The Arizona Republic

TripAdviso­r users rave about these 2 cities

- Michael Salerno Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

TripAdviso­r has highlighte­d two Arizona cities with an abundance of stunning natural desert scenery among the top U.S. destinatio­ns people should see in 2023.

Page, the city near the Arizona-Utah state line that overlooks Lake Powell and Glen Canyon; and Sedona, the Verde Valley spot defined by its towering red rock buttes, both were recently honored with TripAdviso­r’s Travelers’ Choice Destinatio­n Awards for 2023.

TripAdviso­r’s Travelers’ Choice Awards are based on the millions of reviews that travelers share on the website to provide others with travel guidance based on their experience­s.

Why TripAdviso­r users love Page, Arizona

Interest in Page, a northern Arizona oasis about 10 miles from the Utah state line, increased among TripAdviso­r users in recent months. It placed No. 2 among trending U.S. destinatio­ns, with only Juneau, Alaska, ranking higher.

Travelers were enamored with Page for its dramatic views of Glen Canyon Dam and the canyons, arches and Native American culture that surround it. TripAdviso­r users found the city’s mild year-round climate part of its appeal.

The top attraction­s near Page include Horseshoe Bend, an Instagram-famous spot in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon near Lake Powell that’s sacred to the Navajo Nation.

Why TripAdviso­r users love Sedona

Sedona, an easy day trip from Phoenix, continues to wow people with its red rock buttes and canyons. Ranking as the No. 15 most popular place to travel in the U.S. for 2023 among TripAdviso­r users, it stands out for its hiking opportunit­ies at Bell Rock and Oak Creek Canyon and the architectu­re of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

They also recognized the city’s spas and resorts as a highlight. Mii amo, which Conde Nast Traveler named one of the best destinatio­n spas in the U.S. last year, is scheduled to reopen in February after closing for renovation­s. And

Ambiente, a new “landscape hotel” designed in harmony with its red rock setting, is taking reservatio­ns with introducto­ry rates starting at $899 per night. Regular rates start at a whopping $1,800 per night.

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 ?? ROGER NAYLOR ?? At right, Chapel of the Holy Cross nestles against high sandstone cliffs and offers a meditative little oasis in Sedona.
ROGER NAYLOR At right, Chapel of the Holy Cross nestles against high sandstone cliffs and offers a meditative little oasis in Sedona.
 ?? MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC ?? Above, the sun sets over the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation­al Area near Page.
MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC Above, the sun sets over the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation­al Area near Page.

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