Relax at this New Day Spa Sedona, Surrounded by Red Rocks

New Day Spa Sedona, a community in the Arizona desert, is sometimes referred to as the “Capital of the New Age.” Due in part to its unearthly scenery of striated red-rock formations, it has long been a paradise for yogis and spiritual seekers. Mii Amo, one of the first destination spas in the nation, was opened there in 2001 by the Scottsdale-based resort management company Enchanted Group, and Gluckman Tang Architects decided to design the project with the sole purpose of showcasing Sedona’s beauty. “It’s so awe-inspiring and transporting,” says architect Dana Tang, who is now a partner at GTA. But had only been with the company for three years when she first started working on Mii amo.

The goal back then was to design a structure that didn’t conflict with the natural surroundings and prioritized a visitor’s sense of place in the canyon. Mii Amo rose to prominence as one of the world’s top spas as a result of the strategy. But after 20 years of unstoppable success, the 16-key facility is now in dire need of renovation and expansion. It reopened in February of last year following a two-year, $40 million refurbishment overseen by GTA with furniture and fixtures by EDG Interior Architecture + Design.

She concentrated on maximizing vistas from within by strategically placing glass walls. And blending in with those views with local materials like adobe brick, river-rock flooring, and indigenous woods. Beginning with “The style was in the background,” Jennifer Johanson, president and chief executive officer of EDG, says so. It wasn’t the kind of establishment where you would enter and immediately think, Wow, that interior is great. It’s more like you can actually sense this place’s strength.

A DESIGN REFRESH IS PERFORMED AT MII AMO, A DESTINATION SPA

Even areas that underwent the most significant renovations as part of Mii amo’s makeover adhere to those goals.

Above a new onyx-framed, dusky rose-upholstered conversation pit that has been retrofitted into the space of a former indoor pool in the property’s main living area, GTA created a moon-shaped wall cutout that straddles the line between an object of art and an ancient timepiece. According to Tang, “the circle also represents completion and wholeness.” The restaurant at the spa, which is now called Hummingbird, was expanded, opened to views of the canyon through a new glass wall, and modernized with canted walls and a wooden ceiling that produces a more intriguing and dimensional interaction with the light. And in the newly built and remodeled guest rooms, baths are now encircled by textured, fluted porcelain tile that also appears in the redesigned spa facilities and are situated beneath enormous picture windows. New Day Spa Sedona

Being in such a rocky environment, Tang continues, “having smooth tile didn’t seem quite right.” “The texture of the porcelain alludes to the way the water sculpts the rocks in the canyon.” Even the contemplation and exercise spaces are understated areas with floor-to-ceiling views. First of the canyon beyond and then of a new relaxing garden stocked with native plants.

The Resort Offers Additional Guest Space and Spa Services

Both firms adhered closely to the spirit of the existing building, which is sparse and reductive as possible. Even though the renovation increased the resort’s footprint by more than 70% and added seven additional guest rooms. And an expanded spa building with a fitness wing, bringing the total square footage to 57,000. With red stucco walls that echoed the rich colors of the canyon and a stunning cylindrical piece painted blue to reflect the sky. Its exterior was envisioned as a simple take on the regional pueblo revival style.

Moreover, From the goat-hair and wool carpets to the natural objects adorning the guest rooms. EDG was also tasked with keeping everything as serene and minimal as possible when furnishing all those spaces. The similar chairs are repeated in the living and contemplation rooms to further reduce visual noise and serve as a reminder to spa guests that “they are united in this journey, even though it is individual,” according to Johanson. Aside from EDG’s choice of Patricia Urquiola chairs in the restaurant and casita blankets made by a Cheyenne artist. Almost all of the furniture in the space is custom.