Sedona is the perfect destination for a quick weekend or a nice long romantic getaway. The small Arizona town is surrounded by the beautiful Red Rocks and is filled with quaint shops, great restaurants, and lots of activities. Tucked away in the center of the town is a fantastic, small, pet-friendly luxury hotel that is the perfect complement to the surrounding area. The El Portal is one of Sedona’s best luxury properties and welcomes both you and your four-legged family.
Categorized somewhere between B&B and Traditional Hotel, El Portal provides it’s guest with a luxury experience combined with all the comforts of home. With each of the 12 guest rooms uniquely designed and decorated, the El Portal feels more like you are checking into a guest house than checking into a hotel. It’s architectural design was praised by “Keep Sedona Beautiful” and the property has been given several awards by the likes of Conde Nast and was also voted the Best Pet Friendly Hotel by USA Today. With accolades like that, it’s no wonder why we had to check it out. When we first arrived at the property we were greeted by this lovely courtyard.
We immediately knew we were in for a treat. Not only was the space open, yet cozy, but it was filled with planters and artwork that made it feel like someone’s large estate.
This feeling was magnified when we stepped into the property’s large open space lobby.
Once again, we were captivated by all the unique decor that went into completing the feel of the space.
The El Portal staff was warm and extremely friendly. We were personally walked to our room and were even given a short tour of all the room’s features. The warmth of the property’s adobe feel continued through the hallways as well.
Lauren found our room absolutely captivating. The bed was decorated with large pieces of driftwood and light cloth to give it an airy and romantic feel.
The real star of the room though, was the giant freestanding bath tub. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing and romantic bubble bath after hiking around and exploring Sedona.
In the evenings, the hotel lights this large fire pit and serves wine or beer, so the guests can mingle and share their stories of the day.
Being surrounded by so much luxury it’s hard to imagine that the hotel is pet friendly, but they absolutely are. Sedona as a whole is a pet friendly town, but El Portal really takes it up a notch. When we arrived we were given a welcome basket for Zoe that featured treats, a toy, and even a blanket for her to snuggle in. If you plan on visiting with your doggie, ask for one of the rooms with an outdoor patio. That way, you can let your pooch out to bask in some of the warm Sedona sun.
Overall, Lauren and I felt like the El Portal Hotel was a solid value for the area and provided a tremendous amount of comfort and luxury for a pet friendly property. The next time we’re in Sedona, we’ll definitely be stopping by for another stay. Zoe wouldn’t have it any other way.
