Mother’s Day 2013 – Concierge Picks for Best Dining!

Mother’s Day. It’s coming. May 12th. Mark it down.

But you knew that already. And you’re pulling out all the stops to show Mom a good time. One way you can let her know she’s the best – and worth the best – is to take her out for a wonderful brunch or dinner at a sumptuous Sedona eatery.

Plenty of places with distinctive menus will be mom-ready. She can enjoy Belgian waffles, prime rib, champagne or a variety of unique menu items on her special day. With a little planning and a reservation, your celebration of mom-ness will be a big hit.

Most area restaurants will be pleased to offer your mother a flower when she makes her entrance. She might hear live music, see an amazing ice sculpture or have a tasty dessert she doesn’t normally allow herself. Whatever she wants. It’s her day.

The Barking Frog, just over a half mile from the hotel, will be serving Mother’s Day brunch, a three course affair with several choices for each course, including dessert, all for $19.95. A mile from the hotel, Dahl and Diluca, home of classic Italian fare served in an Old World atmosphere, is planning special menu items for dinner, and flowers of course.

At Golden Goose, dinner choices, beginning at 3:00 pm, will include specials on salmon with Cajun shrimp sauce, lamb shank, chicken cordon bleu, sea bass and a seafood trio of lobster tail, scallops and shrimp. The Goose is less than a mile from Sedona Real.

Che Ah Chi, situated in a box canyon at the Enchantment Resort, is preparing “Sunday brunch with a twist,” according to their kitchen staff. Think ice sculpture, champagne, and surprises; $69 for adults, $32.50 for children. Che Ah Chi is in the Dry Creek Basin, five miles from the hotel.

Shugrue’s Hillside Grill, boasting magnificent red rock views, will supplement their traditional surf and turf lunch and dinner menus with three specials at each meal, plus flowers. If you visit Mesa Grill, expect some “festive” additions to the regular lunch and dinner offerings. The views there take in almost every major rock formation in the surrounding landscape.

L’Auberge de Sedona will serve Mother’s Day brunch indoors, as well as outdoors on the patio, where some tables are within sight and sound of the creek. They will offer seasonal treats with your mother in mind, and champagne as usual. $85 for adults, $30 for children.

Reservations anywhere are a good idea. Once you’ve made Mother’s Day plans, reset the dial for Father’s Day on June 16th. From steak to swordfish, Sedona restaurants will do dad proud.

For both Mom and Dad, be sure to keep the party going after brunch or dinner. Several local tour companies will offer holiday discounts. Check with Red Rock Jeep for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day specials. Bon appetit.

For accommodations reservations, go to our specials page at Sedonareal.com and get a jump on our best rates! To do some trip planning with Tod and/or Debbie (our concierges) call us anytime at 800-353-1239! They can help you make reservations for all your holidays and special occasion visits here at Sedona Real Inn & Suites.

Blog Contributed by: Tod, Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Summer fun in Sedona!

Sedona offers an abundance of fun activities for families. With over 100 hiking trails, recreation parks, and numerous touring options such as helicopter rides, jeep tours, scenic train excursion, and ATV tours; there are limitless choices to suit your vacation time and budget.

Beautiful Oak Creek meanders through Oak Creek Canyon and the heart of Sedona offering several refreshing swimming areas. The infamous Slide Rock State Park located in Oak Creek Canyon is a nature created water park featuring slippery slides over natural red rock sandstone. Grasshopper Point is another popular swimming hole in Oak Creek Canyon with inviting deep clear pools for an invigorating swim. The scenic Crescent Moon Ranch only minutes from the hotel offers picnic grounds, creek swimming and trails; all with the majestic Cathedral Rock as a backdrop. For a unique evening adventure, plan your visit around the full moon and enjoy a “Moonlight Walk” at Red Rock State Park, also just minutes from Sedona Real Inn.

Events are on-going throughout the summer in Sedona. The annual Sedona Bluegrass festival taking place June 3rd-9th will be showcasing emerging Bluegrass artists from around the USA. July 4th celebrations include a live concert in the park during the day followed by an evening laser light show. Tlaquepaque honors Independence Day on Saturday, July 6th, with their Sizzlin’s Summer Bash. This celebration is a great family event with a BBQ, live music and entertainment for the kids. For a little authentic cowboy action, make plans to participate in the National Day of the Cowboy Celebration on July 27th held in Uptown Sedona, complete with gunfights, roping, music, storytelling and much more. August is peak season for the hummingbird population, and August 2nd-4th, it is celebrated with The Sedona Hummingbird Festival. The festival includes many entertaining and educational presentations and tours of hummingbird hotspots. The summer season comes to a close with the Moonlight Madness Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale August 31st through September 2nd. You can spend the days enjoying great bargains plus entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Wind down your days relaxing in the hotel hot tub or with a refreshing dip in the pool. Our new family park complete with patio area and fire pit, picnic tables and barbeque grill, offers the perfect area for a family picnic and entertaining game of Frisbee.

Take advantage of our summer promotions and spend your summer vacation with us. Stay with us two nights, May 28 through August 15, and save 20%; stay three nights or more and save 25%. The longer you stay, the less you will pay! We look forward to helping you plan the perfect summer vacation!

To make reservations call us at 800-353-1239 or go to sedonareal.com

Blog contributed by: Debbie Dubois – Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Photo Credits:
(Slide Rock Swimmer – Bill85704 on Flickr)

Spring in the Red Rocks!

Here in Sedona, we are blessed with four mild seasons. If you love to hike, you truly appreciate this, because you can hike the same trail in each of the seasons and visually capture a completely different beauty in the red rocks. I am a novice photographer and absolutely love taking pictures and it’s amazing to see what each changing season will hold.
Spring is upon us now and this is the time of year when our red rock country comes to life. Snow melt from the high country fills our pristine Oak Creek and creates waterfalls in the canyons. The shades of the forest evergreens deepen, desert cactuses blossom, wildflowers sprout out of the red earth, and our flowering trees burst with shades of pinks, yellows, whites and reds. From some of the north facing mesas, you are apt to see snow on the San Francisco Peaks outlined in the distant horizon. Top off this kaleidoscope of color with a pristine blue sky and you see perfection.
Spring also offers near perfect temperatures for exploring the back country with cool mornings and mild daytime highs. There is a hike for everybody here in Sedona. Just let us know what you’re up for and we will send you on your way!
Visit our web-site at www.sedonareal.com for our fantastic on-line spring specials!
If you only have one day … Use code NET for a great rate on a one night stay. Rates start at $122.00 through March 14th; March 15th – April 20 rates start at $151.00.
If you can stay longer and enjoy more trails … Use code NETF for a discounted multi-night stay. 17% off 2 nights or more through March 14th; or 17% off 3 nights or more March 15th – April 20.
We look forward to helping you enjoy springtime in Sedona!

Blog Contributed by Debbie at Sedona Real Inn and Suites

Sedona International Film Festival

Join us for this increasingly popular film festival!

“Where Movies Rock” is the theme of this year’s festival. The Sedona International Film Festival is recognized as one of the top festivals in the nation (and named the “Fest to Impress” by MovieMaker Magazine). Out of more than 1,000 films, film screeners chose the very best 159 for the festival. Going into it’s 19th year, the Sedona International Film Festival is sure to fulfill the tastes of movie buffs, independent film lovers and everyone who enjoys a good story!

Subjects presented are as diverse as William Shakespeare to homeless kids in Seattle, a variety of macabre to a nice selection of films with Arizona connections. There will be plenty of actors on hand at the showings and this year, Joan Collins will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The festival starts on Saturday, February 23rd and filling all the venues by Tuesday February 26th. The festival will be in full swing until March 3rd. The interactive film calendar is now available here.

Tickets are available now, but are beginning to sell out for some screenings. Now is the time to make your reservation!

Sedona Real is proud to offer festival goers a 15% discount for any two-night (or more) consecutive stay and we will also provide two movie tickets. Sedona Real makes a perfect home base for this event with our proximity to the main movie theater. You can make your reservation through our complimentary concierge service by calling 800-353-1239 or book this special online at www.sedonareal.com

We look forward to hosting you for this very special event!

Plan your vacation around these Sedona events

There are many reasons to visit Sedona in 2013. Here is a sampling of some of the years most popular events:

February 12th-17th – Chocolate Lover’s Festival on the Verde Canyon Railroad
Add some rails and chocolate to your romantic getaway in the Verde Valley! During the festival a decadent platter of chocolates will be delivered to your table and a chocolate fountain will tempt you to create your own delights! You can also have champagne chilled right at your table to top off the experience. Your sweetheart will love it! Besides these wonderful offerings, watch out for bald eagle sightings along the ride! Truly amazing.

February 23-March 3rd – Sedona International Film Festival
Join us for this increasingly popular festival. We are offering any two-night or more consecutive stay at a 15% discount and we will also provide two movie tickets. “Where Movies Rock” is the theme of this year’s festival. In its 19th season, the Sedona Film Festival is recognized as one of the top festivals in the nation (and named the “Fest to Impress” by MovieMaker Magazine). Sedona Real makes a perfect home base for this event with our proximity to the main movie theater.

March 16, 2013: The 43rd Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival
The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. from uptown Sedona on Jordan Road and proceeds to Mesquite Avenue. After the parade there will be a parade with live entertainment, activities for kids and families, food vendors and a beer garden until 3pm. Come up and celebrate this fun holiday!

July 27, 2013: Sedona’s 9th Annual National Day of the Cowboy Celebration
This will be a really fun event for kids and families! There will be live performances of gunfights, roping, bullwhip cracking, storytelling and historical re-enactments. Listen or dance to live western music. Watch traditional cowboy tradesmen demonstrations and see western art and artists at work.

August 31 – September 2, 2013: Sedona’s 27th Annual Moonlight Madness Street Festival & Sidewalk Sales
On Labor Day weekend, Sedona’s uptown area will turn into a shopping party! Enjoy live music, activities and entertainment for all ages. Plus, there will be great sales in all the shops and plazas. Have fun and get a jump on your Christmas shopping with one-of-a-kind treasures at this three day event!

October 19, 2013: The Sedona Main Street Paint Out
If you are a fan of Sedona’s beauty, you will love this event that kicks off the Sedona Art Center’s Annual Plein Air Art Festival. The artists are challenged to create a painting in 2&1/2 hours right in uptown Sedona. Walk amongst the shops and galleries and watch art take form!

October 31, 2013: Safe & Fun Trick or Treat
Always a fun evening for the little ones! Sedona many uptown shops and galleries host a safe Trick-or-Treat right in the heart of uptown. After the fun, dine at one of the many restaurants and retreat to your cozy suite at Sedona Real Inn!

December 6, 2013: Sedona’s Tree Lighting & Santa Visit
Another great (and free) family event for the holidays. Come and see Santa and our 17ft tree lighting. This event will take place between 5-7pm with free entertainment, activities and music. If you are visiting during this special month, look two other special events: Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Trees and Red Rock Fantasy of Lights.

No matter what time of year you visit, let our concierge staff make all your Sedona reservations. Please visit our Specials Page to view the hotel’s most recent offerings or call us at 800-353-1239 today!