Best Western Abbey Inn, St. George: Affordable Luxury and Amazing Value!

By Julie Child

Wow! This hotel is truly a jewel in the Best Western crown. I had read a few reviews about this place before our stay and there was a pattern to the comments. Most commonly written was that this was an amazing hotel for the money. That is an understatement.

The lobby is very well decorated, new and clean. The décor throughout the hotel is a neo-traditional style. When we checked in, the front desk staff was very professional and efficient. We stayed in one of the hotel’s advertised family suites. The room looked so new I felt like we were the first people to ever stay there.

The bathroom had a separate jetted tub and a shower with a glass door. There were lots of towels and spa-grade toiletries. There was a full closet with a vanity separate from the bathroom with plenty of room for all our stuff. It was all so lavishly decorated that I had to keep reminding myself this was a Best Western!

The small living room had a fireplace, couch and large flat-screen LG TV, along with an office area with a spacious desk. My husband could watch the Tour de France in one room while the kids watched cartoons in the bedroom.

The beds were very comfortable with modern linens and pillows. The air conditioning was climate-controlled with a thermostat, which was perfect. There was free, fast wireless internet, of course, which was easy to use.

I was dreading nightfall with three small children in a hotel on the Fourth of July, however. I was thinking there would be fireworks around town until late, but we heard nothing but silence in our room. This hotel is located right off the exit from I-15, but still far enough away from the noisy freeway for a quiet night's sleep.

The next morning we hit the deluxe, hot breakfast buffet. All I can say is toast, cereal, pastries, cheese, fruit, waffles, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and more. Eggs and chorizo?! It was awesome and complimentary.

We spent about three hours at the pool, which was very nice, with a covered patio and spa at one end and an indoor spa off the main pool area. There was a kids’ pool as well, which my children used until they had prune hands. The pool area was fairly busy this time of year, but there were always plenty of towels and someone coming around to keep things picked up.

I noticed the coin-operated laundry, lots of parking and other amenities that would make this a very nice place to stay for a few days or longer. I imagine that golfers and those in town to attend the Tuacahn Theater would find this hotel to be just right.

The hotel is exceptionally clean and well-maintained, and here is the best part: The rates are surprisingly affordable! I overheard a guest in the hall outside his suite telling his daughter what he paid for the night. It was an unbelievable price for such deluxe accommodations. I recommend checking the rates for a suite at this hotel. It was so nice, I was sad we would only be staying one night. We will certainly be back again.

Learn more about the Best Western Abbey Inn at http://www.bwabbeyinn.com/.

Courtyard Marriott, St. George

I love St. George. I have been traveling to St. George my entire life and I have always loved the Southern Utah city with the red rocks and the prominent cliffs.

The other day I visited St. George again, this time for business. While there I stayed somewhere new, the Courtyard by Marriott. It is a new property with a classy look and feel. The room had an amazingly fresh and clean feel. The wireless internet was a breeze to hook up to and was fast and reliable. It was clearly a first class establishment.

My room had a great view overlooking the finely groomed courtyard and the red cliffs. It was only a few minutes after my arrival that I could resist the courtyard no longer and I just had to go take a look. The area was not particularly large but it was very well done with a nice seating area and beautiful trees all situated next to the outdoor pool and hot tub.

The onsite gym was modest, I was able to run on the tread mill and spend some time on the stationary bike while watching the news and the swimmers in the indoor pool across the hall. However if I had more time I would have taken advantage of their unique offering at the local gym (Gold’s Gym).

The Courtyard offers a one day pass to the local gym for all patrons. There they have full work out facilities, aerobics classes, spinning classes and all the other amenities you would expect at a nice gym. That partnership really sets them apart from most properties that I stay with.

They also had a partnership with a sports bar & grill right next to the hotel called Iggy’s. Through Iggy’s they provide room service to guests until late in the evening. A luxury when you need a bite to eat while you are preparing your presentation for the next day.

The property was very convenient to the Outlets at Zion, a fun group of outlet shops from major brands. I have a habit of buying new dress shirts every time I visit St. George so it was particularly convenient for me.

When I finally got a chance to visit the hot tub myself, I met a gentleman from Salt Lake City who visits St. George once or twice a month for business. He always stays at the Courtyard and had nothing but good things to say about the property and its staff. He was particularly complimentary of the General Manager Russ. It says something about a property when guests can get to know the General Manager without having to complain to them.

I feel that when I travel for business the mark of a good hotel is one that allows me to focus on my work and that helps me to relax when the day is over. The Courtyard by Marriott in St. George did just that. It made for a successful St. George trip.

For more information about the Courtyard in St. George visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sgucy-courtyard-st-george/.