Sizing up Kimpton's Amara Hotel and Spa, and SaltRock Southwest Kitchen

Over the past decade, a handful of noteworthy hotels and inns have opened in Sedona, a few of them departing from the town's classic though somewhat ubiquitous aesthetic of adobe-style architecture and pure Southwest style. The increased variety has been a nice boon for the lodging landscape, offering more choices to visitors. Amara, a hip yet subtly sophisticated hotel perched on the banks of serene Oak Creek, opened in 2003 and has become a favorite of artsy types, urbane travelers, and gay and lesbian visitors, especially since property became part of the LGBT-popular Kimpton brand.

What's different here? The U-shaped complex is set down a steep hillside from the bustling Oak Creek section of Sedona, a short walk from the many galleries, souvenir shops, and cafes, but tucked down by the creek away from the fray. Stylistically, the hotel is boldly designed, with clean lines; a vibrant interior of reds, blacks, and grays; and a slightly playful, urbane mood. Amara is upscale but still reasonably priced, its rooms all with balconies or patios overlooking the pool, creek, or tranquil grounds.

The open, high-ceilinged lobby leads to a superb SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, that has both a quiet interior space and ample seating on an open patio before a fire pit. Sedona has no gay nightlife to speak of, but the bar at SaltRock draws a cool, see-and-be-seen crowd and is definitely one of the more popular GLBT hangouts in town.

Pros:

• Fun, hip, and stylish design.
• Location handy to Oak Creek shopping and dining but hidden from crowds.
• The on-site spa is one of the best in town.
• There's a lovely pool, patio, and fire pit out back.

Cons:

• The hotel is set down low by the creek, which is lovely in its own right, but rooms have relatively limited views of Sedona's red rock peaks.
• If you're seeking a traditional Southwestern design and color scheme, you won't find it here - stylistically, Amara could as easily be in Palm Springs as Sedona.

The Details:

Address, phone, and web: 100 Amara Lane, at 310 N. Hwy. 89A in Oak Creek section of town, Sedona, AZ, 928-282-4828 or 855-324-1313); book online at the hotel's web reservations page. The hotel is in Oak Creek. You'll need a car to explore the outlying area and other sections of town, but much is also within walking distance.

Rooms and notable in-amenities: There are 100 rooms, including some very large suites, and the hotel is set on a 22-acre plot. Each room has contemporary, brightly colored furniture, including plush beds with fine linens and pillowtop mattresses, excellent work desks, and private balconies or patios; the top units have whirlpool tubs and face directly over Oak Creek. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, free local calls, "rain" showers with separate tubs and spa robes. top-notch amenities are used in the bathrooms.

Noteworthy hotel amenities: SaltRock Southwest Kitchen restaurant serves stellar regional cuisine.

Hotel's Amara Spa is intimate and relaxed, with clean lines and a personal touch - signature treatments include the Executive Escape for Men facial, grapeseed antioxidant treatments for the back, Blissful Sage Body Wraps.