Sedona, Ariz., is said to be one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. I concur. There’s something both grounding and inspiring about the luminous red rock mountain landscape, which is sacred to Native American cultures. And, tucked away on 70-acres of this magical setting is Enchantment Resort, a meetings-friendly property that expanded and enhanced its 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space late last year.
The environment at Enchantment is especially conducive to corporate retreats, recognition programs, and individual incentives. I recently had a slice of the group experience, shortly after the resort opened two new junior ballrooms and one executive boardroom that bring its total of indoor meeting space to more than 13,000 square feet. On our first evening, we enjoyed a tasty Native American buffet in the new event space—my favorite to-die-for item was the melt-in-your-mouth smoked tenderloin of buffalo. Architecturally, the space carries through the resort’s adobe architecture and warm Southwestern décor, with views from floor-to-ceiling windows that take your breath away. Automatic blackout curtains drop down to darken the rooms for presentations. All of the event space is clustered in its own area called the Village Terrace, separate from the main resort. During our final evening, we gathered in another event space for outdoor stargazing and an evening with tarot card and “aura” readings from experts who work at the on-property Mii amo Spa.
One of the most highly rated destination spas in the country, Mii amo’s 24,000-square-feet of facilities and top-notch instructors are a boon for group activities. The spa features clean lines of brick, wood, and stone and breathtaking views of the surrounding red-rock canyon. One fun activity for small groups is a cooking demo at Mii amo Café, where participants learn recipes so tasty that it’s hard to believe they are also healthy.
There are 16 guest rooms and suites at Mii amo, but most groups stay in casitas on the Enchantment campus, where the Southwest theme extends to all 218 rooms. Most have beehive fireplaces, decks, and great views. There’s wireless Internet access in guest rooms and throughout the resort.
The two-hour drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Enchantment went by more quickly than I anticipated, with the scenery growing more and more spectacular until the amazing pay-off of those red rock mountains. There’s also a new flight on Horizon Airlines from LAX Los Angeles to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, located about an hour from the resort.