Arabella Sedona Resort

Nestled amid stunning red rock and sandstone formations in Northern Arizona lies the vibrant art community of Sedona. There are few places that provide such panoramic breathtaking views everywhere you look. The dramatic desert landscape is dotted with endless vistas, towering rocks and sandstone buttes in dramatic shades of red that contrast against its deep blue skies.

Last month I celebrated my birthday (let’s just say it was a tad north of 50). I’d been reading a lot about a new travel trend called astrocartography where you allow your astrological chart to guide where and when you travel, aligning destinations with the planet’s position at birth to find clarity and reconnect with nature.

So, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper into this intriguing trend and planned a trip to Sedona at the peak of the Leonids Meteor Shower.

With its reputation for spirituality and energy vortexes, Sedona seemed the perfect destination, and I could not have picked a more perfect location to stay in - the Arabella Sedona Resort.

I flew into Phoenix arriving in the late afternoon. As I headed out of the city onto the 179, the scenery all around began to change.

As I got closer to Sedona, it felt almost unworldly as the otherwise barren desert gave way to the deep red sandstone buttes that create the backdrop of the city.

The golden hour was upon me, and the sunlight was aglow off the peaks of the surrounding mountains painting the landscape a deep crimson red.

When you a book a stay somewhere you’ve never been, it’s always a risk – will the pictures do it justice? Will it be close to where I want to be? What if I don’t like it?

As I got closer, I was thrilled to find the Arbella Sedona was ideally located right in the heart of town. It could not have been a better location - close to everywhere I wanted to be.

It was walking distance to all the best restaurants, shops, art galleries, and even shuttles to all the major trailheads.

The Arabella Sedona Resort welcomed me with a sense of serenity, spirituality and tranquility… and with its unbelievably long laundry list of amenities and activities, it did not disappoint!

GETTING THERE

Sedona is one of the most beautiful and unique outdoor adventure areas in the US. Located just a couple of hours north of Phoenix and less than an hour south of Flagstaff, it’s easy to get to and the getting there is half the fun. Whether you take the scenic 179 or the 89A, the road into town is breathtaking.

The Arabella Sedona is located right in the heart of downtown Sedona at **725 Highway 179, Sedona, Arizona 86336**, and it’s extremely easy to navigate getting there.

AIRPORTS

**Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)** – The Arabella Sedona is located about 120 miles north of the airport and will take about 2 hours to get to. Most major airlines fly to PHX.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) – The Arabella Sedona is located less than 30 miles south of the airport and will take about 45 minutes to get to. The Flagstaff airport is a small so not all commercial airlines fly there. Delta and American Airlines offer daily flights. However, Southwest does not fly here and United suspended flights to Flagstaff in late 2022.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From Phoenix:

The Arabella Resort is about 2 hours north of the Phoenix International Airport.

From the airport, take Sky Harbor Boulevard West to I-10 West, then merge onto the I-17 North. Take the I-17 North for about 100 miles to the SR-179 North which takes you straight into Sedona.

The hotel will be on the right-hand side right before you get into the heart of downtown. Note that there are quite a few traffic circles along the way, just be sure to continue straight through all of them to stay on SR-179 until you reach the hotel.

From Flagstaff:

Once in Sedona, there will be a traffic circle where you exit left onto the 179 South. Continue on the 179 South past the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. At the next traffic circle, continue to stay on 179 South by exiting the circle to the right. The resort is about 0.1 miles down on the left-hand side.

**GETTING AROUND – SEDONA SHUTTLE**

The Sedona Shuttle offers a free, easy and eco-friendly way to explore Sedona’s most popular hikes with stops at all major trailheads.

It runs daily from late February through late April and many holidays. Each shuttle is equipped with a bike rack. All pick up and drop off locations also have restrooms and trash receptacles.

You can even use the real time tracker to see exactly when the next shuttle will arrive while waiting.

**Shuttle Trailheads** - The shuttle has three Park and Ride Pick-Up Stops:

North SR 179 Park and Ride – 1294 SR 179 with service to Cathedral Rock Trailhead (Cathedral Rock Trail, Cathedral Vortex, Templeton Trail, Easy Breezy Trail, Baldwin Trail, HT Trail) and Little Horse Trailhead (Bell Rock Pathway, Chicken Point, Llama Trail, Chapel Trail, Broken Arrow Trail).

Posse Grounds Park and Ride – 20 Carruth Drive (in West Sedona) with service to Soldier Pass Trailhead (Soldier Pass Trail, Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools, Teacup Trail, Cibola Pass Trail, Brins Mesa Trail, Jordan Trail) and Dry Creek Trailhead (Dry Creek Trail, Chuckwagon Trail, Girdner Trail, Devil’s Bridge, Mescal Trail, Lizard Head Trail, Snake Trail).

West SR 89A – 905 Upper Red Rock Loop Road with service to Mescal Trailhead (Mescal Trail, Chuckwagon Trail, Devil’s Bridge, Long Canyon Trail, Deadman’s Pass) and Dry Creek Trailhead (Dry Creek Vista Trail, Chuckwagon Trail, Girdner Trail, Devil’s Bridge, Mescal Trail, Lizard Head Trail, Snake Trail).

TIPS FOR VISITING/KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Download the hotel app before visiting for contactless mobile check in, property info and maps, virtual concierge, wake up calls, and more. Before your visit, the hotel will send you a download link.

Book direct through the resort for the best rates and ask about the Arebella Sedona’s cash reward program.
Arizona residents enjoy a 15% discount on stays at Arabella Sedona.
The hotel often offers complimentary 1-day Red Rock Passes upon request.

Take advantage of Arabella’s complimentary daily breakfast daily. Gluten free and vegan options are available.

Book your stay during a new moon for the best star gazing or during a full moon where night hikes are easy to navigate even without a headlamp.

Sedona is one of only 20 certified dark sky communities in the world. Book a stay during one of the annual meteor showers for incredible star gazing opportunities.

There are no elevators on the property. Be sure to book a first-floor room if you have mobility issues.
Arabella offers accessible rooms on the ground floor with hallway entry and several communication-assist features.

The buildings at the back of the property offer more privacy and quiet as you are further away from the pool, fitness center and dining.

Arabella Sedona offers pet-friendly rooms located near the hotel’s fenced in dog park, and complimentary dog treats in the lobby.
When hiking, dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on a leash.

If you plan on hiking Cathedral Rock or Soldier Pass on days when the Sedona Shuttle is running, the parking lots for the trailheads will be closed and all visitors are asked to use the shuttle.

The best time to visit is Fall and Spring

Sedona is a desert terrain and Summer temps can reach over 100° F. If hiking during hot weather, look for higher elevation trails with shade, and bring extra water.

Winters in Sedona can be cold with highs in the 50s and lows around freezing. There is often snow at higher elevations. When visiting during the colder months, dress in layers and wear crampon traction cleats over hiking boots as trails get icy and slippery.

VACATION PACKAGES

Arabella Sedona offers several travel packages and specials.

**Locals Discount** – Arizona residents receive a 15% discount on stays.

**Romantic Getaway Package** – A 2-night stay in a mountain view courtyard king room with spectacular views from a private balcony. Comes with complimentary champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

Hike More, Stress Less Package - Complimentary Trail Guide, a free Red Rock pass and bottle of water.

**Sip and Gaze Special** – Available Sunday night stays – complimentary bottle of wine, incredible views in a courtyard room and stargazing with a professional astronomer.

Stay and Play Golf Package – Includes a round of gold at the Sedona Golf Resort in Oak Creek, just minutes away from the Arabella Sedona.

**RESORT ACTIVITIES**

One of my favorite things about staying at the Arabella Sedona was its unbelievably long list of activities and weekly events it offers.

When you check in, you will be given its current calendar of all the events and activities on schedule during your visit.

**Complimentary Cruiser Bikes** – The resort offers the use of its cruiser bikes every day from dawn to dusk. Take a ride into town and around the surrounding area. Bike helmets and locks are available upon request, and bikes come with baskets.

Game Nights – A fun night of games with complimentary s’more kits.

Movie Nights – The hotel offers movie nights and special events like midnight movies and special holiday movie showings.

**Walk and Talk Sunset Vista Tour** – Take a stroll with hotel staff to learn about the area up to the hotel’s sunset vista.
**Wine & Beer Tastings** - Local wine release events and craft beer tastings

Live Music – The hotel features a different local lineup playing each week in the courtyard - typically on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

**Massage** (fee required)
**Morning Yoga** (weather permitting)

Weekly Stargazing – Learn about the night sky with astronomer Dennis Young. View Jupiter’s moon and Saturn’s rings with state-of-the-art equipment. Typically, on either Saturday or Sunday evenings. Dennis is really knowledgeable!

Astrology Readings (fee required)

Spirit Animal and Tarot Readings (may be a fee required)

**Marg’s Draw Hiking Trail** –

The trail starts at the back of the hotel property and is a 3-mile out and back route that takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The trail takes you to Snoopy Rock and connects with both the Broken Arrow and Schnebly Hill Trails.

AMENTITIES
Rooms

The hotel offers 144 rooms located in six 2-story buildings. The rooms are tastefully decorated in a southwester design that compliments the surrounding red rock landscape of Sedona.

Most rooms have views of the iconic red rocks with private patios or balconies with seating including oversized, swinging hammock chairs.

Rooms also include:

42-inch HDTVs
USB Charging Stations
Refrigerators
Keurig Coffee Makers
Complimentary Coffee and Tea
Iron and Ironing Boards
Hair Dryers
Eco-Friendly, Quality Bath Amenities

Food and beverage amenities can be ordered in advance for delivery to your room including trays with cheeses, meats, fresh fruit and/or crackers; desert and cookie trays; movie night packages, birthday packages (including a cake), and romance packages. You just need to allow 48 hours’ notice.

Romance packages – if you are celebrating an anniversary or other special occasion, you can pre-order bouquets of roses or seasonal flowers, rose petals, chocolate covered strawberries and/or champagne.

Property

Mole Restaurant – An on-site restaurant serving delicious authentic Mexican dishes, homemade tortillas and salsa, and traditional mole made from scratch in a modern upscale setting.

Outdoor Patio - outdoor covered seating area with oversized chairs, several gas firepits and blankets.

Two heated swimming pools with umbrellas and lounge chairs.

The larger Courtyard pool is 9-feet deep.

*Legend has it that when Elvis was filming a movie nearby, he wanted a diving pool, so the pool was built at his request!*

Sunset Vista Overlook – An outdoor seating area located just a quick stroll up a hill toward the back of the property with panoramic views, benches, Adirondack chairs and a gas fire pit perfect for enjoying both sunrise and sunset.

Hiking Trails - Direct access to hiking trails on the property including Marg’s Draw Trail that leads to Snoopy Rock and connects with both Broken Arrow and Schnebly Hill Trails.

Fitness Center - Equipped with treadmills, an elliptical, exercise bike, free weights, bands, yoga mats, yoga balls and other equipment. The gym is open daily from 7 am – 10 pm and has a restroom as well as a filtered water machine.

Picnic Area

Dog Park - A 3,330 square foot fenced in area with a grassy play area, shade and benches.

Bike Pavilion – The hotel’s bike “spa” is fully equipped with a bike wash, repair station, air pump, and water bottle refill station.

Gardens - Interesting art sculptures and bird feeders where you can spot mountain bluebirds, cardinals, golden finches, sparrows and hummingbirds.

High Speed Wi-Fi throughout property.

**Hotel Lobby**

Concierge services
Multilingual staff

Touch screen interactive computer screens with hotel information including daily events

Beverage Station including coffee and a filtered water refill station

Lobby gift shop stocked with snacks, sundries, wine and beer

Newsstand

TV and seating area

Board games on loan

Business Center with computer station and printer

Safe deposit box at front desk

Luggage storage services

Activities

Weekly Stargazing

Weekly Astrological Readings
Spirt Animal and Tarot Card Readings

Live Music
Massages
Morning Yoga
Game Nights
Movie Nights

Wine Release Events

Walk and Talk Sunset Vista Tours
On-Site Hiking Trails

**Pets**

Pet-friendly rooms are available upon request located in the vicinity of the dog park. The dog park is a 3,330 square foot fenced in area with shade and benches. The hotel also offers water and complimentary dog treats in the lobby.

Other

Ample self-parking

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Arabella has universal electrical vehicle charging stations for overnight charging. Each charging station comes with two 25′ cables and two J1772 connectors, which can charge any electrical vehicle.

Handicap parking

Complimentary Daily Breakfast - The hotel offers a great complimentary daily breakfast for those staying at the resort that includes fresh ground coffee, juice, locally baked muffins, eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, oatmeal and fresh fruit.

Gluten free and vegan options are available upon request.

Hotel App – A few days before your stay, the resort will email you a link to download its app which provides mobile check in, contact info, a property map, virtual concierge, dining information, wake up calls, and other useful information.

Ideal Location - Walking distance to restaurants and shops including the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village with its many art galleries, dining and entertainment.

THINGS TO DO IN SEDONA

Sedona is a spiritual haven that provides a sense of peace and tranquility the moment you arrive. This outdoor oasis offers endless things to do.

Hiking

Devil’s Bridge – An incredibly beautiful hike that culminates at the stunning Devil’s Bridge suspended 54 feet in the air, stretching over 45 feet long.

There are several trailheads that can be taken, most of which are approximately 4-5 miles long. The hike is relatively easy until you get to the last half mile which can be challenging for most with steep elevation gains. The view at the end is absolutely worth it though!

Cathedral Rock

Towering Cathedral Rock provides the iconic backdrop of Sedona’s desert landscape and is the most photographed landmark in Sedona.

The hike to this famous spot is short, less than a mile, but challenging and strenuous. It takes you right to the saddle of the red rock with phenomenal, dramatic views that are especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset.

Soldier Pass

A moderately challenging 4.5 mile out-and-back hike that takes you to numerous geological wonders including the Devil’s Kitchen, seven sacred pools, caves and a sinkhole. Beware the trail can be quite crowded.

Other Trails - Other trails worth checking out include *Chapel Trailhead* (an easy 1.3 mile out-and-back past Chapel of the Holy Cross), *Little Horse* (a 3-mile hike on the Bell Rock Pathway with red rocks, streams and wildflowers), and *Munds Wagon Trail to Merry Go Round Rock* (a moderately challenging 6.5 mile out-and-back that often has small pools and water runoff that make for interesting photos of the red rock landscape).

**Moutain Bike Trails**

Sedona is a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts with over 149 miles of trails that range from easy to difficult for all levels of riders.

Adobe Jack - an intermediate 2-mile trail with natural contours and washes and a few rough, rocky sections.

Aerie-Cocksomb - a 14-mile less crowded, moderately difficult route.

Hangover Trail - 5.8-mile unique ride that climbs the saddle of two huge red rocks.

Broken Arrow - a difficult singletrack trail that takes you through amazing scenic rock formations.

**Slide Rock State Park**

A 43-acre historic apple farm with apple picking (seasonal), hiking and swimming in a beautiful creek that winds through the valley below steep red rock cliffs.

Vortexes – Sedona is well known for its new age vibe and spirituality with vortexes throughout. No visit would be complete without experiencing at least one of its many vortexes.

A Vortex is a location on the planet where powerful energy is believed to pool more than other locations creating an atmosphere that is ideal for meditation, reflection, self-discovery and spiritual growth. The planet almost seems to come to life with a powerful energy that is strongly focused at these places. You will notice trees near vortex sites may appear to have twisted trunks which some believe results from the powerful pull of the vortexes at the core.

Although all of Sedona is said to be a vortex, there are seven main energy vortexe sites that encompass the region where the earth’s energy is said to intensify, vibrating and interacting with the energy of those who visit.

**The Cathedral Rock Vortex** – The most powerful vortex in Sedona with a strong downward magnetic pull where feminine energy is believed to flow. Visits here are said to be cleansing, balancing one’s mind, body and spirit.

2. Airport Mesa Vortex – The easiest vortex to walk to. The trial is only 0.2 miles with a mild uphill climb. This is a great spot for sunsets where it is said an upward masculine energy flows. This vortex strengthens the spirit and is the vortex to seek out if you are looking for change in your life.

3. Bell Rock – This vortex is associated with the root chacra. Immense quartz crystals lie within and beneath it which symbolize spiritual power, healing energy and harmony. This vortex is considered neither masculine nor feminine, but balanced and the one to visit if you are in need of healing.

4. Boynton Canyon-Kachina Vortex – The most mysterious and sacred of the vortexes. It’s the vortex to visit when seeking strength in a relationship and alignment. The ancient native Yavapai-Apache would purify themselves through fasting or meditation before visiting this spiritual spot.

5. **Chapel of the Holy Cross** – This vortex is one of inspiration and joy - a female energy that brings love, harmony and peace. The eagle shaped rock rising overhead is said to protect the Chapel below from evil.

6. Schnelby Hill – This vortex is located in a quiet remote location that is great for meditating and immersing yourself in nature. This is the place to go if you want to release negative patterns in your life.

7. Courthouse Butte – This vortex is said to power up from the Earth into the sky. A place to visit for personal or spiritual growth.

**Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village** – Stroll through art galleries and specialty shops, listen to live music, and grab a drink. On the first Friday of each month, this spot comes to life with special artist receptions, music, wine tastings and treats. Be sure to also check out the list of upcoming events when visiting.

Sedona Trolley – The Sedona Trolley offers several fully narrated, guided tours on an authentic Molly Trolley that has both outdoor and indoor seating. Tours include: Tour A - Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tour B - Boynton & Fay Canyons, Full City Combo Tour, and Sedona Sunset Tour. Book online or call (928)282-4211.