About Us
At Red Rock Sanctuary Stays, we pride ourselves on our “best-in-class” impeccable service. Our guests are the reason we exist, and there is nothing more important than to provide each and every one a perfect stay in every way.
Currently, we represent properties in Sedona and Scottsdale, Arizona and Canyon Lake, Texas with plans to expand our Sanctuary Stays Family of epic and unique homes to more of the most beautiful and life affirming places on earth. Our goal is to create a world class experience for visitors from all over the globe, and to introduce them to not just the known attractions, but all the hidden gems.
Meet the Owners
Robyn Benincasa and Jeff Akens are both retired San Diego Firefighters who are thrilled to share their “happy place” with you. When they’re not dreaming about upgrades for your guest experience at “Red Rock Sanctuary Stays” homes, they’re on their other favorite mission, helping Survivors of medical or traumatic setbacks live an adventurous dream as part of their recovery through their 501c3 non profit, The Project Athena Foundation (2014 CNN Heroes!). Between leading and crewing for Project Athena adventures, Robyn and Jeff are on the road inspiring Fortune 1000 companies, associations, and user groups to Adapt Overcome and Win as One through their corporate teambuilding and leadership keynotes, based upon Robyn and her teammates’ experiences in winning what the Discovery Channel calls “The Toughest Races on Earth”, The EcoChallenge and The Raid Gauloises.
Jeff and Robyn’s next life adventure will be to start an animal sanctuary for any and all creatures that need a loving forever home, right across the road from The Sanctuary at Sacred Mesa. The working name for the sanctuary is Valentine Ranch, in honor of the love of their life, a part Chinese Crested hairy hairless rescue mutt who showed them what unconditional love means. They can’t wait to pay that love forward to the next furry, winged, feathered critter that comes their way.
Our rescue baby, Valentine (aka Bubbles)
Team Project Athena completing the 45 mile Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Trek
“Project Athena isn’t about getting back to what you were, its about embracing the very best of who you are, right now, and showing the world that you’re never defined by your setback, you’re defined by your comeback!”
-Robyn Benincasa
For more information about Project Athena and being a part of our adventure as a Survivor (aka Athena or Zeus) or a Fundraising God or Goddess, go to www.projectathena.org.
Meet Your Host
Jeri Miuccio is The Guru of Guest Experiences and your Go To Goddess for making your stay as unforgettable and magical as the sanctuary itself. Not only is she available to book as your personal chef (firehouse buffet-style), pre-arrival grocery shopper, or meal prep superhero (she can help you create crazy good healthy food for ANY diet-just ask), as the mother of two very active kids and an adventurer herself, she is ready to help you and your family explore and enjoy all that the Sedona/Cottonwood area has to offer. Jeri is also a world class multi-tasker and Jill of All Trades, with life experience as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of San Diego (16 years), bartender, chef, server, manager, property host, and the Founder of the Girls Empowerment Camp, which trains young women for a career in the Fire Service. She was also honored as San Diego Reader’s Woman of the Year in 2019 for her leadership and her contributions to making San Diego a great place to work and play.
Jeri is now a happy Cottonwood local, and the Executive Director of the 501c3 Project Athena Foundation, which helps Survivors live an adventurous dream as part of their recovery. We can’t wait for you to meet the wonder woman who will ensure that your stay at the Sanctuary at Sacred Mesa is an unforgettable and life affirming experience. We know you will love her as much as EVERYONE does!
Our Properties
Reviews
