{"id":11095,"date":"2022-09-28T14:39:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T13:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/?p=11095"},"modified":"2023-07-31T18:53:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T17:53:36","slug":"american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/","title":{"rendered":"A journey through the American southwest &#8211; in style, whenever possible"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#16-day_road_trip_itinerary_%E2%80%93_California_Nevada_Arizona\" title=\"16-day road trip itinerary &#8211; California, Nevada &amp; Arizona:\">16-day road trip itinerary &#8211; California, Nevada &amp; Arizona:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Our_west_coast_adventures_to_date\" title=\"Our west coast adventures to date\">Our west coast adventures to date<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Increased_price_level_in_upscale_hotels_in_the_southwest_USA\" title=\"Increased price level in upscale hotels in the southwest USA\">Increased price level in upscale hotels in the southwest USA<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#My_personal_experiences_in_terms_of_overcharging_and_under_delivering_at_hotels\" title=\"My personal experiences in terms of overcharging and under delivering at hotels\">My personal experiences in terms of overcharging and under delivering at hotels<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Considerations_on_itineraries_in_the_southwest_USA_%E2%80%93_generally_in_view_of_overtourism\" title=\"Considerations on itineraries in the southwest USA &#8211; generally &amp; in view of overtourism\">Considerations on itineraries in the southwest USA &#8211; generally &amp; in view of overtourism<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Route_considerations_trough_Americas_southwest\" title=\"Route considerations trough America&#8217;s southwest\">Route considerations trough America&#8217;s southwest<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Overtourism_in_southwestern_USA\" title=\"Overtourism in southwestern USA\">Overtourism in southwestern USA<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Our_California-Nevada-Arizona_16-day_itinerary_in_style\" title=\"Our California-Nevada-Arizona 16-day itinerary in style\">Our California-Nevada-Arizona 16-day itinerary in style<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Definitive_route\" title=\"Definitive route\">Definitive route<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Our_travel_style\" title=\"Our travel style\">Our travel style<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#My_Google_Map_itinerary_of_our_southwest_USA_journey_in_style\" title=\"My Google Map (itinerary) of our southwest USA journey in style\">My Google Map (itinerary) of our southwest USA journey in style<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/usa-west-coast\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/#Pin_it_for_later\" title=\"Pin it for later\">Pin it for later<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"16-day_road_trip_itinerary_%E2%80%93_California_Nevada_Arizona\"><\/span><strong>16-day road trip itinerary &#8211; California, Nevada &amp; Arizona:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Wondering where to go in the southwestern United States not only for sights but also for travel in style? And this without breaking the bank? My husband and I tried to do so and succeeded in many cases. But &#8211; as you may have guessed from the headline &#8211; it is no easy thing, due to increased prices or for lack of suitable establishments. Travel in style &#8211; think of staying at luxury hotels and dining at (Michelin) fine dining restaurants &#8211; has become increasingly expensive on the US west coast recently. And the offer of upscale spots for staying and dining in style is scarce in some places. <span class=\"css-1vwsgcv\">As if that were <\/span><span class=\"css-5j03av\">not <\/span><span class=\"css-1vwsgcv\">enough<\/span><span class=\"css-1v07zgb\">, it seems that overtourism has also reached the area.<\/span>\u00a0Notwithstanding that, we managed to compile an American southwest itinerary and embarked on our 9th (!) journey in the area. This time we flew into Los Angeles, then went east towards Arizona before returning to California&#8217;s coast.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11219 size-large\" title=\"Los Angeles California USA from plane\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Los Angeles California USA from plane - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1C7DABBF-1E6B-4595-B3B2-06E35AA78FFE_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Before going into the <a href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/americas\/american-southwest-in-style-a-road-trip-from-place-to-place\/\">details<\/a> of our voyage, I would like to address some related topics shortly. After a very brief look at our US west coast travel history there will be some lines to the current price level in the luxury hotel segment. This will be followed by some considerations on itineraries in the area &#8211; also as a result of grown national park tourism.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_west_coast_adventures_to_date\"><\/span><strong>Our west coast adventures to date<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I have just mentioned it, my husband and I are great fans of the US west coast. And so we have just had our 9th stay here! Our first one was more than 30 years ago, and oh my God, so much has changed since then. But I do not want to bore you with &#8220;<span class=\"css-b9cwsb\">everything was better in the past<\/span>&#8221; stories. The last time we were here was in 2017, flying into San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11239 size-large\" title=\"San Francisco California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg\" alt=\"San Francisco California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a-768x509.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a-705x467.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/E39B26E5-DE20-4668-80FD-2D1E3CD53FCE_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And I took this trip as an opportunity to suggest a Californian trip in five stops &#8211; find here <a href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/?s=california\">all my posts<\/a> about it.<\/p>\n<p>Whereas we travelled the northern part of this US state at the time &#8211; starting in Mendocino<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11242 size-large\" title=\"Mendocino California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Mendocino California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a-768x509.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a-705x467.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D6AF90DB-697A-42FF-B975-FCF6CF1FB7F4_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and going south to Los Angeles, including a side trip to Palm Springs &#8211; ,<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11213 size-large\" title=\"Palm Springs California USA \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Palm Springs California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/25922E2E-163F-4BBC-857D-859E6DB9C568_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>we concentrated on California&#8217;s south coast plus Las Vegas<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11225 size-large\" title=\"Las Vegas Nevada USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Las Vegas Nevada USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6D0F4027-9351-4CD2-9AE3-846DA27074AF_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and Arizona<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11228 size-large\" title=\"Horseshoe Bend Page Arizona\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Horseshoe Bend Page Arizona\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B9074E0B-0963-4BCE-9821-0336037B5701_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>on our recent journey. But both times we ended our vacations in Orange County (south of Los Angeles).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11217 size-large\" title=\"Dana Point\/Laguna Beach California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Dana Point\/Laguna Beach California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/FD66F844-4B8C-4AAE-BE6A-C323BBCA7901_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And so I am able to compare the price level at a high-end hotel in the region, 2022 versus 2017. So much can be said, rates have been skyrocketing since then. More in the section to follow.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Increased_price_level_in_upscale_hotels_in_the_southwest_USA\"><\/span><strong>Increased price level in upscale hotels in the southwest USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Maybe you have experienced it yourself, room rates at luxury hotels in popular destinations have increased lately. It seems that especially beachy vacation spots<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11238 size-large\" title=\"Laguna Beach California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Laguna Beach California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/B65F6154-397E-490A-93DA-281FF68DFD43_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>are in huge demand. And this is no wonder as in the last two years leisure travel was often not possible. So, travelers are more than ready to spend money for their much needed and well deserved vacations. A\u00a0phenomenon that is called &#8220;revenge travel&#8221; nowadays.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to a strong demand, the hotel industry faces new issues. On the one hand, it suffers from labor shortages. This often results in staff reductions. On the other hand, costs for everything are skyrocketing. Not only materials are scarce but there are procurement delays too. The reasons for this are plentiful. First, there were delivery problems because of the pandemic, followed by similar issues due to the war in the Ukraine. A rising inflation was the result. This constellation brings along not only service cuts but also sky-high rates. Overall, you pay more for a room and end up with a worse service.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_personal_experiences_in_terms_of_overcharging_and_under_delivering_at_hotels\"><\/span><strong>My personal experiences in terms of overcharging and under delivering at hotels<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When planning our southwest USA journey, my husband and I were astonished to see how room rates for high-end hotels have risen since our 2017 stay. One example: At the time (end of October 2017), we paid 749$ per night (breakfast included, AAA Package) for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ritzcarlton.com\/en\/hotels\/california\/laguna-niguel\/rooms-suites\/ocean-view-guestroom\">Ocean View Room at the Ritz-Carlton<\/a> in Dana Point (Orange County).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11216 size-large\" title=\"Ritz-Carlton Dana Point California USA - American Southwest in style\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Ritz-Carlton Dana Point California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2CBF51CF-A591-4B21-8A98-81D462709C12_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For a stay at the beginning of July 2022, the same room would have cost 1,850$ (without breakfast)! And this without the accommodation being updated or so (it was renovated shortly before our 2017 stay). As we do not pay such an excessive price for a nice yet not so special room, we did not go for it.<\/p>\n<p>At other places, we experienced a number of service cuts. There were hotels &#8211; we had booked a two-night stay at each &#8211; , where they had following room cleaning schedules. In one case, we were told that there would be no cleaning at all. At another lodging, they only clean the rooms every third day. And in another one, rooms were only done upon request.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11236 size-large\" title=\"Blue Lantern Inn Dana Point California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Blue Lantern Inn Dana Point California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EC956F11-BCE3-4010-BA0C-214CF56C2958_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While this did not pose a serious problem for us, we considered such a regimen as unusual. And this in particular in view of the increased room rates, where you would not expect sub-par service.<\/p>\n<p>Before coming to our actual itinerary, here a few related things you better give some thoughts to when planning to travel America&#8217;s southwest. These concern general considerations &#8211; where to start, which route to take etc &#8211; but also the mentioned overtourism in the area.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Considerations_on_itineraries_in_the_southwest_USA_%E2%80%93_generally_in_view_of_overtourism\"><\/span><strong>Considerations on itineraries in the southwest USA &#8211; generally &amp; in view of overtourism<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Route_considerations_trough_Americas_southwest\"><\/span><strong>Route considerations trough America&#8217;s southwest<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As my husband and I have travelled America&#8217;s southwest extensively over the years (or better the decades), we have tried out various variations. Most times, we began our trips from either Los Angeles<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11218 size-large\" title=\"Los Angeles California USA \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Los Angeles California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/341D177B-9C41-4028-8F0C-E66911C4930F_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>or San Francisco,<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11211 size-large\" title=\"San Francisco California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"San Francisco California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5AF1D4B6-0292-4203-A73B-9F5EA319448D_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>as we are international travelers. However, this is not always the ideal starting point, depending on what you want to do. In some cases, it might be better to fly into Denver, as we did once.<\/p>\n<p>Let us take the example of starting and ending in Los Angeles and heading east in between, as we did on our most recent vacation. You have to know that there is some kind of &#8220;gap&#8221; between the coast and the &#8220;touristic&#8221; inland. Here &#8220;in-between&#8221; you do not find many sights and no places for staying and dining in style.\u00a0This leaves you as discerning traveler with two options. You can either go via Las Vegas &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11224 size-large\" title=\"Las Vegas Nevada USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Las Vegas Nevada USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6A8FC6FB-D361-4EF2-AA73-AEBD518A2B52_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>what we did &#8211; , or via Palm Springs &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11212 size-large\" title=\"Palm Springs California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Palm Springs California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2E371395-5B91-4C7E-A4D8-316B06C78A57_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>where we were on our last trip. For your way back to the coast, you take the one you have not done yet. As alternative &#8211; especially if you want to include Phoenix\/Scottsdale or Tucson into your travel plans, there is also the route to San Diego &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11235 size-large\" title=\"San Diego California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"San Diego California USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/6828AC5A-BE2B-4BD3-BA12-FEFD3733D004_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>as we opted for on our recent journey.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overtourism_in_southwestern_USA\"><\/span><strong>Overtourism in southwestern USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Now to one more fact what makes traveling in the area more complicated and unpleasant too, the overtourism. As you certainly are aware of, there is a post-pandemic boom in nature respectively national park tourism.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11210 size-large\" title=\"Grand Canyon National Park Arizona USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Grand Canyon National Park Arizona USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a-768x509.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a-705x467.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9E19A78F-F262-4015-A878-C5A8EB6BD8BF_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While this kind of tourist activity has grown steadily for decades, it has accelerated since the 2010s (Bloomberg). And sadly, most national parks<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11209 size-large\" title=\"Canyonlands National Park Utah \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Canyonlands National Park Utah - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a-1030x683.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a-768x509.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a-705x467.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7D902AE1-1A24-4F55-8FC6-641907C118AF_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and other nature attractions in the American southwest are crowded at many times of the year. As a consequence, it may be better to visit them in the shoulder respectively off-seasons or to switch to &#8220;second-rate&#8221; sights. In our case, we went this year end of June\/beginning of July, and in Page we chose the Waterhole Canyon<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11229 size-large\" title=\"Waterhole Canyon Page Arizona USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a-687x1030.jpeg\" alt=\"Waterhole Canyon Page Arizona USA\" width=\"687\" height=\"1030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a-687x1030.jpeg 687w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a-470x705.jpeg 470w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/65F09572-9236-4ADC-8A79-DF0B66EB7AED_1_201_a.jpeg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 687px) 100vw, 687px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>over the Antelope Canyon.<\/p>\n<p>But enough complaining, I come now to the actual topic, our American southwest itinerary.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_California-Nevada-Arizona_16-day_itinerary_in_style\"><\/span><strong>Our California-Nevada-Arizona 16-day itinerary in style<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Definitive_route\"><\/span><strong>Definitive route<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Considering that we have been in the area many times before, we were not eager to do the same things all over again. And of course, we wanted to avoid revisiting a place that is now crowded and was not on a previous stay! We had not been to Page yet (Horseshoe Bend<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11227 size-large\" title=\"Horseshoe Bend Page Arizona\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a-687x1030.jpeg\" alt=\"Horseshoe Bend Page Arizona - American Southwest in style\" width=\"687\" height=\"1030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a-687x1030.jpeg 687w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a-470x705.jpeg 470w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/02E8B9FB-7FB0-40F7-A02A-9BDF4B06BA99_1_201_a.jpeg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 687px) 100vw, 687px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and Antelope Canyon) and wanted to explore Sedona in greater details &#8211; we got to know and love it in 2017 on a (too) short stay. So, these were the two fixed inland points. We also thought about going to Tucson but dropped it because we could not warm to its vibe (and lodging offerings).<\/p>\n<p>Hence, we started in the South Bay of Los Angeles (Hermosa Beach),<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11220 size-large\" title=\"Hermosa Beach California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Hermosa Beach California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/21496BFC-D6C2-42E5-BE31-5F1E9E4B25E5_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>heading east towards Page<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11230 size-large\" title=\"Page Arizona USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Page Arizona USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C8E3E59C-43D2-45D3-954F-0E09406E54B7_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>in Arizona&#8217;s far north &#8211; with a stopover in Las Vegas &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11223 size-large\" title=\"Wynn\/Encore Hotel Las Vegas \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Wynn\/Encore Hotel Las Vegas - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BA2DA5D7-CB3A-4CBB-8E41-8F7C51C56E15_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>before coming to Sedona.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11232 size-large\" title=\"Sedona Arizona USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Sedona Arizona USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/914A70B3-42E6-4288-8AC7-BEE78BAA7975_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here we spent a large part of our vacations, then drove &#8211; via Scottsdale &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11233 size-large\" title=\"Mountain Shadows Hotel Scottsdale Arizona \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Mountain Shadows Hotel Scottsdale Arizona - Southwest America in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/462A722E-CB6F-4A72-8161-AE3A803CEF71_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>back to the Californian coast. We &#8220;hit&#8221; it in San Diego<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11234 size-large\" title=\"San Diego California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"San Diego California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C88D33C4-D97F-43A8-9A81-39265541DCA4_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and made one more stop in California, and this in Orange County (Dana Point),<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11237 size-large\" title=\"Dana Point California USA\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Dana Point California USA\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/C2BAA2E3-34C2-4D7F-8DF3-85306C8D5F1F_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>before returning to Switzerland.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_travel_style\"><\/span><strong>Our travel style<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As to our travel style, one can say that we have expensive tastes in terms of staying<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11221 size-large\" title=\"Encore Tower Suites Las Vegas Nevada USA \" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Encore Tower Suites Las Vegas Nevada USA - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/20F704F1-020C-4E18-B40B-D99F986D9AFD_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>and dining.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11222 size-large\" title=\"Restaurant Wing Lei Las Vegas Nevada\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg\" alt=\"Restaurant Wing Lei Las Vegas Nevada - American Southwest in style\" width=\"1030\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/9ABF69DD-B630-4F66-8A20-0655943183E9_1_201_a.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We are ready to pay high prices for hotels but only if we consider them worth the expense. And this was definitely not always the case when checking out lodging for our American southwest trip. As outlined before, we wanted to stay at a particular accommodation again that we knew from two earlier visits but found it way too expensive this time. And this very establishment was no exception! So, we had to &#8220;downgrade&#8221; every now and then.<\/p>\n<p>Find in the following detailed information on our California-Nevada-Arizona itinerary.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_Google_Map_itinerary_of_our_southwest_USA_journey_in_style\"><\/span><strong>My Google Map (itinerary) of our southwest USA journey in style<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>My Google Maple (itinerary) includes all the hotels we stayed and the restaurants we dined on our trip through the\u00a0American southwest. And they come complete with short descriptions and pictures. You find the same as to caf\u00e9s or ice-cream shop we went to on our journey and considered as good. Finally, I listed all the activities we did when traveling North America&#8217;s &#8220;Wild West&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1eibxidIFHC5AoM9YJs6bJKRWmZNL2fg&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>While we usually strive for the best in terms of hotels and restaurants &#8211; without overspending &#8211; , we faced some problems in achieving this. These were either due to excessive rates &#8211; as mentioned &#8211; but\u00a0also because of the lack of suitable establishments. Whereas the offer of upscale hotels is plentiful on the Californian coast, this is not always the case when traveling inland.<\/p>\n<p>I will not leave my Google Map uncommented. There is the one or other thing to tell you concerning each stop. You will find some <a href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/americas\/american-southwest-in-style-a-road-trip-from-place-to-place\/\">details<\/a> to all the seven places we visited on our journey through America&#8217;s southwest\u00a0soon on my blog!<\/p>\n<p>Date of visit: July 2022<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pin_it_for_later\"><\/span><strong>Pin it for later<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11353 size-large\" title=\"pin it on Pinterest: American southwest itinerary\" src=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2-687x1030.jpeg\" alt=\"American southwest itinerary\" width=\"687\" height=\"1030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2-687x1030.jpeg 687w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2-470x705.jpeg 470w, https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/23FFADDE-EF3B-4FFE-94E1-E2751F2336D2.jpeg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 687px) 100vw, 687px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/americas\/american-southwest-itinerary-of-a-16-day-journey-in-style\/\">A journey through the American southwest (OVERVIEW) &#8211; in style, whenever possible<\/a> first appeared on <a href=\"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/\">Swiss Traveler<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>16-day road trip itinerary &#8211; California, Nevada &amp; Arizona: Wondering where to go in the southwestern United States not only for sights but also for travel in style? And this without breaking the bank? My husband and I tried to do so and succeeded in many cases. But &#8211; as you may have guessed from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,108,109,110,15,38],"tags":[100,101],"class_list":["post-11095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-americas","category-america-activities","category-americas-hotels","category-americas-restaurants","category-google-my-maps","category-usa-west-coast","tag-michelin","tag-overtourism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11095","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11095"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14418,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11095\/revisions\/14418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisstraveler.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}