Sky Ranch Lodge Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay (2024)

Pros

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Cons

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Bottom Line

The 94-room budget Sky Ranch Lodge has thebest location and views in Sedona, thanks to its location on Airport Mesa, 500 feetabove the center of town, which gives it extraordinary panoramic views of the Red Rocks.With its own private lookout point and sunset views from several rooms' balconies, Sky Ranch offers an unforgettable vantage point, and a patio barto supply a glass of local wine or beer with which to enjoy it. The rooms themselves are clean, if basic and a bit dated in style, but some have kitchenettes for more self-sufficient travelers.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Sky Ranch Lodge

Scene

Set on sprawling grounds atop a mesa, with postcard-worthy views and a relaxed wine bar from which to enjoy them

The Sky Ranch Lodge is all about the view.Situated on a mesa, 500 feet above downtown Sedona, the low-key hotel can boast a picture-postcard panorama with painterly sunsets. The Lodge’s decor is rustic and basic, but charming, and the atmosphere is pureSouthwest, with plenty of Native American artifacts on display. The sprawling grounds arebeautifully landscaped, with a variety of trees, potted plants, cacti, ponds,and other water features. Benches are placed around the grounds for relaxing orspotting the resident wildlife, including hummingbirds, quail, and roadrunners. The lobby is pleasant enough, although it's nicer to lounge outside; inside, there's a coffee machine with a fresh pot, a sitting area with distressed furniture, a beamed ceiling, a bowl of fresh apples, and plentyof information on nearby attractions. As the sun begins to go down, the patio baropens, and the major Sky Ranch activity begins: watching the sunlight play overthe Red Rocks, then watching the lights come up from Sedona. The public lookout point next door attracts scores of visitors, who may disturb the privacy -- and private parking spaces -- of Sky Ranch guests. The Lodge is one of the Southwest’s top wedding sites, which also means certain areas may be inaccessible at times.

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Location

At Sedona's highest point, near hiking and mountain biking, with unparalleled views

The Sky Ranch Lodge sits atop Airport Mesa,overlooking Sedona and the Red Rocks. The small Sedona Airport is adjacent to theproperty; aerial canyon tours can be arranged here, and the noise is minimal. The surrounding area isquiet at night, but, during the day, the neighboring public observation point ispopular with tourists. Hiking and mountain biking, as well as jeep tours, areoffered nearby; the Grand Canyon is two hours north. Shopping and restaurantscan be found just a short drive into town. The Lodge is convenient for tourists and businesstravelers to reach, with Highway 89A five minutes away, and the airport rightnext door. The hotel offers free parking.

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Rooms

Clean and spacious, but dated; some have kitchenettes and terrific views

Rooms at the Sky Ranch Lodge are clean andspacious, but basic, and do show wear and tear. The decor is dated -- with reddish-brown carpets, wooden headboards, and 1980s-style chairs -- but the owners are in the process of upgrading. Rooms arecategorized according to the view, or lack thereof, with Rim View rooms, on themesa’s edge, offering the best vantage point -- and some of Sedona's best views, period. The dated, tiled bathrooms are not large, but areadequate, with shower/tub combinations, although the water pressure can be iffy. All rooms have coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with cable, and mini-fridges; some also have kitchenettes, fireplaces, and/or private balconies with plastic or white metal furniture.

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Features

Seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, sunset patio bar, small business center, laundry, gardens, wedding services

Sky Ranch Lodge's greatest feature is its views, especially from the neighboring Lookout, Sedona’s highest point, where you can see for 70 miles around. Local beer and wine are served in the evenings at the Rabbit Hole, the hotel bar,on its outdoor terrace with heat lamps and rustic touches, includingbarrels and beamed ceilings. Drinks can also be ordered to the loungers beside the small, seasonal outdoorpool and hot tub, on a tree-shaded sundeck. Sky Ranch offerswedding services, and the ceremony site is one of the Southwest’s mostbeautiful. There are also a laundry room and a business center in the lobby.

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