heavenlyflwr

Does anyone know anything about the Sedona Motel and the Sky Ranch Lodge? Both seem clean and they both have good rates. I guess Sedona Motel is more centralized--walking distance to everything in town. Sky Ranch Lodge is on the edge of Airport Mesa. Any reason to stay at one over the other?

Also looking for hiking and dining recommendations! Thank you!!!

emd3

Yes, there is a reason. The reason is the view you get from your rooms at Sky Ranch Lodge.

emd3

I shoudl clarify that there are rms at Sky Ranch that have spectacular views from the patios. There are rooms that have no view but you are just a few steps to the public areas that have views.

emd3

Get the book "Sedona Hikes" by the Mangum couple. Excellent hiking info, the best out there.

heavenlyflwr

Got it! I was leaning that way anyway. Do you have any dining recs for me?

efitzger

I stayed in sedona once at a bed and breakfast called mariposa inn. If they are still there, I would HIGHLY recommend them. They have a wonderful separate building, a prying chapel, beautiful eclectic grounds with donkeys, breakfast on the veranda overlooking a river with homemade warm buttered tortillas. WOW.

emd3

Shugrue's Hillside Grill
Picazzo's (Italian)
Marketplace Cafe in the Village of Oak Creek
Minami in the Village of Oak Creek
Oaxaca (good margaritas too)
Cucina Rustica (fine dining)
Thai Spices

emd3

Don't worry about not being "in the center of town." Sedona is a small town, everything is nearby. And the uptown area is touristy and imo not a desireable place to stay.

At Sky Ranch Lodge, you are very close (short walk) to the small airport that has a good restaurant for breakfast. You can have bfast every day there and watch the planes take off and land. You are also close to a vortex point and a nice hike down the rd. from the Lodge.

MikePinTucson

I can second Sky Ranch. We have stayed there twice and would stay there again. It is just nice being away from everything else.

For dining:
Cowboy Club Silver Saddle Room (or the main dining room, if you have children)
Dahl & DiLuca -- same owners and menu as Cucina Rustica, but is in West Sedona, much closer than driving down to the Village of Oak Creek.
Shugure's Hillside. Ask for a patio table (they won't guarantee it). Great for sunset.
Oak Creek Brewery in Tlaquepaque.

I have heard that the airport cafe has closed.

For hikes,
Boynton Canyon
Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte
Red Rock Crossing to Cathedral Rock.

heavenlyflwr

Hi MikePinTucson! Thanks for the hike recs. Are any of those hikes 4-5 mile loops with fantastic scenery? If you had time for just one hike, what would it be?

Thank you!!

MikePinTucson

The Bell Rock/Courthouse Butte is a loop, about 4.5 miles, I think. As for scenery, I don't think you could go wrong with any hike. The other two I listed are out and back.

Here is a link to a website listing all of the hiking trails around Sedona:

http://www.hikearizona.com/interestDEX.php?ID=42&RID=9

sf7307

And the uptown area is touristy and imo not a desireable place to stay.

Could not agree with this more!!

As for eating, breakfast at The Coffee Pot is an excellent choice -- huge choice of omelets, more important, they're very god. We also enjoyed dinner at The Barking Frog (somewhat upscale Mexican --- not your usual tacos and enchiladas, and excellent prickly pear margarita. I remember the tomatillo sauce on something was yummy).

MikePinTucson

By the way, airport mesa is a great place to watch sunrise and sunset. For sunset, go to the pullout about half way up the road, on the east side of the road. It is a small parking lot, so get there early.

For sunrise, the viewpoint right at Sky Ranch is a great place.

Also, for dining, if you like Mexican food, go to Su Casa in Clarkdale. It is just around the corner from the Verde Canyon Railroad depot. If you have the time, the VCRR is very worthwhile (we have been on it 3 times).

heavenlyflwr

OK I have another random question I'm almost too embarrassed to ask--we're intrigued by these energy vortexes in Sedona...what's your read on them?

panecott

The vortexes seem to affect people differently. I was in Sedona in April and went to a number of vortex sites but I didn't feel anything.

Other people have a different take.

Sometimes I think it would be better not to know about them -- and if they affect you, then you'd know.

anniegaff

I visited Sedona in June. Here's my take on the vortex sites: when you are in the vortex areas, you are surrounded by incredible beauty in every direction. Did I find it calming and peaceful? Yes, but I get the same feeling in my own backyard when I take a moment to quietly appreciate the beauty of where I live. (I'm on one of Minnesota's small lakes.) I don't believe there's any mysterious vibes going through the areas, but others would disagree. To each his own. There's no denying that Sedona is an incredibly beautiful place.

My favorite hike was to Devil's Bridge. I think it was about 3 miles out and back.