Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [465]
El Rio Lodge in Zion Canyon
995 Zion Park Blvd. (P.O. Box 204), Springdale, UT 84767. ☎ 888/772-3205 or 435/772-3205. Fax 435/772-2455. www.elriolodge.com. 11 units. A/C TV. Summer $49–$59 double, $65–$70 suite. Off-season discounts available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted; $10 fee.
A good choice for those on a budget, the El Rio is a pleasant mom-and-pop motel with one suite, five rooms upstairs, and five rooms downstairs. All have microwaves and tub/shower combos. The motel was built in the early 1960s, and the rooms are small but comfortable, with light-colored walls and simple, attractive decor. There are two double beds in the upstairs rooms, with an outdoor walkway and porch affording terrific views of Zion Canyon. The downstairs rooms each have one queen bed. The suite has a private parking area, plus a refrigerator, a microwave, an extra-large bathroom, and use of a private yard that has a table and chairs and great views of the rock walls of Zion Canyon. Although there are no phones in the rooms, a public phone is outside.
Flanigan's Inn
428 Zion Park Blvd. (P.O. Box 100), Springdale, UT 84767. ☎ 800/765-7787 or 435/772-3244. Fax 435/772-3396. www.flanigans.com. 34 units. A/C TV TEL. Mid-Mar to mid-Nov and holidays $99–$119 double, $124–$229 suite; lower rates rest of year. AE, DISC, MC, V.
A mountain-lodge atmosphere suffuses this very attractive complex of natural wood and rock set among trees, lawns, and flowers just outside the entrance to Zion National Park. This is a place where you might actually want to spend time relaxing, unlike some other lodgings in the area, which are simply good places to sleep after a long day of exploring. Parts of the inn date to 1947, but all accommodations have been completely renovated. Rooms have Southwest decor, wood furnishings, and local art. One room has a fireplace, and other units have whirlpool tubs and bidets. Kitchenettes are available. Flanigan's has a heated outdoor swimming pool, a full-service spa, an outdoor hot tub, and a nature trail leading to a hilltop vista. The restaurant, the Spotted Dog Café, serves breakfast and dinner (see "Where to Dine," below). The entire inn is nonsmoking.
Harvest House Bed & Breakfast at Zion
29 Canyon View Dr. (P.O. Box 125), Springdale, UT 84767. ☎ 800/719-7501 or 435/772-3880. www.harvesthouse.net. 4 units. A/C. $100–$125 double. Rates include full breakfast. DISC, MC, V. Children under 7 not accepted.
A good alternative for those seeking something more interesting than a standard motel, this Utah territorial (a style similar to Victorian) home was built in 1989. There's a cactus garden out front and a garden sitting area in back, with a koi (Japanese carp) pond and spectacular views of the national park rock formations. Rooms are charming, comfortable, and quiet, with wireless Internet access. They're furnished with an eclectic mixture of contemporary items, and original art dots the walls. One upstairs room faces west and has grand sunset views, and the other two have private decks facing the impressive formations of Zion. There's a big-screen TV in the living room with a collection of DVD movies for guests' use. The sumptuous gourmet breakfasts include fresh-baked breads, fresh-squeezed orange juice, granola, fruit, yogurt, and a hot main course that changes daily. Facilities include an outdoor Jacuzzi.
Mukuntuweep RV Park & Campground
Utah 9 (P.O. Box 193), ¼ mile east of the east entrance to Zion National Park, Orderville, UT 84758. ☎ 435/648-3011. www.xpressweb.com/zionpark. $25 double; campsites $15–$22. AE, DISC, MC, V.
For a bed with a roof over it at a bargain rate, this is the place. This attractive compound offers six basic but comfortable log cabins, a hogan, and a tepee, which share the campground's bathhouse. There's a fishing pond, a playground, and a game room, plus great views of the surrounding rocks. Across the street, under the same management, are a store, a restaurant (see