Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas

The Arroyo Roble is rather like two hotels: There’s the main hotel building (the tallest building in Sedona, at five stories), and then there are the Creekside Villas that are separate from the hotel. The villas are part of a larger timeshare property next door that shares with Arroyo Roble its clubhouse, pool, and towering sycamore and cottonwood trees beside the gurgling waters of Oak Creek. The villas are tucked away in the back of the 14-acre property in a grassy, shady area that is peacefully removed from the crowds in Uptown Sedona. The clubhouse features ping-pong, pool tables, a sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor/outdoor pool, and a business center.The main hotel building is on Main Street, a stretch of Highway 89A in Uptown Sedona. Stepping out in front of the hotel puts guests directly in the bustling, touristy shopping area. Inside, the Arroyo Roble has a modest lobby that leads out back to the pool area and the well-groomed grounds, which feature a large fountain, lots of flowers, grassy lawn, and great views of the red rocks. Despite the Uptown location, the pool and extensive grounds behind the hotel are surprisingly serene.There’s no restaurant, but the free hot and cold breakfast is frequently praised by guests.

The Arroyo Roble is located in Uptown Sedona, home to many shops and art galleries. Guests can easily walk to all the shopping, but when they grow weary of the souvenirs, they’ll need a vehicle to reach hiking and other recreational sites in Sedona, such as Red Rock Crossing, Schnebly Hill Road, and Slide Rock. However, guests may fish in Oak Creek, located behind the Arroyo Roble.Oak Creek Canyon originates between Sedona and Flagstaff, along a geological rift that cuts across central Arizona called the Mogollon Rim. The Rim, as it’s known to locals, is marked by soaring cliffs and rugged, forested canyon slopes. As the creek tumbles down the 12-mile-long canyon towards Sedona, it creates a lush corridor of trees, pools, and waterfalls below 2,000-foot-high walls of red and white sandstone. Visitors who drive Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon are treated to views that may be only topped by the Grand Canyon.Once in Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon gives way to the red rocks and buttes that form the stunning backdrop to the town. Visitors will be intrigued to learn that the Sedona area 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 land surrounding Sedona is National Forest) such as Palatki and Boynton Canyon.Hiking and mountain biking are the best ways to experience the area’s variety of outdoor destinations. With scores of trails that begin within town, visitors can easily hike and bike to their hearts’ content at places like Marg’s Draw, West Fork of Oak Creek, Bell Rock, Soldier’s Pass, and Cathedral Rock. The terrain can vary from easy to strenuous, and environments range from hot desert to cool, wet riparian corridors that give life to ferns, mosses, and wildflowers.Uptown is the retail center of Sedona. Many art galleries and shops are located in other parts of town, but the Uptown area is busiest, with jeep tours, hot air balloon rides, restaurants, and plenty of souvenir shops all vying for attention. Just don’t come to Sedona expecting bustling nightlife -- after dark, the town is quiet.- 2-hour drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

• 10-minute drive from Sedona Airport
• 1-minute walk to Uptown Sedona (a.k.a. Main Street), a stretch of Highway 89A that's lined with shops, restaurants, and art galleries
• 10-minute walk to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, a lovely shopping area with cobblestones, a fountain, and art galleries (where you can sometimes watch artists at work)
• 15-minute drive to Slide Rock
• 20-minute drive to Red Rock Crossing
• 20-minute drive to Bell Rock
• 20-minute drive to Sedona Golf Resort

The hotel rooms in the main building are nothing extraordinary, but they are decorated in tans and dark reds to match the views, which are fantastic -- especially from the 3rd to 5th floors. The Arroyo Roble North is a separate building beside the main hotel and has larger rooms, all with fireplaces. All rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and -- most importantly -- balconies, but bathrooms are a bit small.The Creekside Villas are huge, house-like quarters that sleep six. With balconies that overlook tranquil Oak Creek and private driveways, the villas offer beauty and quietude in a luxurious, homey space. Inside, there’s a full kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms, each with private baths. Stepping out the door offers direct access to a grassy area beside the creek that’s perfect for reading a book or casting a line in hopes of snaring an Apache trout.- 46-inch flat-screen TVs

• Balcony or patios
• 300-thread-count sheets and big pillows
• Pull-out sofa beds
• Daily newspaper
• Mini-fridges and coffeemakers, except in Creekside Villas, which have full kitchens
• Arroyo Roble North Rooms have fireplaces, and some have Jacuzzi tubs. Most are larger than the Standard Rooms.
• Creekside Villas are 1,300 square feet and have two fireplaces, washer/dryers, and Jacuzzi tubs.

• Pool near the main hotel building, with stunning views of the red rocks
• Larger indoor/outdoor pool at the shared clubhouse, with one Jacuzzi indoors and one outdoors
• Airy fitness center with cardio machines, strength training equipment, free weights, and views of the red rocks
• Clubhouse with pool tables, a library, ping-pong, a sauna
• Several computers and printers located in the clubhouse
• Outdoor barbecue grills
• Outdoor playground for kids
• View full list of amenities

Free breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, Belgian waffles, oatmeal, muffins, and fresh fruit. A number of restaurants are within walking distance in Uptown Sedona.