Pet Friendly Walks and Hikes

For this month’s blog, we welcome guest blogger Andrea Christelle of Sedona Philosophy!

Sometimes you just have to take the dog with you. That’s the way I felt 15 years ago when my good friend was getting married at Sam A. Baker State Park in Missouri. It wasn’t that I had to take my dog to the wedding. I didn’t have a dog. I found a lost dog at the wedding, and he needed a home!

At the park, all of the cabins and campsites were filled up with friends new and old. It was a weekend of outdoor immersion, before the wedding party and a sizable entourage headed off to Burning Man. It was a wonderfully chaotic mix of people and parties, but eventually, it became clear that amidst the merry madness, there was a dog without an owner. 

A black lab mutt with the sweetest disposition kept sidling up to people looking for affection. And food. When I heard the rumor that this dog had been left behind, and that the park managers were planning to take it to the pound I was really upset. That could not happen. Not to this kind creature. I made a decision and a proclamation. I would take the dog back to New Orleans. 

I hadn’t had a pet since I was a kid, so I didn’t know that you can’t just put a dog on a plane like a suitcase. Animals need shots, and papers, and more than just carriers. But once I made it clear that the dog would have a home, others stepped up to the plate. 

The newlyweds decided to expand their family right away. They adopted this lovable dog, which remained a loyal companion for all of its days. They named him Sam A. Baker, to commemorate the place they found the pup and tied the knot. 

Like a lot of things in my life, making sure that the dog had a home didn’t turn out the way I thought it would, but it probably turned out for the best. In this case, the best thing was Sam staying with Kelly and Michael.   

We know that many of you are choosing El Portal Sedona Hotel not only for its charm and elegance but also because it is pet friendly. Now you can take a guided hike that is pet friendly too. As of January 2022, Sedona Philosophy can take you on a walking or hiking tour, and your furry friends are welcome to come along. One of our guides even volunteers for the Humane Society, so he is used to taking dogs of all types on the trails.

To the left is Kent Baldner, one of Sedona Philosophy guides who will be taking out El Portal Sedona Hotel guests and their dogs, and he volunteers at Humane Society of Sedona.

Sedona Philosophy hikes are enriching and rewarding outings where you learn a little about Sedona and a lot about yourself. Sedona is the perfect place to reflect on the wonder of the world and the meaning of life. On your next visit to beautiful El Portal, take a tour with Sedona Philosophy, and bring your pet along for every step of the adventure.

By Andrea Christelle, Sedona Philosophy

Here is a guide to help pet owners keep their pets safe this winter season!

El Portal Sedona Hotel is a pet friendly boutique hotel, located within walking distance of shops, restaurants, activities, and more. It is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, with only 12 rooms, and no pet fees!

Make El Portal Your Home for the Holidays

There is so much up in the air this holiday season travel – don’t travel, drive, fly, bring the dogs – don’t bring the dogs, visit family – don’t visit family, and of course the “you-know-what”. So, this year why not make El Portal your home for the holidays?
Here in Sedona, there are so many ways to create holiday memories. Experience Tlaquepaque’s festivities, many are outside or virtual! You might want to do the Sedona Walk through Time (also known as Sedona History Walk). It is a free, self-guided tour that highlights the people, places, and events that shaped the area’s vibrant history. For something a little more rigorous there’s always a good old fashion hike. Get into nature, breath the fresh air, and see the vibrant vistas. The area’s strikingly beautiful landscape is etched with trails of varying difficulty that allows you to experience the red rock vistas and magnetic sense of peace with your family and pets!
El Portal Sedona Hotel is family friendly and pet friendly, with no fees for pets. We are a small 12 room hotel, in the best location (close to shops, restaurants, and more), with a HUGE courtyard. El Portal has received the coveted AAA Four Diamond Hotel award, and AAA Inspectors Best of Housekeeping 2020 award and recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner from Tripadvisor.

Our Rooms
Call 1.800.313.0017 or book online

Wide Open Spaces for You to Discover

The amazing fall weather makes Sedona a perfect outdoor playground with plenty to do, explore, discover! Visitors and locals alike can experience so many outdoor activities, including but not limited to:

• hiking
• biking
• adventure tours
• wine tours
• state parks & historical sites
• golfing
• festivals – ours are outdoor!
• climbing
• fishing
• and more!

At El Portal Sedona Hotel we are dedicated to providing an extraordinary lodging experience for our guests and their pets in unpretentious luxury. We are a AAA Four Diamond Hotel with personalized concierge services for the Sedona area, we will help you with any tours, hikes – all things to do in Sedona!

“We stayed two nights with our elderly dogs in the beautiful Garden Court Room…with an enclosed outside patio for the comfort of the doggies, which we all appreciated. … Soothing to the body and the soul, and we recommend this hotel whole-heartedly.” (Tripadvisor review).

Remember, pets stay free and receive a welcome basket with a blanket, treats, and waste bags.

Call now 1.800.313.0017 or book online – there’s room to roam here!

Fall – and the Weather is Perfect in Sedona

Fall Weather = The Best Weather

There’s nothing like a hike along the gorgeous trails in Sedona during autumn…The leaves are just beginning to change, there’s a hint of a chill in the morning and the warmth of the sun is perfect in the afternoon.
The golfing is fantastic too. Championship courses, par 3s, we have it all. The Sedona Golf Resort is considered one of the world’s most unforgettable golf experiences​, ​where each hole provides a unique adventure. Something to add to your bucket list – definitely!

Off-road adventures, jeep tours, and more take you out to the red rocks for excursions sure to turn up the thrill factor! Not your cup of tea? Take a wine tour, book a spa retreat (many of our spas have outdoor facilities), do a little retail therapy in our eclectic shops and galleries, the options are endless.

The unmistakable pull of Sedona means it’s time for relaxation in the fresh mountain air. Check-in at El Portal Sedona Hotel, it is so quiet and peaceful you’ll forget you’re in the middle of town. Stroll down the lane to Tlaquepaque and enjoy the quaint “village” feel, enjoy the restaurants and artisans, then return to El Portal for ​”happy hour” in our idyllic courtyard!

Sedona Weather + Sedona Discoveries + El Portal Sedona Hotel = Perfection 
1.800.313.0017 or Online Reservations

Sedona is Pawfectly Pet Friendly!

It’s true, Sedona and El Portal, are pet friendly! In fact, El Portal Sedona Hotel was just recently named number three of the Top 18 Dog Friendly Travel Destinations in 2020*! Author Tan Sauteed says “our favourite locations that are perfect for travellers looking to bring along a furry friend, the possibilities are probably broader than you think!”  Congrats to all who made the list!

Sedona offers a wide variety of things to do with your furry friend! From pet friendly tours and hiking trails to the  39 pet friendly restaurants that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables!

And El Portal Sedona Hotel is as pet friendly as they come – no pet fees, we have rooms with their own fenced-in pet yard (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7), and your canine companion receives a welcome basket full of treats, goodies, and a blanket! The hotel was designed with pets in mind with wood and tile flooring throughout. “We wanted to build an exceptional luxury inn, a hacienda where strangers are welcomed like family; a retreat where they can enjoy the serene, ageless spirit of Sedona in historic yet luxurious surroundings, and it had to be pet friendly!” says owners Steve and Connie Segner.

El Portal is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, located a two-minute walk from Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, in the heart of the Arts district. With only 12 suites, we offer personalized concierge services for the Sedona area.

So, when you book your room at El Portal, please, bring your furry friend, don’t leave them behind!

Call 1.800.313.0017 or book online

Hike the Mystical Red Rocks of Sedona

Nestled amongst crimson canyon walls is one of the most beautiful places on earth – Sedona Arizona. Known for our 400+ hiking trails, Sedona is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of wide-open spaces! So come, visit Sedona, and stay with us at El Portal Sedona Hotel.

Our hiking trails are open and are truly breathtaking! From beginner to expert – there is a trail for everyone; and Steve and staff can help you choose the perfect trail for you and yours! A few of our favorites… (listed from easy to difficult) Margs Draw, Fay Canyon, Deadman’s Pass, West Fork Trail, Airport Loop, Boynton Canyon, Broken Arrow Trail, Doe Mountain Trail, Devil’s Bridge, Wilson Mountain Trail, Cathedral Rock, and Bear Mountain Trails.

Sedona’s trails offer solitude, serenity, and an opportunity to explore the unspoiled beauty of the countryside (please practice “Leave No Trace” principles). There are amazing ruins, pictographs, and petroglyphs to see and learn about as well, not to mention the intense spiritual vibes and high concentration of vortexes (sites that are believed to strongly emit energy that promotes healing and meditation)! It’s not about to hike or not, it’s about how many you can hike!

El Portal Sedona Hotel – call for your room 1.800.313.0017, or book online!

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.

Photo credit The Secret Garden Café Tlaquepaque

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.

No Matter the Time, This is the Place, Sedona Arizona

We hope you are keeping healthy and safe! Here at El Portal Sedona Hotel, we are taking various measures, many of them ahead of time, to offer people the greatest degree of protection. We re-evaluate these measures every day to adjust to the latest circumstances. We are closely monitoring the developing situation and are ready to make any sacrifice necessary to get through this period together.

We also continue to serve you, our guests. We are open and hope you will come and stay with us at El Portal.

• As we are a small hotel we have fewer guests staying with us; this means more space for social distancing and social engagement.
• Use our new contact-free curbside check-in, take your packet and go straight to your room, then check out by phone!
• Suites 3-8 have private outdoor entrances – you are in your own private room immediately!
• We have plenty of space for all to relax and unwind, read a book, or have a glass of wine around the fire pit.
• Many of our suites have private patios or balconies.
• With just 12 rooms spaced out around an open-air courtyard, many with their own patio or balcony, it is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
• And remember, we are pet friendly – there are no pet fees here.
• Sedona is open. At this time all trails and parks are still open with fresh air and wide-open spaces for all.
• Shops are open and restaurants are doing takeout and delivery.
• For more information visit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce for travel advisory

Hike solo or with a loved one. Read that book you’ve been putting off. Take a hot, relaxing whirlpool tub – you know you want to. No matter the time, this is the place to be, El Portal Sedona Hotel.

Sincerely,
Steve & Connie Segner