Sweet Serenity at The Eagle Dancer Resort in Sedona

Photography by Ian White Photography

The unique formations of Sedona’s horizon are no accident; more than 300 million years ago, the beautiful mountains and canyons were submerged entirely underwater until the Earth cracked, thus leading to the carving of the canyons, creeks and streams. What we’re left with are magnificent works of terra-cotta-colored art.

Nestled deep into the canyons and surrounded by the picturesque mountainscape is Eagle Dancer. This five-acre sanctuary Airbnb resort allows its guests to relax, disconnect from the hectic atmosphere of everyday life and absorb the magical energy Sedona possesses.

What sets Eagle Dancer apart from typical Airbnbs is its commitment to providing resort-style amenities. They offer a deluxe Hot Spring therapeutic hot tub designed to target specific muscle groups, a saltwater swimming pool adorned with mother-of-pearl tiles, an aromatherapy porcelain steam room, a deluxe sauna and an array of wellness services such as a traditional massage, myofascial release sessions, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, guided meditation, yoga classes and crystal light healing.

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Photography by Ian White Photography

Activities on the property include access to Sedona’s most popular trails through a private trailhead, a wine tasting with the owner and master sommelier Huib and guided vortex tours.

Sedona has a rich and interesting history and the Eagle Dancer property is deeply rooted. Built in 1969, the home was designed by architect Bob McIntyre, a famous architect in Sedona known for his work on the landmark arts and shopping center Tlaquepaque. The Adobe bricks of the property were all handmade and baked in Mexico, giving them a multicolor look. In addition to the property’s unique architecture, the owner lineage of the home is quite interesting.

Originally owned and built by Platt Cline, the home then became Ann Miller’s, a famous Hollywood actress best known for her classical musical films in the 1940s and 1950s. The house was then purchased by the Wrigley family until it was sold to its current owners, Iona and Huib.

Iona and Huib are a power couple whose passion lies in providing people an escape to restore and reconnect with the essence of life. They love incorporating their travels and explorations into the property and connecting with others. Grounded in spirituality, Iona and Huib live their dreams of sharing their love for nature and spirituality with the guests staying at the sanctuary they built.

After browsing Eagle Dancer’s website, I was intrigued and excited to experience not only the essence of Sedona for the first time but also the historic Eagle Dancer Resort. So I packed the car with my mom and we were off!

Photography by Ian White Photography

The drive was therapeutic. When we passed through the gate and entered the property, three steel signs greeted us with clever quotes, prompting us to begin disconnection from the outside world and be present.

Iona and Huib helped us with our bags and escorted us to our upper casita. The room had undergone cosmetic renovations, but the building’s original character remained unchanged. It had a brick-wood fireplace, cedar-lined ceilings, a full kitchen, a dual granite shower, and a private balcony with 180-degree picturesque views of the red Sedona mountains.

The room smelt of fresh eucalyptus and carried positive energy from the salt lamp and aromatherapy diffuser. We went outside to bask in the views when we were given a fantastic gift.

A symphony of rain showered the mountaintops and fell into the canyon, creating the illusion of diamonds falling out of the sky. The serene static of the rain gently falling onto the rocks made you feel like you were listening to the sounds of the rainforest. Shortly after the showers, a beautiful technicolor rainbow formed.

We were taken on a tour of the facilities available to us throughout our stay. There were Buddha statues scattered throughout the property; Iona explained that she and Huib shipped them home after their trip to Bali. All of the statues are hand-carved and some are more than 150 years old.

The most impactful amenity for me was the lookout terrace. A concrete theater covered by a cantilever roof allows you to immerse yourself in the amazing views while being shielded from the intense heat. A unique twisted tree was growing at the end of the terrace.

This phenomenon is believed to happen because the terrace sits near an energy vortex, a swirling center of energy that aids in conducting healing and meditation and opens you up for self-exploration. I was skeptical about this concept until I sat there momentarily and felt a subtle tingling sensation on my fingertips. It was incredible.

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Photography by Ian White Photography

My mom and I took an early night because we knew we had a full day of relaxing activities ahead of us. The next morning, I woke up at dawn. To kick start my day, I did a short abs workout on the terrace and hiked the local trail to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. The views from the top were surreal; I felt I was at the crest of Sedona.

When I returned to the casita, I headed to town to try a local breakfast spot recommended in the welcome book: Pump House Station. There, we shared a fresh granola bowl and a croissant breakfast sandwich.

We did some shopping at the local crystal and energy stores before returning to prepare for our massages with Omkari, a healing guide focused on providing spiritual awakening services for clients worldwide for more than 30 years.

The healing room, which used to be a library, was calming and quaint. I had never had a massage before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I left feeling refreshed, relaxed and replenished.

After our massages, we explored the famous Tlaquepaque shopping center, a Spanish-style mall filled with local art galleries and retail shops.

When we returned to our casita, we got ready for the wine tasting with Iona and Huib. We spent five hours tasting fine white and red wines and learning about the delicacies and complexities of wine pairings and the process of creating quality wine. I learned so much during my time with them and I can’t wait to educate my friends when I host my next wine night.

We left that evening with hugs and “thank yous” and fell asleep immediately. On our final morning, we took in the beautiful mountains one more time before packing the car and saying our goodbyes.

The amount of work and attention Iona and Huib put into their resort-style Airbnb is evident. Their efforts have created an escape from reality and a place for people to find peace and serenity.

The trip to the Eagle Dancer allowed me to relax and connect with nature on a level I have never experienced before. I truly feel that even though my time there was short, I left a different person with a new appreciation and understanding of the special effects Sedona holds.