We want to stay in Springdale next October and would like some suggestions as to lodging there. Then we're going to Bryce and wonder what the in-park lodging is like. Any suggestions will be helpful.

I was in Springdale (just outside Zion) in October 2004. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Desert Pearl Inn. I would go back to Southern Utah just to stay there!!! For what you get, the rates are awesome. I'd pass on staying in the park, overpriced without any extras - we stayed at several in-the-park hotels on our trip. I've been to a lot of great hotels, but the Desert Pearl is my ALL TIME favorite...I'm not over-exagerating! Try to get an upstairs room with a view of the river.

We stayed at the Stone Canyon Bed and Breakfast in Tropic UT, about 8 miles from Bryce entrance. It was great, we got great advice from the owners on hiking in the area.

have a great time Sandy

In June we stayed at Flanagan's in Springdale for two nights. Great room and service. Also, The Spotted Dog restaurant is located there, which was very good. They also have a spa where you can get a terrific massage.

we also stayed at Flanigans, and can't praise it enough. Really tops.

I agree with Chico about the Spotted Dog cafe - great food. We went 2 nights in a row!

Oh gosh, we LOVED staying in the park at Zion, and I wouldn't consider doing it any other way if we had the option. We also stayed at Cliffrose another trip when in-park lodging was full, and it was nice, but the park lodging is midway into Zion--you awaken with those incredible canyon walls soaring above you, and the walk back from dinner in the full moon, with the canyon walls lit, is absolutely one of those sights you never forget. At first, as a Florida flatlander, I couldn't imagine what we were seeing high over our heads! Spectacular. It is so beautiful, so peaceful...you are IN the canyon. The cabins looked to be even neater, but all were taken by the time we made reservations, so our rooms were in the lodge. (We were there with our adult children and their spouses this Thanksgiving.) As I recall, our rate was $126/night.

The rooms aren't fabulous...they are very basic, nicely furnished, immaculately clean, and the lodge itself is lovely. It's the park experience that many, us included, are after. My husband runs, and we live in, a 4* hotel in Tampa year round. Here we wanted the park. I just asked him which he'd do next time and his response was, with no hesitation, what mine had been. Stay in the park...you can always drive into town...any town, any day of your lives. His reason was identical to mine...to walk out in the moonlight and see those stone walls soaring above you in the moonlight. Awesome beauty.

Having done it both ways, there is only one advantage to staying outside--having the wide range of dining choices just steps away. We ate at the park one night...very good, and in town two nights, also very good, but none were really fabulous. It's not a bad drive into Springdale, needless to say.

We've only been to Bryce once and park lodging was closed then (Thanksgiving)...if you can get it, I'd take it.

We've also stayed in park lodging in the Grand Canyon twice, different lodges each time, so are getting a feel for the types of accommodations (all are run by Xanterra) to be had in the nat'l parks. All are very basic, clean, well managed and well run. They are never elaborate but they fit the parks and what one expects from a park experience.

I am sure the park hotels are nice, I've stayed in several and have enjoyed them. They have always been clean and obviously are in a great location. However, the best hotel I have ever stayed in was the Desert Pearl - and, you can always drive into the park! I would love to go back to Springdale/Zion just to stay there! There is a river and great views behind the hotel, you can have coffee on the back deck of your room and listen to the water - it's awesome.

Hope this helps with your decision, either way you'll have a great time.