Red Mountain Resort, Utah - Review

Radiant Red Rock Living

by Alain Gayot

A stunning setting in Utah

Ah, the spa retreat. Indulging in an actual age assessment. Pampering yourself with a neuromuscular evaluation. If your thoughts have just screeched to a halt, and you're wondering where in the heck the hot stone treatments are, don't fear. The Red Mountain Resort offers plenty of beauty and relaxation therapies to go along with its health and lifestyle improvement sessions.

In a gorgeous location at the entrance to Snow Canyon State Park, surrounded by red rock formations and black lava flows just two hours north of Las Vegas, the adventure spa has the advantage of being able to unite its approach to holistic healing with adventure and the great outdoors. Everything it needs for its nature programs is right outside its front door — the “Grand Circle” of National Parks, which includes Zion, Bryce and The North Rim Grand Canyon. Along with yoga, Pilates and Balletone, you can learn to “read” rock walls on a geology walk or hike the challenging wave rocks of Coyote Butte.

A deluxe room	Yoga in the beautiful surroundings

Since being healthy no longer means having to yield to the ascetic lifestyle, the 82 guest rooms and 24 two-bedroom luxury villas are tastefully decorated with Southwest overtones. Fabrics take their inspiration from Native American patterns, while accent colors are soothing reminders of the desert. Accommodating up to four, the villas are particularly nice: freestanding structures whose earthy architecture blends into the surroundings. Amenities include those for business travelers, as the spa caters to corporate and executive retreats. It can also tailor escapes for teens, singles, couples, families and small groups.

The spiral circle walk	Relaxing at the Sagestone Spa

All stays begin with a basic set of inclusions. Along with accommodations, you can enjoy guided morning hikes, spirit hikes, moonlight walks, cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes and the use of facilities such as the pools and workout equipment. Three gourmet meals daily also come with your holiday. Although foods are poached and fire roasted rather than fried (you can get the details from the nutritional information posted with each meal), flavor still abounds. And yes, you can have beer and wine with dinner.

As for the extras, bring your pocketbook and prepare to indulge: national park hikes, outdoor skills classes, spa treatments, rock climbing and special workshops such as cooking classes. A favorite program is the Eat Well, Feel Well Culinary School which incorporates four two-hour private cooking lessons into your stay. Whether you've always wanted to learn about smagrocery shopping, desire a Desert Pearl Facial or want to embark on a day of mountain biking, as long as it's good for you, you'll find it here.