Sedona, Arizona remains a highly sought-after desert destination as it caters to a wide range of the needs of modern travelers including wellness, adventure, and culinary diversity. From the amazing views from the trails and the peaks of the red rocks to the best Southwestern dishes in America, Sedona just doesn’t disappoint. Therefore, it isn’t easy to find a room in the best hotels in downtown Sedona unless you make an early reservation, which is why we created this guide.
Our team always links up with local travel agencies whenever we visit to ensure the best outdoor experience and, most importantly, secure the best rooms available at local hotels. We prefer staying in Downtown Sedona because the traffic, especially during peak travel season and weekends, makes it hard to access the city. This list is based on our first-hand experience at hotels in downtown Sedona, Arizona, where we enjoy staying.
Table of contents
- Inn Above Oak Creek Sedona
- Orchards Inn, Sedona
- Los Abrigados Resort and Spa
- Hyatt Vacation Club at Pinon Pointe, Sedona
- Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Matterhorn Inn
- Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
- Sugarloaf Lodge
- L’Auberge De Sedona
- Amara Resort & Spa
- Arabella Hotel Sedona
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona
- Is it better to stay in Uptown or West Sedona?
- Which is the most walkable area in Sedona?
- How many days in Sedona is enough?
Inn Above Oak Creek Sedona
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Inn Above Oak Creek Sedona makes a good home away from home when looking to enjoy a healing experience above Oak Creek in Sedona. It is a 13-room hotel just a few steps from the shops at the famous Tlaquepaque Market and easily accessible by foot from the city center. We booked a room here for a spring visit, and while it wasn’t the cheapest, it was worth it because this is one of the best luxury hotels in Sedona. The highlight feature of our room was the spacious balcony right above the creek. The entire space was tranquil and kissed by the green from the forest below, which made the evenings great.
The jacuzzi was large enough for two people, delivering a perfect cool-off after a long day of hiking. The staff, including the concierge, was more than generous throughout our stay as they went above and beyond to make us comfortable. The highlight of the buffet breakfast was the muffins and the apples. We also got wine and complimentary snacks as well as sandwiches that we could take with us on the trail which was a huge bonus.
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Orchards Inn, Sedona
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We were hoping to catch a view of the rocks before our hike the next day so we chose to stay at Orchards Inn, Sedona, centrally located in downtown, right off the highway. It is located on the laid-back side of downtown, so it is all calm and quiet, except for the occasional chirps when birds fly by from the canyon. We booked a Deluxe king room on the first floor with a patio, directly facing Snoopy Rock. The staircase was a little steep, but the staff helped us with the luggage and also gave us complimentary snacks and drinks. Our room also had a Keurig coffee machine and a microwave, so we had no issues putting our evening snacks together.
Despite the hotel’s age, both the room and the patio were spotless and kissed by the forest green from the canyon below. The bed was also large and comfy, with clean soft linens that made sleeping easy. Being a traditional-style hotel, the bathroom was a little cramped for two, but the water pressure was great so we didn’t mind. We also enjoyed an authentic southwestern breakfast each morning with lots of healthy food options on the menu.
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Los Abrigados Resort and Spa
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Los Abrigados Resort and Spa is one of the best hotels with kitchens in Sedona for cooling off after a long day of hiking. We booked a one-bedroom suite here while visiting with the kids in the summer because we wanted to be close to the pool as well as the creek for a tranquil experience. The suite was clean and spacious, but we didn’t spend much time inside because the resort had lots of things to do outside, starting with the free yoga classes in the mornings. The resort also has multiple picnic sections for families, as well as sports including mini-golf. We also had a fully-stocked kitchen with a fridge and microwave, so we could whip up a quick meal after a long day on the trails.
The trails start from the hotel into the labyrinth where we enjoyed a great grilling experience. We also had clear views of the red rocks, with a healing experience at the spa. The hotel is right next to the shops and restaurants at Tlaquepaque village, with free parking across the road which is a huge plus for a hotel in Sedona. The pool got a little crowded, but the kids section was accessible throughout and our kids enjoyed it a lot.
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Hyatt Vacation Club at Pinon Pointe, Sedona
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Hyatt Vacation Club at Pinon Pointe, Sedona offered a great stay for us at a pocket-friendly price when we brought the whole family to experience the vortexes. The club is just a group of condos, suitable for families. We booked a one-bedroom apartment with a view and got everything we hoped for including the perfect view of the red rocks from our balcony. Moreover, the resort has free parking which is a huge advantage in Sedona as parking fees elsewhere can be expensive. The hotel is also located right next to the shops and art galleries at Pinon Pointe, so we had no problems going for meals at the popular Wildflower cafe.
Most shops and art galleries in downtown Sedona are within walking distance of the hotel, so we didn’t need the car to move around during our stay. The hotel doesn’t have an in-house restaurant but the rooms come with a fully furnished kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and gas stove, while grocery shops are right next door. The heated pool was never crowded throughout our stay, offering a great place to cool off after a long day. The staff were always friendly, with housekeeping coming in for a surprise cleaning which we appreciated.
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Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
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If you don’t mind a three-minute drive in a complimentary shuttle to downtown Sedona, then Sky Rock Sedona is the hotel to book. We wanted to stay as close to the Red Rocks as possible, and that is exactly what the hotel offered. It is nestled high up in the hills, right off the highway with scenic views of the surroundings right from the entrance. Everything at our two-bedroom cottage was well thought out, including extra rugs for cleaning up after a long trip. We also got extra towels for the pool, as well as throw blankets to keep warm on the patio.
The live music in the lobby, with free drinks by the fire was the best part of our evenings here. All the hotel’s amenities are designed for a true healing experience, with soul-touching art right from the main entrance. Despite its secluded location, the hotel is still conveniently close to the vortexes, with one of the main trails beginning at the hotel itself. Pink Jeep Tours is right next door, so we were never late for our Red Rock trips
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Matterhorn Inn
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We booked a king room at Matterhorn Inn for the views, and a swim because we were visiting in the summer. For the price we paid, we felt we got a pretty good deal at one of the best boutique hotels in Sedona. The hotel is within walking distance of the food market and shops at Tlaquepaque which was a huge plus for us. Our room came with a fully stocked kitchenette, so we had no problem preparing coffee and snacks. The highlight of our stay, however, was the scenic view of the red rocks from the private patio.
“We loved the flexibility of staying at this inn, what with a fully stocked kitchenette where we could prepare meals anytime we wanted.”
WOW Travel
We never had to battle crowds at the pool, and the jacuzzi worked perfectly, which was a plus for us. The staff was also friendly and didn’t mind solving a late-night plumbing issue in our bathroom. Housekeeping also came every day. We also enjoyed the complimentary breakfast which included lots of fruits and veggies. There was a snack bar for loading up for the trails as well, so we didn’t lack anything.
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Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
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While looking for a luxury hotel in Sedona for the whole family in spring, we booked a villa at Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas. The villa was right above the creek with a view of the red rocks in the backdrop.
We were well-treated by the staff from the moment we arrived. We had complimentary snacks and unlimited tea and coffee refills in the lobby. The front-desk staff helped us recreate our itinerary with great recommendations for top destinations including the best trails to hike and the least-crowded vortexs. The highlight of our stay was the fun games for the whole family including foosball, squash, and pingball. There is an indoor/outdoor option for the pool as well as the jacuzzi, and lots of enjoyment at the clubhouse which was part of our package.
We had full creek access and even tried a little wild fishing before taking the Oak Creek Canyon trails which are a walking distance from the hotel. We arrived early, but the staff gave us an early check-in so we could park and stroll around town for a bit. Tlaquepaque Market is also a few steps away from the hotel. We also had a working fire pit for the whole family to catch up in the evenings which topped up the coziness of the villa.
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Sugarloaf Lodge
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If you are looking for a decent pet-friendly hotel in Sedona that won’t cost a fortune, then Sugarloaf Lodge is a great place to start. We stayed here recently while passing through town and got our money’s worth. It is one of the best motels in Sedona, Arizona, located in the town center, right next to the popular Coffee Pot restaurant. There are lots of shops and dining options nearby too, including a Subway right across the street. We had enough space in our double room for everyone including the pets. We were especially grateful for the free parking spot right outside the room.
The trails also start just a short drive away from the motel so we didn’t have to drive anywhere before the hikes. The best thing about the motel was the pool, which was open until late, allowing us to cool off under the moon after long days on the trails. The staff was friendly, always helping with our requests including referrals for the best diners around town.
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L’Auberge De Sedona
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We booked a cottage with a creek view for our anniversary at L’Auberge De Sedona and enjoyed a healing experience. The staff customized the cottage to our anniversary needs, including wine, flowers, name tags, and a happy anniversary banner above the fire pit. We also got breakfast and dinner discounts as well as an exclusive invitation for a Cress by the Creek fine-dining experience with other guests. Everything here contributes to the ultimate luxury vacation, from the dinner by the creek to the outdoor cedar shower under the canopy of sycamore trees.
Although the resort is secluded from the activity in town, it is still within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in town. Furthermore, the section of the pool that runs through the resort is cool and crystal smooth, so we had no problems wading through the water to cool off. The cool forest green also extended to the patio from where we could see the face of the red rocks. The chef and the staff at the restaurant were friendly and always attended to our needs. We also enjoyed our time at the bar where everyone was friendly.
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Amara Resort & Spa
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From free yoga classes and hot stone therapy to one of the best infinity pools we’ve ever swam in, Amara Resort & Spa is one of the best spa hotels in Sedona Arizona. We booked a double room with a view and it was all worth it because we could see the red rocks clearly from the patio. The resort also has full creek access, so we got to catch up with nature through the forest green. Most of the trails are within a short drive from the hotel. We chose to walk to Cathedral Rock because it is just a short distance from the resort.
The staff was friendly and always attended to our needs with a cheer that just warmed up the place, including giving us extra towels and blankets. Room service is provided by the SaltRock Southwestern Restaurant, and the food was well cooked to our satisfaction. The breakfast was also well prepared with plenty of fresh veggies, bacon, and yogurt. Pink Rock Tours is just a short walk from the hotel, which was good for us because we planned to stay most of the days on the trails.
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Arabella Hotel Sedona
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When looking for the best resort in Sedona to spend the evenings with strangers by the fire while enjoying live music, then we recommend Arabella Hotel Sedona. It is another hotel in downtown Sedona, conveniently close to Tlaquepaque and all the other art galleries and restaurants in the town center. We rarely had to go out for meals during our stay because the hotel food was great. The free breakfast had lots of hot and fresh food options including freshly baked muffins, yogurt, apples, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a wide selection of vegan foods to pick from.
Our room also had unhindered views of the red rocks. We were especially grateful for the ergonomic hammock chairs and the AC which made our evenings on the patio enjoyable. Nothing was too much to ask from the staff, including the housekeeping, who cleaned our room every day. There are two pools on the property and hot tubs, with lots of pool chairs to choose from, so we never had to battle the crowds for space. Furthermore, the hotel has complimentary bikes which we used to explore the trails on certain days.
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Our Verdict!
A trip to Sedona is all about the experience, and each of these hotels delivered a great one each time our team stayed there. However, for a better experience for specific visitor groups, we have narrowed the choices down further to these four top picks.
- Best value for money: Arabella Hotel Sedona
- Best location: Inn Above Oak Creek Sedona
- Best hotel for couples: L’Auberge De Sedona
- Best hotel for families: Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona
Despite being a small resort town, Sedona Arizona can be very diverse depending on the neighborhood you stay in. Our top recommendation is Downtown Sedona, also known as Uptown, which is the main part of town, close to the best art galleries, restaurants, and shops. This is the bustling part of town frequented by tourists and locals alike. It is the best place to stay if you plan on eating out, shopping for groceries, and enjoying the nightlife.
Village of Oak Creek, located about five miles from uptown is popular with guests who love a touch of nature and Sedona’s spiritual energy. It is the most laid-back part of town with a touch of tranquility that can’t be found anywhere else in town. The village is also home to the Courthouse Butte Rock and the Bello Rock which is also an energy vortex.
West Sedona is another great neighborhood that is popular with hikers and bikers because many trails start from there. This is Sedona’s main residential neighborhood located less than a mile West of uptown. It is the place to stay when looking to hit the trails before it gets too hot. West Sedona is also home to a range of local diners and fresh food shops, which are great for stocking up before a trip.
The final place to stay in Sedona, Arizona is Oak Creek Canyon, home to the famous Slide Rock State Park. The Canyon soothes the adventurous spirits with idyllic views and some of the best landscapes in the region. It also offers the best views and sports locations including cliff jumping.
Is it better to stay in Uptown or West Sedona?
Uptown Sedona still offers more convenience for shopping and eating, but West Sedona is closer to the adventure and has more affordable accommodation.
Which is the most walkable area in Sedona?
Uptown is Sedona’s most walkable neighborhood, making it very popular with tourists and travelers.
How many days in Sedona is enough?
Three to five days are enough to explore most of the town’s attractions.
