Their plan worked. Mii amo completely blends into its surroundings, thanks to the use of local and simple materials like earth-toned concrete, river stones, adobe brick, and stucco the color of the canyon walls. This makes it hard to tell where the canyon ends and the resort begins, which, again, is the whole point: “Mii amo’s architecture is intended to feel like it’s always been there, grounded in the canyon,” Tang continues. “The design is meant to inspire both an outward connection to the canyon and inner exploration, too.”
Photo: Douglas Friedman
Though the renovation and expansion didn’t change the spa’s design in a drastic way, its size did increase by 40%, landing at 42,000 square feet of space laid out to help guests connect to nature and to themselves. In addition to Mii amo’s pre-existing standout features, like its outdoor pool with red rock views and its indoor sauna, steam room and hot tub facilities, Mii amo now includes a sensory garden, a two-story movement and fitness studio and reflexology path, seven new casitas (plus 16 fully-renovated ones), all sorts of re-imagined spaces, and a signature restaurant, Hummingbird, led by Executive Chef Beau Widener. It must be noted here that unlike many wellness retreats, where the food is often meh at best, Widener’s creations are a truly tasty highlight—especially at dinner. Don’t miss the lamb with olive tapenade, the baked purple sweet potato topped with lemon butter (so good my husband and I ordered it every night of our stay), or the mushroom curry, all of which follow Mii amo’s “healthy food is whole food” philosophy.