oops....my husband and me and our 3 kids!

Hello Julie, I am also planning a trip to Grand Canyon but to Southern Utah instead of Sedona. From what I found out on my post the weather will be like winter with snow since the GC is at 6-7000 feet. I am from the northeast so spending time in the cold and snow is no problem but if you are from warmer climates than it might me a shocker for having winter in march. Enjoy the planning and have fun, thats what I have been doing.

We are from midwest so we will be used to winter in March. It would be nice if it was a bit warmer than back home but this is the only time we can get to GC.

You will be much too excited to get motion sickness on the Pink Jeep trip. But just in case, take some Bonine. It is so much fun! Although I got sick, it was because of food poisoning or noro virus( sick for several days then hubby got sick a few days later. We flew in/out of Phoenix. Very handy for Sedona.
Can't give any rec on Arroyo Roble or Sky Ranch, but if you stay closer to the action, your kids can walk around town to eat and shop.

Although old, here is a link to our trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/beautiful-colors-sedona-grand-canyon-trip-report.cfm

Any other thoughts out there on the Sedona lodging? Any other suggestions? Is Sky Ranch more isolated? I hear it's a beautiful spot...will we wish we were closer to restaurants, shops, etc or is all of that pretty accessible from Sky Ranch?

Is it realistic to fly into LV or Phoenix, and get to GC early that evening? Is it an easy 4-5 hour drive? Will we want to stop and see sights along the way? Wondering if we should stay somewhere closer to airport the first night and head to GC 1st thing in morning.

By the end of March, you have more than 12 hours of daylight, so if you can pick up your car by 1 or so you should make it to GC from either city before sundown.

Vegas usually has cheaper car rentals and if you decide to go there and aren't early enough to make it to GC before dark, you could look for lodging in Boulder, Kingman or Williams.

If you decide to fly into Phoenix, the drive is a bit shorter, but if you can't get to GC by dark then look for lodging north of town to avoid rush hour traffic on the way in.

From Vegas, stop in at Hoover Dam and do a loop through Valley of fire on the way to or from GC. From Phoenix stop at Montezuma's castle and well.

Any opinions on hotels/lodges in Sedona? Is Sedona even the best choice for the 2nd half of our trip?!

Sedona is wonderful. It is handy to fly in/out of,Phoenix if Part of you trip includes Sedona. Read other trip reports here to get ideas and recs.

Sedona will be warmer than Grand Canyon, so yes it could make a nice 2nd half destination. Average high should be close to 70, not mid-50s. It's hard to say whether you'll like it though, it is very touristy, some would describe it as tacky - that refers to the town, not the surrounding scenery.

Phoenix is definitely closer and more convenient than Vegas if you're staying in Sedona. However, I'd base my decision on airfare and car rental prices - typically Phoenix is more expensive for both and with 5 people, the increased airfare can really add up.

There would be plenty to do in both Las Vegas and Phoenix so you may want to consider spending at least one night in either city.

I would also recommend you make some stops on the way to the Grand Canyon - most people don't stay there 2 nights unless they are doing a lot of hiking, which doesn't sound like your situation. So if you got there for sunset the first night and just gave yourself the whole 2nd day to hike and go to various viewpoints, that would be enough. Easy hikes below the rim don't really exist - best way to keep it easy is to not go very far down as it generally takes twice as long to come back up.

Thanks MichelleY and WhereAreWe! I'm starting to get dizzy with all the choices!!! lol

RE the drive from LV or Phoenix...if we can't get a flight that arrives by early afternoon is it not a good idea to arrive at GC after dark?
If we don't drive all the way to GC from either airport where should we stay?

AS for hiking below the rim, is it possible to hike a short way down and then back up? And are there spots to do that with great views?

AS for Sedona...would either of you recommend staying at a place that has amenities? I've looked at Sky Ranch Lodge and BW Arroyo Roble. Quite a price difference but BWAR has full breakfast included, indoor and outside pools, activity room. What about location of each. I know BW is "in town"...what is "in town"? Is it a small quaint town as opposed to a big bustling place that I'm used to in Illinois? Would like it to be quiet but not boring for my kids.

We were in Sedona about 8 years ago in March -the weather was perfect and we really enjoyed hiking in the area. Red rocks, blue skies it was perfect! The hike to Devils Bridge was one I remember as being fun and I even scrambled up to the top and we got some great photos of each other on top of the bridge. Having a fear of heights, this was quite an accomplishment! Sedona had a St. Patricks Day parade and this was the first St. Pats parade I had seen with native american indans taking part. Loved the area and would love to return some day.

As for a great short hike in the Grand Canyon - take the hikers bus to Koleb trail and walk down for about 45 minutes or an hour. Then turn around for the return trip which is twice as long. We really had to force ouselves not to keep going but it was a great hike and not as crowded as Bright Angel trail.
Another hike at GC was to take the bus and get off at a stop and walk the rim trail to the next stop. There was one place where it was about 2 miles between stops and it made for a nice uncrowded walk along the rim. A little scary in parts for me being so close to the edge but I did it!
Enjoy your trip.

sandragoodlife, thanks for your input. I do think we'd enjoy the Sedona area. I have a connection to Native American spirituality so I know I would be happy there. Being outside in nature is something we all enjoy.
I like the idea of hiking along the rim between bus stops. Sounds like my speed!
Thanks!

Julie- I think your kids would enjoy staying in town. Yes, some do think the shopping area of Sedona is tacky, but teens like that kind of stuff and girls like shopping. Lots of shopping available. If you fly into Phoenix, it is 2 hours to Sedona or about 4 to GC. LV travel time would be longer, but you and your oldest could go to the casinos and clubs if you decide to fly into Vegas. Las Vegas is also tacky in a different, over the top way: R rated.

Good luck and please report back om how your trip goes.

Thanks, MichelleY. I've been to Vegas and am not really interested in going there this trip. If we get a flight that arrives later in the day I'd be fine staying in LV just for a night.

I hear great reviews for Sky Ranch Lodge but having some amenities in town and still being able to hike nearby is starting to sound appealing.

If you fly into Phoenix but can't make GC before dark, stay in Flagstaff overnight.

If you fly into Vegas late, stay there overnight. Do a Hoover Dam tour on your way to or from GC.

Last year in October my husband and I visited the Grand Canyon and Sedona. We started in Las Vegas for 4 nights because my husband had a business trip there.

We then drove to the Grand Canyon for 2 nights. It was cold in GC while we were there, so we wore lots of layered clothing. We used backpacks and had retractable hiking poles that we had been able to pack in our suitcase.

We then drove to Sedona for 2 nights. It is one of our new favorite places! The hiking is really nice here. I'm not sure of the location of your two hotels, so I can't advise you on that. I like the town area. There are lots of shops and restaurants. We plan to return to Sedona soon.

We drove back to Las Vegas for our flight. But it would have been much more convenient to drive to Phoenix, so that is what I would do if my locations included the GC and Sedona.

Have a fun time on your trip!

Samsaf,
Where did you stay in Sedona? The Sky Ranch Lodge is up on the airport mesa. I'm told that it's about a mile from the center of town. The BW Arroyo is right in town I hear.

We stayed at the Hilton right outside of town. We had Hilton points to use, so that is why we stayed there. It wasn't a problem to drive to the town when we wanted to go there.

Here is the link to where we stayed:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/arizona/hilton-sedona-resort-and-spa-SDXSEHH/index.html

Thanks Samsaf. Still deciding between Sky Ranch Lodge and BW Arroyo.

If going to Sedona, your group might enjoy seeing Jerome-- a fun and interesting old mining town. It is about 30 miles from Sedona.

http://www.azjerome.com/