Getting It Right
As travelers we stay in a wide variety of lodging facilities. Criteria for perfection changes with each person. Rarely do we find one that truly gets it as close to perfection as the Southwest Inn in Sedona, Arizona.
I spent a lot of time researching Sedona lodging options before making reservations. Many options are expensive resorts, even the national brand hotels tend to be more expensive than in the majority of destinations. I read reviews and comments from lots of sources. One facility caught my eye – Southwest Inn. From making our reservations to check-out our experience was all that we desired and expected.
25+ Reasons to Stay at Southwest Inn
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Quiet – well situated to mute road noise and well insulated between rooms
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Clean – no linty corners and even passed my “behind the bathroom door” test
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Location – on 89A at the west end of town, away from the worse of the congestion and traffic
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Corner, gas fireplace – A bit of evening March chill chased away with nice ambiance and on a timer
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3-way lamp switches with 3-way bulbs – you choose lighting level
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Frig in cabinet – mini-frigs aren’t the latest in attractive decor, behind closed doors in a wooden cabinet much more pleasing
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Clock/music player with pre-programmed music and iPod dock – softly playing when we enter
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Pillows – plenty of pillows in good condition, I hate worn-out, lumpy pillows -
Bedding – comforter warm without being heavy and quality sparkling white sheets.
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Chair & Ottoman – A comfortable place to relax (if one spends any time in their room)
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Free bottled water – staying hydrated in this climate is important
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Coffee maker and mugs – pottery logo mugs, not squeaky Styrofoam cups
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Flat screen wall mounted television – up to date with wide channel selection
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DVD player – watch one of the many movies filmed in Sedona Red Rock County
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Rental movies & microwave popcorn – DVD rentals available in the lobby, a free bag of microwave popcorn with each rental
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Friendly helpful staff – everyone appeared to be pleased you’re their guest
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Concierge – Well informed with excellent recommendations, dining to activities, good follow-up
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Towels – an abundance of thick absorbent towels -
Jacuzzi tub + roomy shower stall – large, well equipped bathroom
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Bath mats for both tub and shower – smart thinking by someone
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Robes – two terry-lined robes neatly folded on the bed at check-in, large enough for a man to use without looking silly
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Heated Pool & whirlpool with towels – clean and well maintained
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Price – not inexpensive but excellent value for the Sedona market
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Wireless Internet that works – easy log on, good speed
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Decor – Southwestern style without getting cute
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Iron and ironing board – an amenity that’s almost standard today
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Ceiling fan – preferable to the noisy fan in the normal AC/heater unit
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Private patio – chairs and table for a private outdoor space
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Complimentary breakfast – hot items, plus the typical Continental buffet fare, hard-working attendant keeping food fresh and tables clean between uses
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Restaurant menus – a large album of area menus to help make a dinner decision
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Three computers, printer available – guest computer room available with workable equipment
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Hot drinks – available in the breakfast room all day
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Parking – plenty of parking space for the number of guest rooms
- Two luggage racks – details, details, details
- Maintenance – when we had a small computer problem it was promptly taken care of
- Scenery – this is Sedona!
When I started I guessed there would be 25 reasons I thought so highly of this lodging; I over achieved. We had a comfortable Southwest Inn stay and will definitely return the next time we’re lucky enough to be in the Sedona area.
The first Saturday of spring 2009 with temps in the 70s- what other incentive do we need to get outside? A trip to 
The model airfield is a unique feature at Chatfield. With wind gusts up to 33mph only one plane was in the air during our visit. However, seeing the many different designs, prop to helicopters, and watching the guys tweak their aircraft was almost as interesting as watching a flight. I’m sure it’s not a male only hobby but you wouldn’t know it by today’s “pilots”.
Proximityto the Denver Metro area makes Chatfield a popular recreation destination. Twelve miles of hike/bike trails in the park link with a number of connecting trails including the Colorado Trail, Centennial Trail and Highline Canal Trail. Water sports draw capacity crowds in summer: boating, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, sailboarding and fishing.
Phoenix public transportation got a huge boost when 
During our Phoenix visit the hotel was one block from a Metro station, we used it to avoid traffic and parking at the Heard Museum Indian Fair and to dinner downtown. We found the stations to be clean and well lit with shaded waiting areas. Each station is individualized with public art. At the Osborn/Central station bronze shoe and foot prints traverse the platform, a fun element but not especially outstanding as a work of art. More dramatic and eye-catching sculptures, murals and decorative walls adorn other stations.
Three premier attractions in the Flagstaff area have joined together to offer an Exploration Pass giving $2 discounts on admission to each the 
Nine Galleries at the 
enter. Monday morning brought clouds and a soft rain to Sedona, the things we had planned to do were outdoor activities. We decide to drive up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff for a couple of indoor attractions.
he outer solar system. A guide leads the tour group through the campus to the dome housing the historic 24″ Alvan Clark refractor telescope. Percival Lowell spent a great deal of time observing Mars from this scope in the early 1900s. Evening programs allow public viewing of night skies – weather dependent, or course.
Back in the Visitor Center we spend time in the interactive Discover the Universe hall. Exhibits cover from how the eye sees to the order of planets from the sun. Attractive, informative and well maintained the exhibits are in direct contrast to what we found at Whipple the week prior. A multimedia show “Lowell Observatory: A New Century of Discovery” in the Giclas auditorium reports on the construction of the 4.2-meter Discovery Channel Telescope. Because the sun was a no show on this day we did not get to view the star through the special-filtered solar filtered, an activity usually available from 9:30-9:55am. Before departing Bob spent time selecting a book in the gift shop while I canvassed the staff for lunch recommendations.
Significant because of the 400th anniversary of Gaileo first pointing a telescope skyward, 2009 has been designated the International Year of Astronomy. Lowell Observatory will offer 
Bob was ready for a switch from Southwest cuisine so Contessa became our destination. We expected it to be nearby but drove several miles before finding the address in a rather dark, nondescript strip mall. We experienced a moment of doubt about our choice. A Pizza Hut stood in the same parking lot nearer the street, should we go there instead?
In the name of research we made selections from the enticing dessert tray, raspberry cheesecake for Bob and cannoli for me. I opted for the traditional instead of the one with chocolate chips. Bob totally enjoyed the cheesecake but one bite of my cannoli and I thought I might have to fight him off with dual forks.
A Pass Key is an Italian sausage patty and cheese sandwich hot off the grill served with peperoncini and fries. I had mine with provolone cheese and chips. Bob chose half a Super Pass Key with three kinds of cheese. 
As I’m sitting in the passenger seat thinking how strange this seems Bob says, “Feels funny not to be doing anything here, to just drive through.” We point out new street lights, a reopened restaurant, a road project completed since last summer, new gallery locations but keep driving. Today we’re focused on getting home. The draw of Taos is strong, we already have plans for a week this summer when we’ll see Taos up close and personal not through the windshield.
Where To Go - Travel USA 