Moab, Utah is a very cool city. It has a trendy vibe, but in a timeless, not-actually-trying sort of way. Moab is also very good looking, with low-slung buildings and artsy accents that don’t bother trying to compete with the high-drama dazzle of its red-rock surroundings. Tourism there is built around cool-people kinds of adventures, like mountain biking, off-roading and rafting down the Colorado River. And when you’re there, you just feel a bit cooler, at least by 10%, and it doesn’t wear off until you’re almost home.
Moab is a compact city, with nothing superfluous to detract from its charm. You need a car to get there, located as it is on a remote-ish section of the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah, just 18 miles from the Colorado state line. Once you arrive, however, the little downtown area is wonderfully walkable. The Main Street drag is packed with excellent and varied restaurants, galleries and gift stores, and the assorted HQs of adventure outfitters.
While most visitors spend their time exploring nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks or on other desert escapades, it’s smart to choose accommodations in the heart of town. When you return to your room, tired but hungry and not quite ready for the day to end, it’s great to be able to stroll along Main Street and enjoy all that Moab has to offer as the sun slinks slowly down behind those famous red rocks.
Where to Stay in Moab: The Gonzo Inn
If a great place to stay right in the heart of Moab is on your wish list, look no further than The Gonzo Inn. This delightful boutique hotel just off Main Street checks a lot of boxes on any list of desirable lodging characteristics. It’s just one block from Main Street, minutes away on foot yet just far enough off the main drag to feel peaceful all day and night. Family owned since 1998, the property is refreshingly non-generic with bright, artful décor and 43 well-appointed, condominium-style rooms. Pops of purple, lime green and signature gecko motifs feature throughout the hotel, balancing upscale polish with the perfect level of quirkiness.
The Gonzo Inn makes a great first impression, with massive wrought-iron doors customized with gecko handles. Inside, the lobby resembles a hip café, with a gift-store display of merchandise, sunscreen and sundries, and a complimentary coffee station. A life-sized ceramic dog greets you, a nod to the hotel’s pet-friendly policy. The ground-floor level also gives you access to a laundry room, the heated saltwater pool and hot tub, and “The Backyard,” an outdoor lounge, lawn and BBQ space. Parking is free, and electric charging stations are available.
Along with all the essential guest services, the front desk at The Gonzo Inn offers a concierge service. They will gladly recommend activities and book excursions directly with local adventure companies. As Moab is a major mountain-biking destination, the hotel offers a secure bike storage room along with repair racks and wash stations. Visitors who want to hike Moab’s gorgeous landscapes have direct access to miles of trails directly from the back door of the hotel.
The Gonzo Inn offers 43 condominium-style rooms including king rooms, one-bedroom suites, luxury suites with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, and the two-bedroom Gonzo suite. All have private patios with stunning red-cliff views, vibrant and eclectic décor, and high-end amenities. These include flat-screen smart TVs, super-comfy beds with feather pillows, fluffy bathrobes and blackout curtains to ensure a restful stay. The Wi-Fi is fast and complimentary.
The highly recommended Gonzo suite sleeps up to six, with two king beds in their own private rooms, plus a queen-sized memory foam sleeper sofa in the living room. It’s a splendidly spacious option for a larger group, complete with two private, furnished patios – one big enough for a family dinner, and the other a bonus outdoor space off the second bedroom. Between the two bedrooms, both huge with soaring ceilings, are another dining space, the cozy living room with a fireplace, smart TV, plush armchair and sofa, and kitchenette. The suite comes handily equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, sink, and a full set of dishes, plates, glassware and silverware. There’s a Keurig coffee maker too, with plenty of coffee and tea pods along with an invitation to help yourself to more pods from basketful in the lobby.
Local artworks and custom furnishings give the rooms and suites at The Gonzo Inn the feel of a stylish condo. The Gonzo suite features an eclectic array of southwest-inspired metal art and blown-up canvas prints of stunning national park photographs. Beyond eye-pleasing décor, the rooms and suites are exceptionally comfortable as well. In the master bathroom of the Gonzo suite is a river-rock-floored, extra-powerful shower as well as a luxurious jetted corner tub and dual vanities. Both bedrooms have large writing desks with ergonomic desk chairs, and the master bedroom has a bright and airy living/dressing room and en suite bathroom.
A 100% non-smoking property, The Gonzo Inn is clean, bright and welcoming throughout. With so many shops and restaurants just minutes away on foot, it’s our top choice for places to stay in Moab.
Details
The Gonzo Inn
100 West 200 South Street, Moab, UT 84532
(800) 791-4044
Disclaimer: California News Press and its contributors received goods, services and/or other professional courtesies to facilitate this review. All opinions are those of the author.
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