Photo credit: essygie on Flickr.com | CC 2.0 Some Rights Reserved

Because of it’s relaxed, open-minded small-town reputation, Sedona has become one of the most gay-friendly travel destinations in the US.  So it’s no wonder that this is the third year for the annual Sedona Pride on the Rocks Festival, coming up September 16 through 17 at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa.

Pride on the Rocks 2011

The festivities begin on Friday, September 16 with the Pre-Pride Party, hosted by Juniper Bar and Grille at the nearby Sedona Golf Resort and will feature a live DJ, complimentary snacks, fantastic views and cash bar. On Saturday, September 17, Pride on the Rocks Festival officially kicks off at noon at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa.  Activities will include a main stage with local and regional entertainers, a live drag show emceed by the fabulous Afeelya Bunz, numerous vendors and exhibitors, community outreach services, fantastic food and drinks and other events – all going until 6:00 p.m.

One of the main events of the weekend, the Private Pride Pool Party at Hilton Sedona’s luxurious 25-meter spa pool is sure to draw a beautiful crowd.  Admission is complimentary for guests with a festival pass. Attendees will be able to treat themselves to a Manicure and Martini moment, take part in the exciting pool games or simply cool off in the giant pool reserved for the Pride Festival community from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As the sun fades behind the world-famous Sedona Red Rocks, Pride guests are invited to join a special Pride Night “Gay-la” at Hilton Sedona’s beautiful ballroom and outdoor event space.  This unforgettable party will feature a live DJ, drag show, dance floor and cash bar. The “Gay-la” starts at 8 p.m. and lasts until 2 a.m.

Admission for each Pride on the Rocks event is $10 per person. Perfect Pride Packages are also available for those who plan to attend all three events.

To book a stay at Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa for Pride on the Rocks, call 1.877.2REDROCK (1.877.273.3762) or visit www.hiltonsedonaresort.com. For additional information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.sedonapride.org.

5 LGBT-Friendly Sedona Travel Tips

Keep the fun going after the festival, or any time of year with these five tips for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and couples visiting Sedona:

#1 – Stay at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa

Sedona has always been known as a warm and friendly destination, and Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa is no exception. As a TAG Approved® hotel, Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa meets six LGBT-friendly qualifications including treating heterosexual and domestic partners equally in personnel policies and employing staff who reflect the diversity of their community. If you’re coming to Sedona for the festival,  guests of the resort can be in the heart of all the action for special Pride rates starting at $139 on Friday and $179 on Saturday night. www.hiltonsedonaresort.com

#2 – Visit A Spa For You

A prime example of an emerging trend in spas, the one-person spa, A Spa for You Sedona Day Spa allows guests to experience owner/therapist Thea Draaisma’s complete, undivided attention in her quaint and warm Scandinavian-style sanctuary. LGBT travelers and couples can enjoy a signature Japanese Facial Massage or couples treatment in complete privacy and stillness. www.aspaforyou.com

#3 – Dine at Relics

Located at the historic Rainbow’s End in West Sedona (Highway 89A at Dry Creek Road) Relics Restaurant and Lounge is Sedona’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Open to all, this full service fine dining restaurant with patio and lounge dining, entertainment, dancing on northern Arizona’s largest wooden dance floor has long been a favorite of the local LGBT community.

#4 – Expect Early Morning Hikes vs. a Late Night Club Scene

The number one attraction in Sedona is and always will be the red rocks. You won’t find restaurants, clubs or bars open past midnight (or even 10pm) in this small town. Instead, you’ll find friendly locals willing to join you for, or help you plan a sunrise hike, romantic picnic lunch or afternoon catnap on a rock, whether you’re venturing out on your own, with new friends or as a couple. If hiking isn’t your thing, try wine-tasting at any one of the half-dozen vineyards, wineries and wine-tasting rooms in the Sedona area.

#5 – Be yourself

Sedona is a small town, yes. But Sedona attracts visitors and residents open to a broad spectrum of spiritual, religious and political views, where meditation and self-discovery are vastly more popular pursuits than judging others and pointing out differences. Relax, slow your pace, experience Sedona with intention, spend time soaking up the magic of the red rocks and don’t worry a thing about being anyone but yourself.

What better way to celebrate your love than in magical Sedona, Arizona? Sedona is a welcoming, diverse community and one of the most romantic locations in the world. The Arizona Pride Guide and the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa are proud to announce an exciting contest for the GLBT community. The grand prize winner will receive a commitment ceremony at the beautiful Hilton Sedona resort.

Along with the ceremony, the winning couple receives a reception with flowers, cake, a romantic suite for the night, photographer, champagne toast and breakfast in bed.

To enter, visit GoGayArizona.com and download the official rules. The deadline to enter is September 15, 2010 and the winner will be announced October 2, 2010 at the Pride Guide Booth at the Rainbow Festival in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Additional services provided by Sedona Cake Couture, VanDamme Weddings, Sunfellow Photography and Bliss Extraordinary Floral.

Located along the beautiful Red Rock Scenic Byway, Sedona’s gateway to world-famous red rock country and Arizona’s first All American Road, Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, a 219-room property is only 90 minutes north of Phoenix. Guest accommodations feature two-room suites with separate living rooms and private patios or balconies, with breathtaking views of Sedona’s majestic red rocks or the Sedona Golf Resort. In-room amenities include fireplace, flat screen televisions, minibar, high-speed Internet access, microwave oven, coffeemaker, and iron/ironing board. Additionally, the resort boasts three heated pools, two restaurants, and has the area’s largest conference facilities in Northern Arizona with 20,500 square feet of meeting space. Complete meetings packages are available.

Reservations: Call 1.877.2REDROCK. Or book online at www.hiltonsedonaresort.com.

Hilton Sedona Cascades Pool

Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa is excited to announce the completion of its comprehensive $4.2 million renovation that included spa improvements, guest suite upgrades and enhanced meeting environments.

“During the past couple of years the resort has undergone extensive renovations that enhanced guest suites, meeting spaces and our world class spa,” said Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa General Manager, Edgar Lozoya.

Last fall Hilton Sedona Spa, a 25,000 square foot wellness center, completed interior and exterior upgrades, including new steam and sauna rooms, and modern pool area enhancements. The spa’s 25-meter outdoor lap pool was re-plastered and retiled, while its surrounding decking was resurfaced. The pool area was further updated with new umbrellas, lounge chairs and Sedona-inspired paint to both energize and relax guests.

Keeping luxury at the forefront of the renovation, each of the 219 guest suites received modern décor accents, large plasma flat screen televisions in both the sleeping room and living areas. Guest suite bathrooms were also improved with granite top vanities and curved shower rods.

And now, you can see the results of the renovation on the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa’s newly renovated website, www.hiltonsedona.com. Featuring vibrant photos that capture the resort’s upscale amenities and Sedona’s majestic beauty, the new website will allure first-time guests and remind returning visitors of pleasant red-rock memories.

Lozoya added, “Often times our website serves as our guests’ first introduction to the resort, so it’s only fitting that the renovations be reflected in our Web presence.”

Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa is only 90 minutes north of Phoenix, at the gateway to world-famous red rock country along Arizona’s first designated All American Road, the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Guest accommodations feature two-room suites with separate living rooms and private patios or balconies, with breathtaking views of Sedona’s majestic red rocks or the Sedona Golf Resort.

Japanese Members to Experience Luxury Resort and World-Class Spa

photo credit: tinou bao - flickr.com

Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa will host Japanese photographers from Through Each Others Eyes™ (TEOE), a not-for profit corporation that sponsors international photographer exchanges, on March 4, 2009. The visiting photographers are from Himeji, Japan, a sister city of Phoenix, Arizona.

“We are delighted that our resort will be their introduction to the Sedona experience,” said Edgar Lozoya, Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa General Manager. “In addition, our close proximity to the legendary Arizona red rocks and Coconino National Forest positions our top tier resort as the gateway to Sedona.”

Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa

Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa provides guests with beautiful red rock views and easy access to the best that Sedona has to offer. During their stay the photographers may take advantage of the resort’s knowledgeable Director of Adventure, who provides guests with an insider’s experience of Sedona such as tranquil trails through the Coconino National Forest. Additionally, the photographers will have access to the world-class Hilton Spa, which blends rejuvenating services for both mind and body.

During the group’s 10-day Arizona trip, the Japanese photographers will be capturing the beauty of Arizona, including the splendor of Sedona. The photographs collected during their visit will be on exhibit in Arizona and Himeji, Japan.

Through Each Others Eyes™ works closely with Sister Cities International chapters and local governments to promote international understanding by using the medium of photography.

About Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa
A part of Hilton Worldwide Resorts™, the 219-room property is located 90 minutes north of Phoenix and features two-room suites with separate living rooms and private patios or balconies, with breathtaking views of Sedona’s majestic red rocks or the Sedona Golf Resort. Guest room amenities include fireplace, flat screen televisions, minibar, high-speed Internet access, microwave oven, coffeemaker, and iron/ironing board. Guests can also enjoy three heated pools and two restaurants. The Hilton Sedona has the largest conference facilities in Northern Arizona with 20,500 square feet of meeting space. Complete meetings packages are available. The resort offers guests complimentary wireless internet access in all public spaces including the pool areas.  More at hiltonsedona.com.