There are certain places in Arizona that I can visit over and over again and still find myself stopping to admire the view. Sedona is in the top five, of course. As a native Arizonan, I should probably be used to the red rocks by now – and I think we all say that – but there’s something about those mountains, especially when the sun hits them juuust right, that never gets old.
If you’re looking for a place to stay that encompasses those views – without being inundated with everyone else’s phones and cameras? Amara Resort & Spa is it.
Amara has earned a spot among the “Best Hotels” named by Condé Nast Traveler and U.S. News & World Report. Following a multimillion-dollar, property-wide renovation, the resort now follows a “tree-lodge” aesthetic inspired by five elements of nature: earth, wood, metal, fire and water.
I’m going to say something I never thought I’d say about a hotel pool: I actually preferred that Amara’s was smaller than some of the sprawling resort pools I’m accustomed to seeing around Phoenix. The zero-edge infinity pool feels relaxed rather than overwhelming, surrounded by lounge chairs and covered cabanas.
If you want a snack, you can get a snack. And there’s music during the day, so the vibe is always on point. It offers an incredible view of Snoopy rock. Another bonus? The water wasn’t bathtub temperature. In the Arizona heat, I appreciated that more than I can explain.
Of course, there are plenty of ways to get moving, too. Amara has a 24-hour fitness center with Matrix treadmills and ellipticals, weight equipment, dumbbells, balance balls and yoga mats. Guests can also borrow mountain bikes to explore nearby trails and Uptown at their own pace.
Amara’s Guest Services and Concierge team can also arrange adventures: everything from Jeep tours and private guided hikes to yoga, meditation and yoga-hiking experiences. Golfers can also access Sedona Golf Resort and Oak Creek Country Club through the concierge. If your idea of exercise on vacation is like mine – walking from the pool to the spa – I fully support that choice.
You don’t have to go far for a great meal. SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, the resort’s signature restaurant, serves modern Southwestern cuisine built around light and seasonal ingredients inspired by the Verde Valley. I recommend starting with the avocado toast or French toast at breakfast.
For lunch, the tuna tostadas were amazing (and massive – three palm-sized tostadas piled high with tuna). If you’re a taco person, go for the shrimp and queso birria. The server also recommended the green chicken pozole pot pie and house-made sweet potato gnocchi.
If you’re ordering a cocktail, go for the West Fork Margarita, made with jalapeño-infused blanco tequila, Vida Mezcal, organic agave, lime and salt. It came highly recommended, and for good reason. Their mocktail program was well done, too – the Sedona Sunset with agave and prickly pear was on-brand and delightful.
The same can be said for the rest of the resort. The 100 guestrooms and suites feature luxurious linens, robes (put it on, trust me), refrigerators and other modern amenities, with many offering balconies overlooking the red rocks. While Amara makes a convenient home base for exploring, I think the real trick is to resist the temptation to spend the entire trip uptown.
Splurge on a spa treatment. Seriously. The award-winning Amara Spa is exactly the kind of place where you can give yourself permission to relax. During my visit, I received special oils corresponding with my star sign for the Zodiac Spa Treatment and they smelled heavenly.
The resort also offers unique experiences designed to help guests connect with the creative and spiritual side. Guests can participate in a guided painting experience with local artist Lovejoy, who helps first-time painters create a Sedona-inspired work of art in the resort’s Meditation Room. You can check out a yoga class on Saturdays. You can find live music and a happy hour at Saltrock.
And then there’s Christina Wooten. Christina is a certified psychic medium and intuitive tarot reader with more than 18 years of experience. I’ll admit I was terrified before my first tarot reading. I’ve seen too many movies. I was convinced I was going to hear terrible news.
Instead, I left feeling amazing. I left empowered and ready for whatever the future might bring. Most importantly, it was fun, and Christina was incredibly kind. If you’re curious about the experience but nervous about what you might hear, I’d say go for it with an open mind.
Outside the resort, Amara makes it easy to explore without worrying about one of Sedona’s (actually, let’s be honest, it’s Arizona as a whole) biggest headaches: parking.
The resort’s valet team can shuttle guests to the shops by golf cart. From there, I recommend strolling – coffee in hand, browsing the art galleries and shops (shout out to Red Rock Apothecary – they have a prickly pear soap that smells so good), grabbing a cocktail and, if you have time, heading out on a Jeep tour.
After a day of exploring, returning to the resort feels like coming back to your own little corner of Sedona. Amara gives its guests opportunities to explore the red rocks, experience the arts and discover something new. Sit back, take a deep breath and enjoy the view. Learn more at amararesort.com.
