11 Best Sedona Hotels for Families

A family trip to Sedona, Arizona, means days under the sun, scenic family hikes, biking around town, visiting state parks, jeep tours to the desert, getting pampered at spa centers, shopping for crystal stones, and reconnecting with nature. Whether you believe in the famous spiritual healing aspects of Sedona or not, we can attest that a wholesome vacation with family can result in enhancing our mood and aura. Either way, in Sedona you’re guaranteed to never run out of things to enjoy. To make sure you can experience Sedona to the fullest as we did, here is the list of all the Sedona hotels for families we’ve stayed at.

El Portal Sedona Hotel

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Best serene family hotel. The El Portal Sedona Hotel was the perfect place to bring a relaxing retreat. On our first time staying here, the vine-covered hotel building immediately caught our attention. It brought a certain secret-garden type of charm to the hotel. With its tranquil atmosphere and lush greenery, we had the convenience of feeling secluded, while still being located in central Sedona. That said, when it comes to family, they made sure to include our pets in the equation and welcome pets for no extra fee.

Now, with the tranquil nature of El Portal Sedona Hotel, staying here is akin to having a healing experience. It’s the place to stay when we need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Our guest room alone feels like it came straight out of the Shire, with its river rock stone fireplace, French doors, stencil designs, arched windows, and rich details in general. Whether we opted to stay in and just binge-Netflix in our room, or enjoy smores in the courtyard garden, we still get to spend a nice quality time with our family. To top it off, the hotel also offers convenient amenities like outdoor pools, a spa center, an on-site restaurant, and free breakfast.

“El Portal Sedona Hotel captures the vibe of Sedona to the T. With its lush garden, unique rooms, and curated knick-knacks, it felt like we were experiencing Sedona without stepping out of the hotel.”

WOW Travel

Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek

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The Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek is just a classic family-friendly hotel that’s easily a go-to for many people, including us. As part of the best international chain hotels, we have the comfort of knowing what to expect. Professional staff is a guarantee, and so is high-quality hospitality. That said, with the hotel offering suite guest rooms, it automatically makes it convenient for us and our family. Not only does it mean that we get more space, but we also get more amenities in our room. Even their standard king is spacious enough for four people.

Furthermore, when it comes to facilities and services, the hotel made sure we only got the best. The continental breakfast, for one, was so good, it was a highlight of our stay, and the outdoor pool guarantees a fun family time. Additionally, for extra convenience, there’s an on-site snack bar and a gym. Beyond that, the hotel’s location gives us infinite outdoor adventure possibilities. With the famous Bell Rock just under five minutes away, our days here were mostly spent exploring the unique rock formations.

Wildflower Inn at Bell Rock

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Located south of Sedona in the quiet Oak Creek, the Wildflower Inn at Bell Rock is a convenient hotel for us. Our family wanted to explore more of the Bell Rock mountains, and this hotel is ideally located within walking distance of the Bell Rock trailhead. Location aside, the Wildflower Inn at Bell Rock caters well to families.

For one, they have their own designated family room with a kitchenette, a sofa bed, a cable TV, and other mod-cons. The room was spacious for sure, but having direct access to the hotel’s private viewing deck was the winning feature for us. That said, when it comes to facilities, the hotel didn’t have much, but the location and hospitality more than make up for it. Every morning we got to enjoy complimentary hot beverages, and for meals, we had tons of options at the neighboring Black Rock Plaza. Plus, getting free WiFi and a free parking spot was a great bonus for us.

Sedona Uptown Suites

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The Sedona Uptown Suites is a self-operating lodging in the heart of Uptown. All around us were some of the best Sedona could offer, from shopping centers to art galleries, and dining options. Even for an adventurous day, we had Oak Creek Canyon just under 10 minutes away.

That said, at the lodging, we were offered eight unique suites perfect for small to big groups. Each suite comes with comfortable amenities, but as for us, we went the extra mile and got the one with a full kitchen, and two bedrooms. We easily had some of the most comfortable stays here, and the spacious suite only made it better.

Furthermore, the whole self-operating feature made it easy for us to check in and check out. While this means no on-site staff, we could easily reach them by phone, and they were able to meet our every need. Plus, we appreciate the extra privacy to enjoy our time. The patio was great for sitting down and relaxing, especially with the BBQ grill, we got to have tons of family time.

Dreamcatcher Inn of Sedona

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Dreamcatcher Inn of Sedona is the perfect family hotel to get a taste of Sedona’s local hospitality. When we got here, we were immediately transfixed by the surrounding red mountains view. The warm welcoming staff also set a good start to our stay. They were always so eager to help us and give recommendations on nearby local spots to check out.

Moreover, the guest room was everything we needed for a comfy family stay. It had double beds and a kitchenette, plus, a balcony that perfectly showcased the view. The rest of the hotel was clean and well-maintained, and the hotel’s woody design elements complemented its surroundings well.

However, the hotel was lacking in facilities like pools and gyms, but its location more than makes up for it. It’s in West Sedona where there are fewer tourist traps, and we got to organically experience the best of Sedona. We were within walking distance of local shops and restaurants, Sedona Airport is under 10 minutes away, and Thunder Mountain Trailhead is just 5 minutes by car.

GreenTree Inn Sedona

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GreenTree Inn Sedona is another one of the great family-friendly hotels in Sedona, Arizona on our roster. It has all the wholesome features that guarantee comfort and convenience. For starters, their family room was everything we wanted. It was spacious, clean, and had great mod-cons. While Sedona promises endless outdoor adventure, the 60+ premium cable TV in our room sometimes makes it challenging to step outside. Joke aside, there’s no question that our room was incredibly cozy.

That said, whenever we fancy an outdoor excursion, plenty of shopping centers and restaurants are only a few minutes away from the hotel. The hotel’s main road location also made it easy to travel around, and for an all-out outdoor adventure, Red Rock State Park is just eight minutes by car. However, for a lazy day, we’d often spend it lounging in the cabana by the pool. The hot tub also made sure we got to enjoy the height of relaxation.

Other than that, our time here was satisfactory. We had everything we needed. The added comfort of free breakfast and free parking only made our stay better. Plus, the staff were always quick to help us and even gave recommendations on local places to check out.

Sedona Real Inn & Suites

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Sedona Real Inn & Suites was giving family resort getaway vibes with the seemingly endless amenities they offered us. From an outdoor pool and spa, a picnic area with a fire pit and BBQ grills, and indoor/outdoor games, to an on-site gym, the hotel made sure we got to fully indulge ourselves. If you’re planning to bring your fidos, fear not, the hotel is enthusiastically pet-friendly. Although we didn’t have our dogs with us, it was apparent that the hotel’s furry guests were having the best of times, especially since they had a whole dog play area to themselves.

Furthermore, the hotel is family-owned and operated, so when it came to hospitality, the hotel staff was adamant about making us feel welcome and comfy as typical Arizona hospitality would. And truly it was easy to let ourselves be pampered when we got to enjoy freebies like buffet breakfasts, a bike wash and service station, and even free parking spaces.

Moreover, the guest room we had was the perfect have to come back to from a day of adventure. We got one of their biggest room, which could comfortably fit up to six people, with two queen beds, and a plush sofa bed. The room also came with a patio and mod-cons, including a TV, a microwave, and a mini fridge, so everything was beyond comfortable and convenient.

Element Sedona

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The Element Sedona is just an all-around excellent hotel. It has all the features we need to have a wholesome family holiday in Sedona. For starters, the location was beyond great. Just across the street are selections of coffee shops and restaurants, country clubs with golfing ranges are five minutes away, and numerous nearby hiking trails to choose from. Plus, the hotel offers free bike rent, so we for sure had our fair share of outdoor adventures.

That said, while Sedona is very much an outdoor town, the hotel’s brand of hospitality made it easy for us to enjoy our indoor time. The staff was always so warm and welcoming, and the many amenities added to our comfort. There was an outdoor pool with a jacuzzi, a spacious patio with BBQ grills, a fire pit, and a shared lounge with a snack bar.

To top it off, all of the guestrooms are suites with a kitchenette, and some have sofa beds. Ours was a studio room that came with a king bed, a sofa bed, and a separate seating area. We enjoyed cooking our meals but with the hotel providing free buffet breakfasts, our mornings got to be extra enjoyable.

Matterhorn Inn

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Best location. The Matterhorn Inn goes 3 for 3 when it comes to an ideal location, top-notch hospitality, and incredible family rooms. It’s located on a lively street in the middle of Uptown Sedona, so we were able to look forward to being steps away from the town’s entertainment center. Just across the hotel is the Sinagua Plaza where there we had numerous shops and restaurants to check out.

Beyond that, our time staying here was just unforgettable. The staff was amazing throughout. Not only did they welcome us with warm smiles, but they also offered welcome drinks, setting a great first impression. The on-site amenities were pretty good. It wasn’t the fanciest, but it still did the job. The outdoor swimming pool and hot tub were especially nice after a day of hiking, and the green space was a quaint place to hang out while we enjoyed a BBQ together.

Lastly, the various family rooms available here are proof enough that the Matterhorn Inn is an established family hotel. For starters, most of the rooms have a sofa bed, so there will always be an extra place for an extra guest. Other rooms also have two queen/king beds, connecting doors, and most importantly, all rooms have a spacious balcony that gives a first-hand view of Oak Creek Canyon. As for us, we went all the way and stayed at the hotel’s two-bedroom suite for more space, a separate living room, and a fully-equipped kitchen for extra convenience.

Arabella Hotel Sedona

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Best amenities. Arabella Hotel Sedona was just the perfect hotel for us. It sported a classic Southwestern look, but we were pampered with modern amenities. We were offered spacious family rooms, a huge outdoor area complete with an outdoor pool, a small trail, a fire pit with s’mores kits, and a BBQ grill for wholesome family time. They even have different activities at night to enjoy like Stargazin, movie nights, and live music.

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Furthermore, the hotel’s location was ideal for those who wanted to spend undistracted quality time together, but still be able to reach downtown easily. The scenic Marg’s Draw trail was our backyard, and with the hotel’s free bikes, we could reach Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in under two minutes.

Hospitality-wise, the Arabella Hotel Sedona truly up the ante. Not only was our family room comfy, stylish, and spacious, but it also had a balcony with a honeycomb chair for extra coziness to enjoy the breathtaking Red Rock view. Moreover, the hotel was just giving us freebies left and right. From free continental breakfasts to free parking, and free EV charging stations, we were thoroughly pampered.

Lastly, Arabella Hotel Sedona is also a pet-friendly hotel and offers a fenced dog park, and of course treats for your furry buddy. Overall, Arabella Hotel Sedona is very family-oriented, and we got to enjoy the best of it.

Sky Ranch Lodge

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Overall Best. Its impeccable view, combined with its excellent hospitality and convenient amenities created the beThe Sky Ranch Lodge is the epitome of a luxury family retreat without the high-cost price tag. When we got here, we were immediately awestruck by the 360 View of the Red Rocks. Plus, with the hotel located on the Airport Mesa, we were guaranteed to have a quiet and secluded stay. On top of the unbeatable view, the hotel is also popular with its handsomely manicured garden. And if the staff took such great of their garden, imagine how amazing they are with guests.

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That said, we can attest that the staff made sure to one-up their services each day our family stayed here. They were always so friendly, and accommodating to our needs. The shuttle driver was especially splendid and was happy to take us all over Sedona. Moreover, our guest room was always well-made and clean. Every time we retired to our room, its rustic charm never failed to instantly make us feel cozy and sated. The room sported timbered ceilings and a stone fireplace, with the convenience of modern amenities like a kitchenette, and a TV.

Furthermore, at the hotel, we got to enjoy some of the best amenities. With the added privacy, everything seems to be heaps better. Whether it was relaxing by the pool, walking around the garden, or simply enjoying the view on their expansive patio, our experience here was truly magical. Additionally, we were given freebies, including complimentary welcome drinks, free breakfast, free hot beverages, and free shuttle services.

Our Verdict!

Out of all the hotels that we’ve stayed at Sky Range Lodge is our chosen overall best family hotel. Its impeccable view, combined with its excellent hospitality and convenient amenities created the best concoction for our perfect family retreat in Sedona. That said, several hotels also caught our eye. Each hotel has a specific feature that stood out to us, which might suit you best.

• Best value for money: Matterhorn Inn
• Best serene hotel: El Portal Sedona Hotel
• Best amenities: Arabella Hotel Sedona

Where to Stay in Sedona?

Situated at the mouth of spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona is surrounded by red rock formations, stunning desert landscapes, and lush river oases. There are plenty of nearby neighboring towns, but the main areas in central Sedona are Uptown, West Sedona, and the Village of Oak Creek. Each of these areas is roughly 10 minutes away from the other, so it’s down to preference.

For starters, Uptown is the heart of Sedona. It’s where we stayed for our first visit to Sedona. The area is very lively and always bustling. There are plenty of shopping centers here, with the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village being a must-visit. To top it off, Uptown is very walkable, which makes it an instant fave for us, and we loved how vibrant the area is. It’s truly the ideal place for first-time visitors.

However, for a more local experience, West Sedona is a mix of residential areas, local shops, and restaurants. It’s less crowded than Uptown, and closer to Airport Mesa, and Red Rock State Park. It is less walkable than Uptown, so we needed to travel by car more.

As for the Village of Oak Tree, it is also quieter than Uptown. It’s ideal for repeat visitors who have been to Sedona’s more popular hiking trails. The hotels in this area are more quaint and affordable. At Oak Creek, we got to hike at the nearby Bell Rock and check out the many trails that span along Highway 179 that lead to Uptown Sedona.

Overall, the Sedona is full of unique nooks and crannies. Whenever we visited Sedona with our family, we’d always discover new things to do. If you’re planning to see more of what Arizona could offer, you can start with the top things to do in Arizona.

How far is Sedona from the Grand Canyon?

Sedona is 113 miles away from the Grand Canyon South Rim. It takes about a 2 hours drive to get to Grand Canyon South Rim from Sedona.

Does Sedona have public transportation?

Yes! The city has Sedona Shuttle for rides to popular trails, Sedona Shuttle Connect for on-demand public transit throughout Sedona, and Verde Shuttle for rides to the neighboring Cottonwood. All of the information on rates and routes can be accessed from the TransLoc App.

What is the Red Rock Pass?

The Red Rock Pass program is a conservation tool designed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect, enhance and maintain Sedona’s red rock landscape. It’s required for vehicle access to use 19 specific day-use sites on the Red Rock Ranger District.