We (2 adults, 14 yr old) are going to Arizona and I would like some help with a few things. Our itinerary is:
April 15: late arrival (9pm)... stay in Phoenix
April 16: drive to Sedona & spend the night
April 17-18: GC, stay at Kachina Hotel(canyonside)
April 19-20 Mule ride to Phantom Ranch & spend the night
April 20: drive back to Phoenix
April 21: early flight home

My questions are: should we stay 2 days in Sedona and just one night at Kachina Hotel?

What hotels are recommended in Phoenix the night of arrival and night before departure? We would like hotel transportation to the airport on the way home so we can drop the car the day before the flight.

what hotel is recommended in Sedona? We would like great views and easy access and a nice place to stay. Enchantment sounds good but is too expensive for us.

Thank you in advance for any advice..

I like L'Auberge Resort in Sedona. It is right in the town area so you can walk around easily but is creekside and has gorgeous views. http://www.lauberge.com/ If that is too pricey then try The Orchards Inn which shares the grounds with L'Auberge but is more like a standard hotel instead of resort. http://www.orchardsinn.com/

sedona is expensive, if youre planning on 2 days there, then kachina is along the same lines. you might also consider visiting the town of jerome, right outside of sedona. also another point of interest would be montezuma castle, its only $6.00 for adult admission and is very scenic-right off of I-17, would be perfect for your trip en route to Sedona, its right before the Sedona exit on I-17 northbound.

have you made reservations yet to GC and Mule ride? If not, you're likely out of luck at this late date.

Yes, We do have GC & mule trip reservations. I made them about 9 months ago. You are right though, if we did not have them now, we would not be able to get them at this late date!

Thank you for the information about the L'Auberge and Orchard Inn in Sedona. I will check them out.

Also.. Jerome and Montezuma Castle sound great and worth a visit.

Again, thanks for your help

I too recommend 2 nites in Sedona. Stop at Montezumas Castle on the way up. It's just off the main highway. Skip Jerome. It takes awhile to get there. Do a Pink Jeep (or competitor) tour while there (you can reserve ahead of time. Do the "Broken Arrow" tour, the best. Eat at Pizza Picazzo, the most fantastic pizza place ever.
On driving out of the Canyon, go East by the Cameron Trading Post. Great cheap Indian stuff. Take the Interstate all the way to Phoenix but take a short detour (East on I 40) to Walnut Canyon Park. Great Indian (Sinagua) site where you can hike around and in the ruins. Still could get to Phoenix in time.

Definitely DO go see Jerome, a funky old mining town reborn as an artists haven. My suggestion would be to go through Prescott on your drive from Phoenix to Sedona, if you leave Phoenix fairly early. From Prescott, take route 89 into Jerome, have lunch and browse through the town, then head into Sedona.

Prescott http://www.eatstayplay.com/html/az/p011.html

Jerome
http://www.azjerome.com/