Sedona's Arabella Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury Awaits (AZ)
Sedona's Arabella Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury… Or Just a Really Nice Place? (My Unfiltered Take)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the desert tea on the Arabella Hotel in Sedona. "Unforgettable Luxury Awaits," they boast. Well, I wouldn't go that far. I had high expectations going in, fueled by those gorgeous Instagram shots of red rock sunrises. Did it deliver? Let's just say it's a mixed bag, like a Sedona sunset with a few too many clouds… and a slightly burnt tortilla in the breakfast burrito.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Annoying)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. This is HUGE for me, as I'm always looking for hotels that actually consider people with mobility issues. Wheelchair accessibility is a definite plus. They've got elevators (thank the heavens), and the general layout seemed pretty navigable. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, let's hope they're as helpful as they sound. I saw no mention of specific room accommodations, so maybe call ahead and get the details. Exterior corridor access makes things easier. I really hope they're up-to-snuff on the details, because a poorly designed accessible room is worse than useless.
Check-in/out [Express] and Check-in/out [Private]: They seem to be offering a speedy check-in and checkout, I hope it goes by fast.
Internet: My Love/Hate Relationship with Wi-Fi
Okay, let's be real: I need internet. I’m practically tethered to the digital world. The Arabella's got Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Woohoo! And Wi-Fi in public areas. Score! They even have Internet services and Internet [LAN], but honestly, who’s plugging in a LAN cable in 2024? (Unless you're a serious gamer, in which case, power to you, my friend.) But the speed? Let's just say it wasn't always consistent. Sometimes, you're streaming like a champ, other times you're staring at a buffering wheel while the desert winds whisper promises of better connectivity.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are They Really Trying?
This is HUGE since we're still dodging that pesky virus, right? Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services are listed, which is reassuring. They claim Rooms sanitized between stays and Daily disinfection in common areas. They offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch. Hand sanitizer is readily available, and the staff is supposedly Staff trained in safety protocol. I’m a big fan of the Cashless payment service, makes things easier. It all creates the feeling that they're trying to keep things safe, but these promises and assurances are only as good as their execution. Were they perfect? Not entirely. But they seemed to prioritize safety over all else, which is more than I can say about some places.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Burritos and Poolside Dreams
Alright, food. This is where things get interesting. The hotel has Restaurants. It got a Poolside bar. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Check. Desserts in restaurant? Double-check. Snack bar? You betcha. But let's talk about specifics. My absolute favorite moment? That breakfast burrito. Not just any breakfast burrito. It was a glorious, cheesy, spicy, slightly greasy concoction that I inhaled by the pool with views of the red rocks. Pure heaven. The Breakfast [buffet] had a good selection, and the Breakfast service was generally good, but that burrito? It was a star. Poolside bar was the perfect spot to sip a margarita while watching the sun dip behind the mountains. Now, the Asian cuisine in restaurant looked tempting, but I didn't get a chance to try it. Western cuisine in restaurant was okay. The food was good, but the experience was a tiny bit generic. Nothing particularly wow-ing.
Rooms: Comfort (and Minor Quirks)
Okay, the rooms. They're generally well-appointed, as you'd expect. Air conditioning is a must, of course, and it worked like a charm. Free bottled water is a nice touch, although the mini-bar options were a bit pricey. Bathrobes, Slippers, and Toiletries were provided, adding a touch of luxury. Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those late-morning sleep-ins.
My main gripe? That blasted alarm clock. It was one of those modern contraptions with a complicated interface. I spent a good five minutes wrestling with it, trying to figure out how to turn the darn thing off. (Technology, am I right?)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams (and Reality Checks)
This is where the Arabella really shines. The Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view is sublime. Lounging poolside with that scenery is just… wow. They’ve got a Fitness center, which I didn't use because, well, vacation. They also had a Spa with a Sauna and a Steamroom. I booked a massage (because, duh). It was blissful. Truly. A Body scrub and Body wrap looked tempting. The Foot bath was a nice touch. The Spa definitely leans toward relaxation. It was a much needed escape from the chaos of real life.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The hotel has a lot of services on offer, from a Concierge to Daily housekeeping. There's also a Laundry service. Dry cleaning is available. Cash withdrawal is on site. The Convenience store is super-handy for grabbing snacks and forgotten essentials. Luggage storage is helpful. The Elevator is essential. They even offer a Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and Valet parking. Super convenient.
Specifically, regarding the business facilities, I really didn’t use the Meeting/banquet facilities, or anything else to do with the Business facilities, but it’s good that they're there.
For the Kids: Babysitting and Family Fun
While I didn't travel with any tiny humans, the hotel seemed pretty Family/child friendly. They offer a Babysitting service. I saw a Kids meal on the menu.
Getting Around: The Logistics
The Airport transfer is a huge convenience if you're flying in. There's also a Taxi service. They also offer Bicycle parking.
Final Verdict: Worth the Hype?
So, would I call the Arabella "unforgettable luxury"? Maybe not. But it's definitely a fantastic place to stay. It's clean, comfortable, well-located, and the spa experience is top-notch. The staff is generally friendly and helpful. I'd recommend it for a relaxing getaway, especially if you're looking for a spa-focused trip. Just remember to double-check the Wi-Fi speed and bring your own alarm clock if you're as technologically inept as I am, and you'll be just fine. It's beautiful, and it's worth a stay. But maybe manage your expectations a little. It's beautiful, it's enjoyable, and it’s worth the price. Book it and enjoy!
Gilroy Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals! (CA)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary for the Arabella Hotel Sedona? It's gonna be less "perfectly planned Instagram post" and more "slightly chaotic, wonderfully messy memory bank." Let's go:
Days 1-3: Arrival, the Red Rocks are Teasing, and My Brain is Mush
Day 1: The Arrival (and the Existential Dread of Unpacking)
- Morning (7:00 AM PST): Wake up in my own bed feeling like a crumpled tissue. Is there even coffee in Sedona? Probably not, based on my current caffeine withdrawal.
- Morning (8:00 AM PST): Flight. Pray to the travel gods I don't end up seated next to the world's loudest snorer. (Spoiler alert: I did.)
- Afternoon (2:00 PM MST): FINALLY, Sedona! The air is… different. Thicker? More… spiritual? (Don’t judge me, I’m trying.) The Arabella Hotel – not too shabby! Pool looks tempting. Immediate mission: scope out the bar.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM MST): Check-in. Fail miserably at immediately remembering the room number. It's going to be a week of forgetting.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM MST): Unpack. Ugh. Why do I bring so much stuff? This is a question for the ages. Start, get distracted by the rock formations visible from the balcony, and decide to deal with this later.
- Evening (6:00 PM MST): Happy Hour at the Arabella Bar. First margarita. This is going to be a very good week. Make friends with a surprisingly charming local. Discuss the "vortexes." Nod sagely, pretend to know what they are. It's a vortex, I'm sure.
- Evening (8:00 PM MST): Dinner at a highly-rated restaurant downtown. Ordered something exotic and then promptly regretted it. (Spicy! Hot!) Decide the water is delicious.
Day 2: Hiking, Sunscreen Failures, and Existential Cliff-Side Contemplation
- Morning (7:00 AM MST): Attempt a hike – the Devil's Bridge Trail. Read a blog that said moderate. Lies! All lies! Was barely able to breathe for the first 10 minutes. Feel old.
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Arrive at Devil's Bridge. The sun is beautiful, the view is breathtaking. Make peace with my mortality. Take a photo that will probably end up on my grandma’s fridge.
- Morning (10:00 AM MST): Hike back down. Somehow made it.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM MST): Regret. Sunburn on my nose. Should have worn more sunscreen. Lesson learned (maybe).
- Afternoon (1:00 PM MST): Lunch. Burger and fries. Comfort food after a near-death experience on a red rock.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM MST): Pool time! Dive. Swims like a person who does not swim regularly, but really doesn't care.
- Evening (7:00 PM MST): Catch the sunset. Words fail. It’s just… wow. The colors are insane. Feel a little bit closer to the universe. Or maybe just sleepy.
- Evening (8:00 PM MST): Ordering pizza. I'm not sure, but it sounds like a good choice.
Day 3: Art, Awkward Encounters, and the Quest for a Decent Latte
- Morning (8:00 AM MST): Fail to find a great latte. I need caffeine… now. My mood is suffering.
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Visit the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. So many pretty things! Buy a turquoise ring for the fun of it. (Later, I'll probably regret the impulsiveness).
- Morning (10:00 AM MST): Wander around the galleries. See some gorgeous art. Wander in, wander out, confused by the prices and the art.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM MST): Lunch. Decide to stop and eat.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM MST): More pool time. Feel slightly less like a melting wax figure.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM MST): Spa appointment at the Arabella spa. Relax from the hiking and the art galleries. Massages are always fun.
- Evening (7:00 PM MST): Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the charming local. Food gets even better. Definitely the best dinner so far.
Days 4-5: Doubling Down on Adventure, or, My Relationship with Canyons Continues
Day 4: The Canyon (and the Realization I'm Not That Athletic)
- Morning (7:00 AM MST): Attempt to wake up early. Fail.
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Day trip to a canyon. (Not specified because, hey, even I forget things sometimes.) The colors are so intense. I mean, really, really intense.
- Morning (10:00 AM MST): Attempt to hike another trail at the canyon. The heat is brutal. Almost faint.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM MST): Picnic. It’s the best. I wish I could eat like this all the time.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM MST): Continue to hike, and get even more sunburnt.
- Evening (7:00 PM MST): Exhausted but happy. Sleep.
Day 5: The Vortex and the Mystical Mumbo Jumbo (Prepare for Rambling)
- Morning (8:00 AM MST): After a big breakfast I get ready to visit the vortex.
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Find the most "powerful" vortex site. Stand there. Close my eyes. Try to feel something. (Spoiler: Mostly just feel the sun on my face, the wind, and a faint sense of confusion.)
- Morning (10:00 AM MST): Contemplate what exactly constitutes a "vortex experience." Is it a feeling? A vision? A sudden urge to buy crystals? (Note: I resisted the crystal urge, barely.)
- Morning (11:00 AM MST): Observe other people at the vortex. Some seem to be having profound spiritual experiences. Others are taking selfies. Everything is okay.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM MST): Lunch to ground myself. I order something "earthy." (Beet salad, naturally.)
- Afternoon (3:00 PM MST): Decide to take a walk. It is good.
- Evening (7:00 PM MST): Dinner at the hotel. It helps.
- Evening (8:00 PM MST): Watch the sun set again.
Days 6-7: Winding Down, Shopping Spree and the Sad Goodbye
Day 6: Last Minute Shopping, and the Quiet Before the Storm
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Final push for souvenirs. Buy a t-shirt that says "I survived Sedona".
- Morning (10:00 AM MST): Browse more art galleries. I look at the art with no feelings.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM MST): Lunch. Enjoy the view.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM MST): Return to hotel for more sun, more pool, more reading.
- Evening (7:00 PM MST): Final dinner. Sad. Too much good food.
- Evening (8:00 PM MST): Pack. Regret the souvenirs - should have bought more!
Day 7: Goodbye. The End (and Maybe a Trip Back?)
- Morning (7:00 AM MST): Last coffee run. Make it count.
- Morning (8:00 AM MST): Check out of the Arabella.
- Morning (9:00 AM MST): Head to the airport. The red rocks fade away in the rearview mirror.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM MST): Flight back.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM MST): Arrive home feeling relaxed, sun-kissed, and already missing the desert.
- Evening (7:00 PM) : Make travel plans.
- Always: Will come back.
There you have it. A messy, imperfect, totally honest look at a trip to Sedona, Arizona. Remember,
Escape to Barstow: Your Perfect Travelodge Getaway Awaits!
Okay, spill the beans. Is the Arabella Hotel in Sedona *really* as amazing as the photos?
Alright, alright, let's get real. Those photos? Yeah, they're gorgeous. But let me tell you, walking into the Arabella… it's the kind of "whoa" moment that makes you briefly forget you spent two hours wrestling with your luggage trying to find the parking spot. The lobby smells ridiculously good – like, I'm pretty sure they pump a custom scent in there – and the views? The Red Rocks are just *there*, staring you in the face. It’s like they photoshopped reality to be even more stunning. But... and this is a big but... the *real* magic isn’t the perfectly manicured lawns. It's the feeling. The feeling of, "Okay, I'm *finally* on vacation and I'm not going to think about spreadsheets for a week. Praise be."
Rooms: Cozy or Cave-like? What Can I Expect?
Rooms, rooms, rooms. Okay, listen, they aren't caves. Unless you *want* a luxurious, beautifully appointed cave with a view. I had a room with a balcony – crucial! Think comfortable, clean, and with a bed that just *begs* you to dive in. I actually, and I’m maybe a little embarrassed to admit this, spent a solid afternoon just… lounging. Reading. Staring at the Red Rocks. Judging people's hiking outfits from the balcony (just kidding… mostly). The bathroom? Marble, people. Marble! (Though, a minor complaint: the shower pressure could be a *little* stronger. First World Problems, I know.)
Pro Tip: Request a room with a Red Rock view. Trust me. You'll thank me later.
The Pool! Is it Instagrammable, or just a glorified lukewarm bath?
The pool? OH. MY. GAWD. Instagrammable? Honey, it’s practically begging for a photo shoot. The pool *is* the spot. The *scene*. It's framed by the Red Rocks, glistening in the sun, and the water is just the right temperature – refreshing without being teeth-chatteringly cold. Picture this: me, lounging on a ridiculously comfortable pool chair, sipping a margarita, and just… breathing. It was pure, unadulterated *bliss*. There were a couple of overly tanned fellas doing laps that were a little distracting, but hey, that's life. The pool's awesome, go and have some fun!! I'd give it a solid 9.5/10, only because I think perfection is boring.
I'm a foodie (read: I love to eat). What's the dining situation like?
Okay, buckle up, because the dining is… well, it's pretty darn good. The Arabella has a few dining options. The main restaurant, "The View", is… let's just say I may or may not have eaten there three times in two days. Their breakfast burrito? Forget about it. Amazing. They've got a decent bar/lounge situation for a casual bite. I had a burger there one night and it was… fine. Nothing to write home about, but perfectly acceptable after a long day of hiking. However, one thing… the service at breakfast one day was… shall we say… *slow*? I'm talking, "Is my coffee ever coming?" slow. But hey, everyone has a bad day, right? The food itself, though? Solid.
Speaking of eating… any recommendations for off-property grub?
Yes! Absolutely! Sedona has *tons* of amazing restaurants. I would highly recommend checking out "Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill" - the views are incredible and the food is equally good. A bit pricey, but worth it for the experience. Also, don't miss "Elote Cafe" - but be prepared to wait. The word is out, and everyone wants in. And if you want something super chill? "Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen" is a good option if you want something a bit healthier, but still delicious. Explore, my friends! That’s half the fun.
Is it kid-friendly? Because, you know, sometimes we're not traveling solo…
Hmm… kid-friendly. Well, depends on your definition of “kid-friendly,” right? They had a pool, so that's a win. The staff seemed… pleasant enough around children. I can’t vouch for their official kid-focused activities, so I can't give you a definitive answer. BUT! I did see a few families there, and everyone looked relatively happy. If your kids are, ahem, *spirited*, you might want to call ahead and confirm some specific recommendations (or pack a lot of patience!).
Getting Around: Uber? Rental Car? Hike or Die Trying?
Okay, this is important. You *need* some form of transportation. Uber/Lyft exist, but they're not super reliable. A rental car is probably your best bet. Sedona isn’t super walkable, especially not in the Arizona sun. Plus, you'll want to explore beyond just the Arabella! As for hiking… yes, PLEASE hike! But start small. Don’t be like me and try to tackle a super-difficult trail on day one. Your legs will hate you. And maybe bring a walking stick. Just saying. The trails are incredible, though!
Dealing with the Red Rocks: Is there a "Wow, I was not prepared for *that*!" moment?
Oh. Man. The Red Rocks. Okay, so I’m from a place where "mountains" are more like "slightly elevated hills." The scale of the Red Rocks is… staggering. Jaw-dropping. The sheer grandeur of it hit me like a ton of bricks on the first hike. And I mean... I got slightly lost. Slightly. Okay, okay, I was *completely* lost for about 30 minutes. Good thing I brought plenty of water... and my phone. And a snack. You know, the essentials. Be prepared for the sheer scale to blow you away. And maybe study a trail map *before* you start hiking. Just a thought.
Service: Helpful or Head-Scratching?
Overall, the service was pretty darn good. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. I did have one small issue… I can't remember what it was, but the staff were so quick to respond and fix it! Sometimes you get that feeling that the staff knows this is your money, and you have expectations… but at the Arabella I felt like they wanted you to relax and enjoy. Cheap Hotel Search
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