In the morning, alpenglow on red rock cliffs set the scene as sunrise paints the hillside at Outbound Sedona in Sedona, Arizona. Formerly Poco Diablo, this $22M remodel gave us cozy beds, a soothing spa and a get-out-and-play vibe that let us skip Uptown Sedona’s notorious traffic while enjoying hand-in-hand hikes, local wineries and a perfectly romantic red-rock escape.
Why Outbound Sedona Beats Other Nearby Resorts for Couples
- Sensory Morning Serenade on the Patio: We soaked in rich coffee, a sweating glass of cold orange juice and a live soundtrack of bird-filled trees and percussive duck quacks as mountain shadows dropped away to reveal pink and yellow cliffs.
- Stress-Free Wine & Outdoor Access: Nestled south of Uptown’s single-road gridlock, it serves as our effortless gateway to both red rock adventures and Verde Valley wine tasting.
- Romantic Balance of Trail and Spa: Designed for hand-in-hand hikes and sunsets that steal your heart in the land of crystals and vortices, seamlessly paired with soothing spa recovery after a day on the red dust.
- Refreshing Plateau Summer Escape: Sitting high on the Colorado Plateau, the elevation keeps the morning air crisp and cool, creating an idyllic outdoor sanctuary even during an Arizona summer.
- Grounded Luxury Without the Tourist Clutter: A $22 million transformation delivers good-night-sleep beds and an authentic retreat far removed from generic souvenir shops and crowded pools.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted by Outbound Sedona.
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Why We Loved Outbound Sedona
Property: Outbound Sedona | Address: 1750 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336 | Phone: (928) 282-7333 | Hours: 24/7 Front Desk | Best for: Couples seeking an active romantic getaway
After an eight-hour drive, pulling up to a bold desert mural and stepping into the bright, airy lobby of Outbound Sedona was pure relief. By taking Highway 179, we saved 20 minutes and skipped Uptown gridlock. The $22M makeover hits the perfect note: spacious rooms with soothing Southwestern decor, patio views and an active vibe tailored for outdoor-loving couples.
- Effortless Arrival: Fast, warm check-in and direct access off Highway 179 let us start relaxing long before fighting in-town weekend traffic.
- Spacious Patio Retreat: Our refurbished room featured sliding doors to a private patio set on a slight rise overlooking the pool, with ample space for our luggage and trail gear.
- Outward-Focused Vibe: The resort encourages exploration over sitting by the pool, offering an on-site Gear Garage, guided tour bookings and a relaxing wildlife pond.
- Cozy Desert Nights: Select rooms feature private patio fire pits, making it easy to take the chill off cool plateau evenings after a day on the trails.
Rooms & Amenities Built for Two
The rooms at Outbound Sedona blend a contemporary Southwestern cachet with a soothing, warm color palette that immediately puts you at ease, paired with generous square footage so you never feel cramped. Designed as a comfortable retreat for active days in high-desert country, the property balances scenic privacy with an array of outdoor amenities.
- Scenic Outdoor Access: Sliding glass doors open directly onto private outdoor leisure spaces, set on a slight rise overlooking the pool and southern mountain vistas for an ideal mix of privacy and immersion.
- Spacious & Restful Layouts: Generous room dimensions easily accommodate camera equipment, hiking boots, and travel luggage, while good-night-sleep beds ensure deep rest after a day of exploring.
- Resort Amenities: Guests can unwind using the Moonwater Pool, two hot tubs, tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor yoga spaces, and select private patio fire pits perfect for relaxing under the stars.
Romantic Experiences for Couples at Outbound Sedona
Sunrise Patio Breakfast at Lucida
Sitting on the outdoor lounge terrace at Lucinda Desert Kitchen + Bar overlooking the pool as the morning sun chases the night away, watching mountain shadows drop to reveal pink, yellow and orange cliffs. With a hot, bold coffee at hand and a sweating glass of cold orange juice awaiting its turn, you get a front-row seat to the red rocks coming alive.
- Why Go: It offers a tranquil morning start accompanied by a live musical soundtrack of bird-filled trees around the pool and percussive quacks from ducks on the pond.
- The Romance Spark: Watching the towering red rock formations light up in the cool plateau air sets an intimate, magical mood before you ever step foot on a trail.
Hand-in-Hand Red Rock Trail Adventures and Ponderosa Country
People come to Sedona for the hiking, and even in Arizona’s high-country summers, the red rock canyons and thick Ponderosa forests surrounding Outbound Sedona provide cool, scenic respites for all skill levels. If you didn’t bring your full trail kit, the on-site Outbound Gear Garage has the equipment you need to hit local trails safely, with resources like Visit Sedona, AllTrails or GaiaGPS.
- Why Go: Exploring the surrounding forests and high-desert canyons allows couples to immerse themselves directly in the spectacular natural landscape.
- The Romance Spark: Sharing quiet moments under the canopy of Ponderosa pines and hitting scenic overlooks hand in hand creates deeply connected outdoor memories.
Thrilling Off-Road Jeep Tours & High-Country Adventures
For couples looking to break up their hiking routine with high-octane excitement, a guided Jeep tour is a spectacular way to spend half a day deep in red rock country. Outbound Sedona’s staff can directly arrange private or group excursions—including famous Pink Jeep Tours—to tackle dramatic terrain and harrowingly steep routes like the Devil’s Staircase on the Broken Arrow Trail.
- Why Go: It offers an effortless, expert-guided plunge into rugged backcountry terrain that standard vehicles cannot reach.
- The Romance Spark: Holding on tight together as you traverse steep rock faces and conquer harrowing trails adds a fun, adrenaline-filled thrill to your romantic escape.
Trail Tamer Recovery at the Spa
After crunching through trail dust on the red rocks, you can seamlessly transition back to the resort for total relaxation. The Spa at Outbound Sedona offers couple-centric wellness options, including the Canyon Connection Duo Massage and the pre-hike Trail Tamer treatment.
- Why Go: It creates a delightful connection between active outdoor exploration and soothing physical renewal.
- The Romance Spark: Unwinding side-by-side in a serene setting melts away muscle tension and lets your shoulders relax completely.
Al Fresco Wine Tasting Along the Verde River
Located at the southern entrance of Sedona, the resort allows you to bypass Uptown’s heavy traffic and head straight to the nearby Verde Valley Wine Country for an afternoon of wine tasting.
- Why Go: You can visit spots like Alcantara Vineyards & Winery in Clarkdale to sample local wines along the banks of the Verde River.
- The Romance Spark: Sipping local vintages riverside under the warm Arizona sun brings a relaxed, European-style romantic charm to your high-desert getaway.
Spiritual Renewal & Vortex Exploration
Sedona is world-renowned for its deep spiritual connections, reputed energy vortices, labyrinths for unwinding and peaceful spots for quiet meditation and thought. Couples can explore local shops offering crystals, dreamcatchers, aromatherapy and holistic wellness treatments to bring high-desert mindfulness into their stay.
- Why Go: It offers a grounding, contemplative counterweight to active physical adventures.
- The Romance Spark: Pausing together at a vortex site or sharing quiet reflection amid the red rocks fosters a unique sense of shared peace and personal renewal.
Evening Fire Pits & Scenic Hillside Dinners
As evening falls, you can enjoy a scenic hillside dinner nearby, then return to the resort to wind down. Select guest rooms feature private patio fire pits designed for cozying up under the stars.
- Why Go: It pairs fine local dining with private, quiet moments back at your room.
- The Romance Spark: Sipping a nightcap while taking the chill off a crisp desert night beside your private patio fire pit offers the perfect, quiet close to an adventure-filled day.
Dining & Local Culinary Highlights
On-site, Lucinda Desert Kitchen + Bar acts as the culinary anchor from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Featuring both indoor seating with a full bar and a covered terrace overlooking the pool, Lucida offers options for every mood. Whether sipping fresh-squeezed orange juice on the patio at breakfast or relaxing indoors with an evening cocktail, the restaurant blends fresh flavors with panoramic views.
For dining beyond the resort, couples can explore a diverse dining scene:
- Brunch & Local Shopping: Grab a fresh brunch at Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market in Tlaquepaque North, then stroll through the surrounding Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village to explore artisan galleries, holistic merchants and local wine shops.
- Scenic Hillside Dinners: Pair resort stays with romantic evening meals nearby at The Hudson (one of our favorites), Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill, or Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano for elevated cuisine with dramatic red-rock backdrops.
Bypassing the Gridlock: Location & Local Tips
One of Outbound’s greatest advantages is its strategic location at 1750 AZ-179 . Bypassing Highway 179 delivers you straight to the resort before hitting the severe roundabout gridlock that clogs Uptown Sedona and single-road routes to other area properties. From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the drive takes just over two hours without battling in-town congestion.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Impress the locals by pronouncing Mogollon Rim correctly (“MOE-ghee-yun”) before heading out on your canyon drives.
Preferred Travel Dates
- Best Time for Value: Visit between December and February (excluding three-day holiday weekends). Daytime temperatures rest comfortably in the 60s and prices drop significantly.
- Avoid Weekend Crowds: Book mid-week ( Sundays through Thursdays ) between September and May to skip peak pricing and heavy trail traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Located at the southern entry to Sedona along Highway 179, Outbound lets you pull into the resort a good twenty minutes before hitting the heavy roundabout traffic that congests Uptown Sedona and single-road routes to other area properties. It serves as a central, avoid-the-traffic base camp for exploring both the red rock outdoors and the nearby Verde Valley Wine Region.
The property was formerly the historic Poco Diablo Resort. It was redeveloped and upscaled under the Outbound Hotel flag through a $22-million renovation featuring newly refurbished rooms and an outward-focused, get-out-and-play vibe.
Couples can start their morning on Lucida Terrace with bold black coffee, cold orange juice and a live natural soundtrack of songbirds and pond ducks as mountain shadows melt into red-rock sunrise hues. Beyond morning breakfasts, the resort features specialized treatments at the on-site spa—such as the Canyon Connection Duo Massage or the pre-hike Trail Tamer—and select rooms include private outdoor patio fire pits to take the chill off cool plateau nights under the stars. The resort also serves as an adventure launchpad, offering direct access to gear rentals at the Outbound Gear Garage, as well as private Jeep tours, guided hikes and Verde River kayaking arranged by staff.
The resort features Lucida Desert Kitchen + Bar, which is open daily from seven in the morning until nine at night. It offers indoor bar and dining space as well as a covered outdoor lounge terrace overlooking the pool and surrounding red rock terrain.
Guest rooms feature a soothing Southwestern palette, contemporary cachet and good-night-sleep beds. Ample room square footage easily accommodates camera gear, luggage and outdoor equipment without feeling cramped, while sliding glass doors open directly onto private patios.
Visiting during the winter months from December through February—excluding three-day holiday weekends—offers pleasant daytime temperatures in the sixties alongside the lowest rates of the year. Alternatively, reserving stays mid-week from Sunday through Thursday between September and May allows couples to avoid peak weekend pricing and heavy trail crowds.
Read More
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