I'm looking for a low-to-moderate hotel in Sedona for two nights in April. Figure around $100-$125 a night is the budget. Any recommendations? Restaurant and hiking suggestions would also be welcome.
Also, what is the traffic situation these days? I remember huge bottlenecks getting from Sedona to Oak Creek Canyon two years ago.
My favorite in-town place is Sky Ranch. My mom and I have been going there for about 25 years and now my husband makes it his post annual Grand Canyon hike recovery spot. I always meet him there for a night or two and then we go on to Garlands Oak Creek Lodge.
Sky Ranch is great, it is on the road to the airport and one of the vortex spots (if interested, I have never felt a thing). People drive up there just to take in the views. There are a range of accomodations, the Garden Rooms would fit your budget, although I love the Rim Rooms for the view and expansive deck. Many of the rooms have kitchenettes and there is a pool, hot tub and gardens.
A couple of hundred yards up the road is the Sedona airport, which has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is also a great spot for a late afternoon glass of wine or cocktail. We just love staying up on top of this mesa, and don't generally go into town any longer. Growing up in the area in the 60's and 70's, it has changed so much for me, that I find it uncomfortable now.
Hwy 179 is now open and clear! They did a great job, lots of round-abouts instead of traffic signals and very nicely landscaped.
My favorite hikes are Vultee's Arch and West Fork. These are 2 vastly different hikes. Vultee's is great when the weather is cooler as you are exposed to quite a bit of sun. West Fork is up the Oak Creek Canyon on 89A. Very forested and you must cross the creek at many points along the way. It is relatively flat, we usually go about 3 miles in and turn around. You can really get a sense of the geology of the area and see how the Oak Creek has carved the canyon. If there is a lot of snow melt, it might not be the best choice.
I know it might sound cheesy, but the Pink Jeep tours are great. When going to Sedona with friends who have never been there, we will do this. "Broken Arrow" is in my opinion far superior and the best of their offerings.
There is a new Hyatt Regency (The Shops at Pinon Point) situated by the "Y" (where 179 and 89A meet. There is a Wildflower Bread Company there, which would be a good place for lunch. Thank goodness because for years we felt that you couldn't get good bread in Sedona.
My sister and I stayed at the Hyatt at Pinon Point last April. It was wonderful! I enjoyed jogging around the property every morning.
We had dinner at the Wildflower Bread Co. and it was very good. We also ate (two times) at Que with a View for good barbecue. There is also a good pizza place, the name is something like Picazzo's.
I found the roundabouts to be difficult and finally decided they were to small and needed to be larger in order to give you time to maneuver.
Denise
Posts: 342 | Location: Central California | Registered: 12 February 2006
Take a look at a B and B. There are a lot of them in Sedona. You want one that is on the creek. Pick a couple, let us know which ones you like and we can give you our impressions.
A really nice hotel is La Auberge in Sedona. Yeah, I know, french provincial doesn't exactly mix but actually the cabins are very Arizona high country, only the food is french and it is fantastic. Eat at the creekside restaurant. The outdoor open air right on the creek. The ducks come up and beg at your table.
Make sure you get a cabin not one of the new rooms. There is construction going on so the rates are really low right now but if you stay in the cabins you shouldn't even hear anything.
Amy, i have been going to Sedona for over 20 plus years. We typically rent a house, but when i did do a hotel, we really liked Cedars Resort. Has a great location and view to die for! I think if you call, you can probably get a better rate .
When we were there last Nov/Dec.....the newest, excellent restaurant is Fork in the Road It is down in the village on the south side of Sedona but well worth the trip!
If you just want a down home meal especillay for breakfast or lunch after some hiking..Keiser's West in west Sedona
There are lots of so, so resturants in Sedona, very touristy.
As far as hikes.....i don't think you can go wrong with many! Some are just more touristy than others. We try to go to the off beat ones. My husband has a whole check list of ones we have done and what we thought
For the budget eater in Sedona Red Planet Diner is fun. It is sort of a Hard Rock cafe of sci fi movies, TV, etc.. AND the food is good.
Breakfasts - only one place to go - The Coffeepot. Named after the rock formation it has over 100 different omelets. I think some are just for show but every one we have tried is big, fluffy and scrumptuous.
Places to buy authentic indian handicrafts - you can go into the shops but a better idea is to take 89A up toward Flagstaff to the overlook rest stop. The BLM runs the rest stop and requires that 1) the people who show their wares there be registered members of Arizona tribes and b) the wares they show must be made by them. I have gotten really beautifully made jewelry, pots, etc.
Also outside the Dairy Queen north of town there are usually a few people showing jewelry, pots, etc..
Alyssa, for a spa type experience..The Enchantment Resort It is a little outside of Sedona proper but it is surrounded by views and hiking! Also, i am told the restaurant is good too.
I also heartily recommend Sky Ranch Lodge. A wonderful location, quiet, and clean, with very nice, peaceful grounds. You can get garden view rooms for under $100, but I also prefer the red rock view rooms, which start at just over $150.
Also, just in case anyone is interested in a house or casita Upscale Sedona homes Tell them i sent you and it should get you a discount! LOL. We have been staying in her homes for 7 years now and have become good friends. All her homes are top notch!
