The American Southwest is said to have mystical healing powers, with its vast landscapes, intriguing rock formations, and fascinating history. You can find spas all around the country, but the Southwest offers a certain peace of mind that you can’t find anywhere else. The colors of the desert and the fresh mountain air will entice your imagination and rejuvenate your soul as you indulge in some good old-fashioned self-care.
So instead of settling for the familiar spa around the corner, plan a trip to get away from it all and experience the rare serenity of this region for yourself. Spa trips are perfect for solo travel, girls’ weekends, couples’ getaways, and celebrating something special. To narrow down your choices, these are some of the most incredible spas in the American Southwest.
Miraval - Tucson, Arizona
This highly-ranked spa is located on 400 acres in the Sonoran Desert and offers accommodations, healthy meals, and wellness treatments for a balanced life. It’s also in the Santa Catalina Mountains of northern Tucson and has been in business since 1995. It’s recommended to book your spa appointment at least three weeks in advance at this popular spa, and in-room treatments are often available. This is a spa that focuses on sustainability and healing minimalism rather than opulence or lavishness. New treatments being offered include crystal salt serenity and 3-in-1 detox and firm bodywork treatments, as well as intuitive massage and Pachamama medicine energy treatments. On the beauty menu, the desert rose radiance facial and henna for the hands and feet are also new offerings.
Red Mountain Resort - St. George, Utah
The St. George area of Utah is a wonderful place to visit for spa lovers. It’s settled amidst the red rock cliffs and canyons in the southern part of the state and a great relief for your muscles after hiking and canyoneering trips in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Retreat packages here include three healthy meals per day and guided classes for hiking, biking, fitness, and yoga. At the spa, rejuvenate your mind and body with desert botanicals, local honey, and mineral-rich muds and salts. Day spa packages typically range in price from $85 for a customized massage and healthy lunch to $225 for a massage, facial, pedicure, and lunch.
La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa - Santa Fe, New Mexico
This spa is located just steps away from the historic Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe. You’ll feel transformed into another time and place with the unique adobe architecture, luxury accommodations, and Southwestern charm. The onsite spa and salon, Spa Sage, has a full range of healing treatments, including massage therapy, facials, and body treatments. Enjoy indigenous treatments that are expertly applied in 4,500-square-feet of day spa space from 9am to 7pm daily. The featured day spa package includes a 50-minute Swedish massage, vitamin C brightening facial, and classic mani/pedi for $350. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center here to keep up with your workouts, as well as a saline pool, hot tub, and yoga classes.
Mii Amo, Enchantment Resort - Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is known for its powerful healing energies, and one of the best places to experience this is at the Enchantment Resort. The resort is located on 70 acres of beautiful land near the Boynton Canyon and surrounded by mystical red rock formations. This area is an easy drive from the Grand Canyon if you’re on vacation or a romantic getaway all its own. If you’re traveling with kids between the ages of four and 12, they can play at Camp Coyote while you get a spa treatment. Access to the spa is included with your daily resort fee and includes a lap pool, steam room, sauna, fitness classes, art lessons, and cooking demonstrations. Inspired by the traditions of the Native American people, journey packages for spiritual exploration and transformational wisdom are available, as well as various massages, body treatments, and skin care.
Peaks Resort & Spa - Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is one of the greatest places to ski and snowboard in America, but once your adventures on the slopes are done, head to the Peaks Resort & Spa to relax those sore muscles. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, this spa has traditional and innovative spa services and also fitness and outdoor recreation experiences to take advantage of. The spa is a 42,000-square-foot sanctuary with dry saunas, Roman tubs and hot tubs, Eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, pools, body therapies, and an oxygen inhalation lounge. There are also yoga, enrichment classes, and wellness programs offered here to get you on track to living a healthier and more fulfilled life. Private fitness sessions with training instructors are also available upon appointment.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
One of the greatest things about the Taos area of New Mexico, besides the skiing of course, is the mineral hot springs that exist here. The small nearby town of Ojo Caliente has a mineral springs spa that was deemed sacred by indigenous Native Americans of Northern New Mexico, and its legendary waters are open to the public today. At this retreat, you can enjoy a massage, Milagro wrap, soak in the various mineral pools, and even take a mud bath. This is the only hot springs in the world with four different types of mineral water: lithia, iron, soda, and arsenic, each with its own healing benefits. Spa packages include Suki skin care for a hydrating boost, Essence of Ojo Custom Massage to soothe away muscle tension and stress, and reflexology foot therapy to balance body and mind.
The Spring Resort & Spa - Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Pagosa Springs is home to the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs and has 23 soaking pools. The Mother Spring has measured at 1,002 feet deep, 144 degrees Fahrenheit, and 35 feet across. The springs are open to the public year-around from 7am to midnight in the summer and until 11pm in the winter. When you stop by to take a dip, also check out the Spa at the Springs, which offers body treatments, facials, hair, nail, and skin services with BABOR cosmetics to accompany the therapeutic mineral water treatments.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa - Scottsdale, Arizona
This has consistently been ranked one of the top hotel spas in the U.S. for many years. There are 12 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms and a menu of Asian-inspired services to choose from, as well as a Zen meditation garden to renew your spirit in Scottsdale. The four-star Forbes Travel Guide spa is open from 5am to 8:30pm daily. Popular day packages include the Wakai face & body duo, Nagare experience with a Watsu® session, and shared packages for groups of girlfriends and romantic couples. You can also join the four-day Satori Wellness Retreat with meals, spa services, and guided activities.
Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa - Gateway, Colorado
This resort is in the Unaweep Canyon of Western Colorado, surrounded by the stunning Uncompahgre Plateau, Piñon Mesa, and La Sal Mountains. The Gateway spa uses restorative natural ingredients in a relaxing space that will help you take time out for yourself and relieve the stresses of daily life. Open from 9am to 5pm daily, services at the spa include massage, body indulgences, salon services, and facials. Yoga classes are also offered, and a schedule is posted on the resort’s weekly activity calendar.
Green Valley Spa - Saint George, Utah
Another great St. George area spa to visit while you’re in this part of Utah is the Green Valley Spa. This affordable spa resort offers 4-diamond accommodations in southern Utah amidst Red Rock Canyon country. Services offered include body work, energetics, and personalized training sessions using natural elements like wild desert plants, sea salts, micronized silk, light beams, and sound waves. Skin beautification treatments enable the body to absorb nutrients and release toxins for improved elasticity and resilience.
The Boulders Resort & Spa - Carefree, Arizona
The Boulders Resort & Spa is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and features the multi-million-dollar Southwest-style casitas and Discovery Lounge. The 33,000-square-foot Spa at the Boulders has 24 treatment rooms with a large menu of options and a full-service salon. You can also get active with onsite adventure activities like rock climbing and cycling or take a dip in the four swimming pools.
