OFF THE BEATEN PATH

During Barrington’s long winter months, nothing sounds more appealing than a getaway to the Arizona desert, where its fabled red rocks seem to radiate the sun’s warmth. For the winter- weary, the Ambiente Sedona Landscape Hotel is the ideal destination for a weekend focused on health and wellness.

Last December, we landed in Phoenix to find a car waiting to transport us to Sedona—an easy two-hour drive. As we passed through the desert, we slowly climbed to an elevation of close to 4,400 feet. Pulling onto the grounds of the Ambiente Sedona, we admired how the hotel was tucked into the landscape. Walking through the lobby’s double doors, we were greeted with a floorto- ceiling vista of the stunning red rock mountains behind the hotel. In a unique touch, every room on the property is a separate structure. Dubbed Atriums, each structure is thoughtfully designed to mesh with the landscape. The Creekside Atriums, for example, are propped on stilts allowing a creek ambling through the property to meander underneath and around. Inside all the Atriums expansive windows showcase breathtaking views while private rooftops are perfect for an afternoon on the daybed with a coffee and book or for a night of stargazing while sipping wine and basking in the warmth from your private firepit.

After our day of travel, we were ready to explore. Directly next to the Ambiente is the trailhead for the Adobe Jack trail, an almost two-mile hike that connects to other trails, allowing hikers to access more than seven miles of trails directly from their rooms. As the sun descended over the mountains, we admired the rugged beauty of the trees lining the rocky trail. After four miles, we headed back to the hotel. Passing the pool, we paused to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail by the outdoor firepits, listening to the relaxing sounds of the burbling creek.

That evening we dined on-property at Restaurant Forty1. Helmed by Chef David Duncan, the venue’s menu features incredible Southwest-inspired dishes centered around indigenous flavors and locally sourced ingredients. The Butterfish appetizer—halibut belly, macadamia nuts, furikake, miso, and mirin-soaked cucumbers—was the most delicious way to start the meal. The bison short rib puree entrée that followed was paired with charred broccolini, beet puree, shaved black truffle, and mustard caviar. The brilliant flavor pairings were masterful combinations of the unexpected.

Saturday morning dawned early and, after enjoying the delicious pour-over coffee we brewed in our room, we headed to breakfast. The immunity boost is a freshly made juice bursting with zesty ginger, carrot, and orange notes. Paired with local granola, yogurt, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of honey, it was the perfect beginning to the day. Having read about Sedona’s famed vortexes—where energy from the earth swirls and flows powerfully—we were eager to experience it ourselves. So, we took advantage of the Ambiente’s convenient transport and pick-up service—available within a two-mile radius of the property—and were dropped at the trailhead for the Airport Mesa Trail. Our first stop was the energy vortex at the top of the mesa. The view is unbelievable and offers a true 360-degree panoramic view of the red rock formations across the Arizona desert. Juniper trees, which typically grow straight, grow twisted at the vortex; an anomaly without a known explanation. Embarking on a five-mile hike that circumnavigated Airport Mesa, we enjoyed every moment of physical exertion while marveling at the bluest of skies. At the hike’s end, we texted the Ambiente and a driver was there to pick us up within five minutes—a true luxury.

Next up was a visit to the hotel’s renowned Velvet Spa. I opted for the Reawaken Celestial Chakra treatment, which incorporates many modalities including sound bowls, traditional massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, moon-shaped crystals, and gentle energy work to reawaken your senses, bringing your seven chakras into balance. The experience left me simultaneously balanced and relaxed, restored and re-energized.

That afternoon we explored downtown Sedona’s charming shops, which are full of trinkets and souvenirs for those waiting back home.

On our last day, eager to fit in one more morning hike, we reserved a Lexus SUV—available thanks to the partnership between the Ambiente and Lexus. We headed to the Cathedral Rock Trailhead to experience more astounding views. After reveling in nature’s physical beauty, we drove a short distance to experience the spiritual beauty of the Chapel of the Holy Cross—a Catholic church built in the 1950s into the mountain rocks. Although tiny, the chapel dominates the landscape with its unique architecture.

Returning to the Ambiente, we enjoyed a brunch that showcased an incredibly inventive mix of flavors. I opted for the ahi tuna gyro, paired with edamame hummus, macadamia nuts (providing the perfect crunch), a shishito pepper slaw, mango, and sambal aioli, wrapped in a warm, soft naan with an outer crusty edge. The dish was the perfect sustenance for our return flight home to Chicago.

Back in the cold, the positive effects of Sedona’s warm sun and the Ambiente’s unique atmosphere, which prioritized relaxation and restoration, have long lingered with me.

To experience a sunny health and wellness weekend, visit ambientesedona.com.