SmarterTravel Spotlight: Ambiente Sedona Review

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Wake up to a stunning glass-enclosed sanctuary immersed in the breathtaking beauty of Sedona’s legendary red rocks. Welcome to Ambiente, a groundbreaking “landscape hotel” that elevates the art of seclusion and sustainability to new heights. 

This adults-only oasis features 40 private, cube-shaped “atriums” elegantly poised above the rugged terrain, each offering panoramic views through its glass walls. Add world-class dining, a pampering spa, and impeccable service, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable Sedona escape.

I stayed in one of Ambiente’s Forest Reflections Atriums, which overlooks the property’s creek and lush forest, with Sedona’s iconic red rocks in the distance.

The Location

While Ambiente offers a serene, nature-centric escape, it’s actually located just minutes from lively Uptown Sedona, the main tourist area packed with art galleries, shops, and restaurants. 

The resort is well-positioned for exploring Sedona’s renowned hiking and biking trails. With parking at a premium at many trailheads, I appreciated being able to walk out of Ambiente and directly onto the Adobe Jack trailhead, which winds through the area’s iconic red rock formations and provides access to miles of scenic footpaths.

Dining

Helmed by Chef David Duncan, Ambiente’s culinary program focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Pull up a chair poolside at The Drifter for a casual brunch or lunch. Here, guests can indulge in a range of options, from lighter fare like the Taste of Spring Salad with bok choy, daikon, pear, pepitas, and pomegranate to more indulgent choices such as the Wagyu Beef sliders.

For a more elevated dining experience, Forty1 is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, open nightly for dinner. The menu showcases a Southwestern flair, with standout dishes like the Tempeh served with shishito coconut cream, thai basil, and chive flower.

Many guests start their day by having breakfast delivered to their room (a breakfast food and beverage credit is included with every stay). I can verify that taking in the sunrise over the red rocks from the comfort of a plush king-sized bed while sipping coffee is one of the best ways to greet the morning. 

With such luxurious accommodations, it can be tempting to simply hole up in one’s private oasis. Fortunately, Ambiente offers room service for both breakfast and dinner. While on a hike, I utilized Ambiente’s convenient concierge texting service to have a cheese plate and cocktail waiting for me on my rooftop terrace when I returned, allowing me to watch the sunset while enjoying a well-deserved snack.

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The Rooms

Instead of traditional hotel rooms, Ambiente boasts 40 individual atriums—free-standing cubed structures featuring three mirror-tinted glass walls reflecting the surrounding landscape. (The fourth wall houses the private bathroom and changing area.)  At night, motorized blackout curtains can be closed with the touch of a button. 

These atriums are thoughtfully designed to place the landscape front and center, with the plush king-sized bed positioned to offer optimal sightlines of the natural scenery beyond the glass. And in the unlikely event that guests find themselves craving a bit of entertainment, a flat-screen television can be lowered from the ceiling or retracted entirely to maintain an uninterrupted vista.

Each atrium’s small kitchen area is fully stocked with complimentary local treats such as chips and gourmet popcorn. A minifridge offers cold drinks, including regional craft beers (note that alcohol is not included in the rate). 

However, the crown jewel of each atrium lies above, where a spiral staircase leads to a private rooftop terrace outfitted with a cozy daybed and firepit. These penthouse-level oases provide the perfect vantage point for soaking up the sun or gazing at the stars. Since Sedona is a designated Dark Sky Community, Ambiente keeps exterior lighting low at night, allowing an unparalleled view of the stars. On clear evenings, you may even spot the Milky Way or remote planets. 

All rooms include the following amenities:

• Organic linens
• Double sinks with adjustable lighting
• Hinoki soaking tub
• Walk-in shower with dual rainheads
• Towel warmer
• Byredo toiletries
• Matouk spa robes
• Slippers
• Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• WiFi

Amenities

You’ll hand your car over to the valet as soon as you arrive at Ambiente. The property is entirely car-free, helping to create a serene, peaceful atmosphere. But don’t worry, a complimentary on-call car service is available to whisk you off-property in the resort’s customized Audi RS e-tron if you want to explore the local area.

Once settled in, you’ll be able to take advantage of Ambiente’s wealth of standout amenities, including:

• Outdoor pool with loungers and hot tub 
• Onsite spa
• Direct access to over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails
• Welcome gift of champagne and snacks
• In-room pour-over coffee station
• Activities such as sunrise yoga and guided stargazing sessions

Price and How to Book

Rates for Ambiente start at around $1,199 and can be booked directly through the property. 

Editor’s Note: Ambiente Sedona hosted the author of this story.

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