We wanted to get out of Phoenix for a long weekend so booked four nights at the Junipine this past Sat-Tues nights.

We've been to Sedona several times before but this is the first time we've stayed in Oak Creek Canyon and really enjoyed being up in this area. When we arrived on Saturday, Sedona was a mess - so crowded and crazy. We tried to stop at Tlaquepaque to take in some of the Folklorico dancing they had for Cinco de Mayo the parking lot was a zoo and the construction on 179 only compounded this. Driving through uptown it was clear the crowds were thick.

We went to the Basha's in West Sedona to stock up on groceries and then headed up to the canyon to the quiet of Junipine. We were quite pleased when we checked in...the one bedroom unit was VERY spacious and very comfortable. The second bedroom was locked off but with only two of us we didn't need this or the loft.

The kitchens are completely stocked as promised. Being a chef, and anticipating poor quality, I brought my own knife and my trusty cast iron skillet. I was glad to have my knife as most of the rental stuff was abused, the knives would have driven me crazy over four days. The cookware was actually decent but had been abused in the dishwasher(what were the owners were thinking buying hand wash only pots for a rental unit!) For the basic though everything was there. Including a toaster that made fantastic toast!

I'd asked for a unit that had been updated...this unit did have all new appliances but the cabinets, countertops, doors, etc all looked to be original. Who cares anyhow...it's vacation and it all functioned anyhow. The furniture and the bed were all very comfortable. We were in Unit 28 which is sold as a forest view. Really it's a parking lot view with some big trees planted next to the railing. From inside you can't see the parking lot but on the deck it's clearly right there. Not sure if all the forest view units are over the parking lot. The creek view units had some lovely views if you don't mind spending the extra money. And in spite of the parking lot we still enjoyed our time spent on the deck. It was quiet most of the time we were there anyhow.

We loved being away from the hustle and bustle in town. We mostly hiked this trip and enjoyed the West Fork trail and part of the AB trail which are both easily accessed from Junipine(in fact AB you can hike to right out of the property). we also enjoyed the walk to Forest houses from Junipine which is through the forest and along the creek. Once the weekend was over we headed down the canyon and did some hiking in Boynton Canyon and Red Rock state park as well. Both are easy and quick to get to in normal traffic.

It's also an easy drive up the switchbacks to Flagstaff and we enjoyed a day at Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater and Wupatki.

I'd definitely stay at Junipine again myself. We loved having a complete home away from home and enjoyed cooking for ourselves. It's not an inexpensive place to stay however and being removed from the more commercial parts of the area if I were not wanting to make my own meals I'd probably stay somewhere else. Also, if It were my first trip to the area I might stay somewhere else rather than driving back and forth up the canyon.

But for a quiet relaxing getaway spot...this was great.

We live a couple hour's drive from Sedona so we have visited many times. The main purpose of our trip this time was a get away where we could unwind, enjoy nature and scenery, do a few hikes, birdwatch and just be into each other. We had never before been to the Junipine resort. I can tell you we were most impressed with EVERYTHING about our stay there. We will most definitely be back.! Our check in went quickly and smoothly. The people at the front desk were most friendly and very knowledgeable about things to do in the area. We were very impressed that about an hour after we checked into our condo, we received a phone call from the front desk staff asking if everything was okay with our unit, and also to let us know they were available 24/7 for anything we needed. The property includes a small cafe that is open for all three meals. We did not eat there on this trip, but heard that the trout is delicious. We loved the location (about 1/2 mile up the road from Slide Rock, and about a mile and a half down the road from the West Fork Trail head). The best part of the location for us was that it was away from the hustle and bustle of Sedona traffic and noise. But still close enough for us to make our trips over there for hikes, photography ops, and what not.

The resort is made up of about 40 two bedroom condos. I would guess the square footage of each to be about 1400. (Much roomier than a standard hotel room). Each unit includes a redwood deck that has views of either the forest or the creek. The decks have patio furniture including a couple of chaise lounges, and a table and chairs for four people. Some of the decks also have hot tubs. These units are extra; but let me tell you that it is well worth the extra money to have that hot tub! The units are arranged on the property so that there is privacy from the other vacationers. If you only need one bedroom, the second bedroom can be locked off and not charged for. Included in the one bedroom arrangement is an upstairs loft area that is ideal for kids. It has two twin beds, a desk, a TV and a good sized sky light. There are two wood burning fireplaces, one of which is a beehive, located in the master bedroom. There was firewood and starter waiting next to the fireplace. Our master had a king sized bed that was comfy and plush. There is a large sliding glass door off the master that opens to the deck. There is a nice sized living/ dining room that has couches, a coffee table, TV, dining table big enough for six and brochures and tourism magazines about what to do in the area. Our unit had a large collection of DVD's and books. Although we didn't use them we thought it made for a homey touch. The living/dining room also has a huge sliding glass door that opens to the deck. The kitchen is galley style but fully stocked. Ours had a full sized fridge/
freezer, coffee and tea pots, stove/oven, blender, microwave, and even a crock pot. All of the glassware, silverware, dishes and pots and pans for cooking were also there. Since we decided that we were going to cook our meals on this trip, the kitchen was a great thing for us.

The bath room had a tub with shower head. We loved the extra hot water and the great water pressure.

We took the advice of one of the other poster's on trip advisor and brought along a bag of birdseed to sprinkle around on the patio. It took about a day, but before long squirrels, chipmunks, stellar jays, black headed grosbeaks, an acorn woodpecker, and a robin found their way to our free buffet. The birds were beautiful. The jays were quite entertaining to watch and not a bit shy.

We needed a place that would satisfy our two "boys", ages 22 and 24. The Junipine proved to be excellent for at least the following reasons: DVD player in the room and free DVD library at the front desk; full kitchen; hot tub on the deck (it takes a 22 year old to want to use a hot tub in March); wireless Internet access (although it was severely bandwidth constrained and barely usable at times); completely separate loft with two beds for them to sleep well away from my wife and me.

With a large fireplace, the living room was a delightful ending to each day – a reasonable amount of wood is automatically provided each day. The condo was quiet, important as there were much younger children around. The deck is perfect for postcard writing or a glass of wine (see pictures).

We stayed three nights and had two of three dinners at the Junipine Café – excellent food. This café is a great choice after a long day of doing the obvious (downtown Sedona or Cathedral rock) or the not-so-obvious (skydiving at Red Rock Skydiving in Cottonwood – our first jump). There’s great food in Sedona, of course, but we’d rather enjoy the wine and skip the driving.

Finally, the people at the front desk were great! Very helpful, knowledgeable about the area, this is one of the friendliest places I’ve stayed in many years.

Be aware that at least as of March, 2008, there is no cellphone access here (probably true for much of Oak Creek Canyon). There is a landline in the room.

We chose Junipine for a family trip that started in Las Vegas and ended in Phoenix, but I’d stay here again as a romantic choice with my wife, leaving the boys to their separate lives.

Two adults; three kids (9 to 12). Awesome experience. Kids had fun down at the creek; we enjoyed the setting and the spa. The idea of being away from Sedona was great. I had misgivings about renting 8 miles from town but after spending one afternoon at the tourist trap that is Sedona the escape to Junipine was absolutely worth it.
Great sunrise on one side of the canyon; great sunset on the other.
Friends and family will be referred! :)