Sky Ranch Lodge

The Sky Ranch Lodge is all about the view. Situated on a mesa, 500 feet above downtown Sedona, the low-key hotel can boast a picture-postcard panorama with painterly sunsets. The Lodge’s decor is rustic and basic, but charming, and the atmosphere is pure Southwest, with plenty of Native American artifacts on display. The sprawling grounds are beautifully landscaped, with a variety of trees, potted plants, cacti, ponds, and other water features. Benches are placed around the grounds for relaxing or spotting the resident wildlife, including hummingbirds, quail, and roadrunners. The lobby is pleasant enough, although it's nicer to lounge outside; inside, there's a coffee machine with a fresh pot, a sitting area with distressed furniture, a beamed ceiling, a bowl of fresh apples, and plenty of information on nearby attractions. As the sun begins to go down, the patio bar opens, and the major Sky Ranch activity begins: watching the sunlight play over the Red Rocks, then watching the lights come up from Sedona. The public lookout point next door attracts scores of visitors, who may disturb the privacy -- and private parking spaces -- of Sky Ranch guests. The Lodge is one of the Southwest’s top wedding sites, which also means certain areas may be inaccessible at times.

The Sky Ranch Lodge sits atop Airport Mesa, overlooking Sedona and the Red Rocks. The small Sedona Airport is adjacent to the property; aerial canyon tours can be arranged here, and the noise is minimal. The surrounding area is quiet at night, but, during the day, the neighboring public observation point is popular with tourists. Hiking and mountain biking, as well as jeep tours, are offered nearby; the Grand Canyon is two hours north. Shopping and restaurants can be found just a short drive into town. The Lodge is convenient for tourists and business travelers to reach, with Highway 89A five minutes away, and the airport right next door. The hotel offers free parking.

Rooms at the Sky Ranch Lodge are clean and spacious, but basic, and do show wear and tear. The decor is dated -- with reddish-brown carpets, wooden headboards, and 1980s-style chairs -- but the owners are in the process of upgrading. Rooms are categorized according to the view, or lack thereof, with Rim View rooms, on the mesa’s edge, offering the best vantage point -- and some of Sedona's best views, period. The dated, tiled bathrooms are not large, but are adequate, with shower/tub combinations, although the water pressure can be iffy. All rooms have coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with cable, and mini-fridges; some also have kitchenettes, fireplaces, and/or private balconies with plastic or white metal furniture.

Sky Ranch Lodge's greatest feature is its views, especially from the neighboring Lookout, Sedona’s highest point, where you can see for 70 miles around. Local beer and wine are served in the evenings at the Rabbit Hole, the hotel bar, on its outdoor terrace with heat lamps and rustic touches, including barrels and beamed ceilings. Drinks can also be ordered to the loungers beside the small, seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, on a tree-shaded sundeck. Sky Ranch offers wedding services, and the ceremony site is one of the Southwest’s most beautiful. There are also a laundry room and a business center in the lobby.