By Erin Nicole Davis
One silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic is a newfound remote work culture that removes a downtown office from the 9-5 equation.
As long as there’s a reliable internet connection, a quiet space, and not too drastic of a time difference – plus we are traveling smartly with all new protocols and procedures in place – it’s now possible to relocate and work remotely. With the year still fresh – and a stressful one in the rearview mirror – it also helps if the location is filled with wellness elements to help you live your best (remote) life.
If you’re in the market to do just that, Sedona makes a no-fail option. We caught up with Emma Keider from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau to hear more about temporarily relocating to the Arizona desert town.
What makes Sedona such an attractive option for those wanting to work remotely?
Sedona is a great place to work remotely because we have amazing views, a mild climate and wide-open spaces. Although we have a close-to-nature lifestyle in a semi-rural environment, Wi-Fi and internet service is very reliable. You can work from anywhere in Sedona and chances are, there will be a great view from any outdoor or indoor workspace. Being in Red Rock Country offers a calm, peaceful environment that promotes clear thinking and creativity. It is also an exciting destination because of all the outdoor activities. There is hiking, mountain biking, climbing, off-roading, swimming in Oak Creek, fishing, Jeep tours, art galleries, amazing restaurants and so much more. After working remotely, you can unwind for the weekend at any one of our several spa locations for massages, facials, body treatments and more.
What specific services are available to accommodate remote workers?
Depending on where the remote worker will be located, many of our hotels and resorts offer special work spaces designed for remote workers. For example, at Amara Resort, a program called “Work from here, Learn from here” provides guests with everything a professional requires. They offer a private classroom/office space with printing station, screen projector, whiteboards, a speakerphone and office/school supplies. Included in Amara’s resort fee, guests also have access to an on-call assistant who can help with day-to-day office tasks.
Remote workers also have access to high speed Internet while at Sedona hotels and resorts, and some local cafes provide free Internet for their customers. Remote workers can have peace of mind knowing that all Sedona businesses are following state and local guidelines during the pandemic. We suggest checking out the Sedona | Safe.Clean.Ready Directory to see a list of businesses, which are voluntarily adhering to CDC-approved and very stringent safety measures.
Is there a specific demographic that tends to opt for this option?
We don’t have data on that but anecdotally; we are seeing that remote work appeals to just about everyone. Industry-specific remote software and other internet improvements enable remote work for architects, accountants, designers, artists, project managers, writers and more. Technology is making precision work and even medical consultations more remote-friendly. People are also continually humanizing the remote experience to feel they are in closer contact and working as a team, even though they may be in different time zones. In fact, we just sponsored a workshop on how to make Zoom communications more natural by doing things like showing your hands, for example.
Where does it make the most sense to stay for, say, three to six months?
If remote workers would be more interested in staying at a home for a longer period of time, Sedona offers hundreds of beautiful vacation rental properties to choose from. You can find some of them here.
What are some of the best spas in Sedona to refresh and rejuvenate outside of office hours?
Sedona’s New Day Spa, eforea Spa by Hilton and The Spa at Sedona Rouge are all quite popular. Mii Amo in Boynton Canyon is also very popular, and is closed for an extensive renovation and expansion but will reopen again in the spring of 2022. You can find all Chamber spa partners here.
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Erin Nicole Davis is the Associate Editor of Travel to Wellness. Follow her here.