Photo by Nicole Roegner An outdoor fire keeps guests cozy at Lazy Dog Ranch in Sierra Vista.

For a cozy couples getaway, court your sweetheart at one of these remote bed and breakfasts.

A secluded setting, a storybook room, usually very few other guests (specifically, no children), and personal butler-ing from your innkeepers – does it get much sexier? It does if you choose one of these tucked-away Arizona treasures. Each of these bed and breakfasts has a little something extra to stoke the romantic flames, whether it’s scampering to the kitchen to sneak miniature Dove Bars at midnight or borrowing a horse to play Knight in Shining Armor. Here are five of our favorite B&Bs statewide.

Up the Creek Bed and Breakfast
Just north of Payson and south of Sedona sits the tiny town of Strawberry. Nestled along the rugged pine wilderness of the Tonto National Forest sprawls the bucolic, 5-acre paradise that’s the home of Michael and Karen Muench. The Muench family knows the art of romance – they opened their inn on Valentine’s Day, 2004.

Within their lovely two-story contemporary farmhouse beckon three romantically named rooms: the Sunny Cottage, the Sunset Glow and the coveted Misty Morn Suite with private balcony, fireplace and sitting room.

Prepare for peace and quiet. There is no cable, Internet or phone (even cell service) at this retreat – just the whisper of the adjacent Tonto National Forest and Fossil Springs Trailhead, tempting with biking, boating, bird watching or lazy drifting on a swing hung from a 400-year-old Arizona Cypress tree.

You’ll Eat This Up: Full breakfasts are prepared to order, as early or late as you wish. One indulgent meal might include a fresh asparagus and nutty-toned Gruyère cheese omelet, warm-from-the-oven pumpkin oatmeal muffins, and banana split granola sundaes.

Special Somethings: Surprise your sweetheart with wine and fresh flowers waiting in your room. And although pets are not allowed in guest rooms, there is a small kennel available on the property.

Rates: $125 to $170 per night, with a Sunday to Thursday special of $100 per night for any room, year-round

Info: 10491 Fossil Creek Road, Strawberry, 928-476-6571, upthecreekbedandbreakfast.com

Tree swing at Up the Creek B&B  in Strawberry

Lazy Dog Ranch
The Lazy Dog Ranch awaits you between Tucson and Bisbee in Sierra Vista. It is the only B&B within the boundaries of the San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area, a 56,000-acre treasure that is home to more than 350 bird species plus the world’s second most diverse mammalian population (after Costa Rica). Just on the edge of the ranch are hiking trails to old Tombstone-style mining caves and sites that show evidence of Clovis people, the oldest known inhabitants of North America, dating back 13 million years.

Owners Michael and Catherine McCormack turn this six-month-old, riverfront property into your own personal retreat, with just two private-entrance guest suites. The Casa sits off a fountain courtyard and spans 600 square feet, with two sleeping rooms, a small dining area and a kitchenette. For the ultimate privacy, check into the Casita, a completely separate 500-square-foot structure within an enclosed courtyard anchored by a swimming pool and fire pit.

You’ll Eat This Up: Breakfast is deluxe continental, served whenever you like, with fresh-squeezed orange juice, homemade granola and yogurt, plus homemade baked treats like apple-carrot muffins, blueberry yogurt cake, banana bread and pecan-date bars.

Special Somethings: Try S’mores and Irish coffees by the fire pit beneath starry skies. There’s also a goodie basket upon arrival, with bottled water, fruit and home-baked white-chocolate chip and cranberry cookies. Pets are welcome, with pet sitting available alongside the McCormacks’ menagerie of two cats and three dogs. Bring your own horse or borrow one of Michael’s.

Rates: $125 per night September 15 through May 31; $99 per night June 1 through September 4; $10 per pet, per night

Info: 3123 N. Thistle Road, Sierra Vista, 520-458-5583, lazydogranch.net

Continental breakfast at Lazy Dog Ranch in Sierra Vista

The England House Bed and Breakfast
The two-story Coconino/Moenkopi-quarried sandstone house was built in 1902 and is now the home of Laurel and Richard Dunn, located just a few blocks from historic downtown Flagstaff. Four rooms practically purr “B&B,” with a dollhouse-precious Victorian style that features pressed tin ceilings, old-fashioned clawfoot tubs, log stoves, velvet couches and crisp, freshly ironed sheets.

“It’s all about the arm-in-arm stroll downtown and back,” Laurel says of the benefits of staying at The England House. “Or rocking on the front porch with a cup of tea, reading, or just reconnecting.”

You’ll Eat This Up: Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. on the Sun Porch as a three-course, gourmet, organic feast. It includes such delights as broiled blackberries, Hatch chile rellenos and homemade banana-blueberry muffins.

Special Somethings: The kitchen hutch groans with home-baked goodies night and day; the refrigerator is stocked with organic chocolate milk and sodas; the freezer holds miniature Dove Bars for midnight raiding; and your greeting includes complimentary wine or ale.

Rates: $129 to $199 per night December through March; include Tuesday in a three-night stay and one night is half price.

Info: 614 W. Sante Fe, Flagstaff, 877-214-7350, englandhousebandb.com

guest suite at Osmer D. Heritage Inn

Osmer D. Heritage Inn Bed & Breakfast

Snowflake was settled in 1878 by Mormon pioneers sent by Brigham Young, and in 1890, Osmer D. Flake built his brick and clapboard Victorian mansion with family in mind. These days, the inn is designed for adult couples, not kids.

Restored in 2001, the B&B’s ambience is elegant with period antique furnishings and brass clawfoot tubs, but outfitted with modern touches like Jacuzzi tubs, gas fireplaces, telephones and TVs. It’s a larger property, with 10 guest rooms, plus a three-bedroom cottage, a 2,500-square-foot salon for private parties, and a honeymoon suite.

Stroll through the apple, pear and cherry orchards, rose gardens and bubbling fountains. Wander away for nearby golf, skiing, petroglyph sighting, horseback rides, historical home tours and hiking in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

You’ll Eat this Up: The kitchen caters to hearty appetites with German pancakes; baked egg soufflé gussied with powdered sugar, lemons and butter; French toast; and Belgian waffles, all paired with bacon, sausage and fruit, and served from 7 to 9 a.m.

Special Somethings: A deluxe package includes an evening silver tray service of fresh fruit, sweet cakes and a bottle of Martinelli’s apple cider, plus breakfast room service. Pets aren’t allowed, but owners Craig and JoAnne Guderian may allow you to get your fix playing with their Maltese dogs, Dexter and DeeDee.

Rates: $95 to $130 per night in the winter (November 1 through March 1); $105 to $140 per night in the summer (March 2 through October 31); stay two nights and get the third night at 50 percent off.

Info: 161 N. Main St., Snowflake,
928-536-3322, heritage-inn.net

patio at Lazy Dog Ranch in Sierra Vista

Olney House
Romance in two words: mineral baths. Safford, about four hours southeast of Phoenix, boasts two natural hot water spas, Kachina Hot Springs and Essence of Tranquility.

It’s also the site of one of the finest examples of Western Colonial Revival architecture in the Southwest. Built in 1890, this stately brick-and-column B&B is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Owners Chris and Deborah Gibbs purchased the property in 2003 and turned it into a showcase of their lifelong collection of antiques, or, as Chris says, “decorated it as a lived-in home of very wealthy folks from the early 1900s.” There are three themed rooms in the main house (bridal, sheriff, fireplace), plus two cottages for extra privacy.

You’ll Eat This Up: Hearty, stick-to-your-ribs family-style breakfasts are the order of the day. Everything is homemade – “Just like visiting grandma’s,” Chris says. Try the popular French toast or a big plate of fried potatoes, scrambled eggs and ham.

Special Somethings: Relax, relax, relax. The Gibbses lived in Europe for several years and “don’t quite follow American B&B traditions,” Chris says. Pets are not allowed, but share a picture of puppies, and they may be swayed to make special arrangements.

Rates: Rooms, $70 per night; cottages, $80 and $90 per night

Info: 1104 S. Central Ave., Safford, 928-428-5118, olneyhouse.com