Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab

Not long ago I took a short scenic drive just outside of Moab. It led me onto a road (Highway 128) north of town that winds down the canyon adjacent to the Colorado River. The view was great as I saw rafters pulling off to some of the beaches and campers setting up their tents by the river.

Up this road about fourteen miles I came to a little resort lodge where I stayed the night. The Red Cliffs Lodge offered not only a great place to sleep but it offered an extension to the scenic drive that made the Moab experience rich and enchanting.

Before I settled down for the night I enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the Cowboy grill. The view at dinner was an absolutely stunning spectacle. I ate on the back porch of the restaurant and watched the sunset reflected off of the red rock cliffs and the Colorado River. The view was breathtaking with a completely new palate of colors ever y minute or two. I said then, and still contend that it was perhaps the most beautiful view I had ever seen during dinner.

The gentleman next to me ate Elk that literally fell apart as he cut it with his fork. It was all very well prepared and appealing to the eyes as well as the taste buds. Make sure to try the artichoke dip as an appetizer, it was worth every calorie. I had the trout for my entrée and was very impressed.

I stayed in one of the honeymoon cabins at the Red Cliffs Lodge. The Cabins sit twenty yards away from the Colorado River. It was a great and relaxing moment to look out from my porch and not see any sign of civilization.

The property also offered the beauty of a working vineyard and winery the grounds are so lovely, with the deep greens from the vineyard contrasting the red cliffs that surround on all sides the lodge.

Red Cliffs Lodge is not only a great lodge and vineyard; it is also a working ranch and museum. I got to experience the “ranch lifestyle” with one of their guided horseback rides. I am not very experienced on horses so I was not really sure what to expect on a trek that took us up mountain trails and over rough terrain. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and comfortable the ride was. It was a few hours of riding and provided yet another fantastic view of the native area. The wranglers were knowledgeable and very helpful. They were very professional even when some guests struggled with some of the very basic directions. It was a great way to spend an afternoon, although my horse was named Blunder.

In the basement of the main lodge there is a museum which details not only the history of the lodge but also the history of the movie industry in the area. With artifacts from films dating back into the 40’s and including hundreds of pictures of old stars hanging out on the sets of films shot right on the grounds of the Red Cliffs Lodge or in the surrounding area. It is a fascinating group of films that have been made in the area. I had to stop and have my picture taken with the cut out of John Wayne.

Overall the Red Cliffs Ranch offered a fantastic getaway. It was well worth the extra fourteen mile drive from the heart of Moab.

You can find out more on their website...

http://www.redcliffslodge.com/

Best Western Travel Inn, St. George

Convenience, Service and Affordability

This 1950s-style roadside motel is as neat as a pin. It is located on St. George Boulevard, the main east-west avenue on the north side of town, with other motels and is very easy to find.

When we checked in, I was really not looking forward to hauling all the accessories associated with a family of small children into yet another motel room. Then we would need to find a kid-friendly place to eat. There was also the issue of finding directions to our planned hike the next day.

When I entered the lobby, I was sweaty and grouchy and had a big headache. The front-desk agent changed my mood immediately. I have a background in the hotel industry with a brand associated with full-service, five-star hotels, and this Best Western employee was right on par with that type of service. He was knowledgeable and fast, and he offered suggestions, directions and details to help us get settled and enjoy our stay.

Best Western and the management of this small motel obviously take customer service very seriously and give their employees the tools to do their job well. The agent detailed numerous restaurants and fast-food options and told me exactly how to find our trailhead at Zion National Park the next day. He directed us to our room, where I was very pleased to see that we could back our car up to the door and move in without losing any kid equipment. No stairs!

This motel is incredibly efficient. The room was very spacious and included some really great modern amenities, such as a small refrigerator and a microwave located in a large cabinet that also housed a flat-screen LG TV and a set of drawers. The beds were very comfortable, and the Bath and Body Works soap, lotion and shampoo in the bathroom were products I was eager to use.

The pool was clean and the perfect temperature (it's also heated in winter). It is adjacent to a clean, small hot tub. The free wireless internet access was a piece of cake to use. The motel is within walking distance of a few really good restaurants in beautiful St. George. My husband and I remarked on the beauty of the landscaped roads, gardens and fountains, and how the architecture blended in with the area's geology.

In the morning we enjoyed the free and surprisingly substantial breakfast. There was cereal, pastries, muffins, coffee and juices, but also a few more items, such as hard-boiled eggs and even waffles.

The Best Western Travel Inn is the perfect motel for a stop near Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon. It is also a great choice for families traveling from the Salt Lake area to California or for any traveler making a planned or unplanned stop while on the road. It has all the charm and convenience of a 1950s-style motel with a big helping of modern amenities and fabulous service.

Best Western Coral Hills, St. George

When we arrived at this hotel, my husband and I experienced instant nostalgia from this delightful motel-style building. We felt like kids again pulling up to the front office with the pool beckoning to us from across the way. Check-in was a breeze, and we found our way to our room with a map and details from the helpful and efficient front-office employee.

Even with the retro outward appearance -- which we found charming -- the rooms were beautiful, spacious and modern. The newly renovated room seemed to have lots of space to move around in.

No typical hotel furniture and tacky bedspreads here. There was a large entertainment center with a large flat-panel LG TV and a spacious desk. The beds were very modern looking and had comfort-top mattresses with four down pillows and beautiful striped duvets. The bathroom was equally impressive in cleanliness and tasteful décor. The Bath and Body Works lotion, shampoo and soap were products I would actually use. My husband was impressed with the showerhead mounted high in the shower -- no ducking!

The air conditioning was very easy to use since it was controlled by a thermostat on the wall rather than the typical hi/lo settings you have to try to adjust in the dark with the air blowing in your face. The wired and wireless internet connection was free, super fast, and a cinch to log on to.

After a great night of sleep we were off to the free continental breakfast. Wow, Best Western has hit the nail on the head with this great value. It included more than just cold and hot cereals. The had hard-boiled eggs, pancake/waffle maker, juices, coffee and fruit as well as bagels and English muffins. The dining room is quite large, and it was nice to be able to sit and have a leisurely breakfast while watching TV.

Since we had our small children with us, there was no way we would be leaving without experiencing the pools. We went to the outdoor pools in the morning and had the place to ourselves. I loved the kiddie pool because it was spacious and only 1 foot deep. My 3- and 5-year-old boys could play and swim on their own while I sat in one of the very nice lounge chairs to watch them and relax in the sun.

The larger outdoor pool on the same patio has a lovely water feature that flows into the pool. There was also a spa, just far enough away from the other pools that travelers without kids could enjoy a nice soak. The indoor pool is probably the best-kept secret at this hotel. It was incredibly clean and quiet with its own adjacent bathrooms. We had our lunch by this pool and its gorgeous spa.

Best Western's location on St. George Boulevard is central to many activities and businesses. The average room rate for this hotel is very affordable, which makes your stay here an amazing value!