Ok, I’ll be honest: Vegas is NOT one of my favorite places to visit. From the hordes of tourists gawking upwards at the flashy lights to the hordes of salesmen hawking every variety of show you can think of, Vegas just doesn’t scream “vacation” to me. So, why did I go? (See, I can read minds too). Well, we had to go for a work convention. Four. Years. In. A. Row. That’s called irony.

The first year we stayed at the Luxor, which happened to be one of the worst hotels I’ve ever stayed in. On a separate trip, I stayed at the Aria, which was phenomenal. The next three years, we stayed at the Paris, which was underwhelming, at best. I’m not sure why it’s the only one I ever reviewed on TripAdvisor, but if you care to read more about it, click here to read “Shabby… and not in the chic way.”

The trade-off last year was that I convinced my husband to drive down to Arizona for a few days of relaxation before heading home. It took us roughly 5 hours (allowing for lots of breaks) to drive from Vegas to Sedona, which is an epicenter of zen and natural beauty in the United States. Part of the trip features some pretty barren landscapes, but if you don’t mind driving, I can promise that Sedona and the Grand Canyon are well worth it!

We stayed at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, which proved to be comfortable, well-located, and well-priced. I have a few recommendations for this area, so please check out my reviews for more information and access to newer user reviews:

1. Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa
2. Reds – A wonderful restaurant for any meal at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa
3. Coffee Pot Restaurant – 101 omelettes and more, plus a great shop to buy souvenirs.
4. Wildflower Bread Company – a fantastic place to eat a healthy lunch!

If you have any questions about my trip, please feel free to post a comment!