Planning for our trip to Zion was an interesting experience from start to finish. As most of you know, we are not major hikers, so what the HECK were we going to DO in a park that is known for its picturesque hikes. This led to MANY sleepless nights on my end, so I decided to focus on the factors of this trip that I could control. Snacks, clothing, and of course, our hotel accommodation.
We wanted to stay within the Bonvoy family and there were many options to choose from. We were traveling with a group of friends and they opted to stay at another property that was a little further away from the actual park entrance. While there is a Spring Hill Suites right at the entrance of the park the rate was MUCH higher and we were not worried about our proximity to the park so we were ok staying slightly further away. Most of the properties around the park are more of the extended stay type inns and resorts with outdoor activities. We decided on the Fairfield Inn and Suites, Virgin Utah which is 13 miles from the Zion’s main park entrance. It falls under the select category in the Bonvoy Group and is a category 6 hotel.
COVID-19 Precautions
This was at the forefront of all of our bookings and planning. We wanted to do the most due diligence possible on our end so that we were comfortable staying in a hotel. That required us to look into what their current protocols were for the hotel and its’ guest. The Marriott Group has implemented a global company wide procedure that all properties use as a guideline for their specific locations. Some of the protocols vary based on the location of the property as well as the current COVID-19 status in their respective area. For more information check out their official link.
The Fairfield Inn and Suites had the following protocols in place:
- Physical distance between the reception desk and guest
- Social Distancing signs throughout property
- Limit of one family per elevator
- Mask requirement for guest and employees while on property
- Pool access on first come first serve basis with limited pool chairs and social distancing
- Common areas closed for sitting
- Limited Housekeeping
With these measures put in place, we can confidently say that there was never a moment during our stay that we felt like our health might be compromised. It was great to see other guests also heeding the rules and generally speaking people were aware of social distancing even when passing by in the common areas.
Parking
The parking on site is Free! As with many Inn’s and extended stay properties, the parking is first come first serve in the lot connected to the property. There is ample parking so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding parking. Since most visitors to the area are there to enjoy the park, you can expect to the parking lot clear out pretty early in the morning.
Our Welcome
Since we took a detour to Las Vegas to grab a bite to eat, and walk around the strip with our friends, we didn’t get to the hotel until around 1 AM.
Not gonna lie, driving through the Utah planes during the late night was a little unsettling. So safe to say, we were very happy to see the well-lit property and couldn’t wait to get inside.
We went to the entrance and were met by a VERY helpful extremely friendly night manager (so sorry, completely banked out on his name). We truly appreciated that even at such a late hour, he was cheerful and answered all our questions about the property as well as making sure we were set up with fresh water bottles and a map of the property. THIS is the level of service we have become spoiled with while staying within the Bonvoy family.
What Was Included in Our Room Rate?
Our room had the following:
- King Bed
- Mini Fridge
- Microwave
- Flat screen TV with cable
- Full size bathroom with walk in shower
- Single Serve Coffee Maker
The rate also included
- Basic Internet (Because we are Marriott Bonvoy Gold Members we were upgraded to high speed at no extra cost)
- Use of Hotel Amenities (that were open)
We really appreciate that the hotel had a convenient list of all the numbers as well as the wi-fi password available in the room saving us from having to call as ask. The BonVoy group always does a great job ensuring guests have access to important numbers to make our stay as comfortable as possible.
The Room
As MUCH as we love the Bonvoy Group, in all honest, this room was a bit of a letdown. It felt a little sparse. There was ample room in the corner and we felt like there could be a chair or some sort of seating area in that space. The bed was a king size and was comfortable. Personally, I enjoy a higher bed but in terms of mattress and pillows it was great. The only slight inconvenience we had in regards to the bed area was there was NO OULET near the beds!! We have become soo used to USB ports and plugs right on the bed side that this was rough on our spoiled selves. We had to charge our electronics against a wall a la the 90’s. Not the worst thing but still something to note.
When we walked in to the room, besides the aesthetics, what was a point of concern was the molding-like stain that was running along the main door. We didn’t know if it was dirt, water or mold but what we did know was that for a hotel this new and COVID-19-compliant, this was not a welcome surprise.
The Bathroom
The bathroom has great counter space and was well lit. The standing shower had GREAT water pressure and ample hot water. This is essential if you plan on being out all day in nature and want to come back to your room and wash all the days adventures off and have a relaxing shower. The bathrooms have pre-filled shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers right inside the shower BUT there is no hair dryer or dental kit so make sure you pack your toothbrush and toothpaste.
Breakfast
The pre-COVID-19 hot breakfast buffet was not an option and we wanted to know what was being done in lieu. Breakfast was served from 6:30 AM- 9:30 AM near the reception area. The seating areas indoor were all closed off for safety, but we were able to sit outdoors and enjoy the beautiful morning weather and the surroundings. When we went to grab our meals was a dedicated staff member in charge of handling the pre-packed bags. We were pleasantly surprised at the hot breakfast options that were offered along with the prepackaged offerings.
We really appreciated that they have a system in place where you can choose your one item from each of the breakfast categories:
- Carbs
- Dairy
- Fruit
- Drinks
We were happy to see that there was a toaster available to heat up the bagels and waffles to ensure that everyone got to enjoy some warm breakfast to start off the day. The property is around a 15-minute drive to the city of Hurricane where there are a lot of eateries.
The hot options are not listed on the menu and rotate daily. The eggs came with meat options which we asked to be omitted and they told us everything is packaged separately. Obviously, this is not a lavish breakfast but again, for us, our priority was getting out to explore as soon as possible so this worked. All the items were individually packaged.
We ended up choosing the Hot Eggs on our first day and we got the Waffles on the second day along with the cereal option. There was fresh coffee and Hot cocoa available upon request. Aamir tried the hot cocoa and it was the standard powdered version mixed with water (stick to a coffee shop version, you will thank us later), while the eggs visually looked like what we got at school lunches, they were actually delicious. There was a surprise layer of cheese in the middle and they were nice and hot. Sitting outdoors in the chilly weather and having hot eggs was a treat, we threw on some hot sauce and we were good to go!
The Property
The actual property is large. There are two wings and one wing is still under construction. We liked that the property is surrounded by mountains and really helps remind you of where you are and all the natural beauty we were there to experience. While we didn’t get a higher floor as we requested because of a high occupancy, we were given a room with a beautiful balcony view that really was special.
The property itself is in the city of Virgin which is nestled between the city of Hurricane (where you will find more eateries and chain shops) and Zion Parkin in Springdale. We enjoyed that the drive from our property to Zion’s entrance was less than 20 minutes and was MUCH cheaper than the places that are closer to the park.
The Pool/Spa and Gym
Unlike other properties we were looking out around the Zion area, this property boasts a resort style pool area that really was tempting. We were not able to enjoy the pool because the temperatures were super low and it was CHILLY at night as we were in the middle of October. There is a kid-friendly pool right next to the main pool so the entire family can enjoy at the same time. Due to COVID-19 the spa jacuzzi was closed off. Oh well. Next time.
The Gym was open with limited capacity at this property due to COVID-19. We took a look around and we found it well appointed with all the required machines and free weights for you to get your sweat on. How much we were going to use it? Umm… We were more focused on getting our exercise outdoors, but it was good to know that the facility is available.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning to visit Zion park and want a property that is newly constructed and closer to the park than major cities, this hotel is perfect for you. We really enjoyed our mornings here surrounded by the mountains and crisp weather. If you want to know more about this property and check for availability be sure to check out their official website.
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!
-xoxo Sophie and Aamir
21 Comments
Good to know about all the covid precautions this hotel is taking to make sure all guests are safe . We need a vacation badly ! Thanks for all the info ! We might consider staying at this property too after reading your reviews! You both are awesome! Love all the details you guys provide 🙂
Nice detailed review! Will keep in mind when planning our trip there once all the pandemic issues settle down.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the review
Zion park is sooo on my list for next year, if we can travel again. This inn sounds really lovely, so I’ll pin your article for when we plan our future trip. x
You should absolutely try to make it out to Zion during fall. The mornings are crisp and cool and during the day the weather is bearable. Glad we could help 🙂
This destination seems to have become so popular post-covid! Seems very beautiful.
We agree, it may be becuase it is outdoors and since it is sooooo vast there is no major concern with being crowded up against other people. That being said, our group did NOT opt to use the shuttles because there were a LOT of people in line and we didnt feel comfortable.
This is the perfect option for a Zion hotel. Utah will be my first real trip (when it’s fully safe), so I’ll be taking your hotel advice for sure.
So good to hear! We hope you get to enjoy Zion first hand and stay safe and healthy 🙂
I almost went to Zion in September but changed our mind and went to Joshua Tree instead. This hotel looks great. Will def look into staying there when we finally make it out to Zion.
Yes for sure! Funny story, everytime we go to Joshua Tree something weird happens either on our trip or en route. lol. Hope you had a great trip and get to experience Zion soon as well 🙂
Great place to stay there. I totally understand the struggle with the plugs next to the bed hahah but so good it has all those services
The morning views made the little inconveniences worth it 🙂
It’s so annoying when hotels don’t have charging outlets next to the beds. It’s so unconventional. Also, the mold in the bathroom is not a great sign, especially if the hotel is new. The location is beautiful though, there are some very pretty views around it.
We had our share of concerns thats for sure. For us, when we are traveling night time is the only time we have to get on our phones and play catch up for the day and when we can’t get to them it is annoying. We didn’t make too big a deal because we were literally in the rooms just to sleep and spent almost all our time outdoors but if we were there to enjoy the hotel more, we would have voiced our concerns for sure 🙂
Looks perfect (although I have to admit, I’d want to spend as much time as possible in the Zion park, rather than in the hotel!) But I love that you can see the mountains!
we 1000 percent agree! we were happy with the basic accomodations because our main goal was to be outside and enjoy nature 🙂
This looks like the ideal place to stay where you can enjoy relaxing in the incredible surrounding landscape but still be conveniently located near the park. I think with the current pandemic, places like this are ideal for an escape without being located in a city with so many people around. I haven’t stayed in a hotel during the pandemic but it’s great to hear about the precautions that are in place to make you feel safe during your stay. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Yes, this location was very peaceful compared to the other hotels that were in a busier area. At night it was almost too quiet for us city folk 🙂 The Covid precautions gave us a lot of peace of mind.
We stayed here when we visited Utah and loved our experience here as well! Happy to know its still good especially during COVID
Yay! always good to know that others have had similar experiences at a hotel. 🙂