Tucson or Sedona over Thanksgiving?
#1
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Tucson or Sedona over Thanksgiving?
I just can't decide! Should it be Enchantment Resort in Sedona or Loews Ventana in Tucson. It's our first anniversary trip and typically love beach vacations..we even got married on a beach. Anyway, had to cancel Mexico plans due to the hurricane and am now trying to decide which part of Arizona to visit. I have been to Tucson..but not managed to see much around Tucson and have also heard Sedona is gorgeous. We are looking forward to some basic hiking...lots of relaxation, good food and something different...
Would appreciate any advice folks may have!
Thanks. P.S. We probably have only 3-4 days.
Would appreciate any advice folks may have!
Thanks. P.S. We probably have only 3-4 days.
#2
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If you have never been to Sedona,I would say go there. The Sedona area (not the town) is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. If you have not been to the Grand Canyon yet, it is close enough for a day trip from Sedona.
I live in Tucson, and Tucson also would be a nice spot, but Sedona is magical. We have gone to Sedona a number of times for a quick anniversary getaway.
I live in Tucson, and Tucson also would be a nice spot, but Sedona is magical. We have gone to Sedona a number of times for a quick anniversary getaway.
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Thanks. Couple of quick questions...how far is Sedona from Tucson and do you think it will be very cold during Thanksgiving...am assuming we wont be able to use the pool.
You've almost got me convinced to go to Sedona...however, have someone we would like to see in Tucson and have heard rave reviews about the desert museum...
You've almost got me convinced to go to Sedona...however, have someone we would like to see in Tucson and have heard rave reviews about the desert museum...
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Sedon is about a 4 hour drive from Tucson, maybe a bit more, depending on Phoenix traffic.
Sedona will be quite a bit cooler than Tucson. In Tucson, and I am talking "averages" here, you can figure daytime temps around 70 and nighttime around 45. Here is a website that shows the averages and the record highs and lows:
http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/Di...=none&IATA=TUS
If that is too much to copy and paste, just go to www.wunderground.com
If you do come to Tucson, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a "must-see":
http://www.desertmuseum.org/
Another thing I would consdier a "must see" is Kartchner Caverns:
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html
There are many areas to go hiking, from easy to difficult, and a lot more things to do around Tucson, such as Old Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, Tubac, Sabino Canyon, Mt Lemmon, and more. If you want more web sites, send me an email and I will give them to you. It seems on Fodor's you can't add "clickable" links. Either that, or I am just not savvy enough to figure out how to do it.
Sedona will be quite a bit cooler than Tucson. In Tucson, and I am talking "averages" here, you can figure daytime temps around 70 and nighttime around 45. Here is a website that shows the averages and the record highs and lows:
http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/Di...=none&IATA=TUS
If that is too much to copy and paste, just go to www.wunderground.com
If you do come to Tucson, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a "must-see":
http://www.desertmuseum.org/
Another thing I would consdier a "must see" is Kartchner Caverns:
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html
There are many areas to go hiking, from easy to difficult, and a lot more things to do around Tucson, such as Old Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, Tubac, Sabino Canyon, Mt Lemmon, and more. If you want more web sites, send me an email and I will give them to you. It seems on Fodor's you can't add "clickable" links. Either that, or I am just not savvy enough to figure out how to do it.
#5
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Thanks so much MikePinTucson! I am so confused...almost wish my husband or someone else would make the decision . Guess if we had more time off I could do both....
Well, hope to decide tonight...will let you know. Thanks again for the links..
Well, hope to decide tonight...will let you know. Thanks again for the links..
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The weather in Sedona will definitely be cooler, the November average is 64F for high and 36F for low.
We always go to my parent's house in the Phoenix area for Thanksgiving. About five years ago (I think) we drove up to see friends that live in Williams (east of Flagstaff) the day after Thanksgiving. There had been quite a lot of snow already that year. On the way back to Phoenix, we did the cut off onto Highway 89 to go to Sedona. As we were driving through Oak Creek Canyon, it began to lightly snow. By the time we got into town a dusting of snow was covering the red rocks. I was raised in Arizona but had never seen the snow in Sedona. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
Anyway, I think it is rare that they get snow in Sedona at Thanksgiving but no matter what the weather it's amazing there. My dream is to round up all the family down in the Phoenix area, rent a big house in Sedona for Thanksgiving and have our holiday there. There is usually about 12 or us. My Mom had knee surgery this year so it didn't work out-maybe next year.
I know you will have a great time in either Tucson or Sedona and will enjoy your Thanksgiving vacation in Arizona.
We always go to my parent's house in the Phoenix area for Thanksgiving. About five years ago (I think) we drove up to see friends that live in Williams (east of Flagstaff) the day after Thanksgiving. There had been quite a lot of snow already that year. On the way back to Phoenix, we did the cut off onto Highway 89 to go to Sedona. As we were driving through Oak Creek Canyon, it began to lightly snow. By the time we got into town a dusting of snow was covering the red rocks. I was raised in Arizona but had never seen the snow in Sedona. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
Anyway, I think it is rare that they get snow in Sedona at Thanksgiving but no matter what the weather it's amazing there. My dream is to round up all the family down in the Phoenix area, rent a big house in Sedona for Thanksgiving and have our holiday there. There is usually about 12 or us. My Mom had knee surgery this year so it didn't work out-maybe next year.
I know you will have a great time in either Tucson or Sedona and will enjoy your Thanksgiving vacation in Arizona.
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I spent last Thanksgiving week in Sedona, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Pleasantly warm (with a jacket) during the day, and jacuzzi-perfect at night.
PS - I am the only one on this board who is not absolutely infatuated with Enchantment Resort. I think you could do the same trip with a much less costly lodging option and use the saved $ for gourmet meals and other luxuries.
I hope you have a fantastic first!
PS - I am the only one on this board who is not absolutely infatuated with Enchantment Resort. I think you could do the same trip with a much less costly lodging option and use the saved $ for gourmet meals and other luxuries.
I hope you have a fantastic first!
#8
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Thank you Paula1470, wsoxrebel and Mike...you guys have helped convince me! Sedona it is. The desert musuem and Katchner caverns will have to wait..
wsoxrebel...any suggestions on places to eat and alternate places to stay?
wsoxrebel...any suggestions on places to eat and alternate places to stay?
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Good choice, Sedona is a very romantic place.
We have always stayed at B&B's. We think they are just cozier than resorts. I would have to look up which ones we stayed at, but I remember the first one had a bottle of champagne waiting in our room when we checked in for an anniversary visit. But B&B's are a personal preference, as we are not into spa treatments and such.
Shugrue's Hillside is a nice place to eat. Go early and view the sunset.
In Town, the Cowboy Club has good food, and the specialize in buffalo steaks (you can also get rattlesnake). I know others have posted on some good places to eat also. We went out to a steakhouse (can't remember the name), on the west side of Sedona, had a good steak then went into the bar and did some country/western dancing.
Here is a good website for exploring Sedona:
http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/
We have always stayed at B&B's. We think they are just cozier than resorts. I would have to look up which ones we stayed at, but I remember the first one had a bottle of champagne waiting in our room when we checked in for an anniversary visit. But B&B's are a personal preference, as we are not into spa treatments and such.
Shugrue's Hillside is a nice place to eat. Go early and view the sunset.
In Town, the Cowboy Club has good food, and the specialize in buffalo steaks (you can also get rattlesnake). I know others have posted on some good places to eat also. We went out to a steakhouse (can't remember the name), on the west side of Sedona, had a good steak then went into the bar and did some country/western dancing.
Here is a good website for exploring Sedona:
http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/
#10
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We went to Sedona and I don't think you will regret it. We don't like the hype of the mega-resorts, nor the hubbub of the tourist town so we stayed at Sky Ranch Lodge, this is on a mesa above the town before the small airport.
It has beautifully landscaped grounds, a pool and a spa. Several rooms overlook the town and the red rocks on the other side of the canyon. We had one with a gas fireplace and a small 'efficiency', so that if we didn't feel like going out for breakfast we could make coffee and eat fruit and pastries we had brought in.
There are also 2 cottages with views.
I haven't checked, but I would imagine a google would turn up a web site.
Have a great visit.
It has beautifully landscaped grounds, a pool and a spa. Several rooms overlook the town and the red rocks on the other side of the canyon. We had one with a gas fireplace and a small 'efficiency', so that if we didn't feel like going out for breakfast we could make coffee and eat fruit and pastries we had brought in.
There are also 2 cottages with views.
I haven't checked, but I would imagine a google would turn up a web site.
Have a great visit.
#11
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My experience has been with an RCI condo and the Hilton resort. Both were great. It seems like there are many options, though.
I don't really like the middle-touristy section of town so I would advise picking a section either by the Hilton and golf course or by the Enchanctment and hospital.
Regardless, I'll be jealous of your time there!
I don't really like the middle-touristy section of town so I would advise picking a section either by the Hilton and golf course or by the Enchanctment and hospital.
Regardless, I'll be jealous of your time there!
#12
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wsoxrebel, you are NOT the only one. I have stayed at Enchantment more than once and I don't like it at all either. Many much more friendly places to stay, some just as nice for alot less $$$$.
So mvs1, I've been watching your thread but not participating since I know nuttin' from nuttin' about Tucson. But ask away about Sedona. Posters here have raved about Amara resort also.
Look into Cucina Rustica or Dahl and Deluca for dinners. I second Shugrue's Hillside.
So mvs1, I've been watching your thread but not participating since I know nuttin' from nuttin' about Tucson. But ask away about Sedona. Posters here have raved about Amara resort also.
Look into Cucina Rustica or Dahl and Deluca for dinners. I second Shugrue's Hillside.
#13
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OK -- I found the B&B we really liked on our first visit. It was the Canyon Villa. But that was several years ago, and I'm not sure if the same people run it. But we really enjoyed it. You can find it in the B&B section of the Gateway to Sedona web site.
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msv1 - You will love Sedona-good choice. Mike-I just checked out the website for Canyon Villa and also their reviews on tripadvisor. It looks amazing and doesn't seem like it has the B&B feeling as much as it does an intimate hotel. msv1-I would definitely check Canyon Villa out. Now I really, really want to go to Sedona.
BTW, in my original post I said Williams was east of Flagstaff, actually I DO know that it's west of Flagstaff, just made a typo.
BTW, in my original post I said Williams was east of Flagstaff, actually I DO know that it's west of Flagstaff, just made a typo.
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Wow, I just checked the TA reviews for the two places I recommended.
I can't believe the poor comments on L'Auberge. I wonder if there has been a management change or something. We were there about 3 years ago and it was great. Our cottages were really special and well-appointed, and the service was excellent.
Anyway, you will have a wonderful time in Sedona. It is gorgeous.
Have fun!
I can't believe the poor comments on L'Auberge. I wonder if there has been a management change or something. We were there about 3 years ago and it was great. Our cottages were really special and well-appointed, and the service was excellent.
Anyway, you will have a wonderful time in Sedona. It is gorgeous.
Have fun!
#17
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Fairhope on this forum just got back from staying at Canyon Villa w/his wife for their 30th anniversary. He wrote a trip report w/comments on Canyon Villa and just posted it a few days ago. Put Fairhope in the search box and it comes up as #1- Sedona and GC trip report.
Others have made disparaging remarks on this forum recently about L'Auberge, both on it being pretentious and not the service people used to rave about.
Alot of people do like Enchantment and rave about it. While I am not a fan, it does have an amazing location, right in Boynton Canyon. You can hike right there on site in the Canyon, or there are other hiking trails right there off Dry Creek Road - personally I think it is some of the best hiking in Sedona in that area. The casitas are nice at Enchantment, they have fireplaces. It is more the elitist attitude that turned me off, both in the dining room and the spa. Once i had taken a big client and her husband to Enchantment - I worked w/the client during the day and took them both out to the Yavapai dining room that night. There was hardly anyone dining. I had very nice designer black jeans on and a nice jacket and nice boots. They would not let me in. And I was staying at the hotel w/two $495 casitas booked. ANd there was hardly anyone there, and I looked very nice. This place is in the middle of a canyon, and they won't let me eat w/black DKNY jeans on and my client standing there. And her husband had black jeans on, but they didn't care about him for some reason, and they didn't get the irony when we pointed out to them that he also had black jeans on! They said his "didn't look like jeans." Please, mine looked better than his! The spa takes itself way too seriously IMO. But others rave about it. You might be one of those who ends up loving it and not having any problems at all.
Look up Amara resort. I have heard very good things about it on here and from friends who have gone there.
Others have made disparaging remarks on this forum recently about L'Auberge, both on it being pretentious and not the service people used to rave about.
Alot of people do like Enchantment and rave about it. While I am not a fan, it does have an amazing location, right in Boynton Canyon. You can hike right there on site in the Canyon, or there are other hiking trails right there off Dry Creek Road - personally I think it is some of the best hiking in Sedona in that area. The casitas are nice at Enchantment, they have fireplaces. It is more the elitist attitude that turned me off, both in the dining room and the spa. Once i had taken a big client and her husband to Enchantment - I worked w/the client during the day and took them both out to the Yavapai dining room that night. There was hardly anyone dining. I had very nice designer black jeans on and a nice jacket and nice boots. They would not let me in. And I was staying at the hotel w/two $495 casitas booked. ANd there was hardly anyone there, and I looked very nice. This place is in the middle of a canyon, and they won't let me eat w/black DKNY jeans on and my client standing there. And her husband had black jeans on, but they didn't care about him for some reason, and they didn't get the irony when we pointed out to them that he also had black jeans on! They said his "didn't look like jeans." Please, mine looked better than his! The spa takes itself way too seriously IMO. But others rave about it. You might be one of those who ends up loving it and not having any problems at all.
Look up Amara resort. I have heard very good things about it on here and from friends who have gone there.
#18
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I have heard from friends who stayed there that Amara has a nice spa too - not huge but more intimate w/a nice relaxing attitude, and it is not so heavy on the "new age" aspect like Enchantment's spa. If you just want a normal massage you can get one without having your third eye opened...
#19
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Time for a reality check. Notwithstanding the number of Sedonaphiles on this board, and the responses I will get, let me offer another view. Sedona is now, I can't speak to what is was in the past, a glorified tourist trap. The town itself is t-shirt shops and knick-knack souvenir stands. There are excellent hiking opportunities available, but you also have to endure the new-age babble about vortexes and spirits.
For lodging, I have stayed at Enchantment and L-Auberge and much prefer the former. L'Auberge is much too impressed with itself. Dinner there is very overrated; it would be a one-star restaurant in any major city in the U.S., but at five star prices.
Tuscon has much more to offer, both culturally and aesthetically. The hiking is just as good. The dining choices are better and more varied and, you do not have to drive several hours, possibly in bad weather to get there.
For lodging, I have stayed at Enchantment and L-Auberge and much prefer the former. L'Auberge is much too impressed with itself. Dinner there is very overrated; it would be a one-star restaurant in any major city in the U.S., but at five star prices.
Tuscon has much more to offer, both culturally and aesthetically. The hiking is just as good. The dining choices are better and more varied and, you do not have to drive several hours, possibly in bad weather to get there.
#20
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Hey, come on, now, TBurke99. At least learn how to SPELL TUCson.
I live in TUCson, and I did give some suggestions for mvs1 if she decided to come here. She / they decided on Sedona, which I think is also a great choice. But I don't know why you keep trying to define Sedona as just the town and put it down as if that is all there is to Sedona (Oh, right, you DID actually mention there is some good hiking) Many of us have posted that the town is really nothing but shops. It is the absolute beauty of the surrounding area that is the draw (unless you are a new age vortex junkie, that is).
Oh, and seeing as how it is their FIRST anniversary, and only for 3-4 days, they might not be spending all that much time wandering around. They can save Tucson, where they would want a couple of weeks, for their next anniversary.
I live in TUCson, and I did give some suggestions for mvs1 if she decided to come here. She / they decided on Sedona, which I think is also a great choice. But I don't know why you keep trying to define Sedona as just the town and put it down as if that is all there is to Sedona (Oh, right, you DID actually mention there is some good hiking) Many of us have posted that the town is really nothing but shops. It is the absolute beauty of the surrounding area that is the draw (unless you are a new age vortex junkie, that is).
Oh, and seeing as how it is their FIRST anniversary, and only for 3-4 days, they might not be spending all that much time wandering around. They can save Tucson, where they would want a couple of weeks, for their next anniversary.