My husband and I are heading to Sedona for the first time, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I've narrowed down our lodging choices to L'Auberge and Boots & Saddles. Originally I was going to book at L'Auberge, but its Tripadvisor reviews are decidedly mixed. Boots & Saddles, on the other hand, draws unanimous raves. Can anyone think of any "cons" to staying at Boots & Saddles? Is its location a drawback compared to L'Auberge? I'd love some comments on either. Thanks!

I'm really really sorry, but I have to say that Boots and Saddles name sounds like a rendition of the Poconos with champagne glass baths and heartshaped beds.

Thankfully it is neither. Hope you get some serious answers! I honeymooned in Sedona in 92. Would love to return someday, and perhaps Boots and Saddles (giggle) will fit the bill!

Ha - yes, I agree that the name "Boots & Saddles" sounds pretty hokey, but people absolutely RAVE about the place on Tripadvisor! Other than Tripadvisor, though, I couldn't find much else written about it.

L'Auberge, on the other hand, is reviewed in numerous travel resources and looks exactly like what we're looking for: rustic elegance, seclusion, charm, luxurious amenities, views, and good location. BUT it gets mixed reviews on Tripadvisor which makes me think it might be overrated.

Well, I am certainly glad you took my post tongue in cheek! I have always thought we would return and stay at L'Auberge, but have not looked lately. Perhaps it is tired, perhaps not.

One thing I have learnt is to take the advice on TA with a grain of salt.

So, our first afternoon in Sedona, we check in and I ask the person at the desk where to go for the best sunset. He looked at the slightly overcast sky and shrugged. Well we went to the chapel in the rocks, the sky opened up and everything litterally glowed for a few minutes! Amazing!

Good luck and hope others have uptodate info on these two places.

Stayed at L'Auberge several years ago and it was ok but too frilly and needed updated and didn't enjoy paying the price..just my 2cents..
Boots and Saddles..I would not trust TA reports but that is me..seen too many things that I don't even go there.
I am not a B & B person and I did look at there website and it gets lots of props but for me..breakfast with others, sometimes doesn't do it for me..
Going in March and the $119 at the Hyatt was good for me on Expedia.
Did you try some other resorts?
Wishing you all the best!

Hi:

We had a Sunday Brunch at L'Auberge some years ago (it was wonderful!) and then took a walk around the grounds, saw the creek-side casitas, and decided that we would definitely stay there "next time," which did not happen yet. So, those creek-side casitas looked divine, at least from the outside on a sunny day.

I am also not a B&B person and would not pick a B&B, unless it was for a one-night stay enroute somewhere else, but this is not your intention.

I am introducing an outlier here... Did you look at the Enchantment Resort? It looks wonderful!

Anna Roz

Thanks for the responses. Enchantment was my first choice, but the cheapest room is $800/night for our time frame, which is out of our price range. L'Auberge is $500/night for the creekside cabin, which is still pricey but more do-able. (In retrospect, it was a bad idea to get married around Valentine's Day, as we always pay top-dollar for our anniversary getaways!)

I'm hoping that L'Auberge will be similar to Ventana in Big Sur -- rustic elegance. If so, I'll be a happy camper. At $500/night, we are expecting very nice facilities and amenities.

Does anyone know how the bathrooms are in the creekside cottages at L'Auberge? There aren't any pictures on the website.

Hey..
Did you try direct to Enchantment and talk to the front desk to see what kind of rate they can give you?
They have always been so kind to us and I am a huge Enchantment resort fan and thought I mentioned but glad anna did!
If not, do have lunch at Yavapai which is one of our fav's and the food along with the red rock view is stunning!
Sedona Rouge Resort and Spa has lovely rooms..kimpton style and the spa is fab too..only $228 a night on Expedia..
All the best to you Hayden..

I would reconsider your dates. I was engaged over valentines day, but would much prefer the week before or the week after for a romantic getaway. Kinda like the new years thing - overpriced amatuer night.

We always go away on or around our anniversary. Too much pressure to put on a single date for me.

I did a quick look and over the 8th Enchantment was 395.

Any less romantic. For us? No.

We stayed at L'Auberge a couple of years ago and it was one of our most memorable hotels stays. We stayed mid week, reserved a hotel room and were able to upgrade to a creekside cabin at a reasonable price at checkin. Normally we use the hotel room to sleep in. In this case we liked L'Auberge so much we found ourselves spending much more time there than normal. We particularly enjoyed drinking coffee on the porch in the morning and watching Oak Creek flow by. In the afternoon a glass of wine, a little cheese and more watching the creek. Very relaxing.

The cabin includes a fireplace which we enjoyed. At checkin they told us not to worry about running the AC and the fireplace, people do it all the time. The cabin was spacious as was the bathroom.

We ate dinner at the L'Auberge restraurant at an outdoors creekside table. Although not cheap the food was excellent and very romantic. We enjoyed the odorless skunks that make their home in the area. I felt the meal was a good value for the money. Also old town Sedona is only a walk up the steps so you can get your shopping in and enjoy a resort that makes you feel removed from the world. As you can tell I am a fan and look forward to the opportunity to stay there again.

Thanks for everyone's fabulous input. We have actually switched our travel dates to the following weekend due to a work conflict, and yippee, the rates are much lower! Now we're booked in a junior suite at Enchantment, but we're still investigating all options.

Does anyone know, are any rooms newer or remodeled compared to others at Enchantment? I've seen some comments that the rooms are somewhat dated. But the main reason to stay there seems to be the location, views and SPA so I can probably deal with a less-than-par room, as long as it isn't really horrible.