Winter in Sedona – Spectacular!

Why is winter a good time to visit Sedona? Fewer crowds! With fewer people, you can explore and discover so much more! No juggling for a good place to view the Grand Canyon. No more waiting for a parking spot to go hiking. No more lines for the Sedona Trolley or any tours. And, you will have more time to take in the vistas, shops … everything!

Tell us what you wish to do – or not do, we will help you plan your perfect trip! At El Portal Sedona Hotel we offer you unpretentious luxury and personalized concierge services for the area. We are a pet friendly hotel, so no need to find a place for your furry friends – and NO pet fees!

We have a family of properties now, so if El Portal is booked on your chosen dates check out our vacation rentals. Connie’s Place is a single-level home divided into two separate units. There is a one-bedroom, one-bath unit with a queen sleeper sofa in the living room (sleeps 4). Unit 2 is a two-bedroom, two-bath unit. Both have a mini-fridge, single cup coffee maker, and a microwave (sleeps 4). Sarah’s Place is a two-bedroom, one-bath home with spectacular views, a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and outdoor living spaces (sleeps 4). All three are pet friendly with no additional cleaning or pet fees!

Call 1.800.313.0017 for your winter respite! Book online!

Spring Break – Spend it in Sedona

Book Your Fabulous, Family-Fun Vacation Today!

Sedona books up fast and we do too at El Portal Sedona Hotel!

Natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and plenty to do to keep the family together and having FUN! Take an adventurous Segway tour glide through the quiet back streets and sidewalks to Sedona’s largest red rock, Wilson Mountain. Hike one of the beautiful trails in the area, from a stroll to the heights; there is one for the entire family to experience!

Go on a thrilling jeep tour, drive through the dramatic canyons and learn about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area. And there is still more to do – shopping, horseback riding, dining, golfing, wine tours for Mom and Dad, spa treatments, RZRing, mountain biking, visit the museums, Bearizona, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, oh and the Grand Canyon is a MUST!

At our pet friendly hotel guests receive unparalleled concierge services; Steve and the gang can help you plan your day or your entire trip!
Call 1.800.313.0017 or book online!

See our rooms!

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Great Eats – Sedona’s Cuisine Scene!

From juicy burgers to mouthwatering Mexican to delectable French cuisine, Sedona has it all and then some! El Portal Sedona Hotel is perfectly located within walking distance to several restaurants and an easy drive to many more. For delivery or take-out, we have plenty of space for physical distancing – inside and out! The great room is set up for our guests only, it is all private now; and the courtyard is heavenly – cool and quiet with lots of room to indulge in a delicious meal. Walk to these restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner…

René at Tlaquepaque
Secret Garden Café at Tlaquepaque
Oak Creek Brewery & Grill
Pump House Station Urban Eatery & Market
El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano
Creekside American Bistro
Hideaway House
Javelina Cantina
The Hudson
Dellepiane Sedona Burger Joint

Slightly further afield you have…
The Dahl Restaurant Group – Butterfly Burger, Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa…

And then there are the ones listed here https://visitsedona.com/safe-clean-ready-directory/, just click on the “Dining” category and scroll!
Please check websites for dine-in hours, take-out, and/or delivery options. All are following state and CDC precautions.

Cafe Jose
Gerardo’s
Corner Table Restaurant & Bar
Cowboy Club
Thai Palace Uptown
Sedona Poké Company
Sedona Memories Bakery & Cafe
Sedona Pizza Company
Golden Goose American Grill

Vacation in Sedona!

The most frequent comment from our guests when they leave is “there is so much more to do and see in Sedona than we thought and a night or two just isn’t enough!” So when you take a trip to Sedona, book for at least two or more nights.

You ask what is there to do? Well, here are just a few of the things to do when you visit Sedona:

Grand Canyon National Park – The Grand Canyon is an easy day trip from Sedona, just over 90 minutes. If you leave around 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning you can see all the great views, doing some shopping for mementos, and still, be back in Sedona by 6:00 pm.

Hike Sedona – Hiking in Sedona is what it’s all about! With over 100 trails in the area; from easy to difficult, along (even through) water, with elevation change, canyon, and mountain trails, there is definitely a trail for you.  

West Fork Trail of Oak Creek Canyon – This trail is touted as one of the best trails in Arizona and one of the top 10 trails in the United States. It is only 6 miles round trip, rated easy-moderate, pet friendly, and has spectacular views.

Jeep Tours of Sedona – Taking a jeep tour of the Sedona countryside is exhilarating, fun and breath-taking! The area has a number of jeep tour companies, with tours from 1 hour to a full day.

Golfing in Sedona – There are a variety of gorgeous golf courses in and around the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon area, each one unique, challenging, and fair – plus the views are amazing! With plenty of options to choose from, whether you are interested in a championship course or a relaxing par 3, it is all right here.  At elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level, Northern Arizona presents golfers with a completely different set of challenges, landscapes, and price points. And with our concierge services, we can book you a tee time or two!

Arizona State Parks  – There are a number of state parks to visit in the area; Fort Verde State Historic Park, Dead Horse Ranch, Slide Rock, Red Rock, Homolovi, Jerome, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, and Verde River Greenway State Natural Area to name a few.   
Vortex/Spiritual Tours – Sedona is a place of profound peace and spiritual renewal. Spiritual gurus worldwide are drawn to the area’s mystical vortexes, which are sites of enhanced energy that facilitate meditation, prayer, reflection, and healing of the body and mind. The Sedona area is unique because it contains all of the different types of vortexes and tours aplenty. There are numerous spiritual retreats, healing experiences, and psychic readings to choose from for a life-changing experience, rejuvenation of the spirit.

Dining in Sedona – You will find excellent restaurants in Sedona and the Verde Valley. Coffee shops, fine and family dining, pet friendly and casual dining; Mexican, American, Italian, French, Latin, Asian, BBQ, bistros, pubs, and more! From breakfast to dessert, and everything in between!

The Sedona Spa Experience – There are a variety of day spas, spas with fitness centers, and alternative wellness and healing centers. In our magical Sedona desert setting, be transported to a space of pure tranquility and limitless well-being.

Other things to consider when planning your trip to Sedona are helicopter rides, hot air balloon excursions, rafting the Colorado River, shopping, kayaking, wine tours, Indian Ruins, museums, theatre events, and more!

El Portal Sedona Hotel – pet friendly, family friendly, romance, solo, groups … Book now 1.800.313.0017.

Take a Family Road Trip through the Verde Valley

If you are looking for family-friendly things to do this summer have you considered taking a road trip? In central Arizona, there is a lush region called the Verde Valley, with breathtaking landscapes, historical sites, and fun family-friendly excursions! Here are some of the must-see sights and things to do along the way…

The Red Rock Scenic Byway
Beginning just off I-17, this seven-and-a-half mile stretch of road traverses the spectacular scenery of the red rocks leading into the town of Sedona. As the byway winds through the Village of Oak Creek and through the piñon pines of the Coconino National Forest, it offers several pull-offs and scenic viewpoints where families can marvel at the landscapes. Famous sites like the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the renowned vortexes at Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock are also located along this road. The Red Rock Scenic Byway has been deemed “Arizona’s First All-American Road,” indicating that it is distinctly American and considered a destination in itself.
Family Fun Adventures
Take a break from driving, park your car, and take a trip down the Verde River or on the Verde Canyon Railroad – fun for everyone! The Verde Canyon Railroad launches from Clarkdale into the wilderness of the remote Verde Canyon, where Arizona’s beautiful high desert meets the unspoiled riparian. Passengers enjoy a close-up view of the canyon’s striking vistas of raw pristine nature. The Railroad offers a variety of special rides, such as Starlight Tour, Wild Splendor, and Ales on Rails.

The Verde River is a clear spring-fed river surrounded by a diverse landscape. There are several tour companies that offer a variety of canoe, kayak, and paddleboard excursions perfect for exploring the river and its bounty. The fishing is excellent with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crayfish, sunfish, channel catfish, and more. (You will need licenses). Or just splash about in the river-it’s shallow, but mind the current! Spectacular State Parks & Heritage Sites
The Verde Valley is home to a variety of state parks that preserve the region’s profound natural beauty and provide havens for outdoor enthusiasts. Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve that encompasses trails, verdant meadows, and a riparian habitat teeming with plants and wildlife along the banks of Oak Creek, also it’s an outstanding place for viewing the jaw-dropping red rock formations. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is across the Verde River from the town of Cottonwood. It has over 20 miles of trails, and 3 lagoons – making it a beautiful place to truly explore the natural environment of the Verde Valley. One of the most famous is Slide Rock State Park in Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon, with its natural water slide – making this a fun stop for the whole family.
Built by the Sinagua peoples, who were ancestors of the Hopi, the Palatki and Honanki Heritage Sites were the largest cliff dwellings in the area when they were inhabited between 1150 and 1350 A.D. These fascinating remains are just minutes from Sedona. The Palatki Heritage Site includes three trails: one that leads to the cliff dwellings, one that takes visitors to a view of the dwelling, and one leading to pictographs created by the various groups of indigenous peoples that occupied the Verde Valley. Montezuma Castle is an impressive testament to the ingenuity of the Sinagua peoples. After admiring the structure, visitors can journey to the nearby Montezuma Well, which was an underground cavern that collapsed and filled with water. At 55 feet deep and 368 feet wide, the well is a lush desert oasis and a fascinating ecosystem that hosts a variety of rare plants, animals, and insects.

The Charming & “Haunting” Towns
The Verde Valley is dotted with historic small towns. Cottonwood and Clarkdale are two such towns. The small but bustling walkable center of Old Town Cottonwood is packed with an eclectic collection of restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, and family-friendly shopping. Clarkdale was founded in 1912 as a home for the miners of nearby Jerome and their families. It is the home of the Arizona Copper Art Museum, as well as a plethora of historic buildings and houses from the turn of the twentieth century. Located on a hilltop at 5,200 feet elevation, the tiny town of Jerome towers above the Verde Valley, offering stunning views and a tapestry of galleries, not to mention a few great ice cream shops! This historic copper mining town was founded in 1876 and was once the fourth largest city in what is now Arizona. It has since been dubbed the “Largest Ghost Town in America,” attracting many purveyors of the paranormal with ghost tours and allegedly haunted destinations like the Jerome Grand Hotel (a former mental institution). Jerome is now a thriving artist community, with galleries, restaurants (try the Asylum – it’s eerily good), and hotels inhabiting the town’s nineteenth-century buildings.

The Small City of Sedona
This beautiful town has long attracted tourists with its landscape of towering red rock canyons and numerous opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration. Take a jeep tour, hot air balloon ride, there’s so much to see and do! Spiritual gurus are drawn to the area’s vortexes (sites where the strength of the earth’s energy is believed to promote healing and renewal). In recent years, Sedona’s arts scene has grown exponentially, leading The New York Times to call the city “a new west enclave of galleries.” From painting to sculpting to jewelry making, several different mediums of amazing artwork are represented at Sedona’s many galleries. Dining in Sedona is as eclectic as the art and as diverse as the landscape; family-friendly, pet-friendly, upscale, fast food, haute cuisine, American, Italian, Mexican, you name it Sedona has it!

 

Sedona is a must-see destination on any road trip through the Verde Valley, and El Portal Sedona Hotel offers an ideal family-friendly base for experiencing all that the city and the surrounding area have to discover. Located within walking distance of uptown Sedona and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, El Portal offers a unique lodging experience for guests and their pets. El Portal is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel and voted Best Pet-Friendly Hotel in the US by 10Best.com and USA Today. The pet-friendly hotel offers families and their furry friends unpretentious luxury in a tranquil setting. Guests have access to personalized concierge services for the Sedona area; owner Steve Segner is an avid outdoorsman and helps guests plan day trips, hikes, jeep, and wine tours, hot air balloon rides, tee times, spa treatments and more. Guests also have access to two swimming pools, a full gym, and basic spa services next door at Los Abrigados – just show them your key, it’s as easy as that! To book your Verde Valley Adventure, call 1.800.313.0017 or reserve online.

 

Winter Festivals and Events in Sedona, Arizona

For holiday merriment come to Sedona, Arizona! We have some of the best events and festivals around the state, and you are sure to not to want to miss them! From visits from Santa to the Menorah Lighting to Irish dancing, it’s sure to amuse, excite and entertain you.

An Irish Christmas – As Seen on PBS! Tuesday, December 3, at 7:30 pm at Sedona Performing Arts Center. Take a journey through Christmas in Ireland with amazing dancing, singing, and traditional Irish music. This family-friendly event features an award-winning cast of Irish dancers led by Caterina Coyne (Principal Dancer Riverdance), World Champion Tyler Schwartz (Magic of the Dance, Gaelforce Dance, Celtic Fyre,) and Connor Reider (The Chieftains, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, Celtic Fyre) in a memorable night that shines with the charm and magic this festive time of year.  Mark Alfred (Percussion), Musical Director Riverdance/ Heartbeat of Home will join An Irish Christmas Tour 2019! “… Genuinely astonishing… electric!” − The Village News

Tree Lighting and Santa Visits! Join the fun on Friday, December 6, 5 – 7 pm at Tlaquepaque North for a traditional holiday tree lighting, refreshments, entertainment, and a visit from Santa! What more could a child want?

Breakfast with Santa at The Hub at Posse Grounds Park, Saturday, December 7, 8 – 10 am. Enjoy a warm breakfast and Santa Claus! This free event will be held at the Sedona Hub in Posse Grounds Park. After breakfast, the kiddos can enjoy having their picture taken on Santa’s lap, taking home a gift bag of crafts, and petting our pony reindeer. Come for the pancakes (and more), and stay to see Santa!

December 14, 2019 – The day and evening are filled with wonderful events! It starts out with Christmas in the Park at the Sedona Heritage Museum, 11 am – 3 pm.  This is the Museum’s annual gift to the community and visitors. Be greeted by their traditional tumbleweed snowman. Enjoy hot cider and cookies, vintage holiday decorations, a fire in the fireplace, and ‘make & take’ a cornhusk doll. There’ll be holiday entertainment, too. Throughout the Museum there will be old-timers telling stories and local authors signing their books!
Loving Bowls continues the busy day beginning at noon at the Sedona Arts Center. For all art lovers – a unique event that offers a beautiful selection of hand-made bowls for your purchasing pleasure, plus loads of food and fun! Over 1100 bowls will be made and lovingly glazed in a variety of finishes by professional volunteer potters. Bowls are $10 each and come with wonderful chili, bread, and dessert. All proceeds benefit local non-profits and the Arts & Educations programs at the Sedona Arts Center.
And for the pièce de résistance – The Festival of Lights!  At the tolling of the bell at 5 pm., the lighting of 6,000 luminarias gets underway in Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village’s courtyards and walkways. An evening full of lively entertainment, a visit from Santa and free cider await, making it the perfect ending to a perfect day. Specially designated luminarias to honor cancer survivors can be purchased in Patio Del Norte as well.

Saturday, December 21 brings the annual Holiday Sweet Stroll, 3 – 7 pm.  Tlaquepaque is joyfully bedecked in decorative lights reminiscent of A Christmas Carol. Santa will be greeting little ones, and carolers dressed in finery from Dickens-era sing traditional songs – lookout for the Grinch, he may be lurking through the courtyards! Shops will be open and filled with unique gifts and with sweet treats, special give-a-ways, and discounted offers. You are sure to find some special presents for those on your gift list.

Sunday, December 22, 5;30 – 6:30 pm. Enjoy the miracle of the menorah lighting on the first night of Chanukkah. Latkes, donuts and hot chocolate will be served. Kids can meet Judah and receive Chanukkah gelt. Co-hosted by Chabad of Sedona. The event will be in Patio del Norte at Tlaquepaque.

With many of the events being at Tlaquepaque, El Portal Sedona Hotel is the place to stay. We are a two minute stroll from the Village and offer guests personalized concierge services for the Sedona area. The pet friendly boutique hotel has 12 uniquely appointed suites, some with fenced patios for your furbaby. Call now to reserve your room at 1.800.313.0017.

With so many things to do in Sedona, when you visit here, make sure you stay more than a night or two! Most people wish they had stayed longer, and with all the holiday events, plus the “regular” what to do in Sedona, you’ll need extra time to experience just a part of it! So take a trip to Sedona this December – you’ll be thrilled you did!

 

 

Summertime in Sedona – and the Calendar is Full!

Visit Sedona this summer for family fun, inspiring events, fantastic festivals, and more!

Summer starts early in Sedona, late May actually with a new event, the Red Rock Rumble 5-Mile Trail Run in beautiful Red Rock State Park. This is presented by Sedona Running Company in cooperation with Red Rock State Park on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at 7:00 am. For more information click here or call 928.282.6956.

The Sedona PhotoFest is June 14–16, 2019 at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. It is a series of educational and inspiring presentations on photographic technique, use of digital software and personal artistic perspectives from some of the top photographers in the country. Sedona Photofest is proudly owned and organized by local photographers Kelli Klymenko and Jordan Reece. Visit http://www.sedonaphotofest.org/ for additional information, or call 928.282.3809.

Fun for the entire family is at the Sedona 4th of July Wet Fest from noon – 4:00 pm.  Spend your day with music, swimming, and water slide fun all surrounded by the spectacular red rocks, at the Community pool (570Posse Ground Rd). Then head out to your favorite fireworks show at night. This event is free of charge (food not included). The pool opens at 12 pm for free recreation swim and just outside the pool gate will be vendors and fun water games to help you beat the heat. Parking is available in the West Sedona School parking lots. 928.282.7098.

Sedona Star Party is August 2, 2019. Join in and celebrate Sedona’s dark skies 7:00 – 9:30 pm! This free community event will give visitors and residents the chance to view the Summer Milky Way, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, and more! The astronomers of the Verde Valley will provide telescopes for free viewing and laser-guided constellation tours. Mark your calendar, bring a blanket, and join the fun community! (Sorry, no dogs allowed ?).

The beloved Sedona Hummingbird Festival is back this year! Celebrate the peak hummingbird population August 2 – 4, 2019. There will be entertainment and educational presentations, tours of gardens and hotspots, a hummingbird/nature “shopping mall,” banding demonstrations and birding trips; all sponsored by the International Hummingbird Society, Sedona Hummingbird Society, and are made possible in part by grants from the City of Sedona, as well as support from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Sedona Arts Center will be selling and exhibiting their work from August 2 – 23, 2019. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the established and eclectic, raved-about local artists and maybe even find a treasure or two to take home! 928.282.3809.

August 20-24, 2019:  The Voilà Tour puts together “A French Experience” with music, singing, paintings, gastronomy, and wine. The “Voilagers,” recognized talented professional artists,
traveling all the way from France, to perform at many kinds of events at numerous and diversified venues (concerts, exhibitions, workshops…). Voilà Touris designed to be a great opportunity to share and learn from the two different cultures. Voilà Tour is fun, artistic and tasty!

A Sedona Mountain Christmas

Have a Sedona Mountain Christmas with us at El Portal Sedona Hotel. With all the holiday festivities in the area, the memories made will be treasured forever. 

 

At El Portal, we offer you personalized concierge services, we want to make sure you get the most out of your Sedona Mountain Christmas. We love to help our guests plan their time in Sedona! There are special events and seasonal attractions all throughout the holidays – some that last the night, some that last the week, some that last for longer than a month.

However, it isn’t just about what is happening, it’s about reconnecting with family, nature, meeting new people, trying new things, eating different cuisine, admiring the local artists and their art. Sedona is a beautiful place to spend quality time with family. Even if it’s just sitting around the fire pit in the afternoon or evening, visiting, telling stories…you might even make new friendships with other guests..it’s quite amazing our fire pit! Hang out in the great room after a delicious breakfast…you never know what you can learn about loved ones over a good cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

Get back to nature. Sedona has world-class hiking and walking trails, suitable for everyone in the family. The landscapes and vistas change with the sun…bring your camera for the wonderful photo opportunities. Red Rock State Park offers a variety of guided hikes; moonlight to birding, fun for the whole family! This is another opportunity to relate with family on a totally different level. And it is an excellent exercise to burn off those extra calories you’ve been enjoying! 

 

Speaking of extra calories, not only do we have a delectable breakfast at the hotel, but the “cuisine scene” here in Sedona is fantastic. There are family friendly restaurants, pet-friendly restaurants, fusion cuisine, fine dining, Mexican cuisine. Some are just down the lane from us in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.

There are day trips to be taken. Sedona is less than two hours from the Grand Canyon, you can take a trip there and make back to the hotel in time for happy hour. Jerome is a unique town, with a haunted restaurant, lots of art, and all set in switchbacks! Historic Old Town  Cottonwood is another worthwhile trip; known for its Main Street full of delightful stores to meander through, wineries, and great restaurants, not to mention some fine entertainment. Additional family day trips are the Palatki Ruins and Honaki Indian Ruins, and Montezuma Well & Montezuma Castle.

 

Make a Sedona Mountain Christmas a new tradition in your family. Stay at our boutique hotel located in the heart of Sedona. This is where your trip to Sedona begins and ends. El Portal has received AAA’s Four Diamond Award Rating. We assist guests in planning day trips, jeep tours, hikes, and dinner reservations. We will arrange helicopter rides, hot air balloon excursions, day trips to the Indian ruins and more. If you need a spa treatment or tee time we will look after it. We want you to get the most out of your Sedona Mountain Christmas, and will help our guests in any way we can. As a pet-friendly hotel, there is no charge for pets (up to room limit). Our guests enjoy access to a full gym and two swimming pools right next door at Los Abrigados – perfect for families! Call 1.800.313.0017 or book online.

What Makes El Portal Sedona One of Northern Arizona’s Ultra-Luxury Hotels?

When traveling to stunning Sedona, Arizona, visitors have numerous options for great places to stay. But El Portal Sedona Hotel—an ultra-luxury hotel nestled in the heart of Sedona—offers guests and their pets a truly unique lodging experience that combines the comforts of home with the exemplary service and amenities of a four-star hotel. Here are six features of El Portal that create a distinctive, luxurious experience for guests:

1. One-of-a-kind architecture and décor.

As Sedona’s only Arts and Crafts adobe hotel, El Portal has been deemed an architectural masterpiece by Keep Sedona Beautiful, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the area’s profound natural beauty. For Steve and Connie Segner, the owners of El Portal, their dream was to build a luxury boutique inn that captured the spirit of Sedona and the Old West. To achieve this, El Portal was constructed using minimal technology and materials taken from nature whenever possible. For example, the hotel features river rock fireplaces, windows framed by 200 year-old wood, and 100 year-old wood beams in the ceilings. El Portal’s twelve spacious suites are each uniquely decorated and full of handcrafted furniture and antiques. Luxe amenities vary from room to room and may include fireplaces, fenced patios, views of the gorgeous scenery outside, steam showers, and stained glass.

2. Personalized concierge services.

The staff of El Portal is passionate about the Sedona area and has in-depth knowledge of all that Northern Arizona has to offer. They share this knowledge and passion through personalized concierge services designed to help guests get the most out of their stays depending on their individual interests. El Portal’s full-time guides are available to help guests pick out hiking trails, select dining destinations, schedule spa appointments or tee times, or plan excursions to the Grand Canyon, located just two hours from Sedona.

3. Truly pet-friendly approach.

Many hotels that claim to be “pet-friendly” are, in reality, merely pet-accepting, charging additional fees for pets or relegating guests with four-legged friends to less desirable rooms. El Portal, on the other hand, welcomes pets as warmly as their humans. There is never a pet fee, and furry guests are greeted with a special basket that includes comfortable blankets, treats, and doggie bags. The property has a total of over 1,000 square feet of pet-friendly patio spaces, including enclosed patios at some of the guest rooms. El Portal’s genuine commitment to guests and their pets has been recognized with several awards: the hotel has been named the best pet-friendly hotel by USA Today and 10Best.com, as well as Number Two among top dog-friendly hotels in the country by Dogster Magazine.

4. Ultimate location.

From numerous hiking trails to a vibrant arts and culture scene, visitors to the Sedona area encounter a plethora of activities—and El Portal is located in the heart of it all. The hotel is steps away from the famous Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, a charming plaza situated on the shaded banks of Oak Creek. Along the cobblestone pathways of Tlaquepaque, visitors will find a diverse selection of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. El Portal is mere minutes from the bustle of Uptown Sedona, another hotspot for art, shopping, and fine dining, as well as the serene beauty of Oak Creek Canyon. Within a short drive from El Portal, outdoor enthusiasts can access miles of hiking and biking trails, while wine lovers need only travel a half hour to enjoy the countless, high-quality wineries of the Verde Valley.

5. Access to amenities.

Guests of El Portal can start their days with a gourmet breakfast served every morning in the hotel’s lobby. Mouth-watering menu items range from fluffy lemon buttermilk pancakes to savory, Southwest-inspired omelets and breakfast burritos. Guests seeking a day of relaxation have free access to a full gym, spa, and two pools at Los Abrigados, the resort next door to El Portal.

6. Multiple awards.

In addition to the awards that El Portal has received for its pet-friendly amenities, the hotel’s commitment to excellence has been recognized by several other publications. For example, El Portal is one of only two hotels in Sedona to boast the coveted AAA Four Diamond designation. It has also been named one of the eight best hotels in the U.S. by Frommer’s and the New York Times, and was voted as one of the top ten hotels in the Southwest by readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

As one of Northern Arizona’s ultra-luxury hotels, El Portal seeks to provide guests (and their pets) with a unique and memorable experience as they explore the best of what this amazing area has to offer. Contact El Portal today at 1.800.313.0017 to book your stay!

El Portal Sedona Hotel – It’s all about the Personal Connection

Sedona is an iconic area where you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty of the west, sadly many people simply pass through, taking a few photos and checking it off the list.  Those who know Sedona know there is a rich heritage, incredible natural beauty, with so much to discover and experience.  From hiking trails and biking paths, energy vortexes and western history to fine dining, art, music, and wine, Sedona has so much to offer visitors.  The key to an unforgettable visit is having a knowledgeable and enthusiastic host.

Not everyone has a close friend or family member in Arizona, so the preferred option would be a stay at a boutique hotel with personal service the priority.  Steve and Connie Segner, owners of El Portal Sedona Hotel, stress the importance of a customized Sedona experience.  The Segners and staff run El Portal a hacienda-inspired, 12 room luxury inn adjacent to historic Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.  Their mission is to give guests an outstanding experience in Sedona and beyond.  A long-time resident of the historic Arizona community and an avid outdoorsman, Steve helps guests plan their day, whether it’s choosing hiking trails, art galleries, kayaking, hot air balloon rides, wineries or a customized Sedona jeep tour.  “Our mission is to meet each guest and help them plan their stay,” Steve says.  “We want everyone to get the most from their visit whether they are here for outdoor adventure, have certain sights they want to see or just want to relax. We offer our guests personalized concierge services for the Sedona area. We don’t just hand them a room key, we want to make a personal connection with our guests, and have them make a personal connection to the area.”  Guests who want to take excursions to the Grand Canyon or other nearby attractions can let Steve or Terri make all of the arrangements for customized tours and adventures.

After a day of exploring, El Portal provides luxurious yet unpretentious accommodations for guests, with 12 thoughtfully appointed and spacious rooms.  Rooms vary in style and décor and may include such features as a corner fireplace with river rock stone, whirlpool baths, French doors, high-beamed ceilings, a private garden or sitting terrace.
The Segners built El Portal Sedona with the goal of creating a historically accurate luxury hacienda that is designed to make guests feel at home.  The property was also designed with pets in mind, and pets are always welcomed as a part of travelers’ families. It is a pet friendly hotel that welcomes pets with a treat basket and there are no fees for pets.   Steve says, “We actually want all our guests to have a ‘non-hotel’ kind of experience, where they can meet other guests and locals for a true Sedona experience.”  The Sedona hotel has several areas such as the great room and the courtyard where guests can relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day, unwind and chat with their hosts or other guests.  There is also a full gourmet breakfast each morning, where guests can prepare for the day’s activities.

Steve is passionate about his job and the fact that he interacts with all of his guests.  “I meet about three thousand interesting people every year.  It’s a great job!”  He knows that it is the personal touch and that he has an impact on those who choose to experience Sedona the El Portal way.  For those travelers, Sedona will be a treasured memory.

Contact Information:

El Portal Sedona Hotel
95 Portal Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336
1.800.313.0017
info@ElPortalSedona.com
www.ElPortalSedona.com