At the heart of the enhancement program, named “Project Elevation,” is the resort’s initiative to provide the most comfortable and luxurious experience while being environmentally sensitive in one of nature’s most beautiful settings. The project is conceived with the utmost respect for the creek and its pristine waters. Electric Gem cars will transport guests around the property and to and from Sedona’s shopping district. “We are committed to preserving the natural beauty and sustainability of Sedona and the ecologically-sensitive Oak Creek for generations to come,” says Joe Mottershead, general manager.

“The project will introduce guests to a collection of ultra-luxurious and contemporary hillside cottages, every one offering unparalleled views of Sedona’s famous Red Rocks,” adds Mottershead. These 1200-sqaure foot, one-bedroom cottages will offer indoor and outdoor living spaces including a large observation deck for outdoor entertaining and dining, spacious and discreet outdoor showers, gas fireplaces and many more design features and amenities.image

In addition to the new hillside guest cottages, a newly constructed spa and spa cottages will be added to form a kind of “spa village.” Additionally, existing creekside and garden cottages throughout the resort will be redesigned and upgraded. In short, all cottages will either be newly built or newly designed.

A new feature, the Wanderlust Library and Lounge, is being added to give guests the opportunity to relax with refreshments while perusing well-stocked shelves with travel, travel-related, and art books of the world.

To complete the resort’s “elevation” program, the award winning L’Auberge Restaurant will be redesigned to offer all patrons unobstructed views of Oak Creek. All hard and soft goods will be replaced in the resort’s existing guest accommodations in the main lodge. Mottershead says that new meeting rooms and public spaces will reflect an “elevated” level of service and amenities at the property.image

“The $25 million dollar investment in L’Auberge de Sedona’s expansion and sustainability is an important component of our comprehensive growth strategy,” adds Mottershead . “We strive constantly to deliver unforgettable and unique guest experiences and look forward to showcasing a bigger, better, and one-of-a-kind L’Auberge de Sedona.”

A member of the elite travel products and services organization Virtuoso, L’Auberge de Sedona has established itself as a leader in the hospitality industry and is one of the most highly respected and beloved resorts in North America. Located in breathtaking Sedona by Oak Creek, the resort is minutes away from sophisticated art galleries, entertainment and shopping. Exhilarating outdoor activities such as Jeep tours of the Red Rocks, horseback riding and hot air balloon rides are just minutes away.
In addition to recently receiving its sixth consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award, L’Auberge de Sedona has been awarded numerous accolades including its most recent designation by Departures Magazine as ”#1 Country Hotel” for North America, as one of the “50 Romantic Retreats in the World” by Travel + Leisure, and one the “World’s Best Places to Stay” in Conde Nast Traveler’s Ninth Annual Gold List.image

About L’Auberge de Sedona:
L’Auberge de Sedona is an intimate creek side retreat surrounded by the stunning Red Rocks of central Arizona. The Inn’s 11 acres of lush forested grounds offer 56 king bed accommodations; including 19 guest rooms and two junior suites in the European style Lodge, 31 private Cottages and four rooms in the expansive Creek House. Recently, the property was included on Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List as one of the world’s best places to stay and as a Top 500 hotel by Travel + Leisure. The AAA Four-Diamond L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek features the culinary artistry of Executive Chef David Schmidt with breakfast, lunch and dinner services along with a popular Sunday brunch. L’Auberge de Sedona’s luxurious spa opened in mid-September of 2006

Arizona Resorts/ Arizona Travel Deals / Arizona Golf / Spas in AZ

Adventure on the rocks

Step away from the tourist strip and drink up the scenery

Have Your Aura Photographed. Psychic Energy Readings Here. Vortex Information. Therapy on the Rocks.

These are just a few of the enthusiasm-dampening signs along the roadside driving into Sedona. This is “Red Rock Country,” after all, where the stunning terra cotta-coloured buttes tower into view as you approach the city popularized for not just its stunning copper scenery, but also its vortexes — the natural energy that is said to deeply affect people spiritually.

This phenomenon has been studied and written about by both scholars and enthusiasts for years. According to a recent Northern Arizona University study, 64 per cent of people who visited Sedona said they came for a spiritual reawakening.

After reading about Sedona for years as a New Age haven set against a backdrop of drop-dead beauty, one expects a moment of discovery like driving west on the Trans-Canada — where suddenly around the next bend, the Rockies appear. Sedona’s rocks have that kind of impact, too, except after a view of the first few gorgeous rock formations set against a brilliant blue sky, the windshield fills with signs, strip malls and a long line of traffic along its main street.

First Nations people — including the Hopi, Zuni, Navaho and Yavapai — have regarded this geographic enigma — eons of layer upon layer of sun-burnt sand and limestone formations sitting 1,300 metres above sea level — as far back as 4000 BC. So special was this place to them that it served as a venue for religious ceremonies. In the 1980s, stressed-out seekers from cities across North America came in search of refuge. New Age Sedona attracted massage therapists, psychics and healers, as well as artists and writers. But when word trickled out that this place held a special healing energy which enhanced spiritual and psychic experiences, the tourists came en masse.

In the spirit of the real Sedona, when you visit, escape the ice-cream eating and latte-drinking crowd. Magical places are not far from the ticky-tacky strip — with its crystal boutiques and cowboy trading posts –on some of the hundreds of trails and byways just a few minutes from the sprawling town. You may or may not have a spiritual experience, but you’ll be rewarded with silence, save for the crickets (and cicadas?) in the desert, and jaw-dropping views.

Save your souvenir shopping for the end of the day.

HIKE: Because you’re at a national site, (Coconino National Forest) you’ll have to buy a $5 daily Red Rock Park Pass (weekly pass is $15, annual $20) at any of the visitors centers along the way.

Maps are available, as are good suggestions from staff for a variety of hikes. There are hundreds of trails around the area, some well-marked, others not, and some trailheads that begin in residential areas.

We hiked Brin’s Mesa, a moderate climb on trails speckled with prickly pear cactus, yuccas and juniper trees. The vistas along the way are stunning and once on the mesa, you’ll see the valley for miles and be able to pinpoint the most well-known buttes in the area.

Other recommendations from local hikers:

n Wet Beaver Wilderness: Located about three kilometres east of the Sedona exit from I-17. Though challenging, this is purported to be a hidden gem of hiking trails that includes the opportunity to swim as you hike through some of the canyon pools along the 17.4-kilometre Bell Trail.

n A second hiking recommendation from a native Sedonan is the West Fork hiking trail, considered the premier and most scenic hiking trail in the area. It’s accessed from Oak Creek Scenic Road and part of the Secret Mountain Red Rock Wilderness. The wooded trail, which winds along terra-cotta canyon walls along Oak Creek, is about 16 kilometres, and the first four or five kilometres are easy enough for young families. The last portion would appeal to the seasoned hiker/backpacker.

DRIVE: Oak Creek Scenic Road (off Highway 89A) On the west side of Sedona’s main tourist area, take this winding, two-lane road that rises to an elevation of 2,000 metres.

Along the way, you’ll see people fishing and beautifully treed campgrounds.

But the main event is the vista from the top, which overlooks the lushly treed Oak Creek Canyon. There’s an interpretive trail and you’ll also find local Indians selling handicrafts and jewelry here, seven days a week.

Play: Bring your bathing suit and wade or better yet cruise down the natural water slide on your bottom at Slide Rock State Park, located about 10 kilometres up 89A, the Oak Creek Scenic Road. The fee is around $10 per car.

Chill: Back on the main street (North Highway 89A) line up at the Black Cow Cafe for homemade ice cream.

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Spas In Arizona

Arizona Resorts/ Arizona Travel Deals / Arizona Golf / Spas in AZ

Sedona, Arizona: So, it’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and a romantic getaway with that special someone is just waiting to happen (yeah, right!).

But what if, say, one is unattached and looking for something other than love to excite and thrill? Look no further than Arizona’s Red Rock country: Sedona. The scenery alone should get one’s heart beating a little faster. But with so much to do and see, the Red Rocks are only the beginning…

First, where to stay? With the idea of inspiring excitement in mind, the Sedona Summit Resort is just the place. Located in the heart of West Sedona and adjacent to National Forest Service land, this resort is just minutes to premier hiking trails and offers panoramic Red Rock views. Not exciting enough? How about hot tubs, private balconies and personal Concierge service?

Once settled in, it’s time to get up and personal with those famous rock formations. Sedona was named one of America’s most beautiful places by USA Weekend and there are varieties of activities that will allow one to see what all of the fuss is about. By air it has to be a helicopter tour. Fly through canyons, hover beside Native American Ruins and get a bird’s eye view of Sedona itself. By land, it has to be a Jeep tour. Choose wild and hang on! Climb 2,500 feet to the top of a rim then traverse the off-road hazards as the Jeep descends into a canyon. Or hop on a horse. Book a private horseback ride and spend the day in the wild. By sea, or rather, river, it’s a Colorado River float trip. Although tamer than whitewater, it’s still just as fun. Spend the day on the river, have a feast on the beach, then visit the Navajo Reservation on the way back to Sedona.

Cucina Rustica

Still not thrilled? How about a culinary adventure? Sedona has a wide variety of fine dining restaurants with sophisticated wine lists from which to choose. Want to soak up some local color and history with dinner… The Cowboy Club is just the ticket. Once a haunt for Western movie stars and Cowboy Artists, The Cowboy Club is still packed nightly with locals and tourists alike. Feeling really adventurous? Start with the rattlesnake and cactus fry appetizer. Or simply enjoy a great steak and boutique wine. Still seeking romance? Then visit Sedona’s “most romantic” restaurant: Cucina Rustica (shown above, left). Dine inside or al fresco; either way Cucina Rustica is a treat for the eyes as well as the palate. Enjoy traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist. Paired with wines from their award winning list and one has a culinary match made in heaven.

So, this spring season, the unattached can have just as much, if not more, excitement as their paired counterparts. And who knows…with Sedona’s “mystical powers,” one may just find that connection while playing in the Red Rocks.

About Krazy Kyote Activities & Tours:

Don’t just see the sights…Experience them! Krazy Kyote Activities & Tours is your one stop vacation shop. Offering: Jeep & Hummer Tours, Hot Air Balloon, Golf, Grand Canyon Adventures and much more! We also offer premium resorts and hotels at unbelievable prices! One call does it all!

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Scottsdale AZ Day Spas / Phoenix AZ Day Spas / Arizona Spas

Day Spa Finder

Scottsdale AZ Day Spas / Phoenix AZ Day Spas / Arizona Spas

It’s the place where pop stars go to chill out. And  Arizona is good enough for Robbie Williams.

When Robbie Williams needed some serious rehab earlier last year, he got out his map of Arizona and checked into Phoenix’s Cottonwood clinic. The singer may not have spent his stay scribbling postcards or seeing local sights – but after my week of luxury in Arizona, I’m quite prepared to believe Robbie went home a reformed, more relaxed character.

Newcomers to the Wild West imagine sandy deserts, towering cacti and cowboys, and first impressions won’t disappoint – but it does have a few surprises in store.

Arizona divides roughly into three zones: the deserts of the south and west, the mountainous central highlands with volcano-created plains in between, and the northern Colorado Plateau.

Holidays in Arizona, therefore, mostly attract those who relish the outdoor life.

Knowing that we would experience the scorching heat of summer, we planned a lazier routine. After landing in Phoenix, the journey through cactus-lined streets to the hotel in Scottsdale was soon taking us through Camelback Road, Stetson Drive and Dynamite Boulevard.

But morning and daylight soon brought a different perspective. From my colonial-style casita at The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, I was wowed by a vista of surprisingly lush landscape and mountains.

Yet in the midst of never-ending rolling desert, you’re only a short car journey away from Scottsdale’s bustling and modern Downtown art and shopping district.

Setting off next morning at 6am to beat midday temperatures in Scottsdale, which can top 40C in the summer months, we blew away the cobwebs with a hike up nearby Pinnacle Peak to absorb stunning views of the Sonoran Desert.

After breakfast, it was time for a signature Desert Nectar Facial in the spa of our Four Seasons Hotel, the perfect antidote to flying and dusty hikes, before a visit to the ultra-modern Scottsdale Fashion Square where shopping aficionados can browse popular US stores like Macys or high-end designer boutiques such as Burberry and Gucci.

With the pound so strong against a sagging dollar, I couldn’t resist a pair of Calvin Klein.

The heart of Scottsdale, a major centre still growing at breakneck speed, is more than a temple to retail therapy, however.

Culture vultures can dive into an array of vibrant art galleries, golfing fans have a choice of several superb courses and foodies can revel in award-winning restaurants.

Scottsdale’s Downtown is super-modern, immaculately turned out, and jam-packed with urban appeal. Our next stop, Sedona, could hardly have offered a more dramatic contrast.

Famous for its striking red rock formations, Sedona makes an ideal location for a desert retreat because of its reputation as a creative mecca with a New Age feel. Often called a museum without walls, Sedona draws visitors seeking to soak up the “mystical vortex energy” that apparently radiates from its rocks.

It’s an invigorating experience to view these famous rocks from a height during a “yoga hike”. Even the most cynical can’t fail to be moved by sun salutations at the summit of one of Sedona’s mountain-tops.

Although the strongly contrasting landscapes of Scottsdale and Sedona are barely two hours apart by car, they will appeal to different visitors. The common theme is the luxurious spas. The major hotel resorts have plunged millions to ensure their spa has the utmost in pampering and preening facilities.

Traditional treatments have become routine in each centre. Both Scottsdale and Sedona spas delight guests with treatments inspired by ancient Native American healing techniques and indigenous Sonoran Desert ingredients.

Take Turquoise Wrap treatment at the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort – it’s based on the Native American belief that turquoise is the color of protection and positive energy.

Meanwhile, Sedona Rouge’s Desert Clay Body Mask uses Red Sedona clay and desert aloe juice. It’s a fabulous way of making the spa treatments unique to your destination and surroundings – putting you back in touch with where you are.

In Sedona especially, even skeptical sorts like me are swept away by the spiritual vibe.

Whatever you want from your spa break, you will find it in either Scottsdale or Sedona: for sprawling space and luxurious lounging, try the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

For something more intimate and less daunting for spa virgins, head to Scottsdale’s Four Seasons spa or Sedona’s Amara Creek. If you feel a bit lazy, try the new Alvadora spa suites in Scottsdale’s Royal Palms Resort and Spa, where therapists come to you. The new rooms there also feature a separate spa facility attached to your luxurious casita, with a European soaking tub and steam shower.

Wherever you stay, the views will be rarely less than stunning. Even if you don’t have the inclination to put on your hiking boots, you can’t fail to be moved by Arizona’s untouched desert beauty.

From chakras to auras, and luxury spas to boutique shops, my memories of Scottsdale and Sedona are of pure, pampered pleasure.

If he goes there again, I’ll wager that Robbie will ditch rehab to find revitalization of an altogether different kind.

Arizona Resorts/ Arizona Travel Deals / Arizona Golf / Spas in AZ

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Spa Vacation Finder –Spa Resort, Day Spa, Medical Spa

Sedona, Arizona is a spectacular place to experience the beauty of the American West. Resorts with spas offer a luxurious Southwestern vacation.

Sedona, Arizona is considered one of the most beautiful spots in American, according to USA Weekend.

Sedona attracts visitors for the beauty of the terrain and the natural, mysterious healing energy of the area. Sedona is an excellent destination for a healing spa retreat. There are excellent resort facilities in Sedona with spas that offer healing spa treatments. Sedona’s spas offer intimate atmospheres with pampering, luxurious amenities. Following are some of the best spa resorts in Sedona, Arizona.

Amara Creekside Resort. Amara is a combination of the Basque words for love and land. Famous Basque revolutionary Guy Diego de Berg fell in love with the magical land that this resort is situated on and named it Amara. Amara Resort & Spa is dedicated to the memory of the martyred revolutionary. Amara Resort states that the goal of the resort is “to create a tranquil and lovely resort that fulfills their love of this magical and spiritual land.” The AAA Four Diamond resort is perched on tranquil Oak Creek in the heart of uptown Sedona.
L’Auberge de Sedona Resort. Luxurious creekside resort enjoys views of the Red Rock vistas.Situated on 11 acres of lush, landscaped grounds, the AAA Four Diamond. resort offers an array of amenities. Accommodations are in 56 guest rooms and in Creekside and Garden Cottages.

The Spa at L’Auberge is an intimate, serene retreat offering rejuvenating and relaxing spa treatments. All treatments use the highest quality products that include plant based essential oils and natural ingredients from L’Occitane, Institut Esthedrem and Elizabeth W.

Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa. Luxury accommodations in a sophisticated setting with design elements that show colorful Mediterranean and North African influences. There are 77 guest rooms with dramatic colors and rich textured fabrics, for a colorful, whimsical atmosphere..

The Spa at Sedona Rouge offers a full range of spa treatments using natural products and essences. Treatments include specialized techniques, such as deep tissue, cranio sacral, energy work or reflexology.

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Sedona Spas / Scottsdale Spas