Ambiente, a 40-unit landscape hotel that broke ground in 2019, is slated to open in West Sedona in December 2022 and to begin taking reservations in February 2023. The hotel will create 95 local jobs and plans to keep from adding to Sedona traffic.

The hotel is composed of 40 atriums, encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, each of which is a 576-square-foot cube, that have been intentionally sited to provide views of the Sedona landscape.

Each atrium features a rooftop deck that allows guests to take advantage of Sedona’s night-time sky. The atriums have been designed in a modern style that complements the surrounding landscape while minimizing their intrusion on the land. They embody the idea of elegant minimalism with features that range from roaring fires to on-demand wine dispensers.

Ambiente has so far been featured in Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, listed among a variety of other luxury accommodations from Italy to Japan.

“We wanted to create something unique and different for guests, all with keeping in mind that we are locals, too, and have lived here full-time for the past 37 years,” co-owner Jennifer May said.

One way that Ambiente is focusing on the community is by addressing the issue of increasing traffic in Sedona.

“Our motto is to provide ways for our guests to come to Ambiente, park their cars and never have to drive again until they leave. The fact that Ambiente is centrally located helps tremendously, since the property is a short walk or eTrike away from everything,” May said.

Given its location near the heavily-congested roundabouts at the “Y,” Ambiente has completed traffic studies to “mitigate adding traffic to our community,” according to May. To contribute to its traffic reduction strategy, Ambiente has implemented several solutions, including a shuttle, eTrikes and a private trailhead. Ambiente also features a spa and restaurant offering locally-sourced organic fare, making it an all-inclusive experience for guests.

Amiente is focusing on achieving a balance between catering to guests and being community-focused.

“We know that Sedona speaks to the heart of so many people who come here to vacation. In fact, many people living here now once came as tourists and fell in love with it. We wanted to find a way for people to come visit and yet be sensitive to our locals, too, because all of this is what the beauty of Sedona is, it’s ‘community’ and not just the scenery that people are drawn to,” May said.

Ambiente will maintain the Adobe Jack Trailhead located near the hotel entrance.

“We will have public parking at the trailhead for our locals — no hotel guests will park in these public spaces — and we will also be installing a watering station at the trailhead for all hikers and mountain bikers to access,” May said.

In addition, Ambiente is connecting with the community by partnering with local businesses to offer services and experiences to their guests.

“As a locally owned and operated resort we are also partnering with local farmers, ranchers, wineries, breweries and other companies to source all of our products,” May said.

The hotel is currently hiring for open positions and their website lists 22 available job postings.