When you approach Sedona by car from any direction, its geological drama immediately grabs your attention. The town has gotten built up over the years, as is the way of the 21st century, it seems. But while the red rocks have changed daily over the last 300 million years or so, the place retains the aura of the steadfast eternal. Until this month, I hadn’t visited in 17 years, so this was a profound reassurance.
Boynton Canyon at sunrise from Enchantment Resort in Sedona.
Enchantment Resort is not in the bustle of town; it’s about four miles out in Boynton Canyon, nestled discreetly into the landscape as if a welcome friend rather than an intruder. (Its resort within a resort, Mii Amo, is undergoing a renovation that will be unveiled next year.) What’s most important to say about Enchantment, among many observations, is that it was founded as a place for healing. Jim Root, General Manager and Director of Wellbeing for Enchantment Group, walked me through the philosophy of the early days, and it turns out that the model was more Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico than the many U.S.-based luxury resort spas that followed it. In other words, it’s less about glamour than it is about getting to the roots of your wellness needs.
But not coincidentally, it also happens to be immanently luxurious, as comfort and beauty contribute to health and wellbeing. The 218 casitas are spacious and graciously decorated in simple Southwest style, and most have decks large enough for dining and beehive-style gas fireplaces. The 70-acre property is home to mule deer, javelinas, and tarantulas (it is the high desert, after all), the latter of which emerge during the monsoons, driven out of their dens.
We had a one-bedroom suite for two adults and two kids, and it was perfectly designed with two queen beds in the main bedroom and a very comfortable Murphy bed in the living room, two bathrooms, and a dine-in kitchen with basic appliances and cooking utensils.
Spacious living room with Murphy bed in a one-bedroom suite at Enchantment Resort.
Every window in the place looked out on the red rocks, creating a feeling of being in a soft stone cocoon. It’s an easy walk to the main building with its two restaurants, market, and pool area, and you’ll want to reserve dinners well ahead. Even though Che Ah Chi (upscale) and Ti Gavo (casual) are only open to resort guests, they tend to always be busy. Both offer some of the best Southwestern food in town and utilize local ingredients abundantly.
Mocktails all around at Che Ah Chi, Enchantment Resort's fine-dining restaurant.
The pool is a hub for families and couples who dip in after a hike and before cocktail hour. We spent our entire first day lounging in the sun as we got oriented to an entirely new landscape. And like everything else on the property, the pool is surrounded by the canyon walls in dramatic fashion. You can order food and drinks poolside, so plan for lunch or cocktails and appetizers later in the day.
Poolside pleasures at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona?
And you can hike into the canyon straight from the back of the property, via a gate that opens with your room key. The land is a sacred home to the Yavapai-Apache, and tribal members can access the canyon anytime. Over the years, the resort has consulted with tribal leaders regarding its relationship to the canyon, and one such period of work with Apache elder Bob Bear resulted in a documentary, Che Ah Chi, by RJ Joseph that features interviews with tribal elders and geologists. (Yes, the restaurant and the film share the name of this important canyon nearby.)
Hiking in Boynton Canyon in Sedona, Arizona.
Stay tuned for an update when Mii Amo reopens. Enchantment guests will have access to the spa, but those staying in spa casitas will get the full immersion experience. For now, the resort has converted several casitas to spa treatment rooms. Staff are among the best-trained therapists I’ve encountered anywhere in the world. My myofascial release practitioner, Rev (short for Reverend, as she is a metaphysical pastor), honed right in on my plantar fascitis and too the Theragun to it, unlocking years of muscle tightness in about 10 minutes — and giving me tips for self-treatment at home.
Biking with a guide from Trail House at Enchantment Resort.
Enchantment welcomes kids readily and wholeheartedly, and staff greet them at check-in with stuffed coyotes. There’s always someone available to answer questions about the flora and fauna of this unique place on earth. The Cliff House is a newer addition to the resort that offers guided mountain bike ride and hikes. My 13 year-old son went out on bike with a knowledgeable guide focused on safety, so he had a fun and we parents were reassured.
Whether you visit for a quick weekend recharge or a week-long deep dive, Sedona’s Enchantment Resort is a bucket list kind of place.
