Experience Sedona’s Diverse Shops and Galleries

Sedona is known around the world for its majestic natural beauty and vibrant outdoors culture—but within the city itself, visitors will also find an abundance of activities, including a diverse selection of shops and galleries to explore. Whether you’re looking for an awe-inspiring work of art, a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, or just a small token to remind you of your trip, you’re sure to find the perfect treasure in Sedona. Here are some of the key shopping destinations you won’t want to miss:

Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village 

Located just steps from El Portal, Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-lockey-pockey) is one of the most distinctive shopping centers in the Southwest. Built in the 1970s as an homage to the sights, sounds, and flavor of Old Mexico, Tlaquepaque—which means “best of everything”—remains a vibrant arts community and a Sedona cultural icon. Today, there are 45 specialty shops (including 19 art galleries) nestled amidst the center’s enchanting vine-covered walls and cobblestone walkways. Visitors will find artwork representing every medium and genre, as well as stylish clothing, jewelry, handcrafted home décor, leather goods, and much more.

After a long afternoon exploring the shops and galleries, you’ll find a variety of dining options conveniently located within Tlaquepaque. For instance, experience classic Mexican cuisine at El Rincón, fine French and continental dining at René at Tlaquepaque, or sample an award-winning local brew at Oak Creek Brewery & Grill.

Uptown Sedona 

As one of the most bustling parts of Sedona, Uptown is packed with shops, galleries, and restaurants—not to mention sweeping vistas of the surrounding red rocks. If you’re seeking a dose of local culture, be sure to visit the Sedona Heritage Museum—which showcases the area’s history from its first pioneers to the orchard industry to films that were made in Sedona—and the Sedona Arts Center, a nonprofit, educational institution dedicated to nurturing creativity and developing artistic talent. At Sedona Arts Center, visitors can take classes or browse a gallery filled with the works of over 100 local artists.

Hillside Sedona 

Another prime shopping destination is Hillside Sedona, which is home to a collective of restaurants to suit all tastes, a diverse array of fine art galleries, and boutiques that offer a vast assortment of fashion and home décor. In addition to incredible views of the red rocks, Hillside Sedona also features several visually intriguing kinetic wind sculptures by artist Andrew Carson.

At any time of year—and particularly during the warm summer months—browsing the diverse array of local shops and galleries is a great way to spend a day in Sedona. With El Portal as your base, you will be conveniently located in the heart of Sedona, within minutes of the area’s best shopping and other attractions. Call us at 800-313-0017 to book your stay!

Summer Fun Amidst the Red Rocks of Sedona

At any time of the year, Sedona, Arizona is known for its incredible natural beauty, thriving arts and culture scene, and abundance of hiking trails and other opportunities for exploring the outdoors. While the summer months can be hot—with temperatures averaging 94 degrees in July—visitors will enjoy fewer crowds, some of the lowest hotel rates of the year, and refreshing nights thanks to the city’s high desert elevation.

If Sedona is on your radar for a summer vacation, here are a few of the most popular highlights at this time of year:

Slide Rock State Park 

One of the best ways to cool down on a warm summer day in Sedona is with a visit to Slide Rock State Park. Located in Oak Creek Canyon, this iconic park features a natural water slide with a smooth rock bottom that swimmers can glide along for an exciting burst of refreshment. The 43-acre Park also offers hiking trails around the tree-filled, red rock-lined canyon, as well as historic cabins and other relics from the Park’s past as an early twentieth-century apple orchard. However, when hiking during the summer, it’s particularly important to remember sunscreen and plenty of water, and avoid being outdoors during the hottest times of day.

Sedona Jeep Tours

If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to explore Sedona’s stunning natural environment, jeep tours offer a popular alternative to hiking. Several local companies provide jeep tours, which carry passengers down rocky off-road trails to areas that are inaccessible by most passenger vehicles. Many of these spots are at higher elevations and offer sweeping vistas of the breathtaking scenery. While en route, the tour guides keep passengers entertained with witty and informative commentary on the area’s history and geology.

Verde Canyon Railroad 

Another way to experience the area’s natural beauty without working up a sweat is to hop onboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, which departs from Clarkdale, Ariz., approximately 30 minutes from Sedona. This renovated vintage locomotive traverses the stunning wilderness of the Verde Canyon, with its towering red rock walls and impressive display of flora and fauna. The Railroad hosts special events during the summer months, including moonlight rides and wine tastings prior to departure.

Summer Lodging in Sedona

After a long day of exploring the Sedona area’s plethora of activities, relaxing at your hotel can help you recharge for more adventures. At El Portal, we strive to be your home away from home in the heart of Sedona. With an ambience of unpretentious luxury, our twelve uniquely appointed suites offer guests and their pets the comforts of home combined with the amenities of a four-star hotel. Whether you’re cooling down at the pool at our neighboring property or unwinding under the stars in our courtyard, El Portal offers an ideal base for experiencing all that the area has to offer. Book your room online or call us today at 800-313-0017!

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!

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!

El Portal Sedona Hotel Recognized with Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Award

Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with El Portal Sedona Hotel recognized as the #6 HOTEL FOR HOTELS IN THE SOUTHWEST & WEST, #2 FOR THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND #1 IN SEDONA!

More than 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to provide a full snapshot about the places they can’t wait to return to next. The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The full list of winners can be found here.

“El Portal is a boutique hotel with only 12 rooms. We have always tried to be different; it’s nice to be recognized and appreciated. We are thrilled for this extraordinary award!” says owner Steve Segner.

After 30 plus years in the pet industry, owners, Steve and Connie Segner dived into the hospitality industry and opened pet friendly El Portal Sedona Hotel. Theirs was a dream of an all-inclusive feeling of oneness with the land and spirit of the Southwest. They brought all the elements of nature and the soul of the Southwest into the creation of this beautiful Sedona hotel. After careful planning and execution, their vision became a reality. A spectacular “Adobe Hacienda” in the Arts and Craft tradition; true to nature, true to the soul of Sedona, was theirs and fortunately Sedona’s. 

The 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue.

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About El Portal Sedona Hotel
El Portal Sedona Hotel is dedicated to providing an extraordinary lodging experience for guests and their pets in unpretentious luxury.  The boutique hotel was designed and built with pets’ needs in mind with tile and wood flooring throughout, while at the same time offering guests the best in modern amenities and unparalleled concierge services for the Sedona area. It is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel in the heart of Sedona.
95 Portal Lane
Sedona, AZ 86336
https://elportalsedona.com/
info@elportalsedona.com
Toll free:  1.800.313.0017
Local:  928.203.9405
Steve and Connie Segner, Owners

Five Reasons to Stay in a Boutique Hotel – El Portal Sedona

When you travel, there are always plenty of options when it comes to choosing accommodations.  All too often, travelers fall back on well-worn choices, choosing the stay at a large, chain hotel with buildings in multiple cities in many different countries.  This is an understandable decision because the traveler knows exactly what they’re getting when they book with these larger companies.  However, what isn’t talked about nearly as often is what is missed when a chain hotel is picked over a boutique hotel.  Yes, you know what you’re getting, but that’s because it is the same in every single city in every single country, which results in a less rich traveling experience.  Staying at a boutique hotel can provide a far richer experience when it comes to exploring the area and the accommodations provided.  Here are the top five reasons to stay in a boutique hotel instead of a large chain when you come to Sedona.

1. Unique experience: Staying at a boutique hotel means that you’ll get an experience you cannot get anyplace else on the planet.  The hotel is unique, one of a kind, and what it offers travelers can’t be replicated anyplace else.
2. More personal service: Many boutique hotels have a lower capacity – fewer rooms overall are available – so it’s possible for owners and staff to provide a much more personalized experience for their guests.  They will recognize your face, pet and be more aware of any needs you may have.
3. Location: Many boutique hotels are located in the heart of the city – their smaller size is less disruptive and means they don’t need to be on the outskirts.  These hotels are often closest to shopping, dining, and adventures.
4. No two stays are the same: Boutique hotels change with the years and the seasons in a way that large chain hotels simply cannot do. You can stay in different rooms with radically different aesthetics and layouts, experience different events, and much more.
5. Knowledgeable staff: The staff at a boutique hotel are often local, dedicated, and incredibly knowledgeable about the area, which allows them to help guests with more nuance and detail than the staff of a large hotel.

El Portal Sedona Hotel is no exception when it comes to boutique hotels.  A visitor to Sedona, Arizona who chooses to stay at El Portal will have a vastly different experience than if they were to stay at the chain hotels.  El Portal has won multiple awards and boasts an unbeatable location.  Close to the Grand Canyon, world-class hiking, and top-flight shopping and dining, El Portal is close to many of the favorite spots that visitors want to see.  And the owners and staff are knowledgeable and ready to help any guest organize a tour, select a hiking or biking trail, and decide which restaurant they would like to try that night.  With only twelve rooms, El Portal is personal and welcoming to both humans and their pets as one of the best pet-friendly hotels in the nation.  The next time you come to Sedona, or when you decide to visit for the first time, keep in mind boutique hotels like El Portal Sedona.

 

 

Trending Now – Sedona for Summer Vacation!

Sedona is trending now for your next vacation! It is perfectly located with Grand Canyon National Park – one of the Seven Wonders of the World –  an hour and a half away, numerous state parks, a national forest, two historical parks, six national monuments, a historical heritage site, unlimited outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, spa days, golfing, wine tours, swimming, fishing; there’s just so much to do, see, explore!

 

Your trip to Sedona begins and ends – here at pet-friendly El Portal Sedona Hotel. We offer exceptional concierge services for the Sedona area. Tell us what you want to do – or not do and we’ll help you plan the perfect trip!

Book your vacation today! Call 1.800.313.0017 or 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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