Sedona, hands down. Stay at L’Auberge and you won’t leave. The restaurant is outstanding.
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We did the train from Williams to the South Rim once too. I think our kids were 11 & 13 at the time. If you plan a trip late, the train can be about the only way to stay inside the park since they seem to lock up a lot of reservations. I think the train is fun for younger kids, not sure if I’d recommend for kids older than ours were or just adults. It wasn’t bad though and we enjoyed it. It gave us the opportunity to stay inside the park which we loved. Once at the South Rim, you’re on your own until it’s time for the train to leave the next day.
I checked out the website, looks beautiful!! But… a tad too pricey for us to stay, boo hoo.
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We stayed at Sedona Summit and heartily endorse it. I believe it’s a time share property so units have kitchens and living spaces. The bathrooms are the largest I’ve ever seen.
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This looks like a great option, thanks!
We’ve never stayed in Sedona. We like the Little America in Flagstaff. I’d stay where you plan the most activities. Sedona is very scenic and upscale and Flagstaff has a little more of a mountain/college town vibe but is still pretty.
Another consideration is that on a nice weekend in the spring, traffic through Sedona and into Oak Creek Canyon can be backed up for miles. It won’t be a quick trip up to flagstaff and back at those times.
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I like staying in Flagstaff at the Drury Inn. Also, something that my kid enjoyed was visiting Meteor Crater east of Flagstaff - spent LOTS of time there - and going to the ropes/zipline course (Flag X) in Flagstaff.
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This is a good point on traffic. I am now reconsidering and think we will break up our time and spend half in Sedona and half in Flagstaff. Thank you!
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Yikes! I don’t remember paying anything close to those prices. That’s robbery and makes my suggestion seem out of touch. I’m sorry. But, there are many other lovely options in Sedona that are worth checking out.
I agree about traffic, so splitting time half and half makes sense.
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It seems like nicer hotels’ room rates are through the roof everywhere. 
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We stayed multiple times at Los Abrigados in Sedona, but the last time was probably 15 years ago. It’s a great location in that you can walk to lots of things, and there were at least a couple of restaurants right in the little shopping area where the resort is.
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Oh no problem at all, it’s good to see what the options are! Thanks so much for your reply!
Lots of great suggestions already and I don’t know if anyone mentioned it but we really loved Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Reservation. We also loved hiking around Sand Dunes but I don’t remember which ones we did. There are many in that general region. We love the Grand Canyon, the Southern Utah National Parks and the American West in general. We usually visit in the winter and even though it can be a little more challenging to hike it is magical that time of year. Wishing you a lovely trip!
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Even if you don’t stay in Auberge it’s still fun to take the inclinator down and walk along the creek. Bring some bread to feed the ducks!
Another hotel to consider is El Portal, not sure what rates are like these days though. https://elportalsedona.com/
If you go when the weather’s warm and your kids are younger, you might want to check out Slide Rock in the Sedona area.
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Yes to both of these. We will be there in March….and will go to both. It’s on our to do list every time we go to Phoenix. Love both of these places.
In March, we are going to the Chihuli exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens. I’m not sure how long that last…but the gardens are terrific…and there is something interesting each time. If they are having docent led tours…do one.
The MIM….best museum I have ever been to.
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A vote for the Grand Canyon. I hiked it (rim to river and back) in my 20’s and it was wonderful and a major highlight of my travel adventures.
YMMV, especially if you’re not planning on hiking it!
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I never had any particular interest in the grand Canyon. But my now spouse and I had friends in Phoenix so we spent a couple of days at the GC…and loved it!
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