Sedona at a Glance
Location: Central Arizona, 26 miles south of Flagstaff
Access: Interstate 17; state routes 89A and 179; Sedona Airport, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Major Meetings Spaces: Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, Enchantment Resort, L’Auburge de Sedona, Poco Diablo Resort, Courtyard by Marriott
Hotel Rooms: 4,000-plus, including vacation properties and B&Bs
Off-Site Venues: Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, The Collective Sedona, Posse Grounds Pavilion
More Info:
Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau
928-282-7722
visitsedona.com
With breathtaking vistas that must be seen to be believed, Sedona, Arizona, is known for its spectacular rock formations: soaring monoliths, craggy cliffs and wide mesas. All are a luscious hue of red that only Mother Nature’s palette could create. Outdoor adventures share the spotlight here with arts and culture, as well as legendary spas and resorts. More than 40 art galleries display the works of 200 or so artists. Fifty eclectic restaurants, plentiful wineries and 1.8 million acres of national forestland await to raise the relaxation factor for guests.
And because the town is an International Dark Sky Community, the night sky is dazzling.
Regarded as sacred by Native Americans, this high-desert town on the chaparral is widely recognized as a place of healing and spiritual renewal, considered by some to have numerous vortexes, places where the earth emits an energy that fosters healing, meditation and self-exploration. Some visitors expect otherworldly experiences here, but the more enlightened go home understanding that communion with the outer landscape can help a visitor understand the one within, a true Sedona “souvenir.”
“Sedona inspires creativity, rejuvenation and relaxation,” said Michele Kostecki, CEO and president of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. “It’s a mecca for spiritual-based activities, such as exploring vortex sites, walking a labyrinth, meditating or practicing yoga. Sedona makes work feel like a vacation!”
Wellness-minded travelers flock to Sedona for its clean air and beautiful weather. Temperatures average about 75 degrees year-round, and the town boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Visitors can admire exquisite scenery on a plethora of hiking and mountain biking trails, jeep and ATV tours. Other activity options include airplane, helicopter and hot-air balloon flights; the Verde Canyon Railroad; golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts; and of course, world-class resorts.
A meeting or event in Sedona provides a free-time bonus of the opportunity to recharge and decompress from a stressful work environment and/or lifestyle.
“Sedona’s appeal to meeting groups can’t be overstated,” said Kostecki. “Connecting with nature seems to change people’s perspectives. While a hike can be exhilarating, it can also lead to bringing forth new ideas.”
Major Meeting Hotels
Having recently completed a $2 million renovation, the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock lies among majestic red rocks and Coconino National Forest. Featuring 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, the property includes three ballrooms and a patio for 100. Its sister property, spa/therapy center Mii amo, was named a top destination spa by Travel + Leisure.
Surrounded by pinyon-and-ponderosa-pine wilderness, Enchantment Resort is 70 acres of pure nature and chill-time overlooking Boynton Canyon, one of the most highly concentrated energy centers in Sedona. Its 218 casita guest rooms and suites are perfect for retreats and private dinners. Spouse experiences and team building include artistic endeavors and wine pairings.
Intimate Spaces
Boasting a total of 4,480 square feet of meeting space, L’Auberge de Sedona hotel, restaurant and spa lies along the banks of Oak Creek. The property offers varied rooms and suites in upscale cottages and a lodge, all tucked into red rock canyons. The Creekhouse cottage, perfect for corporate retreats, features five guest rooms and a creek-view, 604-square-foot deck.
Featuring 8,300 square feet of meeting space, the 127-room Poco Diablo Resort has an eight-acre Serenity Lawn that’s super for 10 to 200 team-building participants.
Offsite Venues
Designed like a traditional Mexican hamlet, Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village is a charming destination with 45 specialty shops and 19 galleries of Southwestern and Native American creations, all cradled in a grove of sycamore trees on the banks of a gentle creek. A brewery, exceptional restaurants and traditional fiestas lure groups in.
An open-air venue with eclectic retail shops, the Collective Sedona has a tasting room, a restaurant, a spa, a bar and 5,500 square feet of rentable indoor space. Another venue, Posse Grounds Pavilion, boasts a 360-degree view of gorgeous red rocks and outdoor seating for 300.
Spurs and Clubs
In Sedona, the Old West lives on, and attendees can experience a day in the life of a cowboy. The family-run, 100-year-old M Diamond Ranch offers horseback riding, as well as cowboy cookouts with live entertainment under the stars. Horsin’ Around Adventures adds tastings at local vineyards, while Blazin M Ranch specializes in Western dinner theatre.
Another fun way to step into the area’s jaw-dropping views is on its superb links. Guests of Enchantment Resort can play the private, 18-hole Seven Canyons, designed by Tom Weiskopf. Poco Diablo Resort’s beautiful nine-hole course is two minutes from Uptown Sedona. And Sedona Golf Resort is among the world’s most unforgettable courses.
