Sedona is a fantastic place for a holiday, especially with families. It’s home to a ton of family-friendly activities, most of which involve the city and its great big, gorgeous outdoors. It’s never easy for us to plan a family trip, what with so many specifics involved, and finding a good hotel is the trickiest bit. Luckily, found tons of excellent options for family resorts in Sedona, AZ. Not only did we find choices across chain hotels and independent brands, but also they all came with a ton of kid-friendly amenities and offerings. Additionally, they were geographically spread out all over the city and fit across various budgets as well. To that end, here’s a guide to the best family stays in Red Rock Country, one of the top things to do in Arizona.
Since you’re all headed to Sedona, don’t forget to grab your Walmart swimsuits, men’s hiking shoes, and women’s hiking shoes.
Table of contents
- Sedona Pines Resort
- Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona
- Cedars Resort
- Red Agave Resort
- Los Abrigados Resort and Spa
- Amara Resort & Spa
- Sedona Uptown Suites
- El Portal Sedona Hotel
- Matterhorn Inn
- Sky Ranch Lodge
- Enchantment Resort
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Sedona?
- Is Sedona a resort town?
- What makes Sedona great for families?
- What is the best time to visit Sedona?
Sedona Pines Resort
11
The Sedona Pines Resort was everything we wanted for a family resort to be. From its slightly out-of-town location to the many facilities, it offered us, giving us the best setting for a fun family time. While we enjoyed the many outdoor adventures Sedona offers, being able to relax and play mini-golf, soak in the heated pool, and stay within the resort’s comfort was bliss in itself. We also didn’t miss out on pampering ourselves at the spa center, while the kids played at the playground and busied themselves in the activity room. At nights under the brilliant Sedona sky, we’d often spend it around the resort’s outdoor firepit and have a BBQ together. Simply put, at the resort’s 19-acre property, we could always find something new to indulge in, especially when there were new events being hosted each night.
That said, it wasn’t surprising how superb the services were. The staff was great throughout, whether it helping us at the concierge or ensuring we enjoyed our stay. Getting our meals at their on-site Italian restaurant, Bella Vita Ristorante, was also a great decision as they served some of the best Italian cuisine we’ve had in Sedona. Beyond that, for us, the highlight of our stay was the resort’s suites for sure. We opted for their one-bedroom suite and it comfortably fits four guests. Plus, the suite came with a seating area, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a deck. It truly made us feel like we were home away from home.
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Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona
10
If you’ve stayed at any Hilton Hotels before, then you’d know how meticulously the staff are about their services, which was evident at Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona. The moment we got there, the staff were quick to make us feel welcome and showed us to our room. We were lucky to get one on the second floor, as our balcony opened to a sprawling view of the red rocks mountains. The room itself wasn’t the most modern-looking, but it sure got the job done. Our family was perfectly comfortable, especially since all the suites had a kitchen, a dining table, and a sofa bed. While the studio room was spacious enough for us, the resort provides family rooms and connecting rooms if you require more space.
Furthermore, the resort’s star feature was its golf course for sure. We were located in the Village of Oak Creek, which is a popular area for golfing, and for the resort to be within a golfing course was a great bonus. We did have to pay for a resort fee, but it accounted for discounts for golfing, local dining, and game/movie renting at the resort. Additionally, there were all sorts of facilities including pools, a fitness center, and a spa center. As for our favorite spot, it was hands down the picnic area with the BBQ gear. It had the best view and our family loves some good smoked meat. Other than that, the nearby hiking trail was our go-to family activity in the mornings we stayed here.
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Cedars Resort
9
Cedars Resort is the family resort in Sedona that gave us the best of both worlds. It’s located right in the heart of Uptown Sedona, but the resort maintains to give us a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy our family trip. We were literally only minutes away from all the hustle and bustle Sedona offered with plenty of restaurants and local shops neighboring us. We could easily walk to the famous Tlaquepaque Shopping Village, and shop at Pinon Pointe while being serenaded by local musicians. Meanwhile, back at the resort, we got to have a quiet haven with the red mountains on the horizon. After a day of exploring Sedona, we’d often indulge in a bit of a spa session, while the kids play around in the pool.
Furthermore, we remembered the staff and their exemplary service leaving quite a mark on us. Our time here wouldn’t be as enjoyable if it wasn’t for the staff ensuring all of our needs were met. Even when checking us in, they were able to hook us up with a family room that showed the best 180 views of Sedona. The room itself was the perfect size for our family. It had two large double beds, a bathtub in the en-suite, and other mod-cons. The attached balcony was hands down our favorite spot to wind down before bed and stargaze as a family. Other than that, the pool area made the second-best spot to sit back and take in the sprawling rocky mountains.
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Red Agave Resort
8
If you feel like having a fun cottage getaway near Bell Rock, then you’ll love Red Agave Resort. For starters, it’s located on Bell Rock Boulevard, so we were within walking distance of the Bell Rock Plaza, giving us a plethora of options for dining and shopping. And if we wanted to go all out, Uptown Sedona is just under a 5 minutes’ drive. Beyond that, the rustic vibe of the cottage stay made our family time feel more special. Especially in Sedona where everyone loves the outdoors, it’s particularly convenient when we get to enjoy it with the comfort of an attentive staff.
For one, having a private trailhead at the resort also made it easier for us to enjoy the outdoor respites that Sedona offers fully. Other than that, the staff would happily help us out with booking kayaking tours, skiing, bike rents, and more. Plus, the resort also came with various facilities that kept us busy and entertained. The outdoor pool and fire pit area was a classic spot for our family to relax.
Above all, the resort’s fancy chalet gave us a superb space to lay back and indulge in our family retreat. It comfortably fits all five of our family with 1 king bed, 1 queen bed, and 1 single bed with some more space to spare. Having a fully-equipped kitchen was also a great addition to our already comfortable and unique lodging. Overall, everything was to our liking, and if you find the chalet too big, then you can check out the resort’s studio, which is just as amazing as the chalet.
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Los Abrigados Resort and Spa
7
Los Abrigados Resort and Spa gave us the comfort of being in the city center while still having some peace and quiet to ourselves, thanks to the greeneries that surrounded the resort. With it, our family retreat was guaranteed to be peaceful and relaxing. Plus, the resort isn’t lacking when it comes to providing us with amenities that further enhance our experience. While we loved the usual splash in the pool, and sitting around the fire pit, the resort’s semi-outdoor fitness center gave us the extra boost to work out while vacationing. The tennis court was also a facility we don’t usually find in other resorts, so we made sure our family got to have some friendly playoffs.
Of course, we wouldn’t miss out on enjoying spa sessions ourselves, after a day of exploring Sedona. But beyond that, the staff and their excellent hospitality was enough to make us feel sated. The exemplary services were further shown at the resort’s Spoke & Wheel Tavern and Eatery, where our family got to enjoy Sedona’s finest dry-aged steaks. Moreover, after getting our daily fun adventure, coming back to our family room was the respite that we needed. With two bedrooms, a seating area, a kitchen, and a balcony, we had more space than we needed.
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Amara Resort & Spa
6
The Amara Resort & Spa is the family resort you’ll want to go to for the ultimate healing retreat with your family in Sedona. Despite its central location, the resort is strategically tucked on the banks of Oak Creek, giving us another level of tranquility and serenity. Our time as a family here was filled with quiet mornings, nature walks, and yoga classes. The staff was incredibly accommodating, making sure we got to enjoy all the services the resort offers.
Furthermore, since the resort was newly renovated, everything was pristine. Its modern looks blended well with the “tree lodge” vibe, giving us comfort while still preserving the natural atmosphere. When it came to our room, it was sporting the same sleek furnishing as the rest of the resort, with a few rustic touches. While the room was equipped with mod-cons including a minibar, and a cable TV, the balcony that opened to the garden was by far our favorite feature. Most importantly, the family room was spacious and comfortable enough to fit all four of our family.
That said, as a family, the resort’s amenities were the features that helped us wind down and enjoy our quality family time. The amenities are mostly relaxation-centered, so our family did plenty of group yoga, and spa treatments at the resort’s award-winning Amara Spa, swam in the heated infinity pool, and treated ourselves to dinners at the resort’s SaltRock. Lastly, whenever we wanted to go out, the resort’s golf car services were always available to take us to downtown Sedona.
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Sedona Uptown Suites
5
The Sedona Uptown Suites is one of the best Sedona hotels for families, and it’s easy to see why. Since we were right in the heart of Uptown, we were surrounded by the city’s best dining and entertainment options, with the sights just 10-15 minutes away.
That said, we also had a ton of choices when at the lodging, all of them being suites with all modern and comfortable amenities. Since we were a family, we decided to get the two-bedroom suite which came with a living room, a full kitchen, and two bedrooms. Besides this, we loved the self-operating check-in/check-out processes and the patio, which even had a BBQ grill.
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El Portal Sedona Hotel
4
Since we had older children, we chose the relaxing El Portal Sedona Hotel, a vine-covered charming hotel with tons of character and comfort. The lush greenery and the secluded and tranquil atmosphere in central Sedona checked all boxes. Did you know that they even welcomed pets for no additional fees? Yes!
The rooms and suites here felt like they were straight out of the Shire, with their arched windows, French doors, and river rock stone fireplaces. We had the choice of multiple rooms, such as the Molesworth, the Rim View, the Greene & Greene, and the Santa Fe, of which the latter three fit four adults. Our Santa Fe was a spacious double room, complete with a private bathroom and a balcony with garden views.
There was so much to do even outside the room here, such as roasting s’mores in the courtyard garden or sitting around the firepit and drinking wine. What’s more, there were many other amenities such as the hearty free breakfasts, the restaurant/bar, a spa, and an outdoor pool!
“If you have older kids, we’d highly recommend this hotel which embodied the vibe of Sedona to the T.”
WOW Travel
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Matterhorn Inn
3
Best family room options. The Matterhorn Inn in the heart of Uptown Sedona was everything we needed for a lively and fun-filled family vacation. Firstly, we were right in the middle of the town, which meant that we were just steps away from all the best shopping, dining, sights, and entertainment in the town.
What’s more, there were a variety of family rooms available, with most of the digs here featuring sofa beds. What’s more, there were other rooms with two queen/king beds, connecting doors, and most importantly, spacious balconies. So, no matter your family configuration, you’ll surely find a room here to suit your staying preferences. Since we wanted space, we went all out with the two-bedroom suite, complete with a fully-equipped kitchen and a separate living room.
Even beyond the digs, the hotel had onsite amenities such as welcome drinks, green spaces with BBQs, and an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub.
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Sky Ranch Lodge
2
Best resort with kitchens. We were on an extended vacation in Sedona, which is why we were lucky to snag the Sky Ranch Lodge. One of the best Sedona hotels with kitchens, it gave us the choice between many cozy rooms and suites, each of which had its own unique rustic elegance and charm. However, some of them even had kitchenettes, like our King Studio. It accommodated us and our single kid easily, and we even had a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and utensils. So, we were able to store food and whip up simple meals when we didn’t feel like eating outside, especially since we were here for a week.
Of course, thanks to its prime location, we were also able to enjoy the gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and desert. What’s more, the amenities here were top-notch, including the onsite bar and restaurant, the jacuzzi, and the outdoor pool. If that wasn’t enough, the helpful and friendly staff were always on hand to offer recommendations for local activities and attractions.
Read our complete review of the Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona: A Sky-High Sanctuary.
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Enchantment Resort
1
Best overall. We embarked on a truly family adventure at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, which offered endless opportunities for adventure and fun for the whole family. There was a concierge who curated our family vacation with kid-friendly activities that delighted our kiddos. Not only was there family mountain biking and hiking, but also there were pickleball tournaments, pink jeep tours across Sedona’s red rock landscape and even artistic activities such as beading, watercolors, and Southwest pottery glazing classes. Camp Coyote saw trailed resort counselors guide younger campers aged 4-12 years through hours of adventures like scavenger hunts, painting, nature walks, and more. Did we mention the Little Shredders Mountain Bike Camp, which was mountain biking for kids? Yes!
Besides other amenities such as multiple indoor and outdoor pools and numerous dining venues, even the stays had family-friendly options. What’s more, all rooms boasted private balconies with splendid views of the red rock landscape. No wonder it’s one of the best resorts to stay in Sedona, AZ.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the options for family stays in Sedona, here’s a smaller list to help you choose.
- Best value for money:
- Best location:
- Best hotels for aaaa:
- Best aaaa:
Where to Stay in Sedona?
Surrounded by lush river oases, desert landscapes, and stunning red rock formations, Sedona is a gorgeous city with many neighborhoods, all of which are merely 10 minutes from each other. So. we had plenty of options to decide from, and so do you.
We begin with the heart of the city, Uptown, which is where we stayed when we visited the city for the first visit. This bustling and lively neighborhood has a lot to do for kids, right from shopping centers to entertainment and dining. Plus, it was very walkable. Secondly, there’s West Sedona, which was a wonderful mix of local restaurants and shops and residential areas. Also, it was closer to outdoor delights such as Red Rock State Park and was less crowded than Uptown, making it perfect for us outdoorsy families.
Finally, there was the quieter, more serene Village of Oak Tree, which is perfect for families with older kids.
Is Sedona a resort town?
Yes, since it’s surrounded by the gorgeous red rock formations, the city offers a ton of high-end outdoor activities, spas, and resorts, making it a popular destination for adventure and relaxation.
What makes Sedona great for families?
Since Sedona has both outdoor adventures and relaxation options, it’s ideal for all kinds of families, both with younger and older children. Plus, the resorts and their amenities make it all the better for families with children to relax and enjoy.
What is the best time to visit Sedona?
Since summer can get very hot and crowded, spring and fall are usually considered as the best times to visit Sedona. Not only are the temperatures pleasant, but they’re ideal for outdoor activities.
