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L'Auberge de Sedona- a Truly Romantic Experience -Article by: Norm Goldman -Paintings by: Lily Azerad-Goldman It's an early March morning and we just pulled up to L'Auberge de Sedona nestled along the banks of Oak Creek in the heart of Sedona Arizona and just a two hour drive from Phoenix. Guess what, we think we are back in one of the New England States! It must be an illusion and our eyes are playing tricks on us! The resort's 33 cottages, 21-room lodge and 2 restaurants that spread out over 11 acres must have been transplanted from Vermont! We blink a few times, yes, that is snow we see on the ground, as well as on the pinon, juniper and cypress trees glistening in the sun against the backdrop of the dramatic red-rock monoliths! Are we still in Arizona? CLICK HERE TO TAKE A PEEK AT THESE MAJESTIC RED ROCKS! After being reassured that we are definitely in red rock country, we look around and are mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the resort and its landscape. We can't miss the majestic sedimentary rocks that were deposited millions of years ago and which form the famous red rocks that attract millions of visitors. Everywhere we look we notice the lushness of the vegetation, reminding us that come early spring the lilacs will be in full bloom with their unmistakable scent. We are informed that L'Auberge is patterned after a French country inn, as its original owner, Janot "Jean" Rocci, came to Sedona from Provence in the early 70s, and in 1982 began to build his home and cottages. In May of 1984 L'Auberge welcomed its first guests to its original 14 cabins. Unfortunately, Monsieur Rocci had fallen on hard times, and eventually, new owners purchased the inn and devoted a great deal of time and money in improvements and expansion. L'Auberge has been recognized as one of the top fifty small hotels in the USA. Travel & Leisure Magazine in 2003 had acknowledged it to be one of the greatest hotels in 2003. Condé Nast Traveler Magazine placed it on its gold list from 1996 to 2003, and over the years it has been awarded the reader's choice by this same magazine as well as countless accolades from other publications and organizations. THE COTTAGES & LODGE Today, travelers are flocking in droves to upper scale resorts and inns that in many cases have been rebuilt, refurbished and renewed, all with the primary objective of pampering their discriminating guests and offering the highest standards in luxurious accommodations. L'Auberge has joined this select crowd and they have recently undergone a complete facelift that is very much in evidence in its 33 cottages and 19 lodge guest rooms with its well-appointed amenities and high standards of service. Setting the stage for those special romantic moments is the casual elegance of the renovated cottages blending classical and traditional design influences of the French and American Southwest in hues of soft browns and blues. Each cottage has been endowed with large comfy beds, imported fabrics, cozy wood-burning fireplaces, charming covered porches with out-door seating, and personal amenities as terry cloth bathrobes, hair dryers, phones, and televisions. To top it off, what better way is there to experience "l'amour toujour", as the French would say, than to enjoy L'Auberge's Amour Package? The package consists of one night's accommodation, a bottle of chilled house champagne, chocolate covered strawberries in room or cottage upon arrival and a "Tasting Menu" for two at the award-winning L'Auberge Restaurant with its views of Oak Creek and gardens. You will also be pleasantly surprised, as we were, to return to your cottage after the gastronomical feast and discover rose petals scattered all over your bed. FAIRY TALE WEDDINGS AT L'AUBERGE Just imagine how delicious it must be to celebrate a wedding in the shadow of the red rocks while dancing the evening away under the stars at one of L'Auberge's various venues! For the future bride and groom, the challenge is choosing among the many possibilities the inn offers. Do you go for the 3, 500 square feet of Le Jardin, with its spectacular Red Rock views and gorgeous gardens? Perhaps, the Creekside Lawn, adjacent to Oak Creek, where towering sycamore and cottonwood trees flourish? Here you can set up tables and chairs with colorful umbrellas. You say your party is relatively large, you might then consider an ivy-covered gazebo on the Cottage Side Lawn adjacent to L'Auberge Restaurant and offering a unique setting in its proximity to the serenity and beauty of Oak Creek. What about unpredictable weather? What is the backup? L'Auberge has meeting rooms that can accommodate from 150 to 12 people. They can also set you up in the newly renovated Les Baux I and II that offer 2, 515 square feet of space accommodating up to 150 people. Both of these rooms include two stone fireplaces in the style of a French Country Hunting Lodge. They also open into the garden with its marvelous red-rock views and beautiful landscape. If your wedding is to be very intimate, you can tie the knot in the Creek Side Lodge that can accommodate up to 50 people with 930 square feet of floor space, large living room and entertainment center, wet bar and full kitchen. The Creekside Lodge also has four guest rooms with private balconies and a wide deck overlooking Oak Creek. The personnel at L'Auberge are very ready and qualified to attend to your floral arrangements, centerpieces, and special ceremonial requirements. We were informed that they even arrange for unique wedding celebrations reflecting traditional Native American wedding ceremonies. Such ceremonies include the draping of wedding blankets over the couple as a symbol of the two becoming compliments of each other. It also includes the blessing of the marriage stick. Throughout their lives, the couple are supposed to insert notches in the stick in order to remind them of the good times and challenges they encounter. As for the catering, you can rely on the creative L'Auberge chefs, who are experts at their craft, and if the quality and service is anything like what we tasted in their restaurant you are in for a great treat. MORE INFORMATION L'Auberge de Sedona 301 L'Auberge Lane Sedona, AZ Tel: 928-282-1661 EMAIL CONTACT Sedona Chamber of Commerce Norm's Review of an Excellent Guidebook to Arizona BIO Norm and Lily Goldman are a unique husband and wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic destinations. Basically, they meld art and words in order to create an unusual travel story, which generates interest particularly because of the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom-made’ for the story-- original story and original art. Their articles and artwork have appeared on many web sites. Norm recently retired from the profession of Title Attorney and Civil Law Notary (See http://www.notaries.net/legaladv.htm for information on what Notaries in Canada do). After his retirement Norm pursued his book- reviewing and travel writing passions, implementing many of his research skills he had been practicing for over 35 years. You can view Norm’s book reviewing at www.bookpleasures.com and Lily’s artwork at www.azergo.com. Other sites where you will find Norm’s writings are: Bootsnall http://www.bootsnall.com/cgi-bin/gt/reviews/index.shtml Bestreviews http://thebestreviews.com/user793 blether.com http://www.blether.com/ bookideas.com http://www.bookideas.com/ triplit.com http://www.triplit.com/ Canada One http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/reviews/review26.html Norm and Lily are always open to suggestions from Convention Bureaus, PR representatives, and resorts and inns, located in Northeast USA, Eastern Canada and the West Coast of Florida. However, they may be open to other areas of the USA and Canada. You may contact them at: l.goldman@sympatico.ca

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