Sedona: Spectacular, Spiritual & Serene
Red rocks, desert adventures, a little spiritual discovery and one extraordinary spa—Sedona is one of those places that stays with you.
Three words come to mind when I think about Sedona: spectacular, spiritual and serene.
The landscape alone is extraordinary.
Those enormous vermillion-colored rock formations rising out of the desert are even more breathtaking in person, particularly when the light begins to change and the rocks seem to glow.
But Sedona has another quality that's harder to describe.
People have long been drawn here not only for the scenery, but for its sense of energy and spirituality. I was curious about the famous vortexes I'd heard so much about and, naturally, had to go and experience them for myself.
Whether you believe in their energy or not, there's something about being surrounded by this landscape that makes you want to slow down, breathe a little deeper and simply be.
And perhaps that's the real magic of Sedona.
Take a Pink Jeep Tour
One of the most fun things we did was a Pink Jeep Tour.
It's a great way to get beyond town and experience Sedona's rugged red-rock landscape—especially places you might not otherwise know how to reach.
Pink Adventure Tours still offers several different excursions, from adventurous off-road trips to tours focused specifically on Sedona's vortexes and their history.
If it's your first visit, I would absolutely do one.
DON'T MISS: Experience a Vortex
Sedona's vortexes are places that some believe contain particularly concentrated spiritual energy.
The four best-known sites are Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.
I remember thinking, I have to check this out for myself.
And that's still my advice.
You don't need to arrive with any particular belief or expectation. Go with an open mind, find a quiet spot and spend some time there.
Maybe you'll feel the energy.
Maybe you'll simply find yourself sitting in one of the most beautiful landscapes you've ever seen.
Either way, you're unlikely to regret going.
Stay at Enchantment Resort
If there were one place I'd return to in Sedona, it would be Enchantment Resort.
The setting is spectacular.
It's tucked into Boynton Canyon, surrounded by Sedona's red rocks, so you don't have to leave the property to feel completely immersed in the landscape.
This is somewhere I'd deliberately leave space in the itinerary to do very little.
Hike in the morning. Have lunch. Sit by the pool. Go to the spa.
Sedona doesn't need to be rushed.
Enchantment Resort
And Make Time for Mii amo
This was a highlight of my stay.
Mii amo is the destination spa at Enchantment, and I remember thinking it was one of the best spas I'd ever experienced.
It has evolved considerably since my original visit and today combines spa treatments with fitness, mindfulness and other wellbeing experiences. Access to the spa is currently reserved for guests of Enchantment and Mii amo.
But what I loved about it wasn't simply having a great massage.
The entire experience felt connected to Sedona—the landscape, stillness and sense of wellbeing.
MY ADVICE
Don't wait until the last afternoon to squeeze in the spa. Make Mii amo part of the reason you're going.
Get Outside
Sedona can be as active—or as restorative—as you want it to be.
There is wonderful hiking and mountain biking, and you can also see the landscape from above by hot-air balloon.
But I wouldn't fill every day with activities.
Choose a hike that appeals to you. Take the Jeep tour. Experience a vortex.
Then leave some time for absolutely nothing.
That's part of Sedona too.
If You Have More Time: Add the Grand Canyon
If you've traveled all the way to Northern Arizona and have enough time, combine Sedona with the Grand Canyon.
The two experiences are completely different, but together they make an extraordinary Arizona trip.
I wouldn't try to squeeze the Grand Canyon into an already packed Sedona weekend, though. Give it the time it deserves.
What Stayed With Me
When I originally wrote about this trip, I ended with a very simple sentence:
“I left Sedona feeling happy and at peace.”
I don't think I can improve upon that.
Because that's exactly what I remember.
Yes, the red rocks are spectacular.
Yes, there are wonderful hikes and adventures.
And yes, I went searching for those mysterious Sedona vortexes.
But ultimately what stayed with me wasn't something I saw.
It was how Sedona made me feel.
And that's why I'd go back.
IF YOU GO
STAY
Enchantment Resort
DON'T MISS
Pink Jeep Tour · A vortex experience · Mii amo · Time outdoors
VORTEXES
Boynton Canyon · Cathedral Rock · Bell Rock · Airport Mesa
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME
Add the Grand Canyon
BEST FOR
Couples · Girlfriend getaways · Wellness escapes · Outdoor adventures · A reset
MBELLISHED TIP
Resist the temptation to turn Sedona into a checklist. The landscape and sense of stillness are as much a part of the experience as anything you can book.
Activities, spa access and experiences change, so check current availability and reservation requirements before visiting.