86336 Travel Guide
Tags: Hotel Renovations / Arizona Hotels / Sedona Hotels / Hotel Anniversaries / → All Tags
L'Auberge de Sedona Gets a $25 Million Makeover for Turning 25
The grounds at L'Auberge de Sedona
Time, energy, and millions of dollars are often fed into resort overhauls to prove that they are bigger, better, and more luxe than their swanky competitors. The $25 million dollars that L'Auberge de Sedona invested into Phase One of their expansion project was a symbolic expense, meant to coincide with the property's 25th anniversary. And here, we thought that a sterling silver plaque would suffice.
Previously honored by Wine Spectator and Condé Nast Traveler, the message L'Auberge de Sedona seems to be sending with the renovation is, "The more frills, the better." Many of the lodgings are meant to be private mini-retreats, with 64 brand new cottages recently added to the grounds. At 1,200 square feet, with indoor and outdoor spaces, outdoor showers, and gas fireplaces, the phrase that comes to mind is "rental property," not weekend getaway.
With prices ranging in the $400-500 range for cottage accommodations, you're definitely paying a premium for all of those extras. However, there are rooms and Gardenside Cottages available at a comparatively more reasonable $200-300.
Tags: Family-Friendly Hotels / Arizona Hotels / Travel and Leisure / → All Tags
Honeymooners Beware: T+L Lists The World's Best Hotels for Families
The list-makers at Travel + Leisure don't strictly cater to single jetsetting types. There's an active sect of family travelers out there, and those that don't consider Disneyland the Alpha-Omega of getaways. Sorry, Mickey.
Their survey of the "World's Best Hotels and Cruises for Families" in the U.S. and Canada is topped by the Enchantment Resort of Sedona, Arizona (which, coincidentally, sounds Disney-esque). It's no rough-it campsite or—shudder—Comfort Suites, but a luxury resort where adults are known to enjoy playtime as much as their young counterparts.
The hotel's site explicitly tells prospective travelers not to "worry about the kids," citing activities like Camp Coyote exploration as a selling-point. The Camp is an educational program designed for kids aged 4-12, where they can partake in "scavenger hunts, outdoor games and Southwestern-inspired cooking classes," with a full day of Camp priced at $70.
Tags: Hotel Video Tours / HotelChatter Reviews / Arizona Hotels / Sedona Hotels / → All Tags
Inside The La Vista Motel: Decor Needs A Facelift, But Lovely Staff
Getting your aura cleansed can be expensive, as we found out in Sedona this weekend. We arrived on Thursday, looking for a motel on spec – except everywhere seemed to be full up or over $100 for a room.
Finally, a guy in the tourist office suggested we try the La Vista Motel on the edge of town in North Sedona (actually it’s pretty much in the centre of town, just a few minutes walk from the shops). Our room cost $65. Was it half as good as the ones that cost twice as much? Well the lady at check-in (Kate) was positively angelic and made us feel completely at home. So that was a good start.
Room Reaction:
There are two levels to the motel – rooms on the top are level with the road and have views out over the famous Sedona red rocks. Those on the lower level don’t get the views because of some trees in the way, but they do get their own little seating areas, and a bit more privacy, because they’re tucked away under the main road.
Tags: Hotel Renovations / Sedona Hotels / TripAdvisor / → All Tags
Sedona's Orchards Inn Gets Seemingly Long-Overdue Renovation
Sedona, Arizona, has recently seen a swirl of activity — and for once it’s not related to vortexes or even the New Agey doings of the hippy-trippy guests the town attracts. Hilltop hotel Orchards Inn got a facelift! And from the sounds of more than a few painful-to-read TA reviews, it sounds like the update might have been long overdue.
The official word from Orchards Inn is that the hotel has been “updated inside and out to truly give this classic property an upscale contemporary feel.” The one aspect that even the mean TA reviewers admit is pretty amazing — Red Rock views — got centerpiece treatment, with new oversized framed mirrors placed just so to reflect the ahh-inducing views.
But, you know, new mirrors do not a renovation make. Guestrooms have also been “fully upgraded, from the custom designed dark oak furniture and beds with leather upholstered headboards to new carpeting and bathroom fixtures.” Also new: flat-screen TVs, nicer bedding, new lounge chairs on the sundeck, and individual climate controls in each room (hmm, OK, we’re not sure we’d be bragging that one as a “perk;” seems pretty standard).
Overall, the renovation doesn’t exactly sound earth-shattering (leave that to the vortexes!) but hopefully it means the place is less, uh, "disgusting.”
Tags: Arizona Hotels / Hotel Spas / Sedona Hotels / Desert Retreats / → All Tags
Take Your Pick: Guided Hikes or Golf Cart Rides at the Enchantment Resort's Mii Amo Spa
The majestic red rocks and canyons of Sedona, Arizona lure millions of visitors every year seeking desert solitude and inspiration. And late winter is the perfect time to visit Sedona -- temperatures are still cool but the crush of holiday visitors are starting to thin out. And if your one who craves luxury and a little culture with your desert solitude, Mii Amo Spa at the Enchantment Resort is for you.
The setting is in a word, spectacular. Don't be surprised if you find yourself muttering "awesome" even if you're not the kind who says "awesome."
Tags: Sedona Hotel Reviews / Hotel Giveaways / → All Tags
Hotel Bedding Giveaway, Yes, Giveaway
When we first heard of the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa's "Luxury Bed Set Drawing," we thought...who in their right might would take bedding from a hotel? Some of them may be uber-comfy, but that doesn't mean you trust the maid service enough to take the linens home...and then we read a little more about it.
To celebrate the hotel's recent accomplishment of receiving AAA'a Four Diamond Rating, they have announced a drawing for a complete (and yes, new) Sedona Rouge bed set, known as one of the most lavish and enjoyable features of the hotel. The bed set will include a Simmons King-size Super Plush Pillow Top Mattress with a goose down feather duvet and four premium pillows.
Guests of the hotel began entering to win in November with the lucky winner being announced on February 1, 2007.
While you may not always be able to escape to the Sedona Rouge for a custom spa treatment, the bedding may bring that rest and relaxation you are always looking for...right at home...so get booking.
Related Link:
· The Great Giveaway! [Gateway To Sedona]
· Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa [Trip Advisor]
· About Sedona [EasyWM]
Tags: Bad Rate / Arizona Hotels / Comfort Inn Hotels / → All Tags
Bad Rate: Comfort Inn Sedona for $140 a night
[Ed. Note: This is the Bad Rate in our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature. This rate was valid on October 31, 2006 and is subject to change. Enjoy.]
Let's see, a suite in a resort on a golf course for under $100, or a roadside motel for $140 at the Comfort Inn Sedona.
We freely admit to bunking down at a Comfort Inn now and then. If you just want a bed and a shower before you get back on the road, they do the job--and give you free wireless Internet access and ice. When you're on vacation in a beautiful place like Sedona, however--and paying $140 a night for a basic motel room--let's just say it will take more than tai-chi and crystals to make the universe feel aligned.
Supposedly there's a canyon trailhead right next to the motel. But we advise skipping on over to this week's Good Rate instead: The Ridge on Sedona. There you can stretch out with a full suite and a kitchen and have a different walk--onto a golf course. After three nights of staying in better digs, you'll have $120 more dollars left than you would if staying at the Comfort Inn Sedona.
Related Stories:
· Comfort Inn Sedona [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotel Hell / → All Tags
Sedona Hotel Allegedly Boots Guest, Cowboy Style
[Editor's Note: Hotel Maven jerrygregoire is pissed. Tell em why will ya?]
Sedona is a great place and during the high season rooms can be hard to find. Some hotels, such as the Sky Ranch Lodge near the Sedona Airport, take maximum advantage.
We checked into the Sky Ranch Lodge for a two day stay to do a little sight-seeing around the Sedona area. The lodge is a little run-down but clean. After the first night, the staff decided they needed to move us to another room to accommodate a guest that had reserved the room we were in.
Without asking, and while we were gone, the staff packed all of our belongings in plastic bags and placed them behind the front desk. When we returned to the hotel they gave us another room and handed us our belongings (some ruined). They mystery was that the room they gave us was exactly like the one we were in. No apologies from the staff.
In 30 years of business travel in perhaps 20 countries, nothing like this has ever happened to me. I've never even heard of this happening. Unless you're personal privacy is of no concern, stay away from this hotel.
Related Stories:
· Sky Ranch Lodge Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotel Heaven / → All Tags
Sedona Hotels: Amara Resort
My husband and I just returned from a wonderful holiday in Sedona, Arizona. We spent the first week at the Amara Resort. The hotel is beautifully appointed, our room was tastefully decorated and the aveda bath products a lovely surprise.
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