Where to Stay in Sedona – Neighborhoods & Area Guide

Sedona is referred to by locals as ‘the most beautiful place on earth’, and they do have a point. The rusty, rugged landscapes of Sedona are some of the most impressive of the Mountain States.

A year-round destination that genuinely offers something for everyone, you will be hard-pressed to find a reason to say ‘no’ to Sedona. With wineries, luxury resorts, family-fun and a whole lot more, Sedona is a one-of-a-kind destination.

Active travelers will have some of the most incredible adventures of their lives in Sedona. With hiking, biking and climbing trails crisscrossing the area, you’re never too far away from a new and exciting challenge. Did you know that you can even ski near Sedona?

What makes Sedona even more incredible is that it is just a stone’s throw away from other famous bucket-list destinations; the Grand Canyon is just two hours away, Las Vegas just over four hours.

With so much to see, do, and explore in the Sedona area, you want to be sure you are staying in the right neighborhood for you. From flash hotels to budget motels, let’s take a look at where to stay in Sedona.

Sedona Town

If you are heading to Sedona for a long weekend or just a short trip, it makes perfect sense to stay in Sedona Town itself. After all, isn’t that why you came? There are plenty of accommodation options in Sedona Town, so don’t worry about breaking the budget to stay close to the heart of the action.

Staying in the heart of Sedona means that getting to the town’s must-visit landmarks is as easy as can be. In Uptown Sedona you will find a wonderful collection of art galleries and boutique shops to explore.

Sedona offers the best of both worlds, with beautiful scenery, adventure, and more relaxed leisure activities too. There is certainly a slower pace of life in Sedona, which you will no doubt sink into the moment you arrive. Aside from guided tours, there is no real schedule to Sedona. Explore at your own pace.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers, Families, Older Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock Hiking Trail, Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona Heritage Museum, Honanki, Oak Creek Canyon, Bell Rock, Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

Hotel Recommendations

Whispering Creek Bed & Breakfast – This luxury B&B located in Uptown Sedona offers guests cozy and comfortable accommodation. All rooms have a private ensuite bathroom complete with shower and toiletries. Guest are welcome to relax in the shared living room and have breakfast in the dining room each morning. Free WiFi and parking is available.
Arabella Hotel Sedona – Arabella Hotel is in the heart of Sedona Town, next to Hillside Shops & Galleries. Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and luxury hot tub, depending on the season. All rooms come with air conditioning and a private ensuite garden. The room rate includes complimentary breakfast, WiFi use and parking.
A Sunset Chateau – Located in Sedona Town, this is a B&B with luxurious decor and facilities. Guests can make use of the tennis court, outdoor pool and hot tub. There is a garden, sun terrace and waterfall too. Every room has a private ensuite bathroom, complimentary toiletries, fluffy towels and a hairdryer.

Oak Creek

Oak Creek can be found due north of Sedona Town. This small neighborhood is great for travelers who want a little more space and privacy during their trip to Sedona. Oak Creek is ideal for active travelers who want to get hiking in the Sedona area.

The trailhead for Ridge Trail can be found in Oak Creek and runs for miles, overlooking Cathedral Rock in the distance. During high season, be sure to take the Secret Slickrock Trail if you want to enjoy the great outdoors alone. Turn right at the overlook and follow the trail onwards – you can join back on the Ridge Trail further down the line.

Sedona Artist Market is a lovely community space that houses works from over one hundred local artists. Get chatting with the local talent and find out how Sedona has inspired their work – perhaps even get some hints and tips for your own creative work.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers, Families, Older Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Ridge Trail, Secret Slickrock Trail, Sedona Artist Market, Wilson Canyon Trail, Sedona Wetlands Preserve, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock Hiking Trail

Hotel Recommendations:

Oak Creek Terrace Resort – Each cottage has its own wood-burning fireplace, ensuite bathroom and sofa snug. Many come with their own outside seating area and private entrance. Some premium cottages have a private hot tub. In the rooms you will find a microwave, a mini-fridge and a coffee maker. Free WiFi is available.
Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek – At Orchard Canyons, both breakfast and dinner is included in the room rate. Their food consistently gets rave reviews and many of the ingredients are sourced from their own orchard. The expansive hotel grounds are relaxing and quiet. Guests can fish nearby. Free WiFi is available, as is free parking.
Junipine Resort – Junipine Resort offers cottage-style apartments complete with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living room, and a wood burning fireplace. Each apartment has a private wrap-around terrace and either a river view or a mountain view. Free firewood is delivered each day, WiFi is free, as is onsite parking.

Bell Rock

Bell Rock is one of the most photogenic natural landmarks in the Sedona area. Sitting just north of Sedona Town and the Village of Oak Creek, staying in Bell Rock is ideal for hikers and climbers. Staying in the Bell Rock neighborhood means that you are away from the big tourist crowds and even closer to the adventure trails.

It is possible to climb to the top of Bell Rock. The views from the top are nothing shy of breath taking. No doubt you would be a little short of breath anyway; it is a real clambering climb to the peak. If you don’t reach the top it doesn’t matter, just walking in the shadow of Bell Rock can be incredibly therapeutic. Many visitors comment on the deeply spiritual feel of the area.

If you are around for a few days, be sure to squeeze in a hike at Courthouse Vista – one of Sedona’s best kept secrets.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Climbers, Hikers, Road Trippers, Families, Off-the-Beaten-Track Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Bell Rock, Courthouse Vista, Oak Creek Village, Ridge Trail, Secret Slickrock Trail, Sedona Artist Market, Wilson Canyon Trail

Hotel Recommendations:

Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast Inn of Sedona – Canyon Villa B&B offers guests classic American hospitality and traditional decor. The food here is outstanding. Breakfast is included in the room rate and the team cater to all dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free. Each room has its own private balcony or patio area with seating.
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock – Luxury Hilton hotel is set within Bell Rock’s red landscape. Guests have free use of the swimming pool and sun terrace. The hotel also has a full 18-hole golf course, multiple tennis courts and a beautiful spa complex. All rooms have goose-down duvets and fluffy towels. Free parking is available onsite.
The Sedona Dreammaker – The Sedona Dreammaker is an adults-only bed and breakfast with a view of Bell Rock. Many rooms offer a mountain view and all rooms have a coffee machine and air conditioning. Guests can hang out with the B&B’s resident donkeys, or relax in the arid, sun-kissed garden.

Cottonwood

Tucked away in Yavapai County within the Verde Valley, is the quaint town of Cottonwood. Perfect for travelers who want to get off the beaten track while having the option to tick off all of Sedona’s must-visit sites, Cottonwood is a hidden gem.

With Uptown Sedona just a 20-minute drive away straight up 89A, staying in Cottonwood actually offers you more choice of activities in many ways. A great spot for road trippers for sure.

Once you have ticked off Sedona’s highlights like Bell Rock and Ridge Trail, you can start exploring Cottonwood. What a treat you have in store. The Tuzigoot National Monument is absolutely breathtaking. This ancient hilltop pueblo was created by the Sinagua Indians between 1300 and 1400 CE.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a wonderful place for all the family to enjoy the great outdoors. You can swim or fish in the Verde River.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Budding Historians, Couples, Culture Vultures, Hikers, Road Trippers, Families, Off-the-Beaten-Track Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Tuzigoot National Monument, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Jail Trail, Clemenceau Heritage Museum, Jerome State Historic Park, Bell Rock, Uptown Sedona, Gold King Mine & Ghost Town

Hotel Recommendations:

Verde Valley Inn – Verde Valley Inn is a smart and chic hotel in central Cottonwood. The rooms are modern and spacious, featuring natural tones and comfortable beds. Each room has a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee machine. All rooms have a private ensuite bathroom and 24-hour hot water. Free parking is available.
Best Western Cottonwood Inn – Best Western Cottonwood Inn is a modern hotel on Main Street. Guests can make use of the outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace. Many rooms offer a private patio or balcony. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, storage space and ensuite bathroom. Free breakfast is included in the room rate.
Tavern Hotel – This is a lodge style hotel in central Cottonwood. The rooms are modern and stylish, featuring neutral tones and plush furnishings. All rooms have an ensuite bathroom with a shower, and towels are provided. A very good breakfast is included in the room rate, as is WiFi and use of the onsite parking facilities.

Flagstaff

For travelers who want to explore Arizona to the fullest, Flagstaff is seemingly the only choice – in a good way. Almost equidistant between Sedona and the Grand Canyon, the options are endless when staying in Flagstaff.

Admittedly, it is best for travelers who have access to their own vehicle, as public transport options to and from Sedona are few and far between, but Arizona is a destination best travelled by road.

By using Flagstaff as a base, you can spend a day or two exploring serene Sedona before heading north to experience the Grand Canyon.

Within the immediate vicinity there is a whole heap of other national treasures to explore – Walnut Canyon National Monument and Coconino National Forest to name just two.

In the winter season, you can don your skis in Flagstaff and hit the slopes. Quite the contrast to the fiery red rocky vistas of Sedona., Arizona Snowbowl is open for all, rookies to pros.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers Families, Older Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Sedona, Bell Rock, Grand Canyon National Park, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Coconino National Forest, Arizona Snowbowl, Museum of Northern Arizona, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

Hotel Recommendations:

Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff – Drury Inn & Suites is a luxury hotel that can be found just outside of Flagstaff town center. There is an indoor swimming pool that guests are welcome to use, and basic fitness center too. The room rate includes a very good breakfast and there’s QUIKSTART option for travelers on the go.
Residence Inn by Marriott Flagstaff – Residence Inn is a smart and stylish hotel in central Flagstaff. Ideal for travelers who like their home comforts and a sense of luxury, guests have access to the indoor swimming pool and hot tub, there is a decent fitness center too. Staff are happy to help with travel arrangements.
Courtyard Flagstaff – Set in Downtown Flagstaff, Courtyard is a modern and bright hotel offering all the amenities you could wish for. There is an outdoor fireplace and snug area, a lovely space to enjoy a night cap or two. All rooms have a 37’’ LCD TV, private balcony and outdoor seating area.

Williams

Williams is often referred to as the ‘gateway to the Grand Canyon,’ but depending on which way you look at it, it could very well be considered the gateway to Sedona too.

Perfectly showcasing some of Arizona’s best features, Williams is an ideal spot for travelers who want to experience everything Arizona has to offer during their trip.

A little over an hour from Sedona, Williams is within easy reach of some of the United States’ greatest wilderness areas. If you are in search of a challenge, schedule a day to climb Humphreys Peak.

The Coconino National Forest – the most famous of Sedona’s attractions – actually encompasses the Williams neighborhood. This vast expanse of red rock landscape can be experienced from so many different angles.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers Families, Older Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Sedona, Bell Rock Grand Canyon National Park, Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, Bill Williams Mountain, Kaibab Lake, Route 66 Zipline, Humphreys Peak,

Hotel Recommendations:

Star Route 66 Grand Canyon – Star Route 66 is ideal for travelers who want to experience both Sedona and the Grand Canyon. The rooms are simple but have everything that you could need. Comfortable beds are a welcome treat after a long day exploring. Family rooms are available, sleeping up to four people. Free parking is available.
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel – A heritage hotel featuring ornate decor and fantastic attention to detail, all rooms have their own coffee machine, and some rooms even have a kitchenette area complete with mini-fridge and microwave. This is a family-friendly hotel – family rooms are available and there is a children’s playground.
The Grand Living Bed & Breakfast – The Grand Living B&B is a 3-star hotel that offers guests use of the sun-kissed garden and cozy communal lounge. There is free WiFi throughout the property and guest are welcome to make use of the free parking facilities. The rooms are homely and cozy with comfortable beds.

Payson

Often referred to as ‘the heart of Arizona,’ Payson is a great neighborhood to stay in if you want to explore the adventure state without hopping from one accommodation to the next.

Payson is a little-visited town that is unfairly overlooked. Something of a diamond in the rough, Payson is an Arizonan hidden gem that needs to be put on the map. The Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin are a great introduction to the neighborhood. Through a visit here, you can learn all about local history and the life of Zane Grey.

Pearl Zane Grey was a famous American novelist whose stories of adventures on the frontier sparked wanderlust in thousands of his readers. You can explore the replica of his rural cabin here in Payson.

Although Sedona and the Coconino National Forest are only a stone’s throw away, so too is Tonto National Forest. Best bring your hiking boots along.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers Families, Older Travelers: All Kinds of Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Sedona, Coconino National Forest, Tonto National Forest, Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin, Green Valley Park, Demin Pioneer Park

Hotel Recommendations:

Knights Inn Payson – Knights Inn is a basic yet homely motel on West Phoenix Street. The rooms may spare on the mod-cons, but this helps to keep costs down. Guest have access to their own private ensuite bathroom. There is a television in each room and decent WiFi too.
Rim Country Inn – Rim Country Inn is an ideal hotel for travelers who are just looking for a place to sleep and shower. All rooms have a private ensuite bathroom with either a bath or shower and complimentary toiletries. There is free WiFi at the hotel and the reception is open 24-hours.
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Payson – Days Inn & Suites is a great mid-range hotel in central Payson. There is a heated indoor swimming pool and a hot tub that guests can enjoy for free. Breakfast is included in the room rate and is served continental style. All rooms feature a television, microwave and a fridge.

Prescott

Prescott is a destination in its own right, not just a place to stay when you want to visit Sedona. There is so much on offer in this neighborhood.

On your way to Sedona from Prescott, you can drop by Lake Montezuma – a great introduction to Yavapai County. The Montezuma Castle National Monument gives Tuzigoot National Monument a run for its money. This ancient Sinagua dwelling dates back to the 12th-Century. Simply incredible, not to be missed.

Once you have satisfied your wanderlust for Sedona and Coconino National Forest, be sure to find time to give some attention to Prescott National Forest. Although much more verdant than arid, rusty Sedona, Prescott National Forest is home to a beautiful selection of pine forest hikes.

Both Watson Lake and Lynx Lake are wonderful picnic spots for all the family. Both offer fantastically situated camping spots, should you want to take your outdoor adventure to the next level.

Good For: Active Travelers, Backpackers, Campers Couples, Country Bumpkins, Road Trippers Families, Hikers, Like a Local Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Sedona, Coconino National Forest, Prescott National Forest, Mount Union, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, Sharlot Hall Museum,

Hotel Recommendations:

Hotel St Michael – This is a sociable accommodation option in central Prescott, as guests can meet other travelers in the on-site bar and restaurant. There are both double rooms and family rooms available, making Hotel St Michael an ideal choice for all kinds of travelers. There is free onsite parking and free WiFi.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Conference Center – This modern and bright hotel in the heart of Prescott is perfect for travelers of any style. La Quinta Inn is great for digital nomads or remote workers who need to get online while on the road. There is a fitness center as well as an indoor swimming pool and hot tub.

GreenTree Inn Prescott Valley – GreenTree Inn is an eco-conscious and stylish hotel on East Highway 69. Each room is a little different from the next in terms of decor. Every room, however, has cable TV, WiFi and ensuite bathroom. All rooms have a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker too.

Sedona Town

Oak Creek

Bell Rock

Cottonwood

Flagstaff

Williams

Payson

Prescott

Where to Stay in Sedona – Neighborhoods & Area Guide: