There’s a sense of peace and serenity in Southern Utah, not far from Zion National Park where the Colorado Plateau, Mojave Desert and Great Basin converge. Sunlight dances across the dramatically sculpted landscape, shifting colors and moods throughout the day. The scent of dry desert air and profound quiet create an ideal setting to escape, rest and recharge.
Before I even stepped into Plume Spa at the new Black Desert Resort—opened last fall near St. George—I expected a luxurious experience. Scanning the spa menu in advance, I was impressed by inventive treatments alongside classic favorites. It took some deliberation to decide, and I ultimately chose two therapies I’d never tried before.
Attracted by the name Naptime—I’m a fan of sleep—I entered the Longevity Lounge, a dedicated space with advanced recovery technology and immersive options. My therapist described a warm, weightless suspension: a dry float where I would lie on a heated bed recessed into the table, wrapped in a warm blanket and fitted with a weighted eye mask. Eager to relax, I settled in for the 30-minute session and drifted into deep relaxation.
Still craving cocooning, I moved from the Longevity Lounge to another calming room for a 60-minute De-Stress & Sculpt Body Cocoon. While I often choose a massage—Swedish, hot stone, bamboo, or a signature blend—I decided on a sculpting treatment designed to target stress-related inflammation. The therapist applied an algae-rich mask, tucked me into a therapeutic wrap, and allowed the antioxidants to work while I slipped into a restful sleep.
Dry float © Courtesy of Black Desert Resort
Those two treatments are representative of the wide range of experiences at Plume Spa. In the Longevity Lounge you can choose the Salt Inhalation Boost to support respiratory and immune function, the Dry Cryo Float—a colder version of the dry float—to help reduce inflammation, or a hyperbaric chamber session to increase cellular oxygen levels and restore mental clarity and energy.
One standout treatment reimagines the popular cold plunge and sauna ritual as a massage: the Lava & Ice Vitality Massage. This 60-minute service alternates hot and cold stones, uses an herbal muscle balm, and incorporates warmed linens to replicate the invigorating effects of a sauna and cold immersion.
My guestroom was spacious and well-appointed, with a kitchenette for added convenience. For those seeking a deeper wellness retreat, the resort offers nine accommodations in the Plume Wellness Collection located close to Plume Spa. These suites are designed with health-focused details such as locally sourced aromatherapy, eco-conscious bath amenities, yoga and mindfulness tools, circadian lighting, CBD-infused pillows, and infrared therapy blankets to promote restorative sleep and recovery.
Hyperbaric chamber © Courtesy of Black Desert Resort
Adjacent to the Plume Wellness Collection is a modern fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, Woodway treadmills, Precor machines and a full complement of strength and conditioning equipment to keep guests’ routines on track. After a workout, the infinity-edge pool offers panoramic views of the red rock landscape speckled with black lava. The pool area includes private cabanas, poolside service, oversized hot tubs, and is open around the clock—perfect for stargazing while soaking.
Golfers will appreciate the Black Desert Course, a 7,500-yard championship layout designed by Tom Weiskopf that hosts PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour events. The course invites players of all levels, and the resort’s Golf Academy provides instruction ranging from 75-minute clinics to full-day performance schools. A 36-hole putting green helps guests sharpen their short game.
Beyond on-site wellness, the resort coordinates outdoor activities to take advantage of the surrounding terrain: guided hikes near local trails and in Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks; yoga sessions among the red rocks of Snow Canyon; rappelling; kayaking and paddleboarding on nearby waterways; stargazing experiences; and other outdoor adventures that connect guests with the desert landscape.