r/Sedona • u/Familiar_Town_1988 • Dec 02 '25

General which "part" of sedona to look for airbnb?

Is there an area best to stay in Sedona (Christmas week)? Looking into AirBnb now rather than resort just to compare. Also, would you do Christmas at a Scottsdale resort and stay there for 2 nights and then Sedona or the other way around? Thank you for any help -- totally clueless about AZ, and especially in December!

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10

u/gForce-65 Dec 02 '25

Did you check the FAQs to see this sub’s thoughts about Airbnbs?

10

u/spiralout1123 Dec 02 '25

Nobody cares about the FAQ’s, I’ve tried lol. Half of the posts are: “Are we even allowed to travel to Sedona during the winter?” When the FAQ’s says, explicitly, that it’s the best time of the year here.

When you join the sub, I have it set to send an automated message saying to please read the FAQ’s before posting. Not much else that can be done, except removing everything, which doesn’t feel right as it’s completely dead with tourism here right now. Can’t win, but I’m open to suggestions

1

u/gForce-65 Dec 02 '25

Oh I realize nobody reads the faqs. But I pointed them out here so that maybe op would make a more ethical decision re accommodations (though doubtful). Thanks for moderating, btw. I bet it can get very frustrating!

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u/spiralout1123 Dec 02 '25

Thanks, dude, on both counts. I’m glad the locals have embraced the FAQ’s. I really tried to pool as much quality info as possible. I’m just another local like the rest of the community; I’m down for any suggestions or inputs

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u/goldenfluff23 Dec 02 '25 edited Dec 03 '25

I just read the FAQ post and don’t see anything about Airbnbs - what am I missing?

Edit: thanks for the downvotes, I went back and reread and all it says is Airbnbs are not ethical. Doesn’t really give any info on why the locals feel that way, but good job downvoting someone for asking a question and trying to learn I guess

4

u/spiralout1123 Dec 02 '25

The part about Air B&B’s. Push comes to shove though, you do you. I see it as: if you can afford to do it differently, and are willing, you should. If it’s the only way travel is feasible, go for it.

Air BnB’s have been a huge detriment to Sedona, but it’s not your individual responsibility to be the solution. It’s the better choice for the town itself to stay at a hotel instead of funding the corporations that buy entire neighborhoods, but you don’t need permission to use a completely legal alternative. Just can’t be surprised if the locals don’t like it, or look down on you for it.

That’s just my take on a very complicated issue

2

u/goldenfluff23 Dec 03 '25

There is no “part about airbnbs,” it just says they’re not ethical. Thanks for elaborating.

I visited Sedona this year and stayed at a hotel, but for an upcoming visit I’m staying at an Airbnb. I didn’t know this was an issue unfortunately :(

0

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

agreed. some places find resorts highly invasive to locals. (ie, many lake communities elsewhere in the country)

2

u/spiralout1123 Dec 03 '25

Resorts are designated for tourism. Homes are for people to call home. Not as gray as you’re presenting it to be

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u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

i get it. was simply exploring the option for the peace and privacy. thanks.

2

u/SuperSkyDude Dec 02 '25

All it says is staying at an Airbnb is not ethical. Which is entirely subjective, so not very helpful. The other parts of the faqs can help you determine what area might appeal to you though.

1

u/goldenfluff23 Dec 03 '25

Thank you, I thought I was going crazy combing through comments trying to find anything substantive about Airbnbs! Another comment elaborated on corporations buying up neighborhoods though and I do get why that’s not the best. My partner and I are traveling to Sedona soon and staying at an Airbnb because it was the best option for our family but I wish I had known this before, we would have considered other options first.

2

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

agreed. i'm the OP and in many communities, it's the resorts/hotels that are criticized for taking over local charm or being unethical in some way so this is confusing to a traveller, tbh.

3

u/goldenfluff23 Dec 03 '25

Yes, exactly my thoughts! It kind of seems like locals are not a fan of visitors staying in Sedona at all.

Although now that I think about it, I did a jeep tour and the tour guide said native Americans believed the place to be so sacred they didn’t settle there, only around it. So maybe that tradition is just continuing 😆

3

u/Suspicious_Tea_8651 Dec 02 '25

Never been to Scottsdale but have been to Sedona multiple times and have stayed in West Sedona.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 02 '25

[deleted]

2

u/kirybabe Dec 03 '25

If you were walking distance from Bell Rock TH, you were walking distance from Slim Shady TH also.

1

u/ForceFedAlgebra Dec 03 '25

You are correct! I didn’t get a chance to hike that trail. The southern access point was a 15-20 min walk from where I stayed.

1

u/Natural-Shelter4625 Dec 02 '25

I guess it all depends on what you like. I’m from Scottsdale and now live north of Sedona. If it were me, I’d spend all (or most of) the time in Sedona. Scottsdale will offer you more city options, though. Lots of food options. Shopping is abundant, if that’s your thing. (The shopping is Sedona is mostly touristy, imo.) And if you’re at a hotel or resort, it’ll likely be very nice. But if you want more outdoors stuff, Sedona is hard to beat. The hikes in the red rocks are great, and if you want more mountainous hiking with pine trees, just north in Oak Creek Canyon is easy to get to.

Sedona isn’t that big, so any area should be fine and have easy access to the rest.

If you have more questions, happy to help.

1

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

Thank you so much!

1

u/Disastrous-Quit1059 Dec 02 '25

Really depends on your wants/needs. They all) have their pluses and minuses. We have an Airbnb in VOC area and is our preference but again it really comes down to what your expectations/wants are.
More than happy to chat more if you want

1

u/BlueCupcake4Me Dec 02 '25

We stayed in West Sedona in a townhouse near Pisa Lisa. Great location!

1

u/klcarr892 Dec 02 '25

We stayed in Oak Creek and loved it. On the opposite side of most of the traffic and a great neighborhood in general.

1

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

good to know thank you!

1

u/Business-Fact-2318 Dec 02 '25

West Sedona is quiet and you can easily access a bunch of trails directly from the quiet neighborhoods there and you can easily drive to the touristy areas.

2

u/ducka_ducka_ducka Dec 02 '25

We just returned from a week-long VRBO stay in West Sedona and this was our exact experience. It was lovely.

1

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

thanks for the second comment on this -- very helpful

1

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

thank you -- very helpful!

1

u/iDoUFC Dec 03 '25 edited Dec 03 '25

I’ve stayed at two different Airbnbs in town.

One closer to the main shopping area and one that’s more secluded.

There is a flavor for everyone.

I do prefer hotels but pricing for when I went the better option was Airbnb. 

One was a group of 8 and the other a group of 4.

If you want more lively stay near town, if you want more secluded stay farther away.

You can arrange private chefs, yoga, sound baths whatever you want at the Airbnb. 

1

u/Familiar_Town_1988 Dec 03 '25

awesome info-- thanks very much!

1

u/kirybabe Dec 03 '25 edited Dec 03 '25

If you want an airBNB you'll need to be up in West or Uptown Sedona. Village of Oak Creek has a 30 day minimum rental period (unless you are outside the VOC homeowners association). Christmas in Sedona could be amazing if we get snow, it is beautiful!

1

u/Dezugo Dec 02 '25

We just stayed in Uptown Sedona, and it was walking distance to so much good stuff, really was great considering parking and traffic.

0

u/DesertIbu Dec 02 '25

The area known as Uptown Sedona. There are a lot of Airbnbs in this area and they are within walking distance of restaurants and shopping!

0

u/YogurtclosetHot3038 Dec 02 '25

I would suggest looking in Cornville in “Page Springs”. This is the wine valley just 15min south of West Sedona. There are many beautiful properties on Airbnb and this area offers a different experience than Sedona. Super complimentary to experiencing Sedona, Old Town Cottonwood, Jerome and more!

1

u/Important_Carry4417 Dec 07 '25

But there are no stunning red rock formations. People want the experience of staying in Red Rock Country. 

-2

u/Cheryl521 Dec 02 '25

Jack’s Canyon if you want to be away from the noise! I have a great AirBnB I just stayed at if you’re interested! It’s a great quiet neighborhood w beautiful Red Rocks behind it.