Best Time of Year for Sedona....and which resort?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

With all the talk here and a friends trip there last summer, I really would like to get to Sedona in the next few years.
I also want to make a return trip to the Grand Canyon and the El Tovar Hotel.

So when should I go for nice weather (read NOT TOO HOT!) and moderate crowds?
And what resort is NICE with great views as well.

I can trade thru II, RCI or SFX.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Pat,

I think the best time of the year would be spring or fall. It is really not warm enough in the winter, especially if you want to go to the Grand Caynon. Grand Caynon can be as much as 40 degrees cooler. Summer it is too hot in Sedona, and the Grand Canyon area gets very crowded.

There are a bunch of 5 star resorts listed in II, and probably in RCI as well.( dont' really know about RCI....), but I am sure they have them too.

We loved our trip to Arizona, however, we stayed in Scottsdale and traveled to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. I fell in love with Sedona, and can't wait to go back....You'll love it.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Pat,
I can tell you that most of the Spring, and especialy Easter week is one of the most crowded times in Arizona.

Fall would be a better choice, October would be my preference.

For Sedona, there are several resorts that have views available, but for "great views", you would have to call the resort and ask them if they have true views available in the units. Some of the developers just didn't build with views in mind, and views from a unit might be minimal.

That said, you will be outside of that unit most of the day anyway, so why worry about the view?

Many folks love Arroyo Roble for its location (feels remote, tucked away, near the creek, and can have views) ...it is in Uptown, and handy to many shops and restaurants.

Other folks love Summit or Ridge resorts for their location and access to views (but be warned, there are more units with "minimal to no" views there).

We really like the VRI resorts Villas of Sedona and the Springs. Location: Middle of West Sedona, you can walk to grocers, you have easy access North and South to get to sights, and management are terrific.

If you can get to Hyatt, you have a good chance of some great views, but it isn't one of my faves.

Los Abrigados, an oldie but goodie, has a group of great restaurants, is near the Tlaquepaque shopping and restaurant area, is near the creek and has a wonderful spa.

Villas of Poco Diablo is located next to the creek, and is tranquil.

October is a beautiful month and somewhat quiet in Northern AZ....Scottsdale on the other hand, not so quiet.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Pat listen to the "pro" if KatieMack says October I'd book October.

We loved it there but it was mobbed for Easter. However I still am locked into school breaks and we don't get a week off in the fall, so I went when we could with absolutely no regrets.

I loved Sunterra Ridge, you can see what our balcony view was in the SW photo collection, and even though the resort was full to capacity they were kind enough to honor my request for my unit. I see this resort all the time in II ( I know you have many more II weeks ) but generally just the master and studios. Of course I'm looking with a one bedroom so that could be why. You do not want the studio by itself as views are inward not out toward red rocks.

We initially had booked Arroyo Roble and I'm sure we would have liked that too but I have read it is a darker, older unit and each has stairs. That is RCI only.

Just FYI I see a lot less 2 bedroom units these days and trading power necessary for them, in peak seasons at least, has been graded upward. Sedona has become very popular for a reason though. Great place and the only non-ocean resort that my family has said they would go back to.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I was there last summer and we stayed at the Sedona Summit resort. It was fabulous as we got a really nice view of the red rocks. I was lucky in that there weren't many units with the view I had. The rooms were excellent.

I also check out the Hyatt and Arroyo Roble. Both have awesome locations. I thought that the Hyatt had a better location and it was high up rather than low down. And, Arroyo Roble is a much older resort.

That said, I would stay at any of these resorts. I'd like to stay closer to town next time. We were there at the end of June. It was in the mid-90's every day. Not nearly as bad as Phoenix or Las Vegas which we also saw on that trip.

[InquiringMind Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close InquiringMind]

My wife and I vacationed in Sedona first week of November 2005. The weather was fantastic - not too hot.

Fall I think is the best time to go there - not crowded and not too hot. Nice to drive around and visit parks especially the Grand Canyon.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Mid to late October works well for me......

But it looks as if everyone has a favorite resort for various reasons.....

Thanks for all your input.

[Anne1125 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Anne1125]

We'll be going to Sedona next March. I think it will be cool, but what temps can we expect?

Anne

[DDI Par Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDI Par]

My scuttlebutt on Sedona timeshares

Since we own 2 weeks in Sedona and live an hour and 1/2 away in Phoenix, we have had an opportunity to stay in and/or visit every resort in Sedona. I agree with KatieMack about the best times to visit: late April to mid-May are the best in the Spring, while October to mid-November (fall folliage) are really nice and fewer crowds.

These would be our choices of resorts:

(1) Los Abrigados: location, location, location. The rooms are being upgraded and the upgraded ones are really nice, with mini-kitchens. Location along Oak Creek, 3 restaurants on-site (Italian, fine dining, and a bar & grill). Adjacent to Tlaquepaque quaint shops. Celebrities have stayed here (look for the plaque around the corner from the lobby). Full-scale spa, miniature golf, tennis courts. This is the most "resort-like" timeshare in Sedona.

(2) Sedona Springs: Beautiful large units, with lofts, indoor spas, fireplaces and full kitchens. Located in West Sedona, 5 minutes from Uptown Sedona, with groceries and pharmacies right across the street. Nice BBQ area. You could live here! Nice red rock views. Neighborhoods with lovely homes nearby for biking, with bikes available for use.

(3) Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort: Outside of Sedona proper in the Village of Oak Creek, a 15-minute drive into Sedona Uptown. Lovely setting with red rock views depending on the unit. Great golf course adjacent. This is a Sunterra resort. Being outside of Sedona a bit is not necessarily a negative, since it is the whole area which is so appealing. Rooms are larger and nicer than Los Abrigados (the un-refurbished L.A. rooms, that is), but not nearly as large and inviting as the units at Sedona Springs. Can't go wrong here; there is a "factory stores" mall one stop-light away.

(4) Arroyo Roble: Highly rated, right along Oak Creek, and within walking distance to Uptown Sedona. Units have all the right stuff: 2 brs, fireplaces, full kitchens. Starting to feel a little dated (and dark), but if you can exchange into here, grab it! You won't be disappointed. Quiet, but close to town, and Oak Creek frontage is really pretty along here.

(5) Hyatt: Brand new in great location with great shops in a joint venture adjacent: Chico's, galleries, Starbuck's, etc. Walk to Uptown. Beautiful common areas. Nicely furnished 1 and 2 bedrooms, with red rock views. Studio lock-offs are barely adequate, small, dark and tiny. If you can get a 1 or 2 bedroom, great!

There are some other O.K. timeshares in Sedona, but the aforementioned ones are, in our opinion. the best choices. If you can stay at Poco Diablo (small, but cozy and on the creek), Sedona Summit (nice units, but inconveniently located), or The Villas of Sedona (recently renovated and next to Sedona Springs), you really can't go wrong.

Most of what you do there will be outdoors in some way, whether it be hiking, going on jeep tours, shopping, golfing, taking day-trips to Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon (our suggestion: make it an overnight), so, any of the timeshares in Sedona will be just fine, provided that you don't get stuck with a studio at some of the places.

If you haven't been to Sedona before, get ready for a real treat. If you have been there before, welcome back!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

No, I will be a first time visitor.....an unfortunately not until 2008!

It is all YOUR fault that I am booked so far ahead...LOL.

DH gets 7 weeks vacation and I have used EVERY day of it in 2007...so will have to wait.


and yes, we will stay at El Tovar for an overnight Grand Canyon trip.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Congrats, Pat...glad you got it settled...did you pick up something in Sedona? Which resort.......now what will you do in 2008?

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

DDI, nice summary! I really appreciate the added info, especially about Los Abrigados.

Now, you must live pretty far north in PHX to make it in 1 and 1/2 hours....or are you just a speed devil!

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Yesterday, 12:12 PM
Carol C
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Foxy Pat,

We booked & went in Sept for the annual jazz festival & it was fantastic weather. Top-down convertible weather in fact (yep that's what we rented, just to take in the views that way!)

We stayed at Arroyo Roble due to all the buzz; we were underwhelmed. It's very dark inside their units, not what I wanted for an AZ experience. I'd stay elsewhere next time.

Have fun planning!

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Yesterday, 02:25 PM
SilkRoad
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Highs and Lows

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Hi,

Generally, I would say the first week of March would be cooler than the last week of March (though not necessarily!). Having said that, weather.com and sedonaweather.net list the average high for March as 65 F and the average low as around 37 F .

[DDI Par Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDI Par]

Love Sedona, love Arizona

DDI, nice summary! I really appreciate the added info, especially about Los Abrigados.

Now, you must live pretty far north in PHX to make it in 1 and 1/2 hours....or are you just a speed devil!

Katiemack . . .

Thanks for the nice comment. Actually, we live in Moon Valley, North Phoenix, and truthfully, it's more like 1:45 to Sedona from here, but only 1:30 to Village of Oak Creek and the outlet mall (guess who always wants to stop there?!)

I don't see a lot of Phoenix participants on this forum, but since we're "neighbors" and might have some personal incites to share, send us a private message if you would care to, and we could meet for coffee or a glass of vino some time. That could be enjoyable.

P.S. Check the White Pages . . .

DDI Par
Darrell Isaacson
Phoenix