Bell Rock Inn Rating: 3.0 Pearls

Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona

The Bell Rock Inn

The Bell Rock Inn boasts impressive surrounding scenery: Towering red buttes dominate the skyline, including the formation for which the hotel was named. Guests can easily see the rocks from much of the property, but the collection of two-story buildings here will sometimes intrude on the view. The buildings are Santa Fe adobe-style, painted pink to match the landscape.

Outside the small lobby (which has been decorated with old-timey movie posters of Westerns shot in the area), there are two heated pools with Jacuzzis, a playground for the kids, and a picnic area with tables and BBQ grills. Several grassy areas add a touch of green to the red desert surroundings. The fitness center is tiny, with only three machines, but there are several spectacular trails nearby that offer an alternative workout. There’s no dining option on-site, or a spa, but several restaurants and spas are within a five-minute drive.

View on a Larger Map

Most visitors who drive to Sedona will pass through the Village of Oak Creek, which is seven miles south of Sedona. It’s not unusual to see cars pulled over at random places along the highway, as smitten gawkers stop to photograph the massive red and white sandstone formations that suddenly pop into view just before entering the Village (as it’s known to locals).

Bell Rock, one of the more prominent buttes, is one of the most popular hiking and mountain biking areas in the Sedona region, and draws hundreds of people each day. However, the pace of life in the Village is slower and quieter than in Sedona, and low-key travelers will appreciate the less hectic atmosphere.

Guests may be intrigued to learn that the Sedona region was inhabited in the 1200s by the Sinagua Indians (“sin agua” is Spanish for “without water”), who left behind stone ruins, rock art paintings, and other evidence of their culture. Today, people can visit archeological sites tucked away in the Coconino National Forest (much of the surrounding landscape is National Forest) such as the V-Bar-V Petroglyph Site, which is only 15 minutes from the Bell Rock Inn.

While the scenery and hiking here easily compares to Sedona, there are fewer dining and shopping options (though excellent restaurants in the Village, such as the Cucina Rustica, do exist). The good news is that Sedona is only a spectacular 15-minute drive away. Just don’t expect bustling nightlife in either Sedona or the Village -- after dark, the towns go to sleep.

• 2-hour drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• 30-minute drive from Sedona Airport
• 5-minute drive to Bell Rock
• 5-minute drive to the Sedona Golf Resort
• 10-minute drive to Chapel of the Holy Cross, a scenic church in the red rocks
• 15-minute drive to V-Bar-V Petroglyph Site
• 20-minute drive to Red Rock Crossing
• 20-minute drive to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, a lovely shopping area with cobblestones, a fountain, and art galleries (where you can sometimes watch artists at work)
• 20-minute drive to and Uptown Sedona (a.k.a. Main Street), a stretch of Highway 89A that's lined with shops, restaurants, and art galleries
• 30-minute drive to Slide Rock State Park

Efficiency Studio

Rooms are clean and feature kitchenettes, but both decor and views are hit or miss. Some rooms need an update to get past the 1980s carpeting, old bathroom fixtures, and blonde furniture. Others are more contemporary, and nearly every room has a flat-screen TV and iPod dock.

Generally, rooms facing north and east are more likely to offer a view of the red rocks. Most rooms have patios or balconies, which are spacious enough to accommodate chairs and a small table.

• The entry-level Studio Efficiency room is 350 square feet and comes with a sleeper sofa, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and microwave. Next up is the Studio, with a partial kitchen upgrade.
• The Two-Bedroom Suite has a washer/dryer and full kitchen.

The pool

• Two heated pools: One larger pool with a Jacuzzi, surrounded by trees, and a smaller pool with a water feature and views of the buttes
• Small play structure with a slide
• Dinky fitness center with a treadmill, an elliptical machine, a recumbent bike, and free weights
• BBQ grills and picnic area
• Free self-parking and Wi-Fi

There is no restaurant at the Bell Rock Inn, but there are several restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner nearby in the Village of Oak Creek. Also, there’s an IGA grocery in the Village about five minutes away, for guests who want to dine in using the kitchenettes or BBQ grills.