Four Directions
Spas in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah celebrate the Southwest’s rich Native American cultural heritage and wisdom
By Debra Bokur
The Navajo blessing walk in beauty speaks of the spiritual search for perfect harmony—that elusive state where body, mind, and spirit fuse in total balance. Within the landscape of the Four Corners states, this quest is regarded with honor, and integrated within spa therapies that reflect age-old healing wisdoms. Here, amidst the deep canyons and steep walls of impossibly red rock, the influence of Native American cultural traditions is bone-deep—as powerful and fundamental as the vivid deserts and wide mesas that define both the landscape and the people who dwell here.
Arizona
Aji Spa at Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix
Built on a Native American reservation populated by actual wild horses in the Gila River Valley, the lobby of the resort features an enormous circular mural depicting details from traditional Pima and Maricopa daily life. Art displayed throughout the property is chosen by a “cultural theming” committee, and a large number of staff members are residents of the reservation.
Dining: The elegant signature restaurant is called Kai, the Pima word for “seed,” and features the Kai Bar where fresh fry bread and handmade tortillas are prepared as you watch. Dinner specialties include Chilled Pima Yellow Watermelon Soup and Chicken Breast Stuffed with Chili Rajas.
Spa: Treatments showcase Pima and Maricopa language and philosophy, which includes the very name of the spa— Aji is the Pima word for sanctuary. The Bahn Blue Coyote Wrap includes a full-body application of blue-hued Azulene mud. Like the Pima legend of Bluebird and Coyote (see sidebar on page 85), the blue mud is transforming—though in this case, the results are detoxifying and moisturizing. The Ho’dai Gila River Rock Massage incorporates smooth rocks from the Gila River, used for centuries by members of the Pima and Maricopa tribes to alleviate muscle pain.
Contact: (602) 225-0100, www.wildhorsepassresort.com.
Westin Kierland Resort & Agave Spa, Phoenix-Scottsdale
A luxurious haven created around the theme of the native agave plant, the resort features abundant original artwork in all media created by Arizona artists. An enormous Shaman healing sculpture dominates the entrance to the spa, and a woven burden basket hangs from the door to each treatment room—intended to be a vessel where guests can place their cares prior to their treatments, thereby maximizing healing benefits.
Dining: At Deseo, enjoy the Goat Cheese & Spinach Empanada or the Chilled Yellow & Red Gazpacho. Splurge on a traditional cinnamon dusted donut stick, called a churro.
Spa: Try an Agave Massage, which utilizes the healing properties of the area’s abundant agave plants. The agave was highly prized by Native Americans for its value as a food, a source of medicine, and for its fiber, which is still used today for weaving. The 80-minute Desert Journey includes a full-body exfoliation and an application of desert mud, rich in the minerals magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, and potassium.
Contact: (480) 624-1000, www.kierlandresort.com
Colorado
Chipeta Sun Lodge, Ridgeway
Two hours from the Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde, Chipeta Sun Lodge rests in a valley that was once home to the Ute Indians. Named in honor of Chief Ouray’s wife Chipeta, the lodge’s main building is a traditional adobe structure. Yoga and personal retreats are held in an enormous kiva. Additional activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, Jeep excursions into the National Park, mine tours, and waterfall hikes. The lodge also provides day passes to nearby Orvis Hot Springs, just a mile away.
Dining: For breakfast, feast on Rocky Mountain Granola with Pure Maple Syrup, or Southwestern Picante Egg Casserole with Green Chiles & Corn.
Spa: The full-service spa’s signature treatment is the Chipeta Massage, which includes a Native American feather smudging. The beaded and painted feathers used in the treatment are made on site and are gifted to the guest at the end of the treatment. There’s also the Southwest Stone Massage, which uses a combination of warm basalt stones and cold marble.
Contact: (970) 626-3737, www.chipeta.com
Utah
Green Valley Spa, St. George
This luxury property is in an area revered by a number of Southwestern Native American tribes. Collect a picnic lunch, then spend the day hiking into nearby Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon—or opt for rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, a guided meditative Spirit Hike, yoga, or Tai Chi.
Dining: Feast on Tofu Seared in Sesame Crust with Mango Cucumber Jalapeno Coulis or Saffron Risotto Cakes with Sautéed Wild Mushroom Sauce.
Spa: Try the Painted Desert Clay body treatment, which uses a local clay that is rich in minerals and ancient marine vegetation; a Steaming Stones Massage; or the Sound & Light therapy, which makes use of a combination of sound, color, and scent to promote relaxation and stress reduction.
Contact: (800) 237-1068, www.greenvalleyspa.com
Red Mountain Adventure Spa, Ivins
Located in the powerful red rock landscape of southern Utah, Red Mountain has fully embraced the spirit of this ancient tribal land. Besides an annual Tribal Week with Full Moon Walk, Ceremonial Tribal Tea, and Native American Coyote Ceremony, the resort also hosts an annual Breast Cancer Spirit Hike that leads to a sacred location where Native women once journeyed to give birth. Just relax or enjoy the extensive fitness facilities and wide selection of classes.
Dining: The menu at Canyon Breeze Dining Room includes Fire Roasted Poblano Chile Relleno, stuffed with a Savory Duxelle of Red Rice, Whole Grains, Pistachios, Mushrooms, Green Chiles and Grilled Tofu; Fire Grilled Achiote-Orange Pork Loin; and Molasses Seared North American Elk with Prickly Pear-Nopale Cactus Compote.
Spa: Indulge in the Four Directions therapy, a seventy-five-minute extravaganza treatment with indigenous herbs and plants that also includes a smudging ceremony, a blue cornmeal and tobacco exfoliation, a cup of ceremonial sage tea, a cedarwood oil massage, and a detoxifying sweetgrass wrap.
Contact: (435) 673-4905, www.redmountainspa.com
