The Ultimate Girls Trip: Spa-velous St. George

Your girls keep you grounded. Cheer you on through challenges. Remind you that you’re not defined by a single role. But like all relationships, spending quality time together is a must to keep your female friendships strong — especially as life pulls you in different directions. You need more than a weekly Facetime sesh or a monthly brunch. You need an annual girls getaway where you can relate and relax, listen and laugh. You need to go to St. George, Utah, one of the best girls trip locations in the nation.

Southern (Utah) Charm

It’s practically impossible to feel unwelcome in St. George. Even the lizards are friendly. The landscape is captivating as well. Black lava rocks mingle with crimson cliffs punctuated by desert plants. It rarely rains in the summer and the temps are still pleasant in the winter. There’s a good mix of outdoor and indoor activities here, assuring you always have a good balance of recreation and relaxation. Speaking of which … spa resort, anyone? 

More Than a Hotel

Red Mountain Resort is an all-inclusive resort with a full-service spa. It’s located about a quarter mile from the entrance of Snow Canyon State Park, so (obviously) the scenery surrounding the outdoor pool’s azure water is spectacular. And no girls trip is complete without some positive poolside vibes and an Insta-worthy pic. 

Red Mountain Resort designed a package specifically for girlfriend getaways. You and two or three of your fave females can stay in a spacious luxury villa with two bedrooms. In addition to the perks included in all of the resort’s retreat packages (guided hikes, pool and bike use, three daily meals, etc.), the   Girlfriends' Villa Getaway also includes spa credit for each night of your stay. 

Sagestone Spa & Salon at Red Mountain Resort is nothing like the strip mall “spa” offering mediocre maintenance massages. Its list of accolades is longer than the your daily to-do list, boasting awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor’s, Travel + Leisure and Spas of America. You’re inner Rachel will be pampered appropriately. Choose from signature treatments including:

• Red rock hiker’s massage
• Vibrational sound therapy
• Adobe lavender hydrating cocoon 
• Soothing agave ritual

The menu also includes traditional spa services such as manis/pedis, cranial sacral therapy and facials. Whatever combination of treatments you choose, follow Phoebe’s advice. “Listen to the plinky, plunky music. Now close your eyes and think of your happy place.” Aaaaaah, yes. Sage words from the eccentric Friend.

A La Carte Adventures  

If you have some Monica in you and would rather create your own itinerary and book a room or villa at Red Mountain Resort separately, you can do that too. Or book a package and add your own extras. Everyone is different and has their own girls trip ideas. 

Maybe you and a coupla cronies from your college cross country team want to run the St. George Marathon in October. Do that first, then hit the spa for a personalized massage and relax by the pool. Stay for a few more days to experience everything else the St. George area has to offer. 

Or, if 26.2 refers to the number of times you’ve consecutively listened to Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” while learning the choreography rather than the number of miles you and your own girls would like to run, that’s okay. You do you. There are plenty of other ways to make St. George the ultimate girls trip.  

Shopping and Entertainment

Once dubbed “Broadway in the desert,” Tuacahn still puts on several shows each season. But the outdoor amphitheatre also draws crowds for concerts, comedy specials and its Saturday Market. Stroll the tree-lined walkway to find handcrafted jewelry, desert art, artisan foods and other locally made items. Or sit in the shade and listen to live music while you and your squad catch up. 

There are also a handful of boutiques in the Historic Downtown area of St. George. Urban Renewal, Scout & Cloth and Field Study all have some fun finds, ranging from vinyl records to home decor and women’s clothing. After all that legwork, head to Megaplex Theatres Sunset location and put your feet up in a luxury recliner to watch a movie. 

Hiking and Biking

Remember that Red Mountain Resort is located at the front door of Snow Canyon State Park? You can book a guided hike of the park’s lava tubes through the resort, or explore the park on your own. When it’s not closed to protect migrating tortoises, Johnson Canyon is a fast, easy hike with an arch at the end of the trail. The short (but steep!) Cinder Cone trail has fascinating scenery you’re not going to find anywhere else. And Snow Canyon Overlook is one of the best places to watch a sunrise or sunset. 

Similarly, Red Mountain Resort offers guided mountain bike and e-bike experiences on some of the most popular trails in the St. George area … if that’s how you roll.

Golfing

Balls aren’t just for boys to play with. Ladies love the links, too! There are 13 public and private courses in the St. George area. The Ledges is a public course sandwiched between Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. To say the backdrop is jaw-dropping is an understatement. Group lessons can be arranged for those who need help making a wicked slice more virtuous, or you can book a tee time if you’re already a pro. 

Sand Hollow Golf Course is another popular, picturesque public course. But this isn’t like high school when “popular” didn’t always translate to something good. Golfweek ranked Sand Hollow’s championship course as the best in Utah. It’s also ranked nationally.

Squad Goals

The ultimate girls trip should leave you feeling rejuvenated. After a weekend (or weeklong!) stay at Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah, you’ll be ready to conquer the world. Start planning your spa resort getaway today!

Where my girls at?