Why book?
Sedona’s reputation for being an expensive destination is not without reason—but not every stay here needs to break the bank. With reasonable prices, homey decor, and enviable views in a town full of them, Sky Ranch Lodge is a wonderful option that is as welcoming as it is down-to-earth.
Set the scene
Location, location, location. Sky Ranch Lodge sits up on top of the airport mesa above State Route 89A. Slowly wind up the road around tight corners, past the small parking lot for hikers and view-seekers. When the road straightens out, Sky Ranch suddenly appears to the right, an inviting collection of buildings intertwined with an abundance of plants. Across the road is a public parking lot for views, and further up, the road dead-ends at the small airport. This is one of the premier places in town to catch the last rays of the sun against the storied rocks.
The backstory
Opened in 1982, this was a collaborative venture between the Joynt and Graham families that has stayed in the family ever since—a remarkable feat given the Lodge’s prized location.
The rooms
Most rooms are grouped in one-story buildings across the property, with four rooms to a building; there is one two-story building that does not have an elevator. The larger cottage accommodations are built more like studio apartments, with a full kitchen; it’s a nice-to-have option for longer stays or when trying to keep the budget in check. Even some of the smaller rooms have tiny kitchenettes with retro mini-fridges.
Rooms have a comfortable feel to them; the quaint decor provides a cozy vibe, almost like staying in a friend’s guest quarters. Beds are plush, with corner electric fireplaces in some rooms to provide ambiance. Most come with a balcony, and views are split between the town of Sedona, backed by a wall of red rocks, or the botanical gardens. If you can get one of the mountain views (they’re easily identified when booking online), do so—it does not get better than sitting on your balcony with a private display of the rocks.
Food and drink
An Airstream sits just past the lobby, serving up a small but respectable collection of breakfast items, all cooked to order; the breakfast burrito is the winner here. In the afternoons and evenings, the Airstream becomes a lovely outdoor bar, serving wine and beer. Stop by during happy hour and grab a drink to go before watching the sunset.
Although there’s no official restaurant on property, Mesa Grill sits a couple of minutes walk past the Lodge, next to the scenic lookout point and the runway of the small airport. The restaurant stays packed through breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with some spectacular views of both the scenery and aircraft traffic. Reservations are essentially required for the evenings, though it is possible to snag a last-minute spot at the cozy bar. The food hits a home run, highlighting Southwestern flavors with items like green chile grits and elote.
In the morning, make sure to stop by the lobby for a divine cup of hot coffee from FreeForm, a local specialty roaster. It can't hurt to pick up one of the freshly-baked cookies either.
The neighborhood/area
Sedona’s small airport has been named the most scenic in the nation, and the mesa it perches on has grown through the years from being a secret spot to watch the sunset against the red rocks into a go-to place for tourists. Parking is at a premium (to the point that the lookout now charges a parking fee), so treasure your permit at the lodge. There is a significant number of tourists milling around down the road at the lookout, the helicopter companies, or at Mesa Grill. That said, with nothing else around, it’s peaceful and quiet at night or early in the morning.
The service
The lobby is manned 24/7, and there is no shortage of staff available at any point. A courtesy van is around to take guests anywhere within a generous five-mile radius until the late evening.
Eco effort
Several years ago, the Lodge made a huge push towards a more sustainable presence, and their effort was rewarded with a Silver/Innovator award from the Sustainability Alliance of Arizona. There are animal-friendly products used, as well as organic fertilizer and herbicides, mini-split units for each room, and LED lights. While there have been a significant number of changes, more can still be done; there are a decent number of single-use items like water bottles and styrofoam containers for food from the Airstream.
Accessibility
There are accessible rooms available, though it is advised to call and discuss with the property when booking, as they are not specifically called out in the online booking form.
Anything left to mention?
The property also doubles as a botanical garden—it received its certification and accreditation as an arboretum in 2020. While the public can check out the gardens during the week, guests can stroll the self-guided paths anytime they want. The collection of native trees is interspersed with flowers, succulents, and shrubs; it’s refreshing and such a pleasant part of the property to enjoy. If strolling through the garden isn’t quite your speed, try tackling one of the hiking trails that are attached to the property.
1105 Airport Rd, Sedona, Arizona 86336
United States
https://www.skyranchlodge.com/
+1 928-282-6400