Looking for travel inspiration close to home or beyond? Living Snoqualmie has been sharing local travelers’ adventures through our Valley Vagabond series for years.
In this installment, we will take you to Sedona, AZ, for a trip filled with beauty and surprises. Do you have a journey to share? We’d love to hear from fellow Valley travelers—where have you been?
The Road to the Red Rocks
Since 2020, my husband, Mark, has been talking about a desert vacation. He wanted wide-open spaces, somewhere he could step out the door in the morning and walk directly into nature, preferably without navigating through traffic, hotel lobbies, or distractions. On the other hand, I prefer to wrestle him away from his computer with a mix of short trips and the occasional long-haul adventure every other year (give or take).
We considered Zion. We thought about Moab. He got plenty of desert in Morocco. And then, last May, we attempted a quick trip to Leavenworth, only for our plans to go spectacularly sideways. The main attraction, Leavenworth’s much-hyped roller coaster, was closed for emergency repairs, and to top it off, I somehow managed to book the wrong date for our hotel.
A real travel win.
That’s when I started thinking about Sedona.
I’ve never been a massive fan of Arizona. Too hot, too dry—give me rain and mountains any day. But I’d heard Sedona was different. Nestled among stunning red rock formations, it’s said to be visually breathtaking and spiritually significant.
The town is home to a New Age tourism industry that promotes the idea of energy vortices—places where the Earth’s energy is reportedly so powerful that it can influence emotions, encourage self-reflection, and even promote healing. People flock worldwide to places like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon, hoping to feel a rush of inspiration, clarity, or just a good old-fashioned tingle of cosmic energy.
With Mark’s dream accommodations in mind, I set out to find the perfect spot—somewhere remote, nestled in nature, and with just the right touch of luxury. Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon checked all the boxes. A short drive from downtown Sedona, immersed in a breathtaking canyon, and, as a bonus, home to one of the area’s strongest vortexes. Whether or not we’d feel the mystical energies of the Earth’s spiritual vacuum cleaner was up for debate, but hey, it was worth a shot.
With the flight and hotel booked, Mark took care of the rental car. My sister, having been to Sedona before, sent over a list of recommended stops: Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, the Sedona cliff dwellings, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and a Pink Jeep Tour that, at nearly $400, I hoped would be life changing.
Day One: Touchdown in the Land of Red Rocks
We left on a Tuesday to avoid the worst airport chaos, flew into Phoenix, and made the two-hour drive to Sedona in blissfully perfect weather. March in Arizona is a heat-hating Pacific Northwesterner’s dream, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 60s during the day and 30s at night—no crowds, no scorching sun melting you into the pavement—just how I like it.
Arriving at the resort just as the sun was setting over the red rocks was nothing short of spectacular. A gated entrance, bell staff waiting with golf carts, and—best of all—the American Express upgrade fairy had visited, blessing us with a junior suite and a pile of dining and drink credits.
Dinner at Che Ah Chi was our first taste of resort life. The risotto with heirloom cherry tomatoes and basil oil was rich and creamy, the mixed greens salad crisp and fresh with a bright citrus ginger vinaigrette, and the prime-rated New York strip steak came with whipped Yukon potatoes and asparagus.
I don’t usually get too excited about asparagus, but these were tender, buttery, and worth the effort. The setting was stunning, with chandeliers I immediately wanted for our house and a panoramic view of the red rock formations glowing in the evening light.
Day Two: Vortex Energy & Shopping Therapy
Our morning routine reflected our differing vacation styles. Mark, the early riser, grabbed breakfast and brought me back a muffin and orange juice while I sipped coffee in bed.
Then, it was off to explore the Boynton Canyon Trail, conveniently accessible from our resort. The scenery was jaw-dropping—red rock formations, alligator juniper and cypress trees, and winding paths leading into the heart of Sedona’s mystical landscape. It was, in every way, the perfect realization of Mark’s desert vacation dream.
We paused, hoping to feel the vortex, where both upward and downward energy swirl together to create balance and harmony. I tried my best to tune in to whatever spiritual enlightenment was supposed to be radiating around me, but mostly, I just enjoyed the view.
After lunch at a local café, we headed to Tlaquepaque Village, a 1970s creation designed to resemble a traditional Mexican artisan market. The atmosphere was charming, the handmade goods beautiful, and—predictably—expensive. We picked up our standard travel magnet, gifts for our mail-getter and pet sitter, and some justifiable home decor purchases.
Back at the resort, I had high hopes for the pool bar and concierge service that had been hyped up online. It turns out that neither seemed to be operational that day. So, while Mark swam and made friends in the hot tub, I enjoyed the setting from a shaded lounge chair, soaking in the scenery.
Dinner plans at the resort’s second restaurant were abandoned in favor of a cozy night in with lunch leftovers, room service, a fireplace, and a screening of Saving Private Ryan. Nothing says vacation relaxation like Tom Hanks in World War II.
Day Three: Jeep Thrills & Accessory Losses
I’d booked the Pink Jeep Tour on my sister’s recommendation, and boy, it was an adventure. This was no casual sightseeing drive—this was off-road rock crawling at its finest.
We bounced through the red rocks, gripping the roll bars for dear life as our guide shared tales of Sedona’s history. The wind was howling, and Mark’s hat was gone within minutes, claimed by the Arizona wilderness.
I quickly realized that I had made a wardrobe error of epic proportions. My pants were too slippery for the jeep seats, forcing me into a core workout I hadn’t signed up for, and my hoodie had to be cinched so tightly that I resembled a middle-aged toddler.
Our guide was well informed on Sedona’s geography, geology, and the flora and fauna in the high hills. The ride was bumpy, informative, and at times THRILLING. Well worth the relatively high price tag
We found Mark’s hat on the way back down and just when I thought we were done losing accessories, my sunglasses took flight—directly into the path of an oncoming truck. There was nothing to do but watch in horror as they met their untimely demise.
That night, we dined at Tii Gavo, the resort’s more casual eatery. The warm, rustic atmosphere paired well with the bold Southwestern flavors. We started with the grilled street corn, a bright and tangy mix of lime, cilantro, and feta that added just the right amount of richness.
My Mary’s chicken breast came perfectly cooked, complemented by the herbaceous chimichurri, creamy smashed potatoes, and crisp asparagus. Mark opted for the brick-fired flatbread, a delicious combination of salty prosciutto, creamy ricotta, and peppery arugula, all tied together with a hint of garlic and lemon oil.
The food was satisfying, though at this point in the trip, we were starting to feel like we had exhausted the resort’s menu options.
Day Four: Snow in the Desert?
We woke up to an unusual sight, snow.
Yes, Sedona gets snow, and I had technically known that. But according to every weather forecast I checked, it was mostly over by March. Mostly. Unfortunately, “mostly” wasn’t helpful when our rental car was a convertible Mustang, a car designed for scenic desert drives, not winter road conditions.
Mark, being the brave one, took the Mustang to the clubhouse for breakfast and quickly discovered that it couldn’t handle even the lightest incline in the snow. Our plans to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, sitting high atop the red rocks, or perhaps Montezuma Castle, one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings ever found in Arizona, were not happening.
With the roads too slippery to risk driving, we embraced the only logical course of action: lounging in our room, staring at the snowy red rocks, and eating room service in front of the fireplace. I walked around the resort, snapping pictures of the rare sight of Sedona covered in white, while Mark attempted to troubleshoot the TV and Wi-Fi, both of which were struggling. Apparently, the heaters that warmed the equipment hadn’t been turned on, which explained the random outages.
At some point, Mark went to the front desk to ask about the spotty service, and in a truly unexpected turn of events, the hotel manager offered to buy him boots so he could walk around in the snow. The resort staff was spectacularly accommodating in this moment.
Despite the unplanned snowy day, we were still determined to see our friend Don, who had planned to meet us for lunch in Sedona. Since we were effectively stranded at the resort, and Don decided to book a hotel in town for the night so he wouldn’t have to drive back to Flagstaff in bad conditions, we invited him to dinner.
That evening, we returned to Che Ah Chi for another meal. The staff was able to add a third to our table at the last minute, a minor miracle given that many other guests were also stuck at the resort and likely had the same idea.
The food was repetitive but good, the conversation was lively, and the snowy red rock backdrop made for a stunning setting. It was a solid last evening at Enchantment.
Day Five: The Journey Home
Our plan for the last day, since our plane didn’t take off until 5 p.m., was to stop by Jerome, an old copper mining town from the late 19th century. However, the elevation there is even higher, so we slept in before making the two-hour drive back to Phoenix for our flight home.
Final Thoughts
I believe resorts and hotels in spectacular locations sometimes rest on the beauty of the area and sometimes slip on service. While I think the restaurant menus could be expanded, the cold equipment was vaguely annoying, and a billing snafu took a bit to untangle, the location couldn’t be beat, and the service was spectacular. Every person we encountered who worked there was friendly and tried their best to be helpful.
So, if you’re looking for a splurge-worthy Sedona escape and don’t mind a few quirks, Enchantment Resort is a solid choice. Just maybe… don’t rent a convertible in March.
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Happy travels, Snoqualmie Valley!
