Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [100]
This attractive family-owned and -operated motel offers a wide range of options. The well-maintained property includes modern motel rooms with Southwestern decor, phones, satellite TV, and two queen-size beds. Also available is a family suite, which has a large living room with a queen sofa bed, a kitchen with microwave but no stove, and three bedrooms. Our choice is one of the plush Western-style cabins. Measuring 576 square feet, each cabin has two bedrooms (each with a queen-size bed), a living room with a queen-size sofa bed, a complete kitchen, a full bathroom with tub/shower combo, satellite TV, a covered porch, and a small yard with a barbecue grill and a picnic table. The grounds are attractively landscaped, with a lawn and large trees, and facilities include an outdoor pool and whirlpool. Located on the property are a grocery store/bakery/ deli, coin-op laundry, and beauty salon.
Best Western Capitol Reef Resor t 2600 E. Utah 24 (P.O. Box 750160), Torrey, UT 84775. ☎ 888/610-9600 or 435/425-3761. Fax 435/425-3300. www.bwcapitolreef.com. 97 units. A/C TV TEL. June–Sept $99 double, $119–$139 suite; Oct–May $59–$79 double, $69–$119 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Located a mile west of the national park entrance, this attractive Best Western is one of the closest lodgings to the park. Try to get a room on the back side of the motel, where you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of the area's red-rock formations. Standard units have either one king or two queen beds and hair dryers. Minisuites have a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa, plus a coffeemaker, refrigerator, microwave, and wet bar; full suites add a separate sitting room for the sleeper sofa, a second TV and telephone, a jetted tub, and a patio. The outdoor heated pool, whirlpool, and sun deck are out back, away from road noise, with glass wind barriers and spectacular views. There is also a tennis/ basketball court, mountain bike rentals, and a coin-op laundry. The motel restaurant serves breakfast and dinner daily year-round.
Boulder View Inn
385 W. Main St. (Utah 24; P.O. 750237), Torrey, UT 84775. ☎ 800/444-3980 or 435/425-3800. www.boulderviewinn.com. 12 units. A/C TV TEL. Apr–Nov $50 double, Nov–Mar $35 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DISC, MC, V.
This attractive, very well maintained modern motel is a bargain for those who just want a good night's sleep without a lot of frills. Guest rooms are large and comfortable, with combination tub/showers, queen or king beds, tables with chairs, and a Southwestern motif. The inn has no swimming pool, and smoking is not permitted.
Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe
360 W. Main St. (Utah 24), Torrey, UT 84775. ☎ 435/425-3271. www.capitolreefinn.com. 10 units. A/C TV TEL. $48 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed Nov–Mar.
This older, Western-style motel—small, beautifully landscaped, and adequately maintained—offers guest rooms that are both homey and comfortable. The furnishings are handmade of solid wood, and all rooms have refrigerators and coffeemakers. Only one unit has a combination tub/shower; the others have showers only. Facilities include a playground, 10-person whirlpool tub, and lovely desert garden and kiva. Adjacent, under the same ownership, are an excellent restaurant (see "Where to Dine," below) and a gift shop that sells American Indian crafts, guidebooks, and maps.
Sandcreek RV Park & Hostel 540 Utah 24, 5 miles west of the park entrance (P.O. Box 750276), Torrey, UT 84775. ☎ 877/ 425-3578 or 435/425-3577. www.sandcreek rv.com. 1 shared unit, 2 cabins. Hostel $10–$12 per person; cabin $28 double. MC, V. Closed mid-Oct to Mar.
This hostel, in a handsome log building, consists of one large room in which both men and women sleep, bunkhouse style. It offers sleeping space for eight, a TV, a microwave, and a porch with tables and chairs.