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Sedona’s Top Luxury Resort Just Unveiled A $30 Million Revamp

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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.

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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.

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

“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.”

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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.

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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.”

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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. 

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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. 

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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.

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

“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. 

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

“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.”

Courtesy L’Auberge de Sedona

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. 

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Author: Jared Paul Stern

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6.26 Friday Faves 

Hiiii! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? P has double soccer games and double basketball game, Liv and I are seeing a musical and grabbing lunch with friends, and looking forward to some pool time at home.

No concept of personal space:

P and I spent one whole day swimming this week and it was everything. We learned that Lola loves to be pushed around the pool on the raft,

we ate gluten-free Cheeze-Its and popsicles, blasted 90s country music, played fetch with Maisey, tons of water games (one ridiculous one where she dunks me if I don’t know which color she has in her mind), and floated on pool loungers. The liiiiiiiife.

I hope you’re having the best summer, too!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

6.26 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

Date night with the Pilot. He was gone a ton the past two weeks, so I was excited that we could sneak away one evening for dinner and cocktails at Flying V.

We haven’t been there in forever and they completely renovated the restaurant. It’s bright and modern, and giving Scottsdale vibes in the best way. The food was amazing as always.

(chips, guacamole, shrimp cocktail, prickly pear margaritas. I ordered the chicken for my entree and he had the tuna; everything was delicious)

Sending this beauty back to Vivrelle but looking forward to something new! They gave me a special discount code to share with you, too – use GINAHARNEY403 for 40% off your first three months. This is the best one I’ve seen them offer. You’re going to love it!

Always the Farm Rio 😉

(Love this print and style but a heads up this dress runs really weird and small. I am a proud member of the IBTC and a true size small and could barely clasp the top portion)

Father’s Day celebration! I’m so glad our favorite guy was in town and we could celebrate.

We had brunch at Snooze,

and then the fam came over for swimming and dinner. I smoked three types of meat on the Traeger: two giant chuck roasts, two briskets (from ButcherBox), and four packs of chicken thighs.

Some of the meat!

I made a Caesar salad with homemade dressing and homemade gf croutons,

some artichoke dip, set out chips, salsa, madre brought over calabacitas, cheesy potatoes, my stepmom brought this fruit plate,

and we had popsicles, gf brownies with pb frosting, and peach cake for dessert. 🙂 It was the perfect way to celebrate the amazing guys in our family!

Read, watch, listen:

Listening to this right now and it is RIVETING. I had no idea she’s had such a fascinating life (in good ways, and unfortunately in some devastating ways, too) and started acting when she was just months old.

I started watching this with Liv, and while it’s a bit slow, it’s so fun to see so many of the spots we saw in Kyoto. (I have my last two Japan recaps going live next week! It’s taken me forever to write them because I am still suffering from severe Japression.)

Check out this week’s podcast episode with my friend Ashley here! If you’ve had thyroid or any type of hormone issue and still not feeling like yourself, this is a must-listen.

What childhood lessons can you never give up?

Fitness, health, and good eats:

I won’t post the picture because it’s horrible but this recipe was surprisingly delicious. (I had salmon, pesto sauce and pasta on hand and was like why not.) The kiddos loved it and so did Liv’s friend (she lives in the neighborhood and joins us for dinner sometimes).

Our friends at GoMacro sent us some of their new squares to try. They’re SO good. Not as sweet as the original bars, but the flavors have been great and they have the same quality ingredients. I have a GoMacro bar almost every day (so does P!) and it’s fun to switch up the flavors.

Organifi is having a Prime Day promo today for an extra 10% off and you can stack my code FITNESSISTA here. If you buy 3 products, you get a Harmony free! My favorite products are the Green, Gold, Red, Harmony, Shilajit gummies, and hydrogen water tablets <— I use one almost every day. Check it out here. 

Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

The post 6.26 Friday Faves  appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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Author: Fitnessista

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207: What Your Doctor Isn’t Testing | Thyroid, Hormones, and Getting Real Answers with Ashley Cruz Arata

Hi friends!

I have a brand new podcast episode live, and today we are talking all about thyroid health, hormones, and why so many women are being told they’re “fine” when they are absolutely not.

I’m talking with my friend Ashley Cruz Arata, certified Integrative Health Practitioner and hormone specialist. For years she was dismissed by doctors who her me everything was fine because “all the labs were normal.” Meanwhile, she was dealing with 35 lbs of weight gain, relentless joint pain, brain fog and crippling fatigue. She eventually healed herself and now helps high-achieving women 35+ get the real answers their doctors have been missing. I think you are going to love her.

Check out what we chat about:

  • Why conventional thyroid testing only looks at two markers and why that is a massive problem for millions of women
  • The labs you should actually be asking for, including free T3, reverse T3, TPO antibodies, cortisol, and sex hormones
  • Why intermittent fasting and more cardio can make thyroid dysfunction significantly worse
  • The truth about thyroid medication and why taking it does not mean you are done
  • Two free, easy at-home habits that support your thyroid and cortisol rhythm every single day
  • The protein-before-coffee habit that can completely change how your day feels
  • How stress is silently wrecking your hormones and Ashley’s Sunday night ritual to manage it without adding more to your plate

And so much more!!

207: What Your Doctor Isn’t Testing | Thyroid, Hormones, and Getting Real Answers with Ashley Cruz Arata

It was so great getting to chat with Ashley and I hope you love this episode! If you have ever been dismissed by a doctor or told your labs are normal while still feeling terrible, this one is for you!

Ashley also has a free guide for you: Normal Isn’t Optimal: The Essential Hormone Lab Guide That Shows You What “Normal” Labs Are Missing. Grab it here: https://ashleycruzarata.myflodesk.com/normalisntoptimal

You can also find Ashley at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycruzarata/
Website: https://ashleycruzarata.com/

About Ashley:
Ashley Cruz Arata is a certified Integrative Health Practitioner helping high-achieving women 35+ lose weight and restore energy by addressing hormone and thyroid imbalances. After years of being told her labs were “normal” while dealing with fatigue, 40 lbs of weight gain, and brain fog – and a partial thyroidectomy that made things worse before they got better – she turned to functional medicine and never looked back. Ashley works with women who are done being dismissed and ready for real answers about their hormones.

Partners:

Shop Oliveda here.

Try out luxury handbags and jewelry from Vivrelle and use my code GINAHARNEY for your first month free!

Check out We Feed Raw! Maisey goes crazy for this! I use it as a topper for her kibble or mix it into her pup loaf. You can try the raw version, the raw dehydrated kibble, and they’ll help you customize a plan for your pup. Use FITNESSISTA40 for 40% off your Meal Plan Starter Box here!

Check out my new favorite red light device here, and use the code FITNESSISTA for a huge discount. 

I’ve been using Nutrisense on and off for a couple of years now. I love being able to see how my blood sugar responds to my diet and habits, and run experiments. You can try out Nutrisense here and use GINA30 for 30% off.

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don’t currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don’t begin on this path. They’re friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it!

The post 207: What Your Doctor Isn’t Testing | Thyroid, Hormones, and Getting Real Answers with Ashley Cruz Arata appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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Author: Fitnessista