El Portal Sedona Hotel – Charming, Quaint, Unique…

These are Not Our Words…They are Our Guests’

Isn’t it time to break the chain hotel habit? Get out of the rut staying in cookie cutter rooms, sterile lobbies, and boring amenities. It’s time to stay at El Portal Sedona Hotel, and here’s why…

“Mother daughter trip
Cannot say enough good things. If you are looking for a great personalized experience, choose El Portal. They even have the honor system. So charming and so quaint. What a treat to visit with Steve (the owner) as well as Fran who gave me so many tips. Loved everything about it.” (by pharrison319)*“A Beautiful Boutique Hotel

We had the pleasure of staying in this hotel for 4 nights. It’s a perfect location for your stay in Sedona. There are many restaurants that are within walking distance and the hiking trails are about a 10–15-minute drive. The hotel is custom built by owners Steve and Connie, who also work at the hotel, and are both friendly and gracious. This hotel is also pet friendly which was a must for us. Each room is very unique and custom designed. We had the opportunity to stay in two of the rooms and both were great. We stayed at the Grand Canyon #7 and Rim View #9. The Grand Canyon is a downstairs room and has a nice, private patio. The Rim View is an upstairs room. Of the two rooms, we really loved the Grand Canyon, but both were really comfortable. Please note this is a boutique hotel, not some cookie cutter Hyatt. Each room has a different theme and beautiful antique style furniture throughout. In fact, the entire hotel feels like a work of art. We hope to return to Sedona one day and we’ll be staying at this hotel when we do. We’re posting a photo of us by the fireplace, which was actually taken by Steve on his phone and sent to us. He was so excited to see us in matching outfits with our pup, he asked if he could take a picture and we agreed! That’s one small example of how welcome you feel when you stay at El Portal!” (by alexisooo)

If you want to break the chain hotel habit reserve your room with us – we guarantee a wonderful, unique, even quirky stay! Call now at 1.800.313.0017 or book online.

*(Both reviews from Tripadvisor.com)

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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Sedona’s Art Scene – Outstanding. Diverse. Exceptional.

The Sedona has a thriving arts scene, it has grown into what the New York Times refers to as “A new west enclave of galleries.”  Fascinating landscapes and breathtaking beauty provide inspiration and revelation for artists of all mediums. Sedona is home to an array of galleries and studios, events and festivals for the collector, want-to-be artist, or the souvenir shopper.

The Sedona Gallery Association organizes the First Fridays event. On the first Friday of every month from 5:00 – 8:00 pm members of the association offer an exceptional showcase highlighting artists, special exhibits, and events. These remarkable art receptions give locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while beginning their weekends with an exploration of Sedona’s exciting art scene. The Sedona Trolley provides free transportation to wander from gallery to gallery.

There are numerous classes available to locals and visitors to get a hands-on experience. The Melting Point and Sedona Arts Center are just two studios that will provide workshops and classes to suit guests of all levels – from beginners to advanced.

Another exciting event for artists and the public is the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition Open Studios Tour. Get up close and personal with 40 +/- professional artists in the area when they open their private studios to the public to view. The annual tour has become known as a golden opportunity for art lovers to visit with professional artists in authentic working environments, as well as purchase art while enjoying the lush landscape of Sedona and the Verde Valley. It also offers a venue for local artists to shine by engaging visitors and fostering a community that values the arts. This year it is April 27 – 29 and is a free event!

Come to Sedona and experience the rich art culture here with a tour of the various and diverse art galleries of Sedona.

Owner of El Portal Sedona Hotel, Steve Segner, worked with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce to create the Sedona Gallery Walk, so tourists and locals alike can see and appreciate why Sedona is a world-class art destination.

The art collection at the hotel itself is eclectic and exceptional!

Sedona Northern Lights

Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season in Sedona with USA’s largest Projection Show on a natural canvas:  Sedona Northern Lights. This incredibly massive holiday light show will happen for only four nights, December 14-17, 2017, and will showcase Sedona’s profound beauty, thriving arts scene, dark skies, and enchanting landscapes. Sedona Northern Lights will bring together light, art and nature to create a festive and awe-inspiring, family-friendly experience. It will be projected on Camelhead Rock (next to Snoopy Rock).

See an example of 3D Projection Mapping here.

This is the kick off to the 60^th Anniversary of the Sedona Arts Center. This large-scale light-art show will be visible from all of Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row, with 5-6-minute art projections taking place at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm every night from December 14-17. Sedona’s breathtaking scenery, considered one of Earth’s greatest treasures, will come to life in this once-in-a-lifetime event. For more information and to see viewing locations visit www.SedonaNorthernLights.com.

At El Portal Sedona Hotel, our mission is to provide 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. To reserve your rooms call 1.800.313.0017 or online at tinyurl.com/ElPortalBookOnline.

El Portal Sedona – Our Arts & Crafts Suite

Our Arts and Crafts Suite is just that – decorated in the popular Arts and Crafts style. This room provides guests with a calm, tranquil quality to enhance their Sedona getaway. After a day of hiking or biking, golfing or shopping, etc., come “home” to the Arts and Crafts suite and unwind – whether it’s in the gorgeous tub, or on the relaxing patio!

A king size bed, cut flagstone floors, and a corner beehive fireplace all add to the handcrafted ambiance of the suite. Beautiful French doors lead to a sizable, private courtyard. The bath has a relaxing hot air whirlpool tub and separate shower – all with stained glass accents.

The Arts and Crafts suite here at El Portal Sedona Hotel is, naturally, pet friendly! Guests are encouraged to bring their canine companions – large or small!

Reserve your stay in the Arts and Crafts suite today – call 1.800.313.0017 on book online.

El Portal is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, and voted 10Best.com and USA Today’s Best pet Friendly Hotel (2013)!

Discover Southwestern Holiday Magic in Sedona

Enchanting at any time of the year, the small city of Sedona, Arizona transforms into a holiday wonderland between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. From captivating displays of lights to family-friendly celebrations, Sedona’s iconic red rocks—which are often dusted in snow during the winter—provide a stunning backdrop for a unique holiday season experience that will delight visitors of all ages.

Each night from December 1 through January 1, the famous Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village will convert into a Tinsel Town (formerly Red Rock Fantasy) full of mesmerizing animated light displays, festive storefronts, and even a grove of ancient Sycamore trees dancing in sync with the music every fifteen minutes. As visitors stroll along Tlaquepaque’s cobblestone walkways, they can browse a wide variety of shops for unique holiday gifts, including handmade jewelry and artistic treasures. Tlaquepaque continues to be a star of Sedona’s holiday season throughout December, with the Festival of Lights on December 10—at which visitors can enjoy seasonal tunes sung by a choir as 6,000 luminarias are lit throughout the village—and free outdoor ice skating on December 30 and 31.

Always a hub of arts and culture, Sedona dazzles during the holidays. On December 2, the monthly First Friday Art Walk will take on a festive theme as visitors stroll from gallery to gallery. On December 3 and 4, the Sedona Chamber Ballet Company will partner with world-renowned dancers from the Phoenix Ballet Company for a special production of The Nutcracker at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Sedona also offers an impressive selection of fine dining, which epicures can sample during a holiday edition of Sedona Restaurant Week. As part of this semiannual event, a variety of local restaurants will offer prix-fixe, three-course meals showcasing some of their tastiest cuisine from December 1 through 11.

Visitors can find other exciting holiday experiences within easy driving distance of Sedona. Beginning on November 11, Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express will depart from Williams, which is located approximately 60 miles from Sedona. This enchanting train ride traverses the nighttime wilderness before arriving at the “North Pole,” where passengers will be greeted by a lively cast of elves singing holiday songs, chefs serving cookies and hot chocolate, and of course, Santa himself. As a fun finale to the holiday season, Blazin’ M Ranch—located in Cottonwood, less than 30 minutes from Sedona—and the Verde Canyon Railroad will host a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event. Visitors will embark on a classic train expedition, complete with champagne and other seasonal treats. Winter is the prime season for bald eagles in Verde Canyon, so passengers may catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures as they journey down the tracks. The railroad voyage concludes with a chuckwagon dinner at Blazin’ M Ranch, along with an entertaining show by illusionist Kevin Barnes.

More information on holiday events in beautiful Sedona may be found at http://www.holidaycentralsedona.com. For visitors seeking to experience the joy of the season in Sedona, El Portal Sedona Hotel is an ideal base for the whole family, including pets. Located steps from Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and near all of the best that the area has to offer, El Portal offers a luxurious lodging experience with twelve uniquely appointed suites. El Portal has been named a Four Diamond Hotel by AAA, one of the top hotels in the Southwest by Conde Nast Traveler, and has received Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award. To learn more, visit https://elportalsedona.com.

Autumn Colors of Sedona & Fall Festivities

With cooler temperatures on the horizon, the Sedona landscape changes with the rising and setting sun. Do you love fall, and the beauty the season brings? The rusts, reds and golds – the richness of the countryside offers breathtaking vistas, crisp morning air, and hues easy on the eyes.

The Sedona Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau to use the LEAFometer! This shows the progress of the colors to visitors, residents, and future visitors, including Oak Creek Canyon.

As the season changes, Sedona gets ready for the “fall” round of festivities! The weekend of October 22 has a host of activities. There is the Main Street Paint Out – the culmination of Sedona Plein Air Festival. See artists painting in the plazas, sidewalks, along the banks of oak Creek; they must complete a painting in three hours!

The evening of the 22nd head over to Posse Grounds Park and party at Red Rocks Oktoberfest! From 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. enjoy 12+ craft breweries, wine, food, music and FUN!

Dia de los Muertos is the celebration of those who have passed and to honor ancestors. Join the festivities at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village October 25-29. Enjoy the Mural Marigold Project, music food, fire dancers, face painting and more!

El Portal Sedona Hotel is located on the quiet lane where Tlaquepaque is situated. Stay with us and have a glorious fall in Sedona! We are a pet friendly hotel where there are NO PET FEES!  El Portal is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, we offer guests unique, personalized concierge services for our guests. 1.800.313.0017 for your Sedona accommodations!

Help the USFS Trail Fund with this Terrific Hiking Book!

Here is a great resource for 9 easy hikes in the Sedona area. Not only with the purchase of this handy book do you get a compact, easy to read hiking guide, but you also help fund the United States Forest Service Trail Maintenance Program here in Sedona! This hiking book retails for $8.00, and profits will be donated to the USFS for the maintenance of existing trails and development of new ones. Get one of these books and discover hiking in Sedona! The book is a mix of well known trails and those less popular; it gives background on geology and flora of Sedona. You can find the book at the Visitors’ Center, many of the hotels in Sedona, and several locations around town!

Excerpt:  “Airport Loop Trail is a moderate hike and not for the faint of heart; it is very rocky and there are some steep drop offs. The upside is the absolutely amazing panoramic views you’ll see…Along the trail, you may see wildlife and rugged cacti, and hear city noise with a few airplanes taking off and landing. Kind of throws you for a a”loop!”

The book was the idea of Steve Segner, owner of El Portal Sedona Hotel. As an outdoors-man he is an avid supporter of the natural world here in Sedona, and considers himself a local, after transplanting from California many years ago!