Hello from the Boston board. We are traveling to Sedona and Flagstaff next month and trying to decide where to stay. I think we'd be best off close to where we'll be eating dinner! So the food question is - which has better restaurants? I have searched the board and gotten great Sedona rec's so I suspect I know the answer, but I figured I'd give Flag a chance to make its case! Thanks.
Sedona!!
You can stay from high to low..
Kings Ransom hotel is mid range with the best Resto, Elote Cafe for dinner.
Hilton/Hyatt & Sedona Rouge are great hotels too.
Enchantment Resort for high end..stunning and food is good too.
Cowboy Club for freshly ground burgers..
Wildflower Bread Company for breakfast/lunch.
Garland Lodge for dinner is wonderful but you have to make reservations ahead of time since its mostly for guests but a one of a kind with great food and they ring the dinner bell.
Hike Boynton Canyon.
Fly into PHX,drive 2 hours up the Sedona.
Make sure you stop for a slice of pie at Rock Springs Cafe off the I-17@ Rock Springs exit.
Ok my BFFFF Beachchick, you never steer me wrong! Thanks for the Wilma's suggestion in PS, now we are off to Sedona in July. Should I just stay at Arabella and not research any other hotels. If there is a great restaurant on site then I am just peachy. Smooches
It just changed from King Ransom's to Arabella..
Elote cafe is one of the best restos in AZ.
Depends on your price point but I like also, Sedona Rouge, Hilton, Enchantment resort and Garland Lodge...
How many days are you hanging in Sedona?
Enchantment for lunch..call for reservations, so your checked in at the gate...Boynton Canyon is stunning and the highest in energy/vortex field.
Wildflower Bread company in town for breaky/lunch.
Garland Lodge for dinner..lovely lodge and only accept a couple of outside guests...love love love the owners, staff and GM..
Reds at Sedona Rouge for happy hour..
Get a slice of pie at Rock Springs, off the I-17 at about 30 minutes, north of PHX/Anthem..outstanding.
Hit up Carolina's by airport for cheap divey Mex..closed Sunday but fab.
Sedona is a sacred place.
Elote cafe is a religious experience and make sure you get the elote corn app. and a blood orange Marg..get there half hour before they open and put your name on the list.
Report back and Aloha..
Beach Chick's got it! Kings Ransom is now called Arabella, and gives you the advantage of enjoying the great drinks at Elote without driving. Sky Ranch Lodge is another cool place to stay in Sedona - it's on Airport Mesa, with incredible views, great spot for sunset. Mesa Grill is walking distance, right next to the runway where small planes land and take off, and a good breakfast spot, though noisy and pricey for other meals.
Hi janeh!
Arabella is such a nicer tone than Kings Ransom!
The Airport vortex for me, is strong (Boynton is my fave) and a great, short hike around the side of the mountain, where the planes land.
Is Reds still good for happy hour?
Hi Beach Chick. Haven't been to Reds for happy hour in a while - will report back when we do go, though! You might like the Schoolhouse Restaurant in V.O.C. next time you're here (the original is in Cottonwood!) - open for lunch and dinner, reservations needed for dinner. Best to call or check their website for days open.
Flagstaff is a real town, not a tourist-mystical town like Sedona. If you want restaurants that cater to normal folks then Flag is the place for you.
'Normal folks'?
I've been going to Sedona for over 30+ years and the views of the red rocks are beyond stunning..the food in town, ranges from meh to fantastic (Elote Cafe) but I find that just as many normal folks dine in Sedona.
BTW, there is a legitimate vibe that emanates from Sedona that is very real and until you experience, what I and a myriad of others have felt, I guess it would fit into the 'mystical' camp.
Stay in Jerome and go on day trips to Flag and Sedona. You should not choose your location based on dinner. Will you be visiting grand canyon and points north or east? If so you must stay in Flagstaff as there as distances are far. Even a crappy Indian taco by the side of the road is fantastic when you are in monument valley or canyon de chelly. Or anytime!
We've done plenty of half day and full day trips to Jerome, from Sedona.
Had many great lunches at the Old Hospital site..Asylum..great food and the Grand hotel is very haunted.
Loved the cowboy bar across from the safe in the street..lots of artsy shops.
Coming from Boston, Sedona can't be beat for shear stunning scenery, that has some of the bests hiking, tons of lodging and some great food.
Flagstaff, we have stayed at the Little America and La Quinta Inn and Suites when it was new..train nearby will wake you up.
Some good food options and I hear it's gotten better since I've been in the past 5 years.
Coming down 89A from Flag to Sedona is lovely.
Let me second this. It's a wonderful area for day trips from wherever you decide to stay. Flag is certainly the largest town, and it's definitely got its charms. But wherever you stay, you definitely should see the rest of the region. Assuming you're not going in winter, the roads are good and well-marked and you can travel around easily.
We've been going to that area of the state for decades. Particularly remember the days when House of Joy in Jerome was one of the best restaurants in the country and you had to make reservations months in advance to get in. It's still a charming little building, now a boutique, and I'd suggest visitors poke their heads in to see it:
As for Sedona - I've stayed there many, many times over the last forty years. Hiked and jeeped the red rocks, slid down the creek, prayed a bit at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, fell in love with the charming cottages and absolutely fabulous food at La Auberge...
But I never felt the "mystical cosmic vortex" until somebody told me I was supposed to.
So my advice to travelers is that Sedona is a great place to visit even if you're not planning to construct your spirit wheel in search of cosmic revelation and enlightenment.
"You should not choose your location based on dinner"
Wait, what?
As someone who visits both towns (I live in Prescott), I can vouch for chowworthy places in each. But because Flag is larger and caters to a broader base of restaurant-goers, I think it offers more choices -- many as highly regarded as Sedona eateries.
I wouldn't let restaurant options influence where you stay, either way you'll win. Go with whichever town is the better base of operations for your visit and I suspect you'll be pleased by the food.
thanks all. we'll stay one night in Flag, near our niece, then two in Sedona. Hiking is definitely high on the agenda. not making it to GC this trip.
Now I have lots of great suggestions for Sedona. What about Flagstaff on a Saturday with a poorly paid grown up neice in tow?
Don't know your budget but one of the best places to stay in the entire world is a cottage right on Oak Creek at L'Auberge in Sedona. At night, you can open a window and fall asleep to the sounds of the creek. L'Auberge is deservedly famous for its world-class cuisine. I unreservedly recommend a meal there even if you stay elsewhere. http://m.lauberge.com/?url=http%3A%2F...
And the Pink Jeeps seem hokey but I cannot recommend them highly enough:https://m.pinkjeeptours.com/h5/mobile...
Glad to find this posting! We are headed to Sedona and GC in August 2016 and hoping to eat well and hike it all off. We'd love to try some of those taco trucks or other out of the way places. We'll have an 8 year old and 4 year old in tow, both good eaters, but leisurely dining takes its toll. Any recommendations for in town in Sedona or on the drive to/from GC? That pie sounds great!
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