Phoenix/Sedona for single female
 

I am in desperate need of a nice relaxing getaway! I would like to go to Sedona but am not thrilled with renting a car. Is there a really nice, relaxing place to stay in Phoenix or should I bite the bullet and rent a car to drive to Sedona? I'm looking to relax, do some photography, and maybe hike a little. I'd also like a place with a spa if possible.

Thanks!

No need to drive to Sedona. You can find some nice hotels w/spas in Scottsdale and can hike around Cameback mountain. I think both the Phoenician and Mariott Camelback resorts are right there at the bottom of Camelback mtn., at least I know the Phoenician is. No need for a car if you are staying only for a few days. I think I'd want a car to get out a bit if I was staying longer than that. There is nice hiking at South Mountain area in south Phoenix but you'd need a car to drive to that area.
Phoenician is lovely and has wonderful service (probably one of the 3 nicest places we have ever stayed) if you can catch their specials and can afford it (or have Starwood points to use). There is alot of info on this board on other resorts w/spas in Scottdale.

There are lots of resorts with spas in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. The Boulders in Carefree has The Golden Door Spa and hiking close to the resort. Don't know what your budget is or when you are going but this resort is pretty pricey. You could probably stay at the Camelback Inn and hike Camelback Mountain. Other good hiking in the Phoenix area is South Mountain, Papago Park, McDowell Mountains but you would have to drive to those.

I would definitely choose Sedona over Phoenix if you are interested in hiking and photography. I don't think that there are too many places that are better than Sedona if those are your interests. Of course there are spas in Sedona also. Why are you not thrilled with renting a car? It's a very easy drive from Phoenix to Sedona.

Car rental can be very expensive at Phoenix airport for sure. However the drive from Phoenix to Sedona is incredible and everyone should do it at least once.

I did it in April, and that was my first time EVER driving on the mainland. I was really awed when I drove into Sedona and was greeted by a panorama of gigantic red rock formations. Nothing quite like it.

For a long weekend alone Scottsdale is the place for you. It is warmer there than in Sedona and there are plenty of hiking options for just a short weekend getaway.

I just spent a long weekend in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area myself this past weekend. I hiked Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale every morning with all of the fitness walkers. It is a 1 3/4 mile hike to the end then you turn around and go back. The views are stunning. You can also hike Camelback & Piestewa Peak.

I visited all the little knicky knacky home furnishing stores in Cave Creek and had a chili beer and grilled cheese sandwich (four cheeses on butter drenched thick sliced bread) at The Satisfied Frog in Frontier Town (very cheesy place) in Cave Creek.

Go to Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and to the Desert Botanical Garden as well. Just google all of these places for info.

I just bought a condo in the area so no advice on hotels except I used to stay at the Caleo which I really liked. Inexpensive, recently redecorated small resort with nice workout facilities and spa. Until 11pm each day they have a free service with a Cadillac Escalade that will take you anywhere within three miles which will get you to the incredibly large Scottsdale Fashion Mall and to Old Town Scottsdale.

I rented via Hotwire and with all taxes only paid $85 for a 3 day midsized car rental that turned out to be thru Hertz.

Although I recommend Sedona, you obviously could have a relaxing getaway in Scottsdale as amwosu indicated. She mentioned some great places to go but they would require a car. You could probably get by without one if you stay at cetain resorts but a car is needed to get to some of the best hiking areas.

anwosu, I am SO JEALOUS!!! I drooled all over the keyboard reading about your weekend. I want some.

Laurie

There are tour buses that will transport you to Sedona (and back, I'm assuming) if you don't want to drive.

http://www.sedona-phoenix-shuttle.com/
http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/park_tra..._shuttles.html

emd- I'm reaping the benefits of buying the condo! Its grey and ugly and cold here in Indy now so this weekend of 87 and nothin' but sun will be a memory to get me thru the next...ummmm... month...until I go again!

And when are you buying that place in the Village of Oak Creek, my dear?

we are going for a week btwn Christmas and New Years, rented a house in west sedona, and will look at properties then. But we are also checking out Tucson, and probably Phoneix too in next few months. Will have questions for you...

Wow! Thanks for all of the tips. The reason I originally didn't want to rent a car is I would rather spend the money on a resort then on a car and I am flying in from MA so I was concerned about making a 2 hour drive after a long flight. Maybe I can stay in Phoenix for 2 nights and Sedona for 3. Thanks so much for all of the great ideas. I read that the drive to Sedona is really nice and from I've seen just on the web, the views are awesome.

Oh well, by all means if you have that long and might be up for the drive, do go to Sedona also. Many like the Hilton w/spa there, but there are several other places w/spas (Los Abrigados; Enchantment if you have the $$$). Or you can stay where ever you want and just go to one of the spas for a good massage after hiking- or do what I do and get the masseuse to come to your hotel room. I know a good female one in Sedona who brings the table and comes to the hotel. If you like to hike, even just a little, Sedona is very nice.

and besides, personally I think 5 days is too long at a resort in Scottsdale. 2 days is perfect there, 3 max.

Just a couple of thoughts...I love to hike but wouldn't want to do it all by myself where theres no one else around. Thats why the Phoenix hikes are such a great choice, lots of locals use Pinnacle Peak and Camelback instead of going to the gym. Plenty of people around.

Also, if you are interested in eating a good meal in a nice atmosphere with a great view of Camelback, especially at sunset, try elements at Sanctuary on Camelback. They have a community table where you can eat with others. Google Sanctuary on Camelback to see pics of the restaurant and resort. Supposed to be a great spa experience there also.

I agree with the others that with five days, dividing time between Sedona and Phoenix is a great option. If you want to stay on the cheap in Sedona, emd turned me on to Desert Quail Inn at the Village of Oak Creek just a couple miles south of Sedona and within sight of Bell Rock. I think I paid $59 via their online website and the innkeepers are very friendly.

One more thing, be sure to get to the airport early for your return flight. Leave plenty of time to return your rental car and get thru security. The rental return is not at the terminal and it takes several minutes via a shuttle to get to the terminal. Last Sunday there were so many people returning cars that no one ever came along to the car to do the quick checkout and we all ended up inside waiting in line. Try to check in online 24 hrs in advance and print out your boarding pass at your hotel so you can skip those lines at the airport. The security line at AmericaWest was like being at Disney World at spring break.

That's very good advice about the rental car return time. I have driven over a dozen times from Sedona to Phoneix to fly out, and twice (yes, twice) I gave myslef what I thought was plenty of time to check in an hour and a half before the flight. But I missed the flight check in cut off time of 30 min. before departure both times because of the rental car return. Both times ended up staying overnight in Phoenix to get a flight out the next day. That has never happened to me anywhere else. One of those 2 times it took almost an hour to check the car back in at Avis and then a 22 min. wait for the shuttle.
I'd say to give yourself twice as much time as you think you need to get from Sedona to Phoneix and turn the car in and get to terminal and check in.

Thank you for the advice. It really helps! I was thinking of staying at the Amara resort in Sedona. Has anyone stayed there? I would love to stay at Enchantment-it's looks so nice-but trying to conserve a little $$$. It sounds like I should stay in Phoenix my first day and the night before I fly out. It sounds like Camelback is the place to be!

Have you checked tripadvisor.com? Lots of Amara reviews there.

I think that's a good idea you have to stay in Phoenix the first and last nights. I know I would feel less stressed staying in Phoenix the last night rather than Sedona due to the drive to the airport.

Last Sat, I-17 about 8 miles from the airport was CLOSED for a couple of miles. I was glad we had arranged to spend the last night at Hampton South--but accidently got to Hampton North but that's another story!!