Information for those wanting to
vacation in the Grand Circle Region of Utah and Arizona
Hotels or RV's (motor homes)
Hotels
Add at least 10% tax to all quoted prices.
Note: There are many privately run hotels, even in remote places (Vermillion Cliffs has at least two), there is Utah's most remote desert lodge - Fry Canyon Lodge Hwy 95 between Natural Bridges and Glen Canyon, there is also a remote hotel in Cainsville between Torrey and Hanksville. I have not tried them but some of them are in marvelous locations and should be tried if visiting for a second time. I have listed the big hotel chains because these are suitable for a first time visitor and are easy to book, but on my travels I have seen a few lovely gems.
I suggest using Best Western only because they have more hotels in the area, except at:
Moab: Use one of the Cheaper ones Comfort Suites will be better value, Days Inn or Super 8 are cheaper.
Flagstaff There are many other hotels to choose from, the two Best Western (Kings and Pony) are OK but only average. As an alternative location within easy reach of the Grand Canyon try Anasazi Inn at Grey mountain (tel 520 679 2214)
Note: Moab, Monticello, Blanding - I would choose Moab as the most scenic followed by Monticello. Moab is also the most convenient for Arches and Canyonlands.
Isolated Hotels
Utah's most remote desert lodge
Fry Canyon Lodge - Hwy 95 between Natural Bridges (23 miles W) and Glen Canyon (25 miles E)
Elevation 5365 ft, Population 3, Rooms $58, Tel 801-259-5334, Satellite phone 888-831-4524
Valley of the Gods
Bed and Breakfast. Four rooms in rustic old stone ranch house overlooking the Valley of the Gods. One room in old outhouse which includes private patio ideal for viewing the Valley of the Gods at sunset. Single $75, Double $90 Cellular phone 970 749 1164
Desert Rose Inn & Cabins (Bluff, Utah)
Bluff - Elevation 4,380 - Population 300 - New 30 room hotel plus cabins. Close to Monument Valley, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, Hovenweep National Monument, Goosenecks state park. Useful stop off for Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Canyon de Chelly NM. Toll Free: (888) 475-7673
Goulding's
- Monument Valleys only Motel and full service facilities. Hwy 163. 62 rooms with South West decor and a spectacular view from your own private balcony. Tel 801 727 3231, email: gouldings@gouldings.com
Rim Rock Inn (Torrey)
- Stunning view of Capitol Reef and cheaper than the adjacent Best Western which is also great and isolated and I have stayed there.
Mexican Hat Lodge
Mexican Hat, Utah, population 50 - close to Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods
Anasazi Inn,
Gray Mountain 40 miles north of Flagstaff on Hwy 89. Ideal location for S Rim of Grand Canyon. 112 rooms. Ideal for those wanting to avoid the traffic of Flagstaff. $80 in Sep $70 in Aug. Tel 520 679 2214
Cliff Dwellers Lodge
on Hwy 89A, 9 miles west of the Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River. Marble Canyon, AZ 86036 Toll Free 1-800 962 9755 Direct 1-928 355 2261 info@cliffdwellerslodge.com
Marble Canyon Lodge,
125 miles North of Flagstaff on 89A, on Colorado River at Lee's Ferry close to Vermillion Cliffs AZ.(Tel 1-800-726-1789 or (928) 355-2225)
Lees Ferry Lodge
Box 1 Marble Canyon, AZ 86036 120 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, at the edge of the Vermilion Cliffs National Wilderness Area, on Hwy 89A, 3.5 miles west of the Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River. info@leesferrylodge.com
Caineville
Caineville is between Torrey and Hankesville on hwy 24, Utah (near Capitol
Reef NP).
This place has a weired ghost town feel to it due to the Bentonite hills, Luna
Mesa
- Caineville Cove Inn. Tel 435-456-9900
- Luna Mesa Oasis. Tel 435-456-9122
Lodging links:
- The Grand Canyon - Online Secure Reservations The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Bryce, Zion, Moab, Bluff, Blanding, Las Vegas and much more!
- The Ultimate Arizona vacation guide
- Lodging guide worldwide
- C Arizona
- Hotels on the web
- Canyon Country
- Travel Now - hotels, Travel Now homepage
- Best Western
- Comfort Inn
- Days Inn
- Fairfield Inn
- Super 8 Motel
- RV web site: Bates
Hotel Chains:
Best Western:
Has the best number of hotels, prices $45-65 (except Moab $95, Grand Canyon).
UK 0181 541 0033, USA 1 800 528 1234, Best Western
Best Western - Arizona:
- Phoenix N (Bell) - OK
- Sedona
- Prescott
- Flagstaff (2 locations) use as base for S Rim of Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Petrified forest - OK (Pony Soldier $65 is the best of the two)
- Grand Canyon (S Rim) $125+ see also Quality Inn $98 (For S Rim stay in Flagstaff)
- Kayenta nr Monument Valley
- Page
- Chambers (near Petrified Forest) - OK
- Winslow (near Meteor Crater)
- Holbrook (near Petrified Forest)
- Chinle nr Canyon de Chelly
Best Western - Utah
- Kanab
- Mt. Carmel Junction (close to Zion NP) - recommended ($66, good location, golf course, rooms and restaurant, let down by lousy TV)
- Springdale
- Bryce Canyon
- Torrey (overlooks Capitol Reef NP) - highly recommended
- Moab $129 2 locations (Try Super 8 motel $65+ or Days Inn $65 or Comfort Suites 85$) base for Arches and Canyonlands NP
- Moab$110
- Blanding alternate base for Arches and Canyonlands
- Monticello alternate base for Arches and Canyonlands
- Green River alternate base for Arches and Canyonlands
- Panguitch nr Bryce
Comfort Innor Quality Inn
UK 0800 44 44 44 USA 800 221 2222
- Flagstaff (Quality Inn $72+, Comfort Inn $54+)
- Grand Canyon $142+
- Holbrook
- Page
- Phoenix
- Prescott
- Sedona
- Winslow
- Blanding
- Green River
- Moab
- Tuba city
Days Inn
1 800 DAYSINN
- Flagstaff
- Valle (Grand Canyon)
- Torrey
- Phoenix
- Holbrook
- Prescott Valley
- Moab
- Monticello
- Torrey $45-90
Super 8 Motel
Fairfield Inn
- Phoenix/North (good $65)
- Flagstaff
Red Feather Lodge - Tusayan (S Rim G Canyon)
If you know of hotels that you have stayed in and can recommend - email me and I will include them here.
RV's
These are not a cheap option but some might prefer this mode of transport and living. They will only work out cheaper if you require two hotel rooms. For some example prices:
Summer rates (May-Aug) 700 free miles
- Mid-size (24'-27') $795/wk + 0.27/mile
- Luxury (33'-36') $1150/wk + 0.29/mile
Winter rates (Sep-Apr) 1000 free miles
- Mid-size (24'-27') $650/wk + 0.27/mile
- Luxury (33'-36') $1000/wk + 0.29/mile
In addition you will have hook-up charges (say $20/night) and other hidden charges like CDW and a deposit will be required.
RV web site: Bates