Amara Resort & Spa
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
100 Amara LnSedona, AZ 86336
(928) 282-4828
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
69 reviews for Amara Resort & Spa
Review Highlights
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"Dine at the local restaurant and see the red rocks." In 7 reviews -
"...serene, peaceful and the walks along Oak Creek are romantic." In 7 reviews -
"The room was spacious and very comfortable." In 4 reviews
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69 reviews in English
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Review from Sonia C.
4/27/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Stayed here while they were going through renovation so there was no pool and no gym. If you go to breakfast here, you're also treated to a pretty view of the red rocks and the big hole where the pool once was.
However, service and accommodations were very nice. The rooms are clean, the towels plentiful, and toiletries were above average. I especially liked the unlimited Crystal Geyser water they make available for guests. The only complaint I have with the space is that the walls and floors are very thin - so I could hear my neighbor's children screaming through the walls at 7am.
They offer a daily complimentary yoga class to guests. Be sure to sign up a day or 2 in advance as the classes are often full if you try to sign up the night before. -
Review from Quinton F.
Cleveland, OH
3/31/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This place blew us away. We were worried due to the reno that was going on at the time of our stay, but the staff was sure to pre-notify and the work was limited to 9-5 on weekdays. What really blew us away was the service. They were very accommodating and responsive, especially in light of the event we planned. The fee is well earned as it includes valet, shuttle to nearby stores, use of sauna and hot tub, etc.
I would suggest a creek-side view, as the option to start and end your day to the sounds and view by the creek is well worth it. It's also away from the renovation project. The spa is also well worth their rates, and you can get a discount by booking in advance. -
Review from Adrian S.
2/15/2012
I was really looking forward to staying at the Amara as a little treat for myself, so had expectations.
Sadly, I found the Amara a little lack-lustre. I think I was just unlucky as they were in the middle of upgrading the outdoor patio area which was really what appealed to me, having seen the images on their website.
However, I totally understand that this work has to be done some time and it was out-of-season after all. I did receive a warning that this work was going on, but only after I had booked and paid.
The hotel has one very valuable asset, Roland the Room Manager. Roland is a charming fellow and could not have been more helpful. Every time he passed me throughout my staff, he greeted me by name.... impressive.
The $20 compulsory daily fee rubs me up the wrong way a bit. Again, I was told that this was the situation in advance but if it is compulsory, why have it separated from the room rate? it just irritates folk unnecessarily.
The Valet staff I found very efficient and friendly too.
I would like to have experienced the Amara with the patio area completed as this was the main attraction for me, -
Review from alessa m.
Los Angeles, CA
5/24/2012
I have stayed here multiple times and have never been disjointed. Staff is always friendly and professional, they act like they are truly glad you are there. Rooms are always spotless and you feel like you are the first person who slept in that bed. It is a quaint hotel, near the creek so it automatically feels relaxing. I have eaten at the restaurant for breakfast, dinner, and happy hour.. the spring rolls are amazing! Cocktails are strong by perfectly made. One time at breakfast there was a shortage of waiters, but they didn't let it show.
Overall, highly recommended. You will pay a "resort fee" when booking, but who wants to stay at a hotel when you stay at a resort? -
Review from Stan W.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't normally write reviews on hotels but I'd like to officially say that I AMORE, "Amara" Resort and Spa!
The Amara's website doesn't specify it but it is dog friendly which is the main reason we decided to come here during our stay in Sedona. Amara had a great staff that was very courteous and friendly. The valet guys were hustling back and forth to retrieve cars as well as driving the shuttle around town to drop off and pick up hotel guests. The maids were very pleasant and did a great job everyday cleaning our room. Everyone said hi to our dog as we walked him around the grounds.
The courtyard grounds and the pool was kept in great shape and was always clean. Our room wasn't spacious but it was roomy enough because we weren't spending all day in there.
There seems to be some polarizing reviews from Yelpers about Amara. Maybe because the prices aren't cheap (by Sedona standards) and thus their expectations are higher. We happen to get a great deal on our 4 nights (much better than prices in California) so maybe that's why our expectations were met/exceeded. My wife and I had a great experience at Amara and would definitely consider staying here again during our next visit to Sedona. -
Review from R C.
San Diego, CA
1/1/2012
The hotel is tucked away behind the better hotels in the area and guests must pay a mandatory $20 resort fee for each day's stay at the Amara Resort & Spa. We were not given this information until check in.
The valets were charming and great, but the night attendant Elliott who worked the front desk was in a lousy mood. We were the last to check in since we drove 16 hours to get to Sedona and were given the only room available (a handicapped-ready room). My patience's was thin, but it was understandable since the hotel was 100% booked. Elliott still had a chip on his shoulder he did not smile, shook his head and seemed annoyed at the loud, yipping dogs that were locked in a room behind the reservation desk. Our experience at the front desk was a bad first impression and we drove 16 hours to get to the Amara in Sedona - all with high hopes of a nice stay.
The room is located on the first floor near a busy walk-through and since it was a busy night guests passed by our room and could be heard through the thin walls and doors. Bear in mind that the walls are thin, you will hear the guests in the room above and their footsteps resonate through your room. You will also hear bathroom noises from the room above, too.
The size of our room was decent, but the one we were given was also located in a work space for the hotel's workers which created traffic noise from guests, housekeeping and maintenance. If you are given room 101 ask for another. Do not take this room.
I showered and used the handicapped-ready shower. The water flooded the bathroom floor. I called the front desk and it was Elliott who was in a lousy mood on the phone, and asked to have the bathroom clean of water. He came to our room, looked at the towels sopping up the the water, rolled his eyes, shook his head, left and came back to clean the flooding and wet towels.
The shower was made to be accessible and there was no shelf to place toiletries. I asked him if there was anything that I could use to place my shower items and he laughed at me and shook his head, again!
I told him that I felt uncomfortable and that I understand that the hotel is fully booked, but he needed to work on his customer service skills. Elliott said that he was spread thin, he didn't know what to do and that there was nothing that could be done then he snorted, shook his head again and rolled his eyes, again. Bad customer service. Elliott should not be working at the front desk or in a guest relations position.
Check into a better hotel. -
Review from James H.
Dallas, TX
4/6/2012
Bait & switch to the max. I drove 2.5 hours to come to a resort and spa, lay out by the pool, enjoy the gym... Spa... None of these things are hardly options. This is a old rundown hotel going through a renovation, the jacuzzi is an above ground whirlpool in the dirt. The pool is a concrete construction zone, tiles are cracked, and the view on the key, the website, are all fake Photoshop renderings that are completely inaccurate. The worst part... We were overcharged, and never told about the construction. Very pleasant valet staff, that's about... It.
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Review from Jasmine G.
Mesa, AZ
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice hotel. They were tearing up the courtyard and pool, which unfortunately was right outside our room. There was no noise, but our view was ruined. The rooms are very nice and the staff is very accommodating. Be careful walking down the hill--I fell and hurt myself pretty badly!
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Review from Deanna H.
Salt Lake City, UT
1/10/2012
I may just have become a massage snob, but even though the facilities were nice, and everyone was pleasant, I really just wanted a fantastic massage for the price charged and got an OK one instead. I have a membership to Massage Envy, and so, when I pay more, I expect to have an experience at least as good. (Not that I haven't also had so-so massages at Massage Envy.)
The massage therapist is really what determines the experience...because, if the massage was great, less-than facilities would be easily overlooked. But this time it was the massage that fell short. My therapist wore gloves (apparently to cover some cuts on her hands) which felt weirdly impersonal, a bit like condoms on her hands, and also, she spoke to me about non-massage related topics during the massage. Although I will respond, I just don't like to be distracted with small talk. Over all, I felt the energy of the massage fell short too. I walked out feeling like, "Why did I do that?"
I would try other spas before returning to Amara. And please keep in mind...I am picky. I feel a massage should be an hour of bliss on the table with my eyes closed, and nothing less. period. -
Review from Regeana J.
Glendale, AZ
3/25/2012
This place was perfect! Nice room, super friendly staff. Very nice restaurant (we did breakfast as well as a 3 course dinner). Perfect location right on the creek/ river (it's a big creek!), which is nice to walk along and very accessible. Jet tub in the room, walk out patio. Best bed ever!! The pool was under construction but it's too cold to swim anyways :)
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Review from K C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/12/2011
Stayed here recently and what stood out for me was the attentiveness of the staff. From the front desk, the maids, and the valet guys, everyone was helpful and always made an effort to greet us with smiles.
Had a massage at the spa, which was great, and again the staff was very personable. I also loved that they carry/use Hylunia products.
As far as the room, the beds are really comfortable and I found the room to be satisfactory. The only downfall is that the doors, even though they are quite heavy, do nothing to block out noise. Both nights I was awoken by loud guests in the middle of the night.
Would definitely stay here again. -
Review from Brett B.
10/9/2011
If you complain about this place, you are too spoiled.
The staff was totally on the ball - connected to each other by headsets, they are always one step ahead of you. And friendly to boot. Comfy Simmons mattresses, good towels, good breakfasts. We got there via a Travelzoo deal. Free yoga in the mornings, free bottled water, free rides from the front door to nearby locations. Nice grounds, art, lobby, etc. It seems that a great deal of care was put into every aspect of the Amara, which makes staying there a very pleasant experience.
Spa:
Great massage, but that was just one part of the experience. Everything was very clean. The changing room was decked out with amenities, including very nice robes and a plethora of towels, shave gel, lotions, etc. Then you get to spend some time before and after the massage in the relaxation room, which was indeed very relaxing. Citrus-infused water, fruit, and nuts ad libitum. Nice, interesting books to flip through. I spent almost an hour there just relaxing. Then I hit the steam room, which was very refreshing, and topped it off with a shower and shave. I felt like a new man. -
Review from Tin N.
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you stay here for at least 1 night, there is a mandatory $20 per night fee on top of whatever price you booked online, phone, etc. If you stay here for at least 2 nights, there is a mandatory $50 per night fee on top of the $20 and on top of whatever price you booked online, phone, etc. So if you're staying here for 3 nights, you will be paying $160 + [whatever you booked x 3]. You cannot refuse these services. If you do, they will refund your original reservation (good luck finding another hotel in the area at 11pm).
I specifically asked before making reservations if there are other mandatory fees in addition to the reservations. They flatly told me no. I've stayed at 3, 3.5, 4.5, and 5 star hotels throughout the country before that do not engage in this type of unethical business practices.
Aside from that issue, I do feel that this hotel is overrated. Google Navigation does not have the correct location on its database. I called throughout the hour, starting at 10pm and they only picked up on the 6th call (I evenly spaced my calls out every 10 minutes). They told me where to go, said valet service would be waiting out for me in the front, and someone would help me with my bags.
When I arrived, no valet service was available. I carried my luggage to the concierge where two available employees watched me struggle through the door with my luggage and photography gear (without lifting a finger). The employee at the desk who checked me in was not polite and interrupted me 3 times while I was talking (I'm not a rapid, big talker).
I called next morning 3 times for room service without anybody answering the phone. For a place that markets itself as an upscale resort & spa, I was grossly disappointed. I'll admit that the rooms and lobby look very nice, but the service is dismal. Google reviews gave this place 2/5 stars. Yelp gave this place 4/5 stars. =T -
Review from J R.
North Las Vegas, NV
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had always wanted to try a hot stone massage, and after my first one I think I'll ALWAYS go for it. My mother in law and I both went for a bit of relaxation while the boys were fishing and boy was it perfect. I had Ben, she had Kim and we were both very thrilled with the experience. When we arrived we were showed the locker area with showers, lockers, steam room and once changed we were shown a relaxing area to wait to be called by our masseuse. In this room there was a variety of fruit and teas, as well as some fruit fresh water.
When we were leaving the lady at the front desk offered to have a guy on a golf cart take us back to our villa, as we were staying next door and it is a pretty steep walk up the hill:) -
Review from Victoria C.
Seattle, WA
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh em gee. This place was FANTASTIC. What a wonderful place to stay and relax after a 20 mile hike in the Grand Canyon.
PROS:
1. Superb service. Valet parking, bellhop, friendly front desk people. And they let us check in two hours early! We entered our room and the lamps were all lit and the TV on with the local TV station playing.
2. Great location. Right outside the Red Rocks. Look out your window and see the red rocks. Dine at the local restaurant and see the red rocks. Swim in the pool or relax in the hot tub and see the red rocks.
3. Great rooms. Everything is clean, lush, white, etc.
4. Free bottled water and Sbux coffee in the room.
5. Fantastic restaurant with free, live music and good food.
6. Great price (if you're a triple A member--only $125 a night!)
CONS:
1. Minus one star just because it might be on the spendy side if you're not getting a discounted rate.
But still an amazing, surreal, magical feeling when you stay here.
I highly recommend staying here if you're staying in Sedona! -
Review from David W.
Phoenix, AZ
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife and I came here two years ago and LOVED it.
We still like it a lot but it's not as nice nor as nice of a value as it used to be.
We got the basic room like we did the previous time. Last time, nice terri cloth robes but not anymore. Mini-bar no longer there. Just an empty fridge which is fine I guess.
All in all a nice place but just not what it used to be. -
Review from Sossy B.
Somerville, MA
1/19/2012
Overall, a fabulous stay. Highlights included fab spa treatments - seaweed body mask? papaya facial? deep tissue rub down? citrus infused water? yes, please. Other nice perks included a very courteous staff and access to a fitness center and daily free yoga class. It was also quite quiet (we stayed on the creek side). Slight downsides: not immensely clean in the common areas, and hundred rox for b-fast didn't knock my socks off in any way shape or form. Great location right in Sedona, and because it's tucked in the side of a mountain, you get a great butt workout every time you need to retrieve the car (unless you're a lazy ass and use the valet).
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Review from Allie M.
Tucson, AZ
9/30/2011
I spent a weekend here for my sister's wedding. I think all the love and champagne made it seem like a great hotel experience but now that the weekend has worn off I can see some flaws.
Upon checking in, some of the rooms and the number of beds were mixed up. It took almost an hour to straighten it out. The night valet got all of the keys mixed up so I had to come identify my keys the next morning (and every time I wanted to drive somewhere). The last day there, we ate breakfast at their restaurant, worst service ever! I ordered the steel cut oats and requested soy milk instead of regular milk and fresh berries instead of sugar coated apples. You'd think I had asked for the moon. They messed up several other orders from my family, giving my aunt with celiacs an entire plate of toast, bagels and english muffins... the orange juice finally arrived as we were paying the check. The oatmeal I ordered wasn't cooked all the way and the raspberries were covered in mold. It was a rough start to the day to say the least...
On the plus side, the bathrooms are pretty large, and clean, the beds are very comfy. Also, the staff (with the exception of the restaurant waiter) were very nice and polite.
I will definitely try a different hotel/resort on my next trip to Sedona. -
Review from Steve W.
Salt Lake City, UT
1/13/2012
Only went to the spa. Nice, above average facilities. Very average massage and service, however.
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Review from Christopher D.
Troy, IL
3/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Noisy! Don't get a room on the ground floor unless you are a SOUND sleeper. Could hear every foot step from above.
We were also put-out by a broken shower head, and the check-out clerk agreed to a particular discount and gave a us a receipt for $189 for our one night. However, the bank statement showed the original $199. Just a minor thing really, and in defense of this establishment my critical view of this place would probably have been more favorable if the weather had been good; we got cold, overcast, rainy weather, instead of the usual sunshine Sedona is known for.
On the upswing, the decor is nice. Rooms were clean. Moreover, the outdoor jacuzzi was also clean. Service and food were pleasing, but the place was slightly pretentious and over-priced. Location is prime, and the view out the back is as grand as the website picture portrays.
My advice, stay here if you can negotiate a better price, get a room on the top floor, and hit it right with the weather.
Christopher from St. Louis -
Review from Pilar D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Caveat that we were here on Memorial Day weekend. And there were weddings and wedding rehearsals outside.
http://Hotels.com erred and failed to tell Amara that they were suppose to book us a room with two double-beds. So we had one king bed. We called Amara to see if they could make some changes but they were booked for the weekend. Since we were all girls, we made it work. And despite the wedding-related activities outside our patio (which died down by early evening) and just the number of guests that weekend, it was still pretty quiet.
With the exception of the room issue, what I liked about Amara was that they were very accommodating and they have GREAT staff. Everyone seemed genuinely nice and helpful. Very, very friendly. We all felt very comfortable and almost at home. Kudos to the pool waiter who informed us about Relaxation Hour drink specials. He came by often enough to check. So, my sisters and I chilled by the pool for awhile and enjoyed the delicious drinks. I can't remember exactly what I had but it was Dragon-something. I highly recommend it. They definitely do not skimp on the alcohol but it was perfectly flavorful.
If it weren't for the activities we had planned, I could've stayed in bed all day. So. Very. Comfortable. The linen must have a million thread counts.
The spa. Oh. Em. Gee. The best massage I have ever had. I had the Relaxation Massage and it was so awesome I just passed out. These people know what they are doing. My sisters had the same massage and they both walked out looking completely relaxed and amazed at the same time. We hung out at the spa for awhile and took advantage of the eucalyptus steam room and the lounge area. It was so relaxing and everyone was so nice that it was very difficult to get up and leave.
If you are looking for a relaxing resort, I recommend Amara. Nice, comfortable room and great staff. -
Review from Susan J.
Cave Creek, AZ
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I needed a retreat from the city and this was a great place. I took the golden and headed to Sedona. This was what the doctor ordered. The hotel staff were very friendly and accommodating to me and the pooch. The bed was very comfortable with starbucks coffee in room.
The restaurant has a great happy hour and the music of Anthony Mazzella made it an extremely enjoyable evening.
I wish I would have made more time to visit the spa, I will be back. -
Review from Annie D.
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decent accommodations? Yes. Luxuriously high prices? Yes. Luxurious resort? Nope.
The good:
-Creekside
-Gorgeous views from most of the rooms. We woke up to snow-dusted red rock right out our window.
-Right downtown in Sedona
-Free shuttle up the giant hill
-Free yoga in the mornings
-Spa on-site
-Free WiFi
-Hot tub and salt water pool
-Nicely decorated, modern rooms
-You can borrow movies from downstairs, but the selection is pretty laughable. We found the 40-Year Old Virgin to be the only acceptable choice.
-The restaurant and bar looked nice, but we didn't get a chance to try it.
The not-so-good:
-A bit run down in some ways. We saw a few of buckets in the corridors collecting water from leaky ceilings. The hot tub wasn't working when we arrived.
-The TV was on when we entered our room. That was weird.
-Service. Every time we asked about things in Sedona, we were given kind of "Um, Cowboy Club?" answers.
-Closing times. This is the case in all of Sedona, but a hotel bar/restaurant should stay open past 9:00 p.m., right? Room service, even? We would have literally gone hungry had we not found a crappy diner open 'til 11 p.m.
-Someone next door to us ordered chicken wings (before 9 p.m., I guess) and the bones were sitting out in the hall uncovered for about 20 hours.Listed in: Arizona Trip!
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Review from Sara N.
San Diego, CA
2/16/2012
Everything from the time we checked in at the Amara, to the time we checked out was very seamless. When we checked in, we felt very welcomed by friendly staff, and our room was set up with lights and music on waiting for us, which we thought was a great touch.
We were already aware of the resort fee which is $20 per night, which includes several amenities that we used throughout our stay. Included in the $20 is a daily morning yoga class, (which was awesome) and acces to their spa's relaxation & steam rooms. We felt like royalty being able to relax after yoga at the spa.
A few other nice touches that we took advantage of at the Amara are: Starbucks coffee in the room, free dvd rentals, dvd players in the rooms, nice patio with small chairs to relax and enjoy the view, a computer station in the lobby, complimentary internet/ wifi throughout the hotel, and nice jacuzzi hot tub.
In addition, they even granted our request to bring a microwave up to our room so that we could heat up our leftovers.
In summary, the Amara was the perfect couples getaway for us, and also in walking distance to Uptown Sedona. Give Amara a try if you are looking for a relaxing retreat. -
Review from Nina C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2010
Pros:
Clean, newly decorated rooms
Good sound proofing and comfy beds
Lush landscaping
Complimentary breakfast buffet with a wide variety of choices
Good, smooth coffee!
Friendly staff
Free DVDs to check out
Free parking
Free morning yoga (I did not try out the class though)
Located centrally to downtown Sedona
Stream side access to Oak Creek
Cons:
Service at breakfast was painfully slow (the breakfast is self-serve, but the drinks are not, so expect to wait around for coffee or anything else you may need for a very long time)...servers were just fine, but they seemed overwhelmed/understaffed
The gym was tiny and outfitted with outdated fitness equipment (two treadmills, one stationary bike, one mat, some free weights that were way too heavy for me -- 20lbs and up -- and a lousy universal weight station)
They never replaced our toiletries
Our room wasn't made up until the mid-afternoon on most days
Tricky parking structure to navigate
Our stay was fine, but I expected a higher level of service for a place touting itself as a luxury resort. We will pick another resort or hotel for our next trip to Sedona. -
Review from Marilyn P.
Phoenix, AZ
9/13/2010
I love the Amara and after spending labor day weekend here, I did not want to go back to Phoenix. Amara is in uptown Sedona right off 89A but because it is situated near the creek, you feel like you are removed from civilization and on a relaxing retreat. The Amara offers a romantic ambiance and the views were picturesque. You can take walks along the creekside, and find comfortable benches and tables with flowers situated along the path.
The room we stayed in was super clean (cleanest hotel bathroom) and the beds were very comfortable (memory foam mattress topper). All their rooms have a nice size patio or balcony with cute bistro sets. Contrary to other reviews, I found the staff to be helpful and friendly. They have an electric cart shuttle service that we took advantage of for our nightly outings, which was convenient.
We will be back to another relaxing retreat at the Amara. -
Review from Raina D.
Henderson, NV
7/12/2011
The only place I stay in Sedona. Beds are so comfy, rooms are immaculate. Live music at the bar next to the pool. And you can walk out of your room and into the creek. Surreal.
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Review from Brittony J.
Tempe, AZ
9/26/2011
I decided to stay here with my boyfriend while we were in Sedona on vacation. I booked a king bed creekside suite for three days. My GPS led us the wrong way and we probably wouldn't have found it if I hadn't been looking around and saw a sign for it. It's right in the middle of a busy part of Sedona which was very nice. I like the fact that the hotel will drive you in one of their little golf carts anywhere within .5 miles. They are pet friendly but didn't allow pets in the creekside suites which was unfortunate.
The king bed creekside suite was huge! The views from the room were amazing. I loved the jacuzzi tub in our bathroom. They also had free bottled water in the room which was very nice.
They had a cute little water feature on the path next to the pool. I thought it was nice that they had live music at night at the restaurant. We didn't eat on the patio at the restaurant (we ate inside because the music was a bit loud outside) but it seemed like a very pretty place to eat.
Cons:
There was a dead end walkway right next to two of the patio doors which I didn't think was too safe. At one point I was laying in the bed and looked up only to see a couple standing right there in front of the doors...completely freaked me out.
No 24 hour room service (or even late night room service). Pretty much everything closes early (9pm).
When I dialed the room service button on the phone it connected me to some restaurant that isn't even affiliated with Amara anymore.
They seem to be understaffed. We had to call several times to get plates and silverware and room service or even just the front desk. Many times they would connect us to the wrong place. The valet guy had us park our own car because they were so busy...and again understaffed.
The patio furniture is not comfortable (it was black iron). Spending time on the patio didn't seem too enjoyable on uncomfortable furniture.
The televisions were small compared to almost all the hotels/resorts I've stayed in.
They don't offer movies on demand. They have a dvd player and dvds that you can borrow but the dvds are pretty laughable (and not in a good way).
The toiletries weren't replaced the first day...we called down the next day and had them replace them.
I thought it was kind of unusual that they didn't have a mini bar in the room (they did have an empty mini fridge which came in handy).
The relaxation room in the spa isn't all that relaxing. It's located right next to the women's and men's locker rooms which is pretty typical but the walls must be really thin because I could hear everything that the women in the locker room were saying.
The pool is something you would see at a Holiday Inn. Not the type of pool I expect from a "resort".
There was no ramp to our building which I thought was really unusual. The bell hop ended up having to carry all our luggage to and from the room. -
Review from Gina W.
Tolleson, AZ
12/9/2008
I started regretting booking this place before I even got there. our google-maps directions took us totally off on a tangent, way down 89A south. it was 1 in the morning, and we'd just driven 2 and a half hours from Tempe...so, I called the front desk, and the woman who answered was snippy with me, had the worst attitude and tone while redirecting me. I mean, seriously...I'm a paying guest, paying $175 per night, and you treat me like that? we were obviously tired, lost, and since Sedona is in the middle of nowhere, we had quite clearly come a long way. at a resort like that, you'd better be a freaking ATLAS if I want you to be.
*sigh* okay, so we arrived at the hotel about 15 minutes later, we headed to our room, and around 1:30 I started hearing voices and the noise of something heavy and hard being dragged over concrete and rocks. now, it didn't help that the walls(and, I guess, the windows) were paper-thin, but all the way until 2:15, we heard these noises, grating on my nerves, until I stuck my head outside and asked what was up. turns out, these maintenance guys were dismantling and moving a table out...AT 2 IN THE MORNING! what the hell?
and then there was the room itself. the TV was, at the most, 25", a box TV at that. when we stayed at the Scottsdale Resort, we payed $140 per night, and got a flat screen, high-def, 50 inch TV. oh! and we didn't have a single view of the red rocks, when their website boasts them being "nestled in the red rocks of Sedona, overlooking Oak Creek"...yea, our room 'overlooked' a gutter filled with water and leaves.
the only reason this place gets any stars at all is its restaurant, Hundred Rox. we had dinner there on Sunday night, and it was wonderful. Jamie ordered the butternut squash tortelloni with duck confit and walnuts...absolutely to-die-for...the duck was succulent, slightly sweet, the cubed squash were tender, well seasoned, and the pureed squash tasted like sweet butter...perfect!
I had my usual sort of salad, with apples, strong bleu cheese, and spiced, glazed pecans...I actually added some of the duck confit from Jamie's tortelloni to the salad, and it meshed quite well...
for dessert, we had the fig-and-ricotta cannolis, and we bought a half bottle of some lovely Tuscan wine, and sat out by the fire pit, enjoying everything...the manager was cleaning up on the empty patio area, and we made friendly conversation(turns out he's from NY, too!), and he even opened our wine for us with his own corkscrew, since we couldn't get the hang of the one the bartender had given us...our server, Candy, was also lovely and attentive during dinner...
so...eat here! don't stay here, unless you pay $300 for a creekside room. this place'll milk you for all you've got. -
Review from Melissa P.
Boston, MA
3/8/2010 2 photos
My boyfriend and I just returned from our first trip to Sedona and we're still raving about our hotel experience at Amara. It is such a serene yet modern place, tucked off the main street down a little hill. We spent a lot of time at the hotel, probably more than I usually like to when I'm on vacation, but there was just so much good stuff going on here! Yoga every morning, followed by an awesome buffet-style breakfast with gorgeous views of the red rocks, a little workout room with everything you need, a cute jacuzzi and pool that we somehow always had to ourselves, a spa ready to pamper us, and complimentary bottles of water at the front desk for whenever we wanted one. Add all that to staff greeting us everywhere we went, ready with great restaurant recommendations, driving directions, help carrying our bags, or a lift up the hill to walk around town.
As if that isn't enough to make me rave about this place, they had a star gazing night at their sister property Auberge! How cool is that?? The guy leading the star gazing lesson was so good. I really feel like he was a teacher, a very cool one who knew how to break things down into analogies and every day situations so we had a better sense of what was really going on in the sky.
If you're staying at Amara, make sure to take advantage of all these things. The room itself is fine (actually the linens are super nice and the shower head in the bathroom is pretty cool), but it's all these little extras that make the hotel stand out as one of the best I've ever experienced.Listed in: Why I Love Arizona
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Review from Cassandra S. K.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/16/2008
This was a nice resort. My hubby and I stayed here for my sister-in-law's wedding. The check in was carefree and fast, and they still held our room for us although we arrived at 2AM. The service was awesome. The valet was very fast and helpful, and of course without a charge. The maids were awesome too. We couldn't have them make our room because we were getting ready for a wedding, but I asked for some towels and a bottle of shampoo. The maid brought in a whole new set of towels and a new set of toiletries.
The bathroom was... top notch =) We've stayed at many different hotels together be4, but we've never seen a two people whirlpool tub. I had a bath bubble bar, and the whole bath became a kiddy play. teehee. Use your imagination. =P
I have to say that the lobby restaurant was meh. After having breakfast here, we said no breakfast here again. Even the coffee was pretty bad.
One more downside was, we saw lots of interesting fees added to our bill. I've never heard of a resort fee. Why can't they just include it in the room fee so people can see how much it actually costs to stay there? -
Review from Runt T.
Park La Brea, CA
9/6/2008 4 photos
I was really impressed with this hotel for the way they tried to serve their guests. I came here for my bday and while waiting for our car was making casual conversation w/ the valet. When he found out it was my bday he arranged for a bottel of red wine (he asked our preferrence for red or white) to be sent to our room. It was a delicious 2003 Cambria Pinot Noir. Very very thoughtful.
The spa offers daily yoga which was really more of an exercise in intense stretching but still a nice relaxing pace. The grounds and facility are very compact and although advertised as off-set from the main road, it's really in the heart of the main strip.
If you are arriving late, be sure to eat before you get there. We got in at 11pm and the restuarant (Rox) was no longer serving food or alcohol so we had to call for a very romantice order of Domino's pizza. All in all an enjoyable stay... but a word of caution re the restuarant. They do no know what a mimosa is. I had to explain it to the bartender (some young kid) who ended up giving me practically all OJ and a few drops of champagne... but he tried though. -
Review from Brian S.
Phoenix, AZ
9/12/2009
Sedona is one of my favorite spots in the state. I go there for romantic weekends, relaxing getaways, and indulgent enjoyment. If you just need to get some fresh air, sunshine, and an eyeful of gorgeous scenery, Sedona's where you want to be.
Amara is a great place to stay. It's centrally located in uptown Sedona. But since it's down in the creek valley, it has a nicely secluded feel that really adds to the relaxation factor. It's got a very stylish, modern decor that's still warm and welcoming. The grounds are beautiful, and the rooms have balconies and patios to enjoy the views. The rooms are clean and spacious, with walk-in closets, comfortable beds, and big bathrooms.
Their spa is clean, soothing, and well-staffed. Try the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage to really unwind and soothe those tired muscles.
Amara's restaurant (Hundred Rox) was a little disappointing. Eating outside by the fire pit and enjoying the stars was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed their Gorgonzola puff appetizer. The salad was one of the best I've had. But the steak and portobello mushroom entree didn't live up to the rest of the meal. I was also a little disappointed that they didn't offer room service - I'd been looking forward to dessert and a drink in my room after a little reading.
Parking is okay. There's a lot just up the hill with some covered parking, which you drive past to reach the front desk. After driving two hours and waiting through weekend Sedona traffic, I'd have appreciated valet parking and some help with my luggage. -
Review from Dan W.
Washington, DC
10/28/2007
The Amara is a very good resort. My partner and I were there for his Birthday as well as New Year's Eve. Sedona itself is spectacular and I can not think of a more wonderful and spiritual place to bring in another year or to celebrate a Birthday!!
The resort had a spa which I did not have a chance to check out. The Hotel is located about 100 yards from the man drag, it is very quiet situated next to a beautifully tranquil relaxing stream. I liked out room which was in the front of the property, although I think the rooms toward the rear would be better.
The resort went out of its way to help me make my partner's Birthday special. They arranged for his favorite gingerbread gourmet cake to be baked by one of the best bakeries in Sedona and to be delivered while we were having dinner at their fabulous restaurant, which I must say is exceptional for breakfast as well as dinner. They also helped me to plan his Birthday surprise, a guided tour of the Grand Canyon. All of these arrangements were made before we arrived. Incredibly cool!!
My dislikes were the work out room was so small and very inadequate for a resort of this scale. The pool, although it was salt water, very nice, was very small. I felt like the resort was still trying to figure itself out, since it had only be open for a short time.
Overall, we had a very pleasant experience. Who knows, we may give it another try:-)! -
Review from Jen W.
Redwood City, CA
6/26/2007
Another wonderful resort in Sedona AZ. Set amongst the beautiful red rocks this hotel is situated about 100 yards off the main road, but is still quiet and private. There is a pretty stream that runs at the back of the hotel. There is a beautiful courtyard that is perfect for small weddings.
We stayed here for the Sedona 1/2 Marathon in February. The weather was perfect and our room was plenty spacious for 3 girls. We did not eat at the hotel restaurant so I cannot review the food.
The staff was pleasant, friendly and extremely helpful. This hotel is worth the cost. -
Review from stacey a.
Pasadena, CA
11/23/2011
4 1/2 stars. The room was great, the grounds were great, the front desk and valet were personable and professional. I loved yoga with Blair, which was free and a great way to start the day. The food at the restaurant was good and the service was a little creepy (that kind of overfriendly that comes off as fake) but attentive. I'd absolutely stay here again.
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Review from ayako n.
Culver City, CA
11/30/2009
I stayed at this hotel for four nights during my Thanksgiving weekend. It was my first visit to Sedona or Arizona.
The resort was very easy to find, right off the main strip of Sedona. We found a parking right upfront.
The service at Front desk is available 24/7 and breakfast every morning, yoga class at 8am, use of steamroom at the spa are all included for just $20 fee. I went to yoga class every morning, all the instructors for yoga class were superb. They offer almost brand new clean yoga mat and blanket there. The window of meditation room which class is held is overlooking the Rock and amazing yoga experience.
Breakfast was wonderful, too. Eggs, maple smoke bacon, potatoes, sausage, waffle, pastries, bread, cereal, fruit, yogurt, orange juice, appe juice, tea, coffee, honey butter... hearty breakfast before hiking! You can sit in our out and have wonderful view of Cathedral Rock.
Creek in the back is so amazingly peaceful and many ducks there. There are some chairs and table, so you can enjoy reading, having a cup of coffee, or just relax.
We went to Jacuzzi everynight and water temperature was perfect and there were plenty of towels by the pool. We borrowed the bathrobe from the spa for the duration of our stay.
If you ever need a ride, the spa has a golfcart that will give you a ride to anywhere on the mainstreet. We walked, since the spa is just right off the main street.
For Thanksgiving dinner, we had a three course Thanksgiving dinner at The Hundred Rox, the restaurant at the spa. Everything was great and good service.
Everyone at the spa is super friendly and pleasant. They trully helped me to have the best vacation and I will definately come back again. -
Review from Erin S.
Hoboken, NJ
2/22/2011
The spa services were fantastic! My boyfriend and I had a 90 minute couples massage (scheduled the same day!), and it was amazing- the best massages we've ever had! Ben worked on me, and Honora got my bf. The spa facilities were great- steamrooms, showers, comfy robes and sandals. We were not dosapppointed! Thank you Amara Spa!!!!!
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Review from M K.
Palo Alto, CA
7/25/2009
This was the third time I stayed at the Amara and was so disappointed that my one time fave was now a huge let down. The grounds are still gorgeous and convenient to uptown but the sloppy service and lack of amenities really makes this place not worth it.
We arrived at Amara on a Monday around 6 pm. The guy at the desk gave the impression that our arrival was an inconvenience to him - less than welcoming. Once checked in we were told our bags would be brought to our room by the bell boy. Fast forward 30 minutes and no bags so my husband went down and just walked off with the luggage. No one followed up later to ask if we had taken our bags so technically all our belongings could have been taken by anyone. The air conditioning rattled all night and the next morning we requested our room to be changed.
So that day we go to the spa and have awesome massages. My husband was really excited to use the steam room but much to his dismay found a cockroach in the room. He said if it was dead he would have just overlooked it and stayed but it scampered towards him and he promptly left. We left the spa to our new room and found that the new room didn't have the jacuzzi tub that our first room had. I was really upset as I was looking forward to a nice soak in the tub and couldn't believe that we had been DEMOTED a room because of a problem in the first. Shouldn't it be the other way around? But we were so annoyed we just kept the room.
Other small issues abounded like our key cards not working twice, no robes in the room even though you purport to be a resort & spa, no more Aveda products, and running out of coffee at breakfast, and NEVER having valet or luggage service (no one was ever around) despite the $20 resort fee that was supposed to cover all that. Oh and the irony of having a non-smoking resort and a $400 fine yet the construction workers (working next door at the sister resort) walking around the grounds smoking.
I really want to like this place but your money is better spent staying at the Enchantment (amazing location) or the Hilton (great amenities). -
Review from Donna W.
San Mateo, CA
10/6/2009
From the pictures on Amara's website, their hotel looks beautiful and serene. However, when I arrived there, I found their staff rude and unprofessional and made my stay very un-enjoyable and un-palatable.
Right after we checked in, I had an additional question to see if we can request a room with a view. The receptionist (Laurie) made me wait 15 minutes while she serviced other guests before telling "no" they do not have a room available and that they are booked for the entire night. She could have told me 15 minutes earlier!
The Amara website claims that they have yoga at the spa from 8-9am. When I arrived the next day at 8:03am - they closed the yoga class on me! They said they could not let me into the class to disturb the class since it's past 8am! I was shocked! They did not explain to me that I had to be at 8am (on the dot) in order to be admitted to class! After insisting with the manager and he said that he'll see if the instructor to provide another class and leave me a message in my room. The manager left to his meeting and NEVER called me back. I was left waiting in my room for his message.
While the facilities is nice, but for a $200+/night hotel ($20 facilities fee as well) and the service provided, you can do much, much better at another hotel.
