Amara Resort & Spa’s new Mindful Escape Package offers a serene experience in the heart of Sedona—with a spa treatment and option to deepen self-awareness through a bespoke Human Design session.
Less than a two-hour drive from Phoenix, the town of Sedona—home to around 10,000 residents—welcomes more than three million visitors each year. Some come for the hiking but many for the spiritual charge that’s said to flow through its famed energy vortexes. Crystal shops and aura readers make the town feel like a seeker’s playground and for solo travelers craving a getaway that promises a touch of the mystical, Amara Resort & Spa has crafted something special with its new three-night Mindful Escape Package.
Amara Resort & Spa
Tucked along the banks of Oak Creek, Amara Resort & Spa blends modern desert style with boutique charm. Just a short stroll from Uptown Sedona, the 100-key property feels connected to everything yet tucked away in its own private space. Rooms and suites reveal private balconies or patios, some of which open to courtyard, pool, or creek and red rock views. At its heart lies a photogenic saltwater infinity pool framed by cushioned loungers and views of Snoopy Rock– guests come and go throughout the day, so there’s always somewhere to sit and kick back for an hour or two.
Another draw at Amara is its award-winning namesake Amara Spa, which draws inspiration from the landscape with treatments that incorporate desert botanicals like juniper, ponderosa pine, and arnica. And at the heart of Amara’s new Mindfulness Escape Package is a 90-minute treatment of your choice. The Midsummer’s Dream Massage—a current seasonal special that incorporates a signature aromatic balm of night-blooming florals, blood orange, and lavender—is quite wonderful. However, the more mystically-minded might be tempted by Winds of Change, which promises to balance chakras and align energy through with native rattles and healing crystals.
Human Design
For those seeking more than physical rejuvenation, an optional enhancement to the package is a Human Design Chart Reading with Nicole Hernandez, also known as The Traveling Hypnotist. Delivered virtually, a bespoke session weaves together astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra system to reveal your unique energetic blueprint.
“I know guests aren’t simply booking a spa vacation for relaxation—they’re seeking meaningful respite from constant overthinking, decision fatigue, and the pressure to excel,” Hernandez explains. Her readings offer practical insights into how you’re naturally designed to make intuitive decisions, feel empowered in relationships, and navigate life with purpose. It's a cosmic-meets-practical approach that feels like the perfect complement to spending time in Sedona, helping guests tune into inner wisdom, align with their true nature, and leave recalibrated. Think: a more confident and unapologetically authentic sense of self.
Sedona For Solo Travelers
While Amara offers endless ways to unwind—Friday nights bring guided stargazing with a local astronomer, Saturday mornings draw guests to yoga on the lawn—Sedona itself is a playground for independent travelers. Its downtown is safe, walkable, and dotted with galleries and shops, and more than 200 miles of trails wind through red rock canyons, mesas, and desert landscapes. Getting around is easy: the Sedona Shuttle can drop you at nearby trailheads (call ahead to make a complimentary booking), while the Sedona Shuttle Connect offers rides for $2 each way.
An easy 2.6-mile loop close to Amara is Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock, although it’s possible to hop onto a guided hike, too. And if being driven to Sedona’s famous Chicken Point Overlook in a bright pink open-air Jeep Wrangler appeals more, sign up for the Climbing High tour that ascends the rugged Broken Arrow Trail with top local outfitter Pink Adventure Tours.
Southwestern Flavors at SaltRock & Beyond
Dining at Amara is an experience in itself: helmed by Executive Chef Cord Chatham, menus at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen celebrate bold flavors of the Southwest, each dish infused with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients – including stone fruit from his very own orchard. Join a margarita-making class with master mixologist Billy Langenbacher, learning the craft behind SaltRock’s signature drinks while sampling tastes from their impressive collection of small-batch and boutique tequilas and mezcals.
Beyond Amara, Sedona’s culinary scene is a casual but considered affair. Wild Craft Kitchen is a go-to for coffee, smoothie bowls, and light lunches. For an afternoon treat, stop by La Michoacana Dulce Passion for a scoop of ice cream or a handmade Mexican paleta. And definitely do dinner one night at Broome & Orchard, whose outdoor patio is framed by views of Sedona’s red rocks. Menu standouts include sushi rolls and fresh-shucked oysters.
Art, Shopping & Sedona’s Spiritual Side
Sedona’s creative energy extends beyond its landscapes. A labyrinth of galleries, boutiques, and sycamore-shaded courtyards, arts and crafts village Tlaquepaque is perfect for an afternoon of wandering. Just down the street, Garland’s is a must-visit for collectors of turquoise jewelry, antique Navajo rugs, and fine Native American art. Since 1976, this family-owned shop has been a cornerstone of Sedona’s cultural life. And of course, no trip to Sedona would be complete without stepping into at least one crystal shop. Options abound, but Mystical Bazaar, just outside town on State Route 98A, is a standout for its carefully curated stones and intuitive readings.
In a world where constant motion is the norm, choosing to slow down can feel like a luxury. Sedona’s natural splendor, coupled with Amara’s relaxed hospitality and its new retreat (like discovering your Human Design blueprint) make the Mindful Escape Package more than just a vacation—consider it a place to realign and reset while connecting with nature, stillness, and perhaps most importantly–yourself. amararesort.com
