Where to Stay in Sedona (Best Areas & Places)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Sedona

The town of Sedona is made up of a few different neighborhoods. Most of the town’s bustling activity, restaurants, and shops are concentrated in Uptown Sedona. Meanwhile, West Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek are both nearby and are less expensive, quieter options.

Outside of town, Oak Creek Canyon draws those seeking a more secluded getaway in nature. Cottonwood offers a less expensive option a bit further from the action. Each of these areas provides something unique and special.

Uptown Sedona

👉 Best Area For a Central Location | ✨ Best Uptown Sedona Hotels: L’Auberge De Sedona • Amara Resort & Spa • Sedona Views Bed and Breakfast

Uptown Sedona is the beating heart of Sedona, containing the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, art galleries, and lodging. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to feel a part of all the hustle and bustle.

If you want to explore further afield than the town center, the free shuttle service will take you to popular hiking trails like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge.

Many of the best hotels in Sedona are located in Uptown. But the standout option, and one of the premier hotels in Sedona, is L’Auberge De Sedona. This is a luxury resort with spectacular views of Sedona’s gorgeous red-rock country. Good luck leaving the outdoor pool and hot tub!

It’s absolutely worth visiting the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village. It blends art, shopping, culture, history, and food into one charming center.

Pros of Staying in Uptown Sedona:

• Close to all of Sedona’s popular sites and attractions
• Tons of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance
• Incredible views of the surrounding mountains
• Hiking and outdoor activities abound

Cons of Staying in Uptown Sedona:

• Can get quite crowded, especially during the high season
• Hotels and restaurants in this area tend to be pricier

West Sedona

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Exploring | ✨ Best West Sedona Hotels: Adobe Grand Villas • Alma de Sedona • A Sunset Chateau

West Sedona is an offshoot neighborhood of Uptown and is a quick five-minute drive away from the downtown area. 

Restaurants, shops, and attractions are more spread out, which gives the area a more relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect option for anyone wanting to be close to the action but also be able to escape it for some peace and quiet.

The Adobe Grand Villas offer a luxurious stay where you can relax after hiking the nearby trails, including the iconic Devil’s Bridge, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa. Rooms at Adobe Grand Villas are decorated to reflect the unique history of Sedona and offer private patios.

Pros of Staying in West Sedona:

• Less crowded than Uptown
• Short drive to Uptown and popular hiking trails
• Close to the scenic area of Red Rock State Park (one of the top state parks in Arizona)
• More peaceful and immersed in nature

Cons of Staying in West Sedona:

• Spread out and not walkable to Uptown
• Typically pricey stays

Village of Oak Creek

👉 Best Area For a Quiet Getaway | ✨ Best Village of Oak Creek Hotels: Canyon Villa Bed and Breakfast • Las Posadas of Sedona • Cozy Cactus Inn

The Village of Oak Creek is the quiet, small-town counterpart to buzzingly active Uptown Sedona. 

This area of Sedona is a fantastic option for repeat visitors who have already seen many of the popular sights and attractions and simply want a relaxing stay in the desert landscape. The best part is that it’s a short 5 to 10-minute drive to Uptown if you do want to venture into town.

The lodging options reflect the more quaint, cozy atmosphere in the Village of Oak Creek. Here, you’ll find more bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels. Canyon Villa Bed and Breakfast offers guests a quiet, intimate place to appreciate Sedona’s beautiful landscape. Venture out to nearby Bell Rock for a scenic adventure.

Pros of Staying in the Village of Oak Creek:

• Quiet, small-town atmosphere
• Very integrated with the beautiful desert landscape
• Beautiful night skies for stargazing
• Close to Uptown Sedona and Flagstaff

Cons of Staying in the Village of Oak Creek:

• Farther from restaurants and shops
• Farther from iconic hiking trails

Oak Creek Canyon

👉 Best Area For Immersing in Nature | ✨ Best Oak Creek Canyon Hotels: Junipine Resort • Sedona Views Bed and Breakfast • Oak Creek Terrace Resort

Oak Creek Canyon is a lush, wooded oasis within Sedona’s mountainous area. You’ll see a dramatic transition from red rock mountains and desert to dense trees with leafy foliage along the road from Sedona proper to Oak Creek. This is one of the few places in Arizona to indulge in true fall leaves!

Oak Creek is the place to be for outdoor enthusiasts. My personal favorite hike in Sedona is West Fork Oak Creek, which is an easy, shaded trail that crisscrosses Oak Creek between the towering walls of the canyon. Slide Rock, one of Sedona’s top natural attractions, is located in the area and offers a great river activity for families.

You can swim in or tube on Oak Creek during the summertime. Post-monsoon season is ideal if you want to enjoy high water levels, but the creek is lovely year-round, even if just a trickle.

Because there is no town to speak of in the canyon, there are fewer and much smaller lodging options. However, you can’t go wrong booking your stay at the laid-back Oak Creek Terrace Resort. This beautiful spot is located along the scenic route to Flagstaff, Arizona’s beloved mountain city and college town.

Pros of Staying in Oak Creek Canyon:

• Within a scenic, forested area
• Most hotels offer stunning views
• Close to Slide Rock State Park
• Stunning foliage, especially during the fall

Cons of Staying in Oak Creek Canyon:

• Farther from some of Sedona’s most iconic hikes
• Fewer restaurant options

Cottonwood

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Cottonwood Hotels: Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge • SpringHill Suites • Lux Verde Hotel

Cottonwood is great for experiencing Sedona without breaking the bank. The town is a 25-minute drive from Uptown and a bit further from many of the iconic hiking trails and attractions. But everything is still quite accessible, and the landscape is just as gorgeous in Cottonwood. 

Another pro for staying in Cottonwood is its proximity to the Verde Valley Wine Trail — Arizona’s wine country. My favorite winery in the area is Page Springs Cellars, which has great wines and a lovely outdoor patio to sip and sample. The site is also the starting point of the Verde Canyon Railroad, which transports you through Sedona’s stunning countryside.

Check out Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge, which offers affordable yet charming rooms.

Pros of Staying in Cottonwood:

• Located near the Verde Valley Wine Trail
• Cheaper hotel options

Cons of Staying in Cottonwood:

• Farther from hiking and sightseeing 

Tips for Staying in Sedona

Start Hikes to Landmarks Early

Popular places like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge are most likely at the top of every visitor’s list, so you can bet there’ll be large crowds and lines of people waiting for a photo (especially at Devil’s Bridge). 

Getting your boots on the trail early helps you beat the hoards, along with the dry desert heat. Check out Betty’s article on hiking in the summer heat for tips to stay safe in Arizona.

Visit in Spring to See Desert Blooms

The desert transforms into a floral treasure trove in the spring, which is one of the best times to visit Arizona. Especially after a rainy winter, cacti produce the loveliest blooms with large, flamboyant flowers that only last a few weeks of the year. 

Plan your visit accordingly to be able to enjoy the blooms alongside Sedona’s usual beauty.

Don’t Forget to Look at the Stars

The desert is the ideal place to stargaze thanks to less interfering light pollution. The Village of Oak Creek is especially known for its dark skies and fantastic stargazing opportunities.

Pack Lots of Water for Hikes in Sedona

The desert gets very hot very quickly and the dryness in the air will make you thirstier than usual. It’s important to always bring more water than you think you’ll need when you set out on a trail in Sedona.

Consider Visiting Sedona in the Winter

Winter is an off-season for Sedona because the cold weather can prohibit some of the river and pool activities.

However, Sedona’s famous red rocks dusted in white snow is one of the loveliest and most unique ways to see the mountain desert. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the desert heat while hiking, and you’ll see far smaller crowds in town and at the landmarks.

Check out Betty’s article on where to see snow in Arizona for more winter wonderland ideas in the Grand Canyon State.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Sedona

Is it better to stay in Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek?

Staying in Uptown or West Sedona is ideal if you want to be able to conveniently walk into town from your lodging, and be close to a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and bars. The Village of Oak Creek is better for those who want a less crowded, more peaceful stay, and for those who don’t mind driving to popular sites.

How many days is enough for Sedona?

A stay of at least 4 days is recommended to enjoy all of Sedona’s must-see attractions and sites. These include Tlaquepaque Village, Slide Rock, Soldier’s Pass, Cathedral Rock, and Devil’s Bridge.

What is the best month to visit Sedona?

May is a great month to visit Sedona because the heat hasn’t quite set in, but the summer crowds haven’t ramped up just yet. You’ll be able to do more outdoor daytime hikes and activities. Plus, you’ll most likely get to see desert blooms.

Is Sedona a walkable city?

If you stay in Uptown Sedona, you can walk to most of the wide variety of restaurants and shops in the downtown area. Outside of Uptown, Sedona sprawls a bit more, and walking to your destination becomes more difficult.

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Thanks for reading my guide! The town has made a name for itself as one of the top destinations in Arizona, and there’s no question as to why. No matter where you stay, Sedona is an enchanting town that you can explore over and over again.