These American spas are iconic destinations in their own right, and the perfect complement to rugged exploration. Nothing deepens your earth-body connection like a journey blending the best of nurture and nature. Pack your bags for an American spas getaway amid the Southwest’s celebrated natural landscapes.
By Katy Heerssen for Quest Magazine
Arizona
“The desert does something to me!” is something I’ve been known to exclaim whenever I visit Arizona. It might be the clear, dry air, or the landscape of dramatic monuments — or maybe it’s just the quiet vibe of the ancient lands and stones with millions of years’ worth of stories to tell. It’s the kind of place that begs you to get back to basics and find your bliss.
MII amo | Sedona
Secluded in the shadow of Sedona’s famous red rock spires, Mii amo’s award-winning spa treatments offer decadence in the desert. Boynton Canyon is the backdrop for soulful therapies, meditation, and yoga practice. Included on the menu: Native American-inspired arts, Reiki healing techniques, aural photography, and hypnosis.
Miraval | Tucson
Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and the stunning Sonoran Desert have informed the Life in Balance spa menu at Miraval, a luxurious retreat near the Santa Catalina Mountains. Try the Qi Grounding treatment, a melding of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy designed to return your mind and body to its true center.
Don’t Miss | Pair your American spas getaway in Arizona with an exclusive visit to the Grand Canyon. We recommend the easy access of a private helicopter and the fantastic views of multicolored, timeworn ridges seen from above. Touch down to explore, taking a canyon-rim hike or a biking tour with your private guide — transformative experiences set against the backdrop of this magnificent natural wonder.
Pro Tip: Go inward in the great outdoors. Taking a shaman-led hike not only connects you to Native American culture, but also offers immersive walking meditation. – Catherine Brown, Designer
California
In the United States, California is the mecca of look-good, feel-good culture. Forgetting the Golden State’s renowned celebrity glamour (and celebrity doctors), we suggest cruising up the storied coastline to embrace nature at its most spectacular. Santa Barbara and Monterey County are well-known havens of spa luxury, where you can pair good vibes with great views.
Salt Cave | Santa Barbara
Descend into a shimmering underground cave clad top-to-bottom in pink Himalayan salt imported from Pakistan. From the finely ground salts covering the floor to the micro-particles that permeate the air, this entire space promotes healing through body treatments and yoga practice. Slip into a sound therapy session featuring crystal singing bowls and gongs, designed to resonate deep into your heart and soul.
Post Ranch Inn | Big Sur
The emerald hills and azure waters surrounding Post Ranch Inn beckon you to surrender to serenity. Ker & Downey Designer Devon Chapman describes the property as “the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” The inn’s spa menu features intuitive healing arts therapies, fire ceremonies and skin treatments with ingredients sourced from the California coast. Try the wildflower face-and-body treatment, infused with local lavender, rose, jasmine, and calendula essences.
Don’t Miss | A scenic drive along Pacific Coast Highway connects Santa Barbara to Big Sur and beyond, and will further immerse you in the beauty of the region. Take a private marine wildlife cruise through the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the country’s largest federally protected marine sanctuary. When your coastal explorations are through, head inland to explore Yosemite National Park’s towering granite cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, and old-growth forests of giant sequoias.
Utah
The quintessential Wild West allure of Utah’s natural wonders inspired filmmakers like John Ford and John Wayne time and again. Sweeping landscapes and alien rock formations still hold plenty of secrets, if you’re adventurous enough to seek them out.
Amangiri | Canyon Point
Much of the magic at Amangiri comes from its incredible access to Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Slot Canyon, and Monument Valley. Set on 600 acres of private lands, the wild wonder of the desert surrounding this property is all yours.
This ancient Navajo land has inspired the Amangiri Spa, with treatments rooted in the Earth’s four elements of earth, fire, wind, and water. Yoga practice is illuminated by candles (or moonlight for special evening sessions), while immersive wraps made with local red clay and blue aloe are designed to nourish your skin. In all, some 25,000 square feet of spa space awaits, including a separate water pavilion lined with stones and positioned as if hewn directly out of the canyon rock.
Don’t Miss | Your close proximity to the nearby national parks and natural lands means ample outdoor activity. Float down the Colorado River through Glen Canyon or hop in a Hummer to discover the soaring sandstone cliffs and sacred slot canyons of the region. With Ker & Downey, you are invited on a horseback ride to Raven’s Nest for a private dinner and reception with a Navajo tribal elder.
Contact the designers at Ker & Downey to tailor your vision of a customized wellness journey to the American spas of the West.
Quest Magazine
Dedicated to the experiential style of Ker & Downey travel, QUEST Magazine features eye-opening content that focuses on unforgettable experience, unheard-of destinations, and the very best our world has to offer. Each issue is packed with insider information, what's new in the world of travel, and editorial pieces that focus on our global culture, philanthropy, and transformative travel.
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