We returned to the Creekside Inn this spring after having stayed there a few years ago, and were glad to find it just as restful and well-run as it was before.
Sedona has a lot of well-rated lodgings, and we probably also would have been impressed with other hotels or even bed & breakfasts, but this inn had so much going for it the first time we visited that we decided to stick with a known (and positive) quantity. A few of the main draws:
Location:
The inn is very close to downtown Sedona, yet is on a relatively quiet side-road, not on the "main drag". So for folks who like the (very, very touristy) main strip of downtown Sedona, it's a 5-minute drive away. For folks like us who want a peaceful, quiet place that's close to all the best hiking spots in the Sedona area, it's also a perfect location. And it happens to be right next to Oak Creek, which in the Sedona area is prime real estate, probably because the creek, in the midst of desert-like red-rock country, has an oasis-like quality.
Grounds:
Several lawns on different levels, connected by short paths, make for a pleasant place to relax at the end of the day. You can also walk down the paths past multiple interlaced brooks that join the main flow of Oak Creek. Mark and Tammy have done a nice job on a lot of the details that aren't strictly necessary but that contribute to the charm of the place: stone benches and a swingseat to sit on; rock borders; etc.
Hosts:
Mark and Tammy have put a lot of work into their business, but they still take time to talk with guests, and they're friendly, down-to-earth people. They're knowledgeable (and straightforward, which is not always the case) about which local restaurants are good, other local attractions, and so on. It was very interesting to talk with Mark about his background, how they entered the business, plans for the future, and so on; and he somehow is relaxed and finds time to chat despite all the pressures of a business. They're also helpful (e.g. volunteered to make dinner reservations for us when we arrived, when we had just been assuming we'd do it ourselves). The inn is a business, of course, but somehow they manage to make it seem that they're not solely about the business aspect of it.
Inn:
The inn itself is well-maintained and appointed inside, with a lot of attention to details. There's a living room with fireplace, bookshelves and music which would be a fine place to spend a rainy afternoon without feeling trapped in one's room. A nice porch in back overlooks the lawn above Oak Creek. Antique furniture, clean and charming rooms with character, etc. -- a perfect inn: not the bland generic features of a hotel, but neither the day-to-day ordinariness of a typical house or home.
Breakfast:
Probably no review would be complete without mentioning Tammy's breakfasts. We had been curious to see whether she still served her great baked pears -- and were glad to find that she does. She does a great job not only on the breakfast but also on the presentation.
Bottom line:
A charming, peaceful place to stay in Sedona, with nice hosts, and a place that we hope to return to.
