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There are no shortage of hotels and motels outside of Bryce Canyon National Park, but if you are looking for upscale lodging, close to the park entrance, Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is your best bet. The Utah hotel was built in 2010 and is the newest hotel in Bryce Canyon City. I was in the area for a multi-day horseback ride offered through Ruby’s Horseback Adventures and the hotel we used for our group of equestrians was Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel.
There are several lodging options in Bryce Canyon City owned by the Syrett family, as they have been actively involved in tourism hospitality, welcoming guests to historic Ruby’s Inn since 1916! Ruben Syrett aka”Ruby” and his wife Minnie both grew up in the Panguitch area in the late 1800’s. Their grand children and great grand children are carrying on the western spirit of adventure and hospitality in this part of southern Utah.
This Best Western Plus hotel features 164 non-smoking rooms divided into two towers. The four-story hotel lends a courtyard setting to the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. We were visiting in early October and we experienced a couple of snow flurries. While the hot tub is open year round, the swimming pool is heated seasonally. I mention this because you’ll notice snowflakes in my swimming pool photo.
Our room was a double queen, ideal for a family with two kids sharing a bed, or friends traveling together. The hotel room was plenty large, at 490 square feet, and ideally set up for two people to share a space without stepping on one another’s toes. There were two sinks in the bathroom, two luggage racks in the closet and enough hangers in the closet to make both people feel at home. Can you tell that I don’t like sharing closet space?
The shower/bath tub combination worked well for two people, as the bathroom had its own door. Much preferred when two people are attempting to share a common space. There was a comfortable chair for reading a book by the window, as well as plenty of desk space for getting work done. I also appreciated the tech-friendly room with data ports and plenty of electrical outlets for charging phones and computers.
There is a breakfast buffet included in the price of your room and a mini fridge in your hotel room for storing food and drinks. The complimentary buffet is quite impressive, as it offers bacon, eggs, waffles, fresh fruit, roasted potatoes, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, cheese and pastries. On our visit, breakfast, in addition to orange juice, hot coffee, hot chocolate & tea, was available from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m. Water and coffee is available in the lobby 24/7.
As you are probably in the Bryce Canyon area to explore the national parks, there is a complimentary shuttle bus on the property that takes guests into the canyon. The shuttle runs from mid-April to mid-September and avoids parking and traffic congestion. You’ll need to purchase your tickets to Bryce Canyon National Park at Ruby’s Inn before you board the shuttle bus. There’s also a fitness center at the hotel and laundry facilities.
If you need access to a state liquor store, post office or general store, Ruby’s Inn, across the street, offers all these conveniences, in addition to an indoor swimming pool. Guests of Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel are welcome to use the Ruby’s indoor pool free of charge.
Bryce Canyon dining options
Dining options in Bryce Canyon City include Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill, a live country dinner show with The Bryce Canyon Wranglers. Canyon Diner, located next to Ruby’s Inn main lodge, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, no reservations necessary. Cowboy’s Buffet and Steak Room offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a Utah state liquor license.
The hotel is open year round and there are plenty of activities offered by the hotel, in addition to a trip to Bryce Canyon. Those traveling with pets will need to stay at Ruby’s Inn, Bryce View Lodge, or Ruby’s RV Park & Campground as Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is not pet-friendly.
Some of the activities include the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, guided ATV tours, Ruby’s Horseback Adventures, Old Bryce Town shops and horse-drawn wagon rides to the rim of Bryce Canyon. In the winter, the hotel offers horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and a skating rink.
Room rates start at $99.95 with AAA rates and seasonal offers posted on the website. All Best Western hotels include complimentary internet. Free self parking. Check rates and make a reservation through the Best Western website. Alternately, you can try an OTA such as Expedia or Priceline.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer Nancy D. Brown.
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