Could we get any more lucky living day to day life in our little town–surrounded by multiple ski resorts, bodies of water, trails for days and offerings of a city just 30 minutes away? I think not. But as blessed as we are to live in our mountain town bliss, life still gets hectic. Whether it’s the grind of busy seasons, managing a family or corporate life has you in a rut, sometimes it’s nice to get out of town for a breather.
And that’s exactly what I decided to do. I had a two day window open up and bee-lined it to the southern Utah desert. Just a few hours south of Salt Lake provides for the perfect short, mental recharge trip. It generally offers warmer weather, stunning sights and it’s easy to hop in the car to be on your own schedule. With so many destination options to choose from, deciding on one can be tough. I was seeking relaxing ambiance with beautiful views, delicious food (duh) and outdoor recreation. I decided Red Mountain Resort was just the spot.
Outside dining, Photo Courtesy of Red Mountain Resort
The Resort
Red Mountain Resort is located just outside of St. George, in Ivins, Utah. It’s about a four and a half hour drive from Park City. Upon arrival, I was instantly mesmerized by the red rock mountains flanking two sides of the resort. Southern Utah red rock seems to radiate an intense energy and you can feel it pulling up to check in. The resort is known to be ideal for health and fitness oriented guests with its focus on clean food and array of offered activities. But I found it ideal for any traveler looking to have a little reprieve from everyday life. One guest could have the perfect stay going on the hiking excursions while another by reading at the pool all day. On site, there is a relaxation lobby, fire pit looking over the mountains, an indoor and outdoor pool, treatment spa, restaurant and even a labyrinth to walk.
Labyrinth among the red rocks.
Stay
Red Mountain Resort offers package deals that include onsite meals, fitness classes, guided activities and even a wellness cooking demonstration offered everyday but Sunday. I found the Essentials Package ideal for my stay. It included three meals a day, use of pools, fitness center, fitness classes, guided morning hikes and a cooking demonstration. Looking for some quality alone time, I opted out of the guided hikes and fitness time, and instead rented a complementary cruiser bike to stroll around the surrounding areas. Other packages are offered to focus on a variety of vacation needs, like the Girlfriends’ Getaway Package which includes a villa stay and spa credit, Zion Adventure Package with daily guided trips to nearby Zion National Park, a Weight Loss Package and even an Emotional Fitness Package with holistic energy healing.
Cuisine
Of course, good food was at the top of the list on my requirements, and Red Mountain Resort did not disappoint. “Eat well, feel well” is the nutrition philosophy at the resort and they use the healthiest, highest quality ingredients available. Executive chef Chad Luethje has over 25 years of experience in high-end luxury resorts. He is the recipient of multiple awards for best cuisine and cooking classes, including a number one rated spa cuisine in Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards. Luethje was raised by health-conscious vegetarians and learned early on to appreciate the role of food in a healthy lifestyle.
Breakfast muesli containing dried fruits, chopped apple, local raw honey, pepitas and blueberries
Breakfast and lunch at the resort are bountiful healthy buffets perfect for fueling the day. I loved this option, I mean who doesn’t get excited about a buffet? And this was not your regular, over-indulgent buffet. Think blackberry fruit butter, muesli and veggie scramble options for breakfast type of buffet.
The lunch buffet includes a salad bar, curry chicken salad, roasted red potatoes fingerlings, red pepper humus, veggie slices and turkey burger
And for lunch, unique choices were offered like vegan arugula pesto, red chile pecan coleslaw and organic Sriracha ketchup to accompany your turkey or quinoa burger patties.
Green curry halibut with rice noodles and turmeric roasted cauliflower
For dinner, the dining room is set for a full-service, restaurant style meal. You can choose to sit family style with other guests or request a private table. Menu options looked amazing and it was difficult to choose just one. Grilled grass-fed New York strip loin with Maytag blue cheese au gratin potatoes and chipotle coffee Demi-glace?! I mean, drool. I decided on a lighter fare and ordered the green curry halibut and it did not disappoint. The curry was the perfect combination of sweet, creamy and spicy. All in all, I ate A LOT and still left each meal feeling light and ready for my next activity.
Snow Canyon State Park. Less than a mile down the road. Photo courtesy of Red Mountain Resort
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Red Mountain Resort, highly recommend it and am looking forward to making my way back! For more information on activities offered, spa treatments, packages and over all resort information, visit their website www.redmountainresort.com or call 877.246.4453.
