When my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I replied, "A weekend get-away to Sedona." Shortly thereafter I started researching places to stay in the area and came across reviews for Garland's Lodge in Oak Creek Canyon. Knowing the "canyon" should be a prime area for viewing fall foliage in Arizona, I e-mailed Garland's and promptly received a reply that they had a small cabin available that weekend ~ we were on our way! Upon arriving at Garland's (crossing the creek that runs over their road is fun), I knew the location was perfect. The lodge and cabins are nestled in the canyon, surrounded by Red Rocks, Oak Creek, and beautiful grounds. Our cabin was just the right size for my husband and I and located right on the creek and surrounded by trees. Our gas log fireplace kept us cozy. We met several people that had been coming to Garland's for years and that's when we learned that once you have a reservation, you can have that time every year for as long as you want it. People told stories of being on waiting lists to get a reservation and I can see why. Garland's is a great place to get away from it all (no tv, no cell service or wi-fi) if that is what you are looking for OR you can use it as a base to explore Sedona and the surrounding area (Jerome, Flagstaff). Awesome hiking is everywhere too! The rate includes afternoon tea and breakfast and dinner. The food is fabulous and it is so nice to just walk right from your cabin to the main lodge for dinner. Generations of families come to Garland's every year and I know we will be back next year ~ Same time, Same Place!

Garland's is beautifully set in the middle of the Oak Creek Canyon. The lodge has all the amenities that you want for a very comfortable stay.
My only negative (and it's an important one).........the food is good.......not great. Because of the setup - everyone is served at the same time - the meal lasted over two hours! That is much too long a sit!

The setting of this Lodge is breathtaking. If you are coming for dinner, try to get there before sundown so you can appreciate how beautiful this property is. You will need to call way in advance to get a dinner reservation if you are not a Lodge guest. The menu is fixed, at the discretion of the chef and is made available online one week before the dinner date. You will be sitting 'family style', that is with other diners, at the same table. We were seated with 2 other couples. (I do believe you can request a private table, but I wasn't aware of this when we booked.) This can either be good or bad, depending on your dinner partners. In our case, one of the women we were seated with dominated the conversation all night and my husband and I couldn't wait for dinner to be over, which is such a pity, since the evening had such potential. The service is impeccable, with the hosts and servers so hospitable. The food was homestyle. Very tasty but definitely not gourmet. It is the type of food you would be served if you were invited over to friends for dinner. Cost for dinner for two, with one cocktail each and no wine was just under $100.

Garlands is a beautiful property with a gracious staff. Breakfast and dinner are included and are so generous that no lunch is needed! Rooms are cleaned like magic while you're out - usually before you're back from breakfast. The staff was gracious and no request went unanswered. The structure can be limiting - only certain times for breakfast and dinner, but it's great fun meeting new people at dinner every night and all the meals were delicious. It definitely has a "same time, next year" feel and most of the guests are "regulars." I plan on returning!