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A COOL ALTERNATIVE
Experience Verde Valley this summer Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
T
ourists travel to Sedona, Oak Creek, Page Springs and Cottonwood when the weather is more tolerable. But in the summer, we have those locales all to ourselves. Here are some of the many places to enjoy in the Verde Valley.
WHERE TO STAY?
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
Nestled along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock offers an upscale retreat where guests can continue their essential journey toward wellness, renewal and outdoor adventures. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock continues to perfect the guest experience through new partnerships, programming and interactive elements focused on Sedona. As part of recent renovations, the upscale 219-room resort redesigned guest rooms, lobby and social spaces that reflect the natural elements of Sedona. Plugging back into the outside world is easy with VorTech Den, a space hidden within the lobby that captures the essece of Sedona’s vortexes. Charged with energy and purpose, the den is outfitted with plush leather chairs, cool workstations, comfortable seating areas, TVs and more. The creative space features sculptures, abstract paintings and ceramic vessels created by Arizona and Sedona artists. The resort’s redesigned guest rooms and suites provide a cool and calming place to recharge and recover from the day’s adventures. The spacious accommodations offer refined comfort, private fireplaces and impressive views over the iconic red rock WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
formations and golf course. Hilton Sedona’s recent partnerships with The Hike House Sedona and Pink Adventure Group offer travelers a wealth of outdoor adventures, recommendations, education and gear in the lobby. From Pink Jeep Tours and guided hikes to evening socials and inventive programing, Hilton Sedona celebrates the red rock spirit of adventure. In recent months, the resort completed its newest fitness facility, the Outdoor Warrior Pit. The one-of-a-kind boot camp playground is equipped with tires, ropes, sledge hammers and anchors. Resort guests can exercise at their leisure or attend one of the weekly classes led by seasoned instructors. Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, 90 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona, 928.284.4040, hiltonsedonaresort.com.
WHAT TO SIP?
Page Springs Cellars Sedona is often credited for being the home to Northern Arizona’s rich vineyard. However, that honor belongs to Sedona’s southern sister communities of Cornville and Page Springs. Many of the wineries in the area—including Javalina Leap, Alcanterra and Oak Creek Winery—are delightful, Page Springs Cellars shines as the crowning jewel in the region. A family-owned winery and vineyard tucked into the volcanic landscape overlooking pristine Oak Creek Canyon, Page Springs Cellars produces Rhone-style wines, working primarily with Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Like other wineries, the tasting room offers tours and several wine flights for tastings, as well as varietals by the bottle and glass. Where it excels is in its picnics and “PINTXO” options. In the Basque region of Spain, bar snacks
are called pintxo rather than tapas or hors d’oeuvres, and in the tradition of Spain, Page Springs offers eye-popping pintxos for every palate, including more traditional cheese board, salads, dips and flatbread options and unique mason jar rillettes. Sprea mason jars that are perfect for sharing. They’re served with warm fresh bread, pickles, dried apricot mustard and Page Springs homemade jams. In addition to the impressive on-site sipping and dining options, guests looking for something a little different are in luck at Page Springs. Thanks to a partnership with local massage therapists, the tasting room offers a variety of daily massages, including Thai, hot stone, therapeutic and aromatherapy options, amid its estate vines beside beautiful Oak Creek. Page Spring Cellars, 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville, 928.639.3004, pagespringscellars.com.
WHERE TO EAT?
Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante One of Arizona’s best-kept culinary secrets is nestled along Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, thanks to award-winning chef and restaurateur Lisa Dahl. There isn’t just one “secret,” though. There are four. Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano. Opened in 1995, Dahl & DiLuca delivers the beloved traditional Italian dining experience that rarely exists, serving classic Italian dishes in a romantic dining room draped in silk and adorned with gold and crystal chandeliers. Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante, 2321 AZ-89A, Sedona, 928.282.5219, dahlanddiluca.com.
Pisa Lisa Pizzas are wood fired in an eclectic setting that pays homage to Dahl’s love for rock ‘n’ roll, which is at the heart of
the casual stop for organic salads, tapas, pizzas and handmade gelato. Pisa Lisa, 2245 AZ-89A, Sedona, 928.282.5472, pisalisa.com.
Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill Perched atop a scenic bluff, floor-toceiling windows and an expansive outdoor patio deliver panoramic views of Sedona’s majestic red rocks from every table. Dahl uses a wood-fired grill and wood-burning oven to create handmade delicacies inspired by her travels to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill, 700 AZ-89, Sedona, 928.862.4444 mariposasedona.com.
Cucina Rustica
Rustic, Italian-Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed, fine-dining setting reminiscent of an Old World villa in Tuscany. With multiple dining rooms and a garden-style patio for al fresco dining, signature dishes range from antipasti tapas plates to delicate pastas and hearty meat dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Cucina Rustica, 7000 AZ-179, Suite 126A, Sedona, 928.284.3010, cucinarustica.com.
A BONUS
Day Trippin’ in Cottonwood Old Town Cottonwood boasts Arizona Stronghold, Pillsbury Wine Company, Burning Tree Cellars, Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria, Small Batch Wine & Spirits and Fire Mountain Wines all littered along Main Street. It is one of the most convenient ways to sample the best the region offers. Tastings range from $10 to $15, and some even offer chocolates, games and other treats to enjoy during the visit. For directions and a list of entertainment, visit oldtown.org.