incredibly attentive. After just one day, a handful of them knew me by name and had picked up on my preferences, such as where I liked to sit in the restaurant. The staff-to-guest ratio is high, with three staff members for every journey guest, and you can tell.
Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?
The thread count of the 100 percent cotton Fili D’oro sheets is exactly 300. The fluffy, cloud-like bed was the dreamiest landing pad after a spa service, like going from one relaxing and supportive resting place to another.
Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?
The bathroom floors are indeed heated, which isn’t much necessary during the day but helps immensely at night, when the temperature in the desert drops. No bidet here, but I personally didn’t miss it.
Are the toiletries full-sized?
You bet. The spa’s signature Body Bliss full-size shampoo, conditioner, and body gel are in both the shower and by the soaking tub, which also comes with bath salts. And there’s of course a robe for when you get out, along with the robe you’re encouraged to wear throughout your stay as you travel between your services—and even to dinner. You can tell who’s staying at Mii Amo and who’s just come to the restaurant because journey guests are the ones chowing down on steak while all cozied up.
Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?
As mentioned, the larger luxury suites come with whirlpools on the private courtyards. Otherwise, you have to use the communal pool. During my stay, guests of the neighboring Enchantment Resort were using the pool because that property’s was closed, but Mii Amo guests had a reserved seating area to look out on the surrounding red rocks.
As for the spa—ha! Given that Mii Amo is all about the spa, you can be sure it’s worth its salt. Services run from the more typical (deep-tissue massage; facials) to the slightly more woo-woo (hypnosis; reiki; past life regression). While I gave hypnosis a try, it didn’t quite work for me, but some of my fellow guests had surprisingly meaningful experiences that they didn’t quite expect. My personal favorite was the Desert Mist Body Renewal, a two-hour-plus experience in which you get scrubbed, wrapped, and massaged, leaving you feeling like a newborn baby. Plus, journey guests have access to a private room from which a team member will whisk you away to your treatment. Cozy up under a warm blanket and look out onto the landscape—it doesn’t get much better than this.
All of the lounging and spa treatments took precedence for me over working out, but I did enjoy a hike on the property’s two trails. And one morning, I opted for a Bosu ball class in the fitness studio. As the only one who showed up, I basically got a session with a private trainer. For those who prefer a full gym setup, there’s a spacious one on the first floor, which seemed to have everything you might need for working up a sweat.
Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?
While there is a bar that serves wine and liquor in the evening, I frequented it much more often for juice and smoothies during the day. You can create your own or go with the resort’s concoctions, like the Refresher (pineapple, acai, mango, coconut water) or the Golden Glow (turmeric, yogurt, pineapple, raw honey, hemp seed). There’s something to be said for swapping your nightly cocktail for a fresh juice: Falling asleep and waking up were both much easier.
Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind?
Mii Amo doesn’t have a separate room service menu. Rather, you can have any of your meals from the restaurant, Hummingbird, delivered in the privacy of your casita whenever you want, with a little advance notice. This is especially helpful if you have a dinnertime treatment and want a late bite afterward. Caviar isn’t on offer by itself (although the team may be able to make something work), but there is French Sturia caviar currently offered in a potato gnocchi starter and the diver scallop entree. The rest of the menu leans much lighter—think salads, fish, and grain bowls at lunch and hand-cut spinach pasta or duck breast at dinner. The restaurant staff was even kind enough to send me off with a breakfast burrito to go, for the two-hour ride to the Phoenix airport.
Would you buy the hotel if you could?
Undoubtedly. I received more spa treatments and personalized attention in one weekend than I probably have throughout the rest of my life. The calming aura of both Mii Amo and Sedona would surely do wonders for my physical and mental health. And there’s nothing more elegant than swanning around in a robe all day. That, I could definitely get used to.
Score: 9/10
What Our Score Means:
1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.
4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.
7-8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.
9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?
Rates start at $1,400, inclusive of three daily meals (excluding alcohol), daily spa credit, and access to fitness and movement classes.
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