Sedona is one of our favorite places to visit in the US for hiking, photography and outdoor adventure. But what about hotels and figuring out where to stay? Well, Sedona is a hugely popular tourist destination and hotels are very expensive, especially in peak seasons. But there’s plenty of fantastic places to stay in town and in nearby areas like Oak Creek or Cottonwood. We personally prefer Uptown or West Sedona because they’re closer to the major hikes, but they’re also more expensive.
In this guide we help you decide where to stay in Sedona by breaking down the 5 popular tourist areas, and we also show you the top rated cheap, mid range and luxury hotels within each area to get you started.
Our Experience
We spent 8 amazing days in Sedona in December 2021. It’s easily one of the best trips we’ve taken in America because we’re hikers and travel photographers, and Sedona’s red rock landscape is perfect for both. We decided to book our hotel in West Sedona because it’s a bit cheaper than Uptown, and it has easy access to many of the top hikes and photo spots in the north and west of town.
We’d consider staying in Uptown next time despite it being more expensive because it has restaurants and shopping within walking distance. We had to drive into town for our meals when we stayed in West Sedona. And we’d consider staying in Cottonwood for a night or two so we could enjoy the fantastic wineries more easily, without having to drive back into Sedona afterwards. Read more about us.
5 Areas To Stay Around Sedona
There are five major areas to consider booking a hotel when you visit Sedona:
- Uptown – Sedona’s downtown
- West Sedona – 3 miles west of town
- Oak Creek Canyon – 4 miles north of town
- The Village of Oak Creek – 7.5 miles south of town
- Cottonwood – 19 miles southwest of town
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons for each area.
1. Uptown
If money is no object, Uptown is the best place to stay in Sedona. It has everything you need within walking distance and it’s centrally located between all the top tourist spots in the region.
- Pros – Easy access to hikes, attractions and shopping, lots of restaurants, walkable.
- Cons – Most expensive place to stay in Sedona, busy with tourists and traffic.
2. West Sedona
We like West Sedona because it’s not far from the amenities in Uptown, but it’s more affordable and it’s also closer to the popular hikes north and west of town. You also don’t have to deal with the crowds and traffic in the heart of town.
- Pros – Eateries within short drive, cheaper than Uptown, easy access to hikes and scenic drives.
- Cons – Not walkable, still quite pricey, hotels not as luxurious as Uptown.
3. Oak Creek Canyon
If you’d prefer to book a more outdoorsy nature style accommodation, Oak Creek Canyon might be your best bet. It’s cheaper than Uptown and West Sedona, but it’s still close enough to easily reach the trail network.
- Pros – Outdoors oriented lodging, quiet, cheaper, still close enough to hikes.
- Cons – Isolated, have to drive for meals, on busy road.
4. The Village of Oak Creek
Budget travelers should seriously consider staying in the Village of Oak Creek. It’s not far south of Uptown but it’s way cheaper. There’s not a lot of amenities, so you might want to eat in Sedona before heading back down for the night.
- Pros – More affordable, close to Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, great for golfers.
- Cons – Long drive to popular hikes north of Sedona, not much going on, fewer restaurants.
5. Cottonwood
If you’re not visiting Sedona primarily to hike or you’d prefer to stay somewhere quieter with lots of great wineries on the doorstep, you should consider staying in Cottonwood. It’s more affordable and far from the crowds.
- Pros – Near lots of wineries and tourist attractions, better for non-hikers, cheaper.
- Cons – Long way from Sedona.
So What’s The Best Place For You To Stay?
We always pick the area we want to stay in a new travel destination before we book our hotel. It’s not worth booking a great hotel if the location doesn’t make sense for what you want to do. So, we recommend you consider the things you want to do like hiking, wineries, ruins or photography and book a hotel in the area that works best for you.
Here’s another way we’d break down Sedona’s main tourist areas to help you choose:
- Budget – Village of Oak Creek
- Mid Range – West Sedona
- Luxury – Uptown
- Camping – Oak Creek Canyon
- Hiking – West Sedona
- Photography – West Sedona
- Families – Oak Creek Canyon
- Foodies – Uptown
- Nightlife – Uptown
- Wine – Cottonwood
- Golf – Village of Oak Creek
- Peacefulness – Cottonwood
How Did We Choose?
We typically travel on a mid range budget, but there are times we either look to save money or splurge for a treat. Sedona’s hotel prices made our eyes water and we were at the end of a 3 month road trip with a dwindling pot of money, so we had no choice but to look for a cheaper hotel than usual.
Here’s the way we approached booking our 8 night stay in Sedona:
- Location is key and we want easy access to hiking trails. Uptown and West Sedona are our two options.
- How expensive are hotels in both areas? Uptown hotels were very expensive, so we decided on West Sedona.
- Which hotel has a good balance between cost, quality and amenities? We picked the Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit.
Follow our simple process to find the perfect hotel for your trip to Sedona. Start with the location, then explore hotel options and finally choose the best fit.
Our Top Sedona Hotel Picks
Based on previous guest ratings, location and our experiences, here are the top rated hotels we would consider booking for our next trip to Sedona if we wanted a specific type of stay:
- Budget Hotel – Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge
- Mid Range Hotel – Matterhorn Inn
- Luxury Hotel – Adobe Grand Villas
- Unique Hotel – Inn at Thunder Mountain
- Tiny House – Verde Valley Tiny House
- Spa Resort – The Wilde Resort And Spa
- B&B – Origins B&B
It’s important you know that hotels in Sedona are more expensive on average than most other tourist spots we’ve visited in the US, outside of big cities like NYC or San Francisco. So we strongly recommend you book your hotel as far in advance as possible and maybe even consider visiting in the off season months like January or February if you want better value for money.
Okay, let’s get into our 15 featured hotels. We hand picked 3 hotels from each of the 5 tourist areas around Sedona based on having the highest ratings left by previous guests and location. You’ll find one cheap, mid range and luxury hotel from each area.
1. The Star Motel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.3 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Cheap
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking
- Location: Uptown
Star Motel is the cheapest highly rated hotel in Uptown Sedona. Each air-conditioned room features a seating area, microwave, TV, coffee machine and private bathroom. Some rooms also have a mountain view. It’s got a superb location near the shops and restaurants in town, including Outlaw Grille where we enjoyed tasty burgers.
BOOK: The Star Motel
2. Matterhorn Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid Range
- Amenities: Swimming pools, hot tub, free wifi and parking, dog friendly
- Location: Uptown
The highly rated Matterhorn Inn has a year-round outdoor pool and a concierge service along with luggage storage. It also has a fantastic location right in the heart of the walkable downtown area, with stunning views overlooking Oak Creek Canyon. We think it’s definitely one to consider in the mid range budget category if you want ultimate convenience.
BOOK: The Matterhorn Inn
3. Whispering Creek B&B
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, breakfast included, spa packages available
- Location: Uptown
Whispering Creek B&B is the most luxurious and intimate place you can stay in Uptown Sedona. There are just 4 rooms, which means it will be an intimate stay with other like minded visitors. We’ve stayed at upscale B&B’s like this all over the US and they’re our favorite stays because the hosts are always lovely and the homemade breakfasts are always fantastic.
BOOK: Whispering Creek B&B
4. Sedona Springs Resort
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.7 / 5
- Price: Cheap
- Amenities: 2 swimming pools, fitness center, free wifi and parking, kitchen
- Location: West Sedona
Sedona Springs Resort has all the comforts of home plus more and all at reasonable prices in the West Sedona area. After a long day of exploring, you can relax in the indoor or outdoor pool or use the fitness center, then cook a delicious meal in the outdoor barbecue pits or your own kitchenette. You get a lot of bang for you buck here.
BOOK: Sedona Springs Resort
5. Casa Sedona Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.5 / 10
- Google – 4.8 / 5
- Price: Mid Range
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, on site restaurant
- Location: West Sedona
Casa Sedona is an adults only boutique style inn. It offers air-conditioned rooms with queen or king bed, gas fireplace, en suite bathroom and patio. Romantic packages featuring rooms with double spa tubs are also available. It’s a perfect place for couples to unwind, escape the crowds and relax in the gardens after a long day.
BOOK: Casa Sedona Inn
6. Adobe Grand Villas
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.7 / 10
- Google – 4.9 / 5
- Price: Luxury
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, swimming pool, couples massage facility
- Location: West Sedona
Sedona Adobe Grand Villas has exceptionally high guest ratings. Each mansion-style Villas has a unique and different theme, a 3-course breakfast is included and freshly baked bread is provided upon arrival. Additional amenities include a seasonal pool, a couples spa facility and meeting spaces. We think it’s one of the best places to stay in Sedona all things considered.
BOOK: Adobe Grand Villas
7. Oak Creek Terrace Resort
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.1 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Cheap
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, fireplace, some rooms with hot tub
- Location: Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Terrace is a budget friendly escape from the crowds in Sedona. It’s under 10 minutes drive from the restaurants in Uptown, but you’ll feel like you’re in a different place altogether. Each air-conditioned room features a wood burning fireplace, and you’d have access to BBQ facilities, a terrace and a koi pond. Slide Rock State Park is only 150 yards away, which is great for the kids.
BOOK: Oak Creek Terrace Resort
8. Junipine Resort
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid Range
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, on site restaurant and bar
- Location: Oak Creek Canyon
The Junipine Resort is a picturesque creekside hideaway that’s perfect if you’re looking for an outdoor escape with easy access to Sedona. Creekside homes at the resort feature wood burning fireplaces and private outdoor decking areas with forest or creek views. And if you don’t have the energy to drive into town, you can eat at the on-site restaurant called The Table.
BOOK: Junipine Resort
9. Sedona Views B&B
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.6 / 10
- Google – 4.9 / 5
- Price: Luxury
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, hot tub, private balcony
- Location: Oak Creek Canyon
Sedona Views B&B is nestled into a red rock wall less than 1 mile into Oak Creek Canyon from Uptown Sedona. Rooms have a private hot tub on a private balcony with stunning views, and it’s so close to the main amenities that you get the best of both worlds. There’s a reason this place has sky high reviews from previous guests.
BOOK: Sedona Views B&B
10. Sedona Village Lodge
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Cheap
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, pets allowed
- Location: The Village of Oak Creek
Sedona Village Lodge is a very budget friendly place to stay just a few miles south of Sedona. From the lodge you’ll have great views overlooking Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte towering into the sky. It’s pet friendly and they use eco-friendly in room toiletries. If you want a cheap place to stay on the south side of Sedona, this is a great option.
BOOK: Sedona Village Lodge
11. Element Sedona By Marriott
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Mid Range
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, hot tub, fitness center, bar, pet friendly
- Location: The Village of Oak Creek
Element Sedona is a solid middle of the road place to stay in the Village of Oak Creek. It’s got a fitness center, a bar, a shared lounge, a barbecue, a hot tub, a business center and a continental breakfast included. It’s also pet friendly and you can enjoy snacks and drinks at the on site bar called Revive. You get a lot of amenities for your money and it’s also near two golf courses.
BOOK: Element Sedona
12. Canyon Villa B&B
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.5 / 10
- Google – 4.9 / 5
- Price: Luxury
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, swimming pool, breakfast included
- Location: The Village of Oak Creek
Canyon Villa B&B has wonderful reviews, a seasonal solar heated outdoor pool, luxurious rooms and an electric fireplace. A chef-prepared breakfast is served each morning and you can enjoy free appetizers in the evening. There are lots of common spaces available for guests such as courtyards, gardens, lounges, dining rooms and even a library. It’s a classy place to stay near Sedona.
BOOK: Canyon Villa B&B
13. Little Daisy Motel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.7 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Cheap
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, pet friendly
- Location: Cottonwood
The Little Daily Motel offers budget friendly rooms with air conditioning, a private bathroom, a TV and free toiletries. It’s also pet friendly. Sedona is 17 miles from the motel, so it’s not the best place to stay if you want to spend lots of time hiking. But this affordable motel is located on the main street in Cottonwood near plenty of restaurants.
BOOK: Little Daisy Motel
14. The Tavern Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.3 / 10
- Google – 4.8 / 5
- Price: Mid Range
- Amenities: Free parking, swimming pool, bar, breakfast included
- Location: Cottonwood
The Tavern Hotel is a top rated romantic hotel with a superb location within easy walking distance to Cottonwood’s famous wineries. All rooms, cottages and penthouses are air-conditioned, you can make use of the on site bar, year-round outdoor pool and terrace. There’s also a continental breakfast available each morning. You really can’t go wrong with this one.
BOOK: The Tavern Hotel
15. Origins B&B
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.9 / 10
- Google – 5 / 5
- Price: Luxury
- Amenities: Free wifi and parking, sun terrace, breakfast included
- Location: Cottonwood
Origins B&B boasts the highest guest rating of all accommodation in the Sedona area, with reviews that are near perfect across the board. It’s a quaint B&B featuring themed rooms like river, copper, pueblo or canyon with views over the Verde Valley and Mingus Mountain. A delicious 3-course breakfast is served daily and it’s located in a quiet area a short drive out of Cottonwood.
BOOK: Origins B&B
Hotels Map
Click or touch the map below to activate. Zoom in and out, move around the map and see the locations for each hotel we’ve listed in this guide.
Map key:
- Red Icons – Budget hotels in each area
- Blue Icons – Mid range hotels in each area
- Purple Icons – Luxury hotels in each area
The Morgan Conclusion
Sedona is immensely popular year round, so there’s no shortage of places to stay. We think it’s also a classy and high end tourist destination in general, which means the quality of accommodation is naturally a little bit higher than usual. It also means hotels are more expensive than the average place, so you’ll either have to stump up a bit more cash for a hotel in town, or look for better value outside of town.
We love to hike, which is the reason like Sedona so much. Being close to the trails is important to us, so we would always book a hotel in Uptown or West Sedona. But next time, we’ll book way in advance to get the best rates available and we already know it’s expensive, so it’ll be less of a shock to us!
More From Sedona
- Awesome hiking trails in Sedona
- Sedona’s most thrilling Jeep trails
- 5 ancient ruins to visit near Sedona
- Stunning Sedona sunrise and sunset spots
- How to find the secret caves in Sedona
- How to plan the perfect Sedona itinerary
Want more Arizona content? Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond.
We hope our guide on where to stay in Sedona helps with planning your visit to Arizona!
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
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