Is Bryce Canyon Lodge worth the extra $?
 

We can get a room at Ruby's for $70.00 or a cabin at Bryce Canyon Lodge for $140.00. We will only be there for a night and will head out early in the morning. Would appreciate feedback in light of the price difference. Thanks

bcala,

We stayed in a Bryce cabin in June '04 and will do so again on May 19 '06. For us it was worth every extra dollar (or we wouldn't be doing it again.) To us nothing can compare to being inside the Parks, especially one like Bryce, where sunrise and sunset are so glorious. We hiked the rim trail from Bryce Point to Sunset Point, then waited on a bench for the sun to set. Hubby's camera battery went dead and he dashed back to the cabin for another, making it back in time to get some great photos. Couldn't have done that if our room had been at Ruby's or somewhere else outside the Park.

The next morning we were up well before sunrise, and bundled up (it's cold at Bryce in the morning) to walk the short distance to the rim. Enjoyed the sunrise then hustled back to our cabin to warm up and shed a couple of layers before we set out for the day.

If you have a 3 quarter or more moon The Canyon in beautiful in that light as well. And it's just easier to experience the different faces of a Park if you're there at all hours.

ANd then there's the quiet. At Bryce you're in the trees with no traffic a few hundred feet away and far fewer people around, as well.

I'll give up meals out (I'll snack), opt to stay at the cheapest, clean places I can find when we visit a Park with no in-park lodging, or on the road between Parks, if it means the difference between staying in a Park or staying outside.

For us part of the overall Park experience is sleeping within the Park. We also like being able to come and go as we please, either together, or on our own if the other needs/wants a rest/nap without having to worry about who'll have the car.

Hope this helps. As I'm sure you can tell, I'm biased. Hopefully you'll get more replies.

Fran

It's difficult to say becuase the $70 price differential means different things to different people.

I stayed at Ruby's in February but the lodge within the parks is shut at that time of year so it was the closest option for us. People had warned me off Ruby's but I thought it was great. It was fairly quiet (it may not be at busier times of year though), the room was nice, as was the indoor pool and the restaurant perfectly okay. Ruby's is very close to the entrance to Bryce Canyon so time isn't a big issue.

I can definitely see the advantages of staying within parks (for example, we're glad we did at the Grand Canyon, glad we didn't at Zion and we obviously had no choice at Bryce). Because I can't compare my experience to staying in the park at Bryce, all I can say is that I wouldn't feel like I was missing out too much if I couldn't get accommodation in the park.

you must stay inside the park. There is no other way to do it.
it makes the trip easier and more enjoyable
Melissa

We've stayed in both and definitely prefer inside the park. I agree with Fran, there really is no comparison. You can stay at a Best Western (ruby's) type hotel anywhere on the face of the earth, but there are only so many national park lodges.

You truly cannot put a price on some things in life, as they're priceless.

We've stayed both places and I'd definitely spring for the Lodge. I love crawling out of bed, throwing on some clothes and walking out to the edge of the canyon at dawn. And there was a full moon then, so standing on the edge at night was really spectacular.
While the food at the lodge won't win any major dining awards, it is far better than Ruby's, has so much more atmosphere, and isn't really any more expensive as I recall.
By the way there are only something like three rooms in the actual lodge. What you want is a cabin. We did have a room IN the lodge once and it was huge, but so "Florida condo" looking instead of "Bryce Canyon" it was disappointing.

We're leaning toward in-park lodging, especially since our time is so short in Bryce. Ruby's price and proximity to the Park makes the decision a little harder, but staying right in Bryce Canyon will maximize the short time we have. Thanks so much for the replies!

Sorry to have to differ with MelissaB above - you are not required to stay in Park and it is quite possible to enjoy all aspects of Bryce without staying in Park. We were there 2 years ago, could not get accomodations in Park, stayed at Ruby's, and had a very nice visit. (Have been to many National Parks, staying both in and out of Parks - different experience, but not essential to stay in Park).

If you can get reservation and can afford the difference, I would go for in the Park. If not, stay at Ruby's and enjoy Bryce anyway.

Thanks, Gail. I currently have reservations at both. I know we'll have a good time either way!

We stayed at the Lodge, and being right there for the sunset and the sunrise is worth every penny. You will be glad you splurged to stay in the park, especially with your limited time to visit. Also, drive around at dawn and dusk, you'll see lots of deer. We saw a lot just walking the very short walk from our room to the canyon's edge at dusk.

Forgot to mention that we didn't stay in the actual "lodge," we stayed in the newer motel building. It was a very nice, large room. Good luck with your planning!

Thanks for the info, BayouGal. We've pretty much decided to stay at the lodge (we have a cabin reserved). Will report back when we return.

HI,
We have reserved what is described as a motel room at Bryce. Any comments pro or con? Also, what about Zion-worth staying in park?
Thanks!

We love Zion and have stayed both inside the park and in the town of Springdale. We loved our lodging in Springdale and thought it wonderful until we stayed at Zion Lodge inside the Park. Wow! The experience was so worth it and now we only stay at the lodge. It's not the room, it's the location! The view is outtstanding and the proximity to trailheads is wonderful. We can take an early morning hike or an evening stroll easily. In fact, we are heading there next week.

Ditto! We've stayed in very nice accommodations outside Zion, Cliffrose, close to the park, beautiful grounds with lawn leading down to the Virgin River and lovely views back at Zion. Then we stayed in the Lodge at Zion another trip. It was wonderful staying IN the park, the walls of the canyon all around you in the moonlight, early morning quiet before everyone else arrives. When we go back we'll plan far enough ahead for in-park lodging again--or change the dates we plan to go just to get an opening. We have fond memories of both trips, but the park at night in the full moon, and the next morning, cold, dewy meadow, deer, quiet and so peaceful can't be beaten.

First, Bryce is one of my top favorites. I have gone out of my way to visit it just for a peek over the rim.

Second, is it worth it to stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge? Frankly, NO.

You can enjoy the park in so many ways right up until dark when you cannot see anything unless there is a bright moon, I see no reason to spend the extra money unless you are rolling in green and have it coming out of your pockets in profusion.

I have done it both ways, and used the cabins and the motel rooms in Bryce.
But once I have walked the rim, gone down into the formations below the rim, and visited the major viewpoints, I am pooped and ready for dinner, a shower, and some sleep.

thanks for your replies! For anyone who has stayed in Bryce-please describe the motel --what does building look like? It's seperate from the main lodge?
Thanks!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall any "motel" like rooms at Bryce. It is mainly cabins scattered around (I think some cabins are doubles). In the main lodge building are three or maybe four rooms -- that's all. One time we had to take one of those. I found it very disappointing. Our friends were in a neat cabin. Our room was very spacious, but furnished in white like a Florida condo -- not what we expected at Bryce.

We stayed in a very new "motel" type 2 story unit when we were there in 2004. It is not part of the lodge, but it is in the vacinity of the cabins. It is a very short walk from the rooms to the canyon. From the BCNP webside: Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates the Bryce Canyon Lodge, with 114 rooms including lodge suites, motel rooms and cabins.

But I'd disagree with bob brown on it not being worth it to stay there. It sure is for me. We stayed at Ruby's before, which was OK, but there's nothing like getting up at sunrise and walking out to the rim even before taking a shower, when you can be in total solitude. And the canyon by moonlight IS spectacular. Meanwhile I sure never found a place half as good to eat at Ruby's as the Canyon Lodge, which was really quite nice and not that expensive.