This place is not for everyone....and I am so glad!!! If you are looking for cookie cutter "Hilton or Hyattesque" decor and service then don't come here. If you want first class amazing service, attention to detail, great food, a chance to make really great friends, and an absolutely wonderful location than this is the place for you.
First to note, El Portal is not even remotely like a hotel. We stayed there for 5 nights with our two teenage girls (in two seperate by next to each other) rooms. Each room was so unique and beautiful. Check out #5 which is super amazing or #3 which is so romantic. (But all the others are equally great-almost too hard to choose) We felt like we were guests in our "rich uncle's" amazing home. Each evening we cuddled up around the fire pit in the center of the courtyard and enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine and terrific conversations with the other guests (which after a few days began to feel like cousins!). Each morning we would wander into the beautiful "great room/dining room" in our El Portal provided yummy bathrobes, plop down on a comfortable leather couch and drink the most wonderful coffee by the fire. The girls selected movies from a wide offering up in a loft, and watched them on the dvd player in their own room. We would enjoy the warm home baked cookies in the afternoon along with the cheeses and fruit selections. The kids could help themselves to soda out of the honor system fridge. It really was like staying in someone's home.
The Inn is tucked in a great location. We could walk over to Tlaquapaque which is a cute little shopping village for ice cream, or dinner at the brewery or mexican restaurant. We walked up Schnebly hill for some of the most beautiful vistas offered in Sedona. We were 2 hours from the Grand Canyon, 2 hours to the Phoenix airport. 1/2 mile (maybe less) to the touristy shopping area, and less than 10 minutes from some awsome hiking around some great red rocks (do the bell rock hike, amazing!!!). Next door is a timeshare/hotel. We went miniature golfing here, and sat next to the water for a picnic. We also played pool in the bar one evening. It was still nice to return to El Portal each evening however.
Now let me opine on the oustanding owners of this property. Steve, his wife Connie, and Terri are who/what make this place. Every morning Steve was there to answer ANY question we had, and he mapped out a truely terrific route for our family to see the Grand Canyon. He knows the area and knows what you should see/do in Sedona. We only had the priviledge of meeting Connie once by the fire, but again it was like talking to our "rich really nice aunt". Both hand decorated the entire inn and it shows every loving detail. Check out the unique chandelier in the dining room! Terri defies words. She was there for everything for us, from the Red Rock Pass to bringing her own personal fan from home to help my husband sleep, she was WONDERFUL.
If you want a hotel experience, don't stay here. If you want to immerse yourself in Sedona culture, scenery, flavor, and make some wonderful friends and memories, then don't miss this place. We will be back, and back, and back, and back. ......
