L'Auberge de Sedona

"I love you Arizona, Your mountains, deserts and streams...The warmth you give at sunrise, Your sunsets put music in us all. I love you Arizona, Desert dust on the wind. The sage and cactus are blooming, and the smell of the rain on your skin."

~Arizona's State Song "Arizona" by Rex Allen Jr.

Even though I live in New York and find it hard to think about ever leaving, Arizona still is and always will be home.  This past weekend, I went home to Arizona and up to L’Auberge de Sedona for a Raw Trips retreat with Kirsten Gum.  Kirsten and I have worked together for some time planning this retreat and we had a great time.

Sedona itself has a calming, almost otherworldly, feel to it from the moment you see the first glimpse of red rock. But driving into L’Auberge de Sedona, nestled on Oak Creek, feels like someone is massaging the kinks out of your neck. 

I’ve stayed at Enchantment and Mii Amo spa , which I also loved, but is much farther from town.  L’Auberge hooked me--the combination of unmatched views, mountain air, breezes, boutique-lodge feel and proximity to downtown Sedona’s shops and restaurants.

Red Rock CountryIf you don’t stay at L’Auberge, you have to at least eat a meal at the alfresco L'Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek.  Even in summer heat, you are protected under a canopy of leaves rustling in the wind and cool breezes off the creek. 

Creekside at L'AubergeI was expecting a comfortable room from the rustic, cabin-like exterior, but was surprised by the truly lovely, fresh interior design and huge, cuddle-worthy beds. Lodge rooms are at the lowest price point but they are spacious, and my room had a wonderful little patio and chairs.  They are housed in the Lodge, which has a distinct Colorado mountain feel.

Lodge Room

Lobby at The LodgeThe best accommodations at L’Auberge are the Creekside Cottages on the water with easy access to the restaurant and lobby, but there are also the Vista Cottages and Vista Suites where you have 24-7 views of the red rocks. 

DON’T MISS: Get up early to grab free scones and coffee and then take them to sit on the patio overlooking the creek before everyone else wakes up.  Walk up to the Hillside look-out for a breathtakingly beautiful sunset over the red rocks.  Check the property’s yoga schedule to join in on a class.  You won’t find better workout weather than Sedona on an early summer morning.

The importance of free, fast Wi-Fi cannot be overestimated, as well as the BEST hairdryer I’ve ever had in a hotel room.  I’ve stayed in rooms worth $1,500 a night where the hairdryer dries about as fast as if I was blowing on it myself.  So bravo, L’Auberge! Thanks for a wonderful stay in my beautiful home state.

Comments

[Vago Damitio]

Sedona was a huge surprise for me. I expected a bunch of burnt out hippies and backpacker accommodations, instead it was like going to a Palm Springs mountain retreat. Lots of yoga, health food, and upscale digs available but I'm pretty sure they're still burning reefer behind the hotels.