Sedona’s Top Luxury Resort Just Unveiled A $30 Million Revamp
L’Auberge de Sedona, the Arizona resort town’s only Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, is more enchanting than ever.
L’Auberge de Sedona, the luxury resort set along Oak Creek in the famed Arizona town and home to the acclaimed Cress on Oak Creek restaurant, recently completed a $30 million revamp, enhancing all aspects of the iconic property. Sedona’s only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the resort began with a handful of cottages in 1984 and celebrated its 40th anniversary two years ago. Uptown Sedona’s first true boutique luxury resort, it has since grown in both size and reputation.
The most recent revamp added 70 guestrooms and suites, expanded the property’s L’Apothecary Spa into a full-service wellness center, refreshed Cress on Oak Creek with updated interiors and an enlarged outdoor dining terrace, and introduced a new pool complex. The project increased the resort’s inventory to 158 cottages, rooms and suites, and created a new room category known as The Cliffs through the integration of the neighboring Orchards Inn property.
Set on 20 acres along Oak Creek, just steps from Uptown Sedona, the resort is known for its incredible Red Rocks views and collection of cottages, many featuring fireplaces and outdoor cedar showers. Cress on Oak Creek meanwhile has become one of Arizona’s most respected dining venues. The premier place to stay at the resort is The Creekhouse, a private five-bedroom residence with about 3,070 square feet, featuring a large great room, wet bar, expansive creekside deck and full access to the resort’s amenities.
“Sedona remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, and our continued investment in L’Auberge de Sedona reflects our confidence in its lasting appeal,” notes Shawn Smith, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, DiamondRock Hospitality Co. “The Cliffs is a strong addition to further elevate the guest experience while also staying true to the natural beauty and character that make this destination so special. By integrating these two properties, we are reinforcing L’Auberge de Sedona as a leader in refined hospitality, offering travelers a one-of-a-kind retreat in the heart of the Red Rock region.”
Lush, sycamore-lined Oak Creek flows through the property, creating an oasis-like atmosphere, before winding through the heart of Sedona and eventually joining the Verde River. Guests staying in Creekside Cottages are only steps from the water, while Vista Cottages and Suites offer expansive vistas across the surrounding landscape. The addition of The Cliffs expands the options, with rooms located higher on the property’s slope getting a bird’s-eye view.
According to Principal Architect Mike Dalezman, the goal was to ensure that new construction remained connected to its surroundings. “To usher in the next era of this resort, our approach was to create visual experiences that feel like a natural extension of Sedona itself,” Dalezman says. “From the new guest rooms at The Cliffs, to the new event spaces and pool deck, every element was carefully considered to blend into the contours of the land, embrace the natural color palette, and frame the iconic Red Rock that guests travel from around the world to see.”
Long before the expansion, many visitors first became familiar with L’Auberge through Cress on Oak Creek. Located directly beside the creek, the restaurant has helped establish the resort’s reputation far beyond its guest accommodations. Guests dine surrounded by the sight and sound of the water beneath a canopy of trees, creating a magical setting complemented by elevated farm to table cuisine focused on local ingredients, and an impressive wine list.
As part of the expansion, Cress on Oak Creek received refreshed interiors and an expanded outdoor dining terrace, “creating a stronger connection between the dining room and the creek beyond it.” The updated menu places renewed emphasis on seasonal ingredients and locally inspired cuisine while building upon the restaurant’s longstanding reputation and status as an SLH property, an honor it received in 2025.
Another major component of the project is the expansion of L’Apothecary Spa. Previously centered on traditional spa treatments, L’Apothecary now operates as a full-service wellness center with a broader range of revitalizing offerings. New additions include floating sound healing, poolside yoga at the spa pool or right on the banks of the creek itself, the Essence of Earth Wrap mud treatment, and an outdoor relaxation garden. Visitors can also participate in sessions led by local practitioners, reflecting Sedona’s longstanding association with wellness and renewal.
“The wellness enhancements arrive at a time when many luxury travelers are placing greater emphasis on experiences that combine relaxation, outdoor recreation and personal well-being,” the property notes. The revamp also introduces the Duck Pond Pool, a new pool complex positioned above the resort with private cabanas, a heated pool, hot tub and lounge areas overlooking the surrounding landscape.
“We’ve designed the hotel as a sanctuary,” as the property’s General Manager Colm O’Brien told Travel + Leisure. “We want every guest to feel a deeper connection—to nature, to Sedona, and to themselves. Every detail of a stay is intentionally crafted to create moments that guests will remember long after departure, whether that’s a quiet morning by the creek, a wellness session like our new floating sound healing, or simply gazing at the Red Rocks with a morning coffee.”
The new additions give guests another place to relax and sip a drink or have a gourmet snack between hikes, spa treatments and meals at Cress, again with postcard-worthy views, either in a lounger chair or cabana during the day; at sunset, the most Instagrammable time of the day; or at night beside one of the fire pits. No wonder Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards named it the No. 1 resort in Sedona in 2025.