Sedona: Where We Stayed – What We Did – Where We Ate

This trip came at the perfect time. It’s amazing how you don’t realize you need a break from reality until you finally get one! My hubby had a work trip in Sedona, AZ, and so with the help of my parents, we were able to turn it into a kid-free getaway as well. April is a fabulous time to visit Sedona as it offers cooler temps and fabulous outdoor activities!

While my husband spent half days at a work conference, I was extremely blessed with a refreshing few days filled with beautiful hikes, relaxing pool-side quiet time and taking in the incredible 70° Sedona weather. I was also able to enjoy some much-appreciated pampering, quality time with my hubby, and time to reflect and work on me.

As you all requested here is the scoop on our trip, a little Sedona Recap for you! If you are planning an upcoming Sedona vacay you will love these recommendations!

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at the stunning Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa at Bell Rock and I can’t say enough wonderful things about this hotel. We had never stayed in the Bell Rock area before, but I must say we loved the fabulous location and the plethora of on-site amenities! We will definitely be bringing the girls back here for our next family getaway!

PHOTO/Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa at Bell Rock

The resort property offers beautiful views, kind and knowledgeable staff, a hiking concierge and shop, as well as multiple pools to embrace some relaxation! Whether you want some quiet-time, the opportunity to swim laps or the chance to kick back and splash around by the waterfall, they have a pool option that fits your needs. My morning preference was: Starbucks, breakfast, and quiet time by the waterfall pool. Yes, in that order. Yes, it was heavenly.

During our stay, I was able to visit the onsite Eforea Spa and enjoy two different spa treatments, and I must say I loved both of them equally! The spa also has a full health and fitness center onsite for the Hilton guests to enjoy, including group fitness classes, weight room, steam-room/saunas, and I couldn’t get enough of my red rock views from the treadmill each morning!

The room we stayed in was a suite style room, so there was so much space to spread out and relax. We enjoyed the little extra living space with a private bedroom, separate living and dining area and private patio balcony. Our suite also included a gas fireplace, microwave, wet bar and two flat panel TVs; they make it so that you never want to leave!

WHAT WE DID

We decided to branch out of our normal Sedona go-to’s like visiting Telaquapque, shopping downtown and going on a Pink Jeep Tour. Don’t get me wrong, those activities and places are some of our staples when visiting Sedona and hold near and dear memories for us, but this trip was all about trying new things and seeing more of the unique parts of Sedona that we had never explored before.

Every afternoon we would adventure into the red rocks and find a new hike and a new area to explore. But, my two favorite hikes of the trip were the Chicken Point Hike and The Arches on Soldier Pass Trail.

Chicken Point is the perfect 3-4 hour hike that has scenic views in every direction. It offers easy to access parking, shady spots for water breaks and is what I would consider to be an easy to moderate hike with very little climbing and easy to follow trail signs. This hike is perfect for just about every hiker. The hike ends with unbelievable red rock views and a great shot of Bell Rock and you get to stand up on Chicken Point and basque in all of the Sedona beauty. Be sure to bring your phone/camera, you will want to capture the panoramic views from the point!

Soldier Pass Trail is a hike I won’t soon forget! Soldier Pass Trail is a 4.2 mile moderate level, loop trail hike that offers stops at the Seven Sacred Pools, Devil’s Sinkhole and my favorite… The Arches. (This hike is so spectacular that I will have a designated post on this hike coming soon!)

In the past we have hiked Devil’s Bridge and it is still on the top of my list for must-do-hikes in Seonda. Click HERE for my review and all of the hiking details on the famous Devil’s Bridge Hike.

One afternoon we snuck away to the fabulous Page Springs Cellars Vineyard & Winery to enjoy some local AZ wines and take in the beautiful vineyard. Page Springs Vineyard is only 15 minutes south of Sedona in the quaint town of Cornville. This visit is a MUST if you are a fan of vino. They have a darling tasting room and on-site restaurant, a wine tour to learn all about their wines or you can wonder around and enjoy the winery with a glass in hand. Page Springs overlooks the pristine Oak Creek, so I personally loved walking around with my favorite glass of red (the 2014 MSGc) and taking in all of the views, sites and smells. It makes for a fabulous day!

WHERE WE ATE

We had the opportunity to visit a few new-to-us restaurants during our stay. Since we frequently visit Sedona, it was fun branching out and trying new spots and I must say, these 3 places are now on the top of my list!

We dined at the fabulous restaurant, Cucina Rustica – Rustic Tuscan Kitchen, in Bell Rock for dinner and it was impressive! With very close proximity to the Hilton at the Village of Oak Creek, we were able to walk to this restaurant. The food was fantastic, the customer service was on point and the patio’s ambiance was absolutely stunning! This restaurant is a gem, make sure to come hungry and be prepared to leave happy!

PHOTO/Cucina Rustica

Indian Gardens Cafe & Market was probably one of my favorite stops on the trip. It is a historic establishment, built in 1947 in lower Oak Creek Canyon. It offers a market & cafe setting with the most beautiful dining garden out back. They offer beyond delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch menus with a unique wine list, craft beers and coffee bar; not to mention the cutest shop! We were able to enjoy a meal in the garden snuggled in blankets, everything we indulged in was fresh and delightful and the cappuccino art was perfect! It’s no surprise this is a local-favorite, give it a try, you’ll be glad you did. (During our visit I learned that all the locals grab to-go lunches from Indian Gardens and then head out to Slide Rock for the day… We will definitely do this on our next visit!)

For our last dinner we dined at the Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport, for a sunset dinner. It was so amazing watching the airplanes and helicopters arrive and depart and of course we loved taking in the stunning views as the sun set on the red rocks. It was beyond gorgeous and I highly recommend you make a reservation and enjoy this dining spot with a show. You can sit outside or watch through the large glass windows of the restaurant, either way you will love what you see.

PHOTO/Mesa Grill

As an AZ girl, it’s so nice to drive two and a half hours away and enjoy the serenity and beauty of Sedona. There are so many shops and places to eat and beauty around you at every turn, it is always a treat to visit. Being the city that we got in engaged in, Sedona will always hold a special place in our hearts.

If you are visiting Arizona anytime soon, Sedona is a must-see stop! Reach out if you have any questions, I would love to answer any questions or provide my top recommendations!

Until next time Sedona, much love!