It is no secret that Sedona is such a special place. Just take a look at those red rocks and a listen of the babbling Oak Creek. One of our favorite ways to take in Sedona is at the recently renovated Kimpton's Amara Resort & Spa.
A bit contemporary, a bit glam. Beautiful, bold colors. Undeniably comfortable and suitable for families, girlfriends on holiday and those wanting a romantic escape. The new-and-improved Amara Resort & Spa offers the perfect summertime escape for Valley dwellers looking to get away--but not too far away. Complimentary yoga and tea, coffee and hot cocoa (with marshmallows, peppermint shavings and chocolate chips to delight the littles) is the perfect way to kick off a day at Amara. Then, it is time to explore, as the concierge can book custom day trips that can range from hiking to wine tasting or guests can use one of Amara's complimentary bikes to take on the area--or simply lay back and soak up a little sun. The resort's negative-edge pool not only offers up incredible red rock views and a peek at Oak Creek, but it is surrounded by private cabanas and cozy seating, including large bean bag loungers that families can get comfy on. The pool also has a shallow beach entry that is perfect for kiddos wanting to splash and play.
The afternoon calls for a spa treatment. The thoughtful list of treatments incorporate the natural and spiritual elements of Sedona, as is the case with the Moon Chasing Sun facial. The 90-minute ritual starts with aroma inhalation of your choosing, body compressions and warm towels, followed by a facial massage using cool and warm stones simultaneously to promote the purging of toxins and reduce swelling. The feeling of the cold and warm stones utilized together provides a one-of-a-kind calming yet refreshing feeling. The entire treatment will leave your skin looking and feeling its best, plus the upper-body massage will melt away any stress and muscle tightness.
Not that you need any more help to unwind, but the complimentary Wine Hour in the Amara living room from 5 to 6 p.m. is the perfect way to chill out before dinnertime. There is even a non-alcoholic option in case you had kids in tow. Then, dinner is served at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen. Chef Massimo De Francesca dishes up an incredible menu of creative, delicious Southwest-inspired eats. Standout starters include the deviled eggs with pasilla-maple syrup, bacon onion marmalade and grain mustard and the sweet-and-spicy grilled corn (as well as the grilled corn soup). For heartier eats, the duck confit tacos with eggplant mole, guacamole and napa cabbage and the achiote chicken with cilantro-jalapeño risotto, grilled asparagus, “pignon” sauce, pine nuts and pomegranate seeds are must-haves. For dessert, savor the flourless chili chocolate torte, a sinfully moist and decadent cake paired with peanuts, peanut butter sauce and bananas. And a meal isn't complete at SaltRock without a sampling of the incredible cocktails, with favorites being the guava-ginger margarita and the spiced maple sour.
To end the evening, join Stargazing & S'mores on Friday and Saturday nights. A local astronomy expert guides guests through the solar system with iPads while guests fire up complimentary s'mores at the resort's firepits. A perfectly sweet ending to a full-filled yet relaxing day in Sedona.
