Outbound Sedona Reimagines Desert Luxury and Adventure

SEDONA, Ariz. – April 28, 2026 – Sedona's iconic red rock landscape is gaining a new destination for adventure and wellness with the debut of Outbound Sedona on May 7, 2026. The completely reimagined property, formerly the Poco Diablo Resort, is being introduced by Outbound Hotels as a 138-room desert retreat designed to blend immersive design, curated programming, and seamless access to the region's famed natural beauty.

Located minutes from the bustling Uptown Sedona, the resort's opening marks a significant expansion for the nature-focused hospitality brand, which aims to provide modern comforts in extraordinary outdoor destinations.

A New Era for a Sedona Landmark

The transformation from the well-known Poco Diablo Resort into Outbound Sedona is a top-to-bottom reinvention. In partnership with the acclaimed design firm The Gettys Group, the property now features a modern Pueblo-inspired architectural style that channels its dramatic surroundings. The aesthetic is defined by sunbaked textures and a warm, elemental palette, creating a space that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to the desert environment.

Accommodations are varied, ranging from king and bunk rooms for different types of travel groups to the expansive Serenity Suite. Select rooms offer private patios, fireplaces, and kitchenettes, providing options for both short getaways and extended stays.

"Outbound Sedona marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, bringing our approach to design, programming, and community into the heart of one of the country's most striking landscapes," said Matthew Mering, President of Outbound Hotels – A Waterton Hospitality Company. "With this property, we wanted to create a place that feels rooted in Sedona itself, where guests and locals can come together, slow down, and experience the red rocks in an authentic way."

Curated Experiences: From Wellness to Adventure

Outbound Sedona is betting heavily on its unique amenities to set it apart. The property will host the brand's first-ever spa, The Spa at Outbound Sedona, opening May 15. Designed for recovery and restoration, it will feature four treatment rooms, a retail space, and enhanced amenities including a dry sauna, a cold plunge, and a private, adults-only outdoor pool.

At the resort's social core is Moonwater, a two-tiered pool retreat designed for golden-hour lounging with sweeping views of Bell Rock. Complete with hot tubs and fire pits, the space transitions from a relaxed daytime hub for poolside bites to an evening destination for stargazing. Select evenings will feature "Moonwater Sessions," a desert-inspired live music experience.

The culinary program is anchored by the forthcoming signature restaurant, Lucida. Developed with Folkart Management, the craft-driven hospitality group led by Chef Matthias Merges, the restaurant promises an indoor-outdoor dining experience with a menu rooted in seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and bold Southwestern flavors. Offerings like prickly pear parfaits and mesquite salmon signal a high-desert culinary identity.

For the adventurous, an on-site Gear Garage will offer trail-ready essentials like bikes and provide local route recommendations. The property also features four hard courts for tennis and pickleball. In a nod to sustainable tourism and community integration, the resort serves as a stop along the Verde Shuttle, a complimentary hop-on, hop-off service that connects visitors to Sedona's most popular trailheads, helping to alleviate local traffic congestion.

Rhythm, Rally, and Community Engagement

To celebrate its launch, Outbound Sedona will host a "Rhythm & Rally Weekend" from June 5–7. The event is designed to showcase the resort's blend of music, movement, and social connection. The weekend's Moonwater Sessions will feature Arizona-based musicians, including guitarist Michael Lucarelli on Friday, followed by performances from Color Machine and Cameron Jameson on Saturday.

The celebration will be co-hosted by DJ Jasmine Solano, a musician and curator known for her work with major artists and brands. She will perform DJ sets both nights and bring her signature Rhythm & Rally (R&R) experience from Los Angeles and New York to the resort's courts. The R&R clinics, held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, will offer dynamic tennis and pickleball instruction from top coaches, complete with team competitions and prize giveaways. Locals are invited to purchase tickets, and a dedicated travel package is available for visitors.

The resort's commitment to local partnership is further highlighted by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce for May 14 at 4 p.m., formally marking its entry into the community.

Navigating Sedona's Competitive Hospitality Landscape

Outbound Sedona enters a dynamic and competitive market. Sedona's tourism industry is a formidable economic engine, generating an estimated $1 billion annually and supporting over 10,000 jobs. The city's hospitality sector has long been characterized by strong pricing power, driven by its reputation as a premium wellness and outdoor destination with a constrained hotel supply.

However, recent trends have shown some market normalization after a post-pandemic surge, with reports indicating a decline in hotel occupancy rates through 2023, even as daily room rates remained high. Outbound Sedona will compete with established luxury players like the 5-star Enchantment Resort, known for its dramatic Boynton Canyon setting, and L'Auberge de Sedona, which offers serene creekside luxury.

The new resort appears strategically positioned to appeal to the modern experiential traveler who values wellness, adventure, and authentic local connections over traditional luxury. Its comprehensive programming, from the cold plunge at the spa to the pickleball clinics and direct shuttle access to trails, caters to a demographic seeking a more active and integrated vacation experience. By transforming an existing property, Outbound also taps into a more sustainable development model in a region where new construction can be contentious.

The Outbound Strategy: A Blueprint for Experiential Growth

The launch of Outbound Sedona is a key move in a broader national strategy for Outbound Hotels. Owned by Waterton and operated in partnership with CoralTree Hospitality, the brand has carved a niche by acquiring and rebranding properties in sought-after outdoor destinations. This model allows the company to establish a presence in prime locations while infusing each property with its signature blend of modern design and adventure-focused amenities.

Outbound Sedona joins a growing portfolio that already includes The Virginian Lodge in Jackson Hole, WY; Outbound Mammoth in Mammoth Lakes, CA; and Outbound Stowe in Stowe, VT. The company has also announced plans for further expansion into iconic locations like Yosemite, CA, and Park City, UT. This consistent strategy of targeting high-demand nature markets and redefining existing lodging underscores the brand's confidence in the continued growth of the experiential travel sector. By focusing on the holistic guest journey—from trail access and gear to recovery and dining—Outbound is building a powerful brand identity for the modern adventurer.