Summary
I visited Sedona (4 nights) in May 2017 with my wife, 2.5 year old son and one of our close couple friends (with their 3 kids). We were excited about coming to Sedona because of its reputation as a friendly, wellness escape that was not too far from Phoenix / Scottsdale (1.5 hour drive) – and the city delivered. Furthermore, the weather was warm but not too hot and being shoulder season for travel, the town and hotel were not overly crowded. This trip served as our babymoon so it was important to consider Zika virus when determining where to go as well.
Accommodations
We stayed at the Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock which was a nice, family-friendly resort just outside the town of Sedona. We considered the higher-end L’Auberge Sedona as well but decided that with 4 kids in our party, it made more sense to go with Hilton. The hotel has multiple pool options (including a waterfall pool for kids), a family-friendly food menu (including late-night s’mores) and a great staff. Mike Nesvik at the concierge was a great partner in helping organize our local activities / dinners.
Select Favorites
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- Dining: There are many nice local dining options in and around Sedona – the nice thing about the town is that it is pretty small so it is pretty easy to get around town and try the local spots. For Mexican dinners, we loved Javelina Cantina for its fun family vibe and Elote Café next door is an amazing Southwestern / Mexican destination (be prepared for a long wait). For Italian dinners, consider Cucina Rustica (no pizza), Pisa Lisa (mainly pizza) or a local favorite Pagos (broad Italian menu). For Continental dinners, we would recommend The Hudson (American), Mariposa (Latin-inspired) and the more casual Oak Creek Brewery (Comfort). We ventured out of the hotel for a few great, casual and local breakfasts at Miley’s Café and Red Rock Café and enjoyed the handcrafted ice cream at the newly-opened Rocky RD!
- Activities: Sedona is filled with wonderful outdoor activities that make for the perfect retreat. From golf courses (e.g. Sedona Golf Resort) to hiking trails (e.g. Bell Rock Pathway and others) and hotel spas, there is something for everyone to enjoy. One very popular activity is a Jeep Tour through the parks to get some amazing views of the mountainous Red Rocks. We loved the Broken Arrow tour by Pink Jeep Tours (not suitable for pregnant women or kids under 16 months) for the amazing drive on the rocks and beautiful scenery. Other popular attractions and destinations, especially if kids are involved. include the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and the Out of Africa wildlife park.
Recommendation
I would recommend Sedona as a nice getaway destination for a restful, relaxing but active (if you want) retreat. It is a perfect staycation for those in the Phoenix area and it’s not too long of a flight for those in the US looking for a warm (dry heat) and more unique getaway that currently feels comfortable for those worried about Zika. We are excited to go back when my wife can enjoy a Jeep tour as well! =). Happy planning!
