It appears that more cabins have opened up at Zion Lodge for booking. I am wondering if anyone can describe the difference between these types of rooms: motel room (2 queen beds), suite (1 king), Western cabin (2 double beds).

As I understand it, the motel rooms and suites are in the re-built lodge building, with the suites upstairs (do they have a balcony)? Are the Western cabins part of the historic lodge that was not lost in the 1966 fire? According to the website, they are in duplex or quad buildings scattered around the grounds, and have porches. If true, that sounds pleasant.

Can anyone comment on the different types of accomodations? Are the suites worth the extra cost? Bed quality? Do the cabins have more ambiance, even if rustic? (And are they actually rustic? Can't tell from the photos on the website.

We'll be there for 3 nights, so I'd like to make it pleasant for my friends who will be coming too.

We have stayed in the lodge, not a suite, a regular room, and the rooms were fine--about equivalent to Bright Angel if you have stayed in those GC cabins. We have not seen the suites, but I'd assume they are just a larger version of what we had, nothing elegant...that is not the national park's modus operandi.

We have seen the cabins during our stay...exterior only and would love to be able to try one of those if they were ever available on a return trip. I don't care how rustic--they look neat with their porches for enjoying early morning or evening activity.

We've also stayed outside the park once, at Cliffrose, which was very nice, and although I'd recommend it to someone who couldn't get in-park lodging, we all (my husband and myself and our grown kids and their spouses) far prefer staying in the park to staying outside.

See it just once in the moonlight and you'll be hooked too!

Great information, OO. Thanks!

You got me so excited about the moonlght I checked---we'll have a waning moon, less than half. Still, I'm sure it will be beautiful there.

Hi enzian,

I stayed in the lodge once long ago in January. New Year's at Zion is very popular!

I don't think it was in a cabin, it was a building that had multiple rooms. Mine was on the first floor and was a handicap room, so the bathroom was what is expected in an accessible room. The room was clean and comfortable, but very plain. No porch.

I have a B&B I like to stay in in Zion. It's the Novel House Inn. Definitely not the park atmosphere, but very nice and great breakfasts. Prices should be about the same, if not less than the lodge, if you are interested in that type of place.

Have fun!

HI Dayle--sounds like you had a motel unit at Zion Lodge, not a cabin.

I love your recommendations (still getting praise from my family for your Shallow Shaft suggestion---we had another great dinner there this year). But we will be a group of 12 (4 couples and 4 singles, so the B & B won't work for us this time.

12! What fun you will have! I assume you've been to Zion before? When are you going?

Hi Dayle--we're going September 2008! I scored a group reservation at Phantom Ranch, so I invited some hiking friends from the UK to come and do a rim-to-rim hike. We'll spend about 6 nights at GC (starting at the North Rim, then down and up, a night at the South Rim, shuttle back to the North, then off to Zion.

I haven't been to Zion since I was 16, and I wasn't a hiker back then. I imagine they will want to hike Angel's Landing (they are experienced mountaineer types) and maybe the Narrows (from the bottom up and back). I'd like to look into the Kolob Arch hike as well---have you ever done that?

For Angel's Landing, I know I will stop at Scout's Landing. Heights with drop-offs on BOTH sides are not for me.

Do you have any advice for other things to see/do at Zion? Or where to eat? They are a fun bunch, and like their food/beer/wine.

Enzian,

Great time for hiking! As far as Springdale goes, the dining can be good, but nothing outstanding. I always eat at Zion Pizza & Noodle, great pizza and pasta with fun names. Consistently good, busy, and they have wine and beer on tap.

Last trip I tried Oscar's based on other Fodorites' recommendations. It's a newer place. I thought it was OK, but a little overpriced for what they offer. Huge burgers if you like that, but other types of food too.

I tried to eat at the Spotted Dog (in Flanigan's) once, but after I couldn't get anyone to take my order in 40 minutes, gave up and left. Others say it's very good, from what I saw the menu was a bit limited. Probably need reservations here.

I've never made it to the Bit n' Spur (Mexican), it's gotten mixed reviews. I have eaten at the Switchback Grill at the Zion Park Inn and it was surprisingly very good.

Had dinner at the lodge that one time and it was not good. Tough steak, overcooked veggies, poor service. That was years ago though.

Since your visitors are from the UK, I would definitely go for the Zion lodge. Nothing like waking up to the morning sun on the canyon walls. Be sure to watch for the wild turkeys! They are my favorites.

Wild turkeys??? They will love that.

Thank you for the recommendations. We'll probably try Zion Lodge one night (Xanterra is working on improving the quality of the food at their properties, I believe), and I'll suggest Zion Pizza and Noodle for another night. Third night will be their choice. They are pretty good at figuring out where they want to eat on their own, and have a strong preference for steak! (Maybe because they still don't trust it at home? I don't know.)

The beds at the Zion Lodge/cabins are all about the same, except for size, as you noted. Rooms are basic - you stay there for the location. I was at Zion in April and I thought the food at the Zion Lodge Restaurant had really improved. Even the coffee!

In town, Bit n' Spur was really good this time. Love those tamales!

Yes, the cabins at Zion are more rustic. There is a fireplace in each room which is nice in cooler weather, and the porch is pleasant. Motel room suites have a living room with sleeper sofa, refrigerator and a sep. bdrm.

Me again. Regarding cabins: If you get cabins you might ask for adjoining ones. Each cabin is in a duplex arrangement with an interior adjoining door that is locked if you aren't in the same group.