Calling all old timers, I'm trying to find out the name of a hotel my family stayed at back in the 80s. It was in or near Sedona, as we'd gotten stranded due to a flash flood, and couldn't use the road to get back to our primary hotel, which was actually in Sedona. So we stayed at a really, REALLY expensive hotel that blew most of our budget for a single night.

What I remember:

The outdoor veranda and hotel was immense and styled to match and blend into the desert surroundings. The pool was maybe larger than an Olympic pool, and extended along the entire long edge of the veranda. The veranda was almost the size of a parking lot and it had an incredible view of red mountains and desert.

The floor was stamped concrete that looked exactly like a dried riverbed and it had large, faux standing stone piles with water that bubbled out of crevices near the top. The little waterfalls would drain into natural looking "creeks" that snaked across the floor and emptied into the huge swimming pool. They even had cute little bridges that would cross the creeks here and there. Kids were putting little floating toys on the creeks and were watching them travel all the way down into the pool.

Just outside of the hotel proper, on the veranda, they had private "cabins" that looked like adobe huts or pueblos. We rented one of these, the purpose was you could stargaze from your bedroom. The interiors were very high-end rustic, like those log cabins you see that cost 100mil.

The veranda itself did not have a true roof, but had a huge, angled slatted roof so you could see the sky at all times, but it still offered shade during the heat of day.

Even as a kid, I thought the amount of water they needed to keep all those rock fountains going was obscene, especially in a desert.

The only other thing I remember is they had a table, set well away from all the other tables that was swarming with Tarantula Hawks. They had taken to feeding the little monsters, because if they didn't give them food, they would bother the guests. So the hotel just gave up trying to fight them and instead decided to appease them by giving the bugs their own reserved table, with a big punch bowl of water and platters of meat. It seemed to work because we lived to tell the tale.

And that's all I remember. It was probably 1984-85. I've looked with google, but I can't find anything with a veranda with a slatted roof and adobe huts. So I'm thinking it might have shut down.

Any long-time Sedona natives know the place I'm remembering?

You have one day left while staying in Sedona, Arizona. What will you do?

On November 5th, Arizona will vote not just for President, but for Senate, House, state and local offices, and ballot measures on issues like abortion and judicial appointments. Register and vote so you'll have a say in what kind of country America will be!

##Register to vote

In Arizona, you must register by October 7th to vote. You can register here: https://servicearizona.com/VoterRegistration/selectLanguage

##Voting in person

Arizona has early in-person voting from October 9th to November 1st. Find your early voting location here.

If you prefer, you can vote at your polling place on November 5th.

When voting in person, be sure to bring an accepted piece of ID.

##Voting by mail

Any Arizona voter may choose to vote by mail. When you register, check off that you wish to be added to the Active Early Voting List (AEVL). You can also apply here for an absentee ballot.

Ballots must be received by November 5th, so mail your ballot back promptly. You can also personally deliver your absentee ballot to a dropbox - locations in your county will be on your county recorder's page.

If you mail your ballot, you can track it here.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

My partner and I are going to have a romantic evening in Sedona and I plan on proposing. Hiking and most outdoors spots would be out of question, naturally because of lighting, unless there are some unique spots. I think we would be open to most intimate activities, including restaurants, but I think my partner would prefer a more isolated spot.

What are some night time intimate spots to pop the question?

My partner, myself and our golden doodle are visiting Sedona for the very first time Nov 1st weekend. We are visiting from Gilbert, AZ. Every year we do Christmas pictures, and I figured why not do them on our visit to Sedona this year.

That being said we are in search of a photographer that is available Saturday morning, November 2nd to take a few pictures for us. We are NOT looking for a high priced photographer that is going to charge $500 for half an hour of pics. I posted on Facebook and got tons of messages from people charging $500-$600+.

Last year we paid this photographer in Gilbert $150 for a few pictures and they were fabulous. please message me if anyone is interested. Dog friendly + LGBTQ friendly +. 📸

Can anyone recommend musicians in Sedona who embody cultural music?

Originally from New Zealand, I'm driving through Sedona in November and would like to create these art/performance videos called 'Living Paintings' with local musicians, blending cultural music performances with beautiful art as backdrops.

Thanks!

Google 'Sounds of a Sphere - Hineraukatauri' if you'd like to see the video version

Hey! Local here, but haven’t done West Fork yet. How early should I get to the West Fork parking lot to get a spot?

Hi guys I'm looking at several of the popular hikes. I know usually the most touristy hikes are touristy for a reason but I'm curious are they actually worth it.

For example solders pass would it be better to try to find parking or are we better off just doing a Jeep tour to see it as it's easier or just skip it.

Same with the airport view and Cathedral Rock. I'm curious what's worth the good fight to see as there's only so much early time in the day. I feel like I will eventually have to go to places in the day

Found this morning - pink gold watch with beige strap. The strap looks like it broke and landed on the sandy trail. Sept. 29, 2024.

We charged the watch and it has wallpaper of kiddos and family.

A sentimental pocket knife of mine was lost on Bob Bear Trail to Fossil Creek Falls today, 09.29.24.

Please message me if you found it. I’ll pay you far more than it’s worth. It was from my father.

Staying in Cottonwood for a week. What’re some good places to eat that aren’t crazy expensive and may also have a cool history or something?

We ate at a little hole in the wall restaurant/bar in Sedona. It was outside Sedona proper on the east side (I think) of 89A going toward the Hampton Inn (where we stayed). It sat pretty much by itself in a parking lot IIRC. They had a special of $1 tacos and $3 margs. Really good margs (no mix)!

Unless you are really familiar with the area, this probably doesn't ring a bell but if anyone can help me with the name and tell me if it's still there, that would be amazing!

Hello all.

Just like everyone else it seems, I'm visiting Sedona in a couple of months.

I'm a metal artist/knifemaker and I often used stone inlays and copper in my work. I would love to be able to gather some materials for myself. Is there anywhere nearby that I can do? I don't want to step on any toes, trespass, or otherwise violate laws.

Most of my research online has been fruitless, either just pointing me towards places to buy stuff or hiking trails. Nothing really regarding the legality and whatnot of gathering my own materials.

Anything helps. Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I’ve always been a city girl and currently live in Miami. My husband (Floridian) and I (Hispanic) love hiking, and we travel to Sedona every year for the peace and the trails, usually in the fall and winter. We’ve never been there in the summer, but we’ve decided to buy a vacation home and plan to live there for about four months a year. Both of us can work remotely or in a hybrid setup—he runs his own business, and one of his offices is in Arizona. I’m of mixed Spanish and Colombian heritage, and I’m wondering what the community is like for people with diverse backgrounds. When I travel every one is very friendly. Do you guys think that will be easy to make friends there?

Hey all,

I've seen some conflicting information (perhaps dated) on this, so I just wanted to confirm. For the trailhead parking lots that close for the shuttle at 7 AM, if you get there before 7, are you good? Or will you have a problem trying to leave the parking lot after 7 since it's closed? Is anyone going to get mad? Lol

I can use the Park & Ride or other alternatives if necessary, but if it's just a matter of getting there before 7, that's preferable to me anyway, and I like to have my own car.

Thanks!

I’ll be traveling there for a week and hotel, airbnb, plane, and rental car is already taken care of. I’ve also got my annual state and national park passes. Is $750 enough for groceries for the week, a few souvenirs, gas, and out to eat once or twice a day?

I’ll be in Sedona this week from Monday to Thursday, and I’m looking for spiritual communities and events to explore. Anything like meditation circles, breathwork, yoga, or anything else related.

If there’s any specific events happening, or communities that I can visit and ask around, I’d love to hear them. TYIA!

Born and raised in AZ we’ve hit a lot of the spots with generous parking, but I’d like to hit the major trails, some that are only realistic with the public transit system. Can anyone tell me if medium sized well behaved dogs are allowed on public transit, and if not, are there any major trails in the near central vicinity that generally have availability in parking? Cathedral Rock for example.

It seems like we are always visiting the trails up north, oak creek canyon and other sparse areas. But would like reliable parking or transit in some of the more centralized areas.

Thanks

Since you can’t turn left into the trailhead parking lot from Sedona, where do you turn around to get in there?

I'll be coming to Sedona in mid October for a babymoon with my husband. I'd like to check out the beautiful hiking areas and vortices but want to keep it light as I will be about 6 months preggers. It looks like airport mesa is probably the way to go for us. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help! We are looking forward to the visit!

My friend and I are visiting for the gorgeous hikes Sedona offers to celebrate my 40th and we’d love to commemorate with small matching mountain tattoos. This would be 1-2 inches, line with minimal shading. Any recommendations for places/artists that offer walk ins or quick turn appointments that are skilled at that? Thanks so much!

We are in Sedona on a four night stay and the first night I awoke to a cockroach crawling on my arm. I’m traveling with a friend who used to live in SC, though we currently live in Michigan where cockroaches are typically a sign of filth. My travel companion says they’re more common because of the heat and is very nonchalant about it, doesn’t think we should fuss much to the hotel. Is this true, are they very common in hotels here? We are staying in a well known brand hotel but will admit the quality of the room surprised us as many other things are broken too.

My family and I are planning on spending Thanksgiving in Sedona. We are wanting to eat out somewhere. Does anyone know of any restaurants or hotels open on Thanksgiving that offer a pre-fixed menu? Thanks in advance :)

I’m headed in a trip at the end of October. I’m vegetarian so I’m looking for some restaurant recommendations. I also was wondering what the weather will be like. While hiking what should I wear? Would a hotel pool be open? What are some must see spots for someone in their 20/30’s?!? Thank you in advance!

I just bought a Thule car roof tent and am excited to use it. I have done a lot of camping throughout Arizona but not much around Sedona. I’m looking for a good place I can park my car. Preferably in oak creek canyon and near some water but if you have any good spots you know of that don’t have those things send them anyway! Thanks.

Locations in Cottonwood, Jerome, Cornville, and surrounding areas are also acceptable.

Also, explain why you believe it’s the best.