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- How Has Coronavirus Changed Hotel Breakfast?
- Road Tripping Through The Southwest Of The US
- Review: SpringHill Suites Zion National Park (Springdale, Utah)
- Review: Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell, Arizona
- Review: Hoodoo Moab, Hilton Curio Collection
- Did I Feel Safe Flying During The Coronavirus Pandemic?
We spent the third and fourth nights of our trip in Moab, Utah. We decided to spend more time here because we knew there was a lot to do in the area, and we were very happy with our decision in the end.
In this post:
Booking the Hoodoo Moab
Moab has virtually every limited service hotel brand you could imagine, as was the case at all of our stops on this trip. However, there was one exception — the Hoodoo Moab, which is a Hilton Curio Collection property. This is still a fairly new hotel, as it only opened in August 2019.
For those of you not familiar with Curio Collection, it’s Hilton’s upscale independent hotel brand. In other words, Curio Collection properties are unique and maintain their own branding and design, so you get a less cookie cutter hotel while still receiving Hilton Honors benefits.
Since this was the only real full service hotel we could find in the area, we decided to book this.
The nightly rate for our stay was ~$220. While we could have redeemed Hilton Honors points here (see here for the best credit cards for earning Hilton Honors points), a room would have cost 70,000 Honors points per night.
I value Hilton points at ~0.5 cents each, so to me paying cash was the better value, especially with the current Hilton Honors points promotion.
Hoodoo Moab (Hilton Curio Collection) review
This was the only non-limited service hotel we were staying at this trip, so by comparison there’s a bit more to talk about. I also think this may have been my first stay at a Curio Collection property, so that was cool as well.
Hoodoo Moab location
The Hoodoo Moab has a great location right in town, so you can easily walk to nearby restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Some limited service hotels in Moab weren’t as close to the center of town, so I appreciated this feature. The hotel is also about a 10 minute drive from the entrance of Arches National Park.
Hoodoo Moab exterior
The Hoodoo Moab offers complimentary parking to guests (I love that all hotels we stayed at this trip didn’t charge for parking), and there were even special parking spots for Hilton Honors Diamond members. However, this wasn’t enforced in any way, since there weren’t permits for parking.
Hoodoo Moab Hilton Honors Diamond parking
Hoodoo Moab check-in & lobby
Reception was located just inside the lobby and to the right. The check-in agent thanked me for being a Hilton Honors Diamond member. I have Diamond status through the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, which I consider to be one of the best hotel credit cards.
Unfortunately no upgrades were available, as the hotel was sold out. We had only been able to book a room with two queen beds, and they couldn’t switch us to a room with just one bed (which is understandable).
I was given a letter outlining Honors benefits, and among those was a $15 per person breakfast credit valid in the hotel’s restaurant, Josie Wyatt’s Grille. I had to chuckle at the benefit of the second guest staying free, since this hotel doesn’t charge extra for double occupancy vs. single occupancy.
Hoodoo Moab Hilton Honors Diamond benefits
The lobby is quite nice, with high ceilings (thanks to a staircase leading up to the second floor) and plenty of seating.
Hoodoo Moab lobby
Hoodoo Moab lobby
Hoodoo Moab lobby
Hoodoo Moab lobby
Hoodoo Moab Queen Room
The hotel has three floors, and we were assigned room 345, on the third floor. Our room was towards the end of the hallway, a really long walk from the elevators and reception. I loved the hallway design, from the lanterns to the pictures of nearby Arches National Park.
Hoodoo Moab hallway
The room was awesome — it was spacious and nicely appointed. It featured two comfortable queen size beds, a leather chair by the window, a desk with a chair, and a dresser with a TV on it.
Hoodoo Moab queen room
Hoodoo Moab queen room
Hoodoo Moab queen room
Hoodoo Moab queen room
In the dresser was a mini-fridge, as well as a Keurig coffee machine.
Hoodoo Moab in-room minibar
Back near the entrance was a closet with a safe.
Hoodoo Moab closet
The direct views were of the parking lot, but in the distance there were views of mountains.
Hoodoo Moab queen room view
There was a sliding door separating the bathroom from the rest of the room (without a lock, oddly).
Hoodoo Moab bathroom
The bathroom was huge for a standard room, with a massive walk-in shower, a sink, and a toilet in the corner.
Hoodoo Moab queen room bathroom
Hoodoo Moab queen room sink
Toiletries were from Beekman.
Hoodoo Moab toiletries
Wifi in the room was free, and as a Hilton Honors Diamond member I received complimentary premium high-speed Wi-Fi.
Hoodoo Moab pool
We were in Moab to see nature and not to lounge at a pool, so we didn’t use the pool, though I did snap some pictures of it. Hoodoo Moab is sort of in a “U” shape, and the outdoor pool is in the middle of that area.
Hoodoo Curio Collection pool
The pool had a unique shape and got pretty busy during the day.
Hoodoo Curio Collection pool
Hoodoo Moab gym
While we didn’t use it, there was a pretty well equipped gym on the basement level.
Hoodoo Moab gym
Hoodoo Moab gym
Hoodoo Moab gym
Hoodoo Moab laundry
The hotel had a laundry facility, which is rare to see at a full service hotel. This could be useful for anyone on an extended road trip.
Hoodoo Curio Collection laundry
Josie Wyatt’s Grille
The only place in the hotel we spent any time outside of our room was at Josie Wyatt’s Grille, which is the hotel’s restaurant, on the ground floor. This is an all-day dining restaurant:
- Breakfast is served from 7AM until 11AM
- Lunch is served from 11AM until 5PM
- Dinner is served from 5PM until 10PM
Josie Wyatt’s Grille entrance
Inside the entrance to the restaurant and to the right was the bar, which had a bit of outdoor seating as well.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille bar
Then there were two indoor dining rooms.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille indoor seating
Josie Wyatt’s Grille indoor seating
Lastly there was an outdoor patio, with properly spaced out tables.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille outdoor seating
Frankly food wasn’t a highlight on this trip up until this point, as both Springdale and Page weren’t exactly culinary hotspots. Dining outdoors at Josie Wyatt’s Grille was a real treat, and definitely the best food we had during this trip.
We had dinner here the first night. The menu read as follows:
The drink list read as follows:
Ford and I both had dirty martinis to drink, which were pretty good, though drinks sure are weak in Utah…
Josie Wyatt’s Grille dinner — martinis
I had a honey gem caesar to start.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille dinner — salad
Then for the main I had an eight ounce filet mignon, which was served with a side of garlic whipped potatoes.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille dinner — filet mignon
We really went all out, and had the strawberry shortcake for dessert as well.
Josie Wyatt’s Grille dinner — dessert
This was a great meal. It was nice to be able to dine outside (we ate very early, and there were no other guests, so we had the patio all to ourselves), the food was excellent, and our server was a delight.
Hoodoo Moab Hilton Honors Diamond breakfast
Breakfast is also served at Josie Wyatt’s Grille, and as mentioned above, as a Diamond Honors member we received a $30 daily breakfast credit between the two of us.
The breakfast menu read as follows:
We both had iced coffees, which were served in huge soda glasses.
Hoodoo Moab breakfast — iced coffee
One morning I had an avocado toast with an egg on the side.
Hoodoo Moab breakfast — avocado toast
The other morning I had the eggs any style.
Hoodoo Moab breakfast — eggs any style
Ford had the huevos rancheros.
Hoodoo Moab breakfast — huevos rancheros
The credit basically covered our breakfast, minus tip. I far prefer hotels offering breakfast vouchers you can apply towards anything, rather than limiting you to a continental breakfast with no selection.
Hoodoo Moab bottom line
You don’t go on a US road trip because you want to stay at great hotels, though I have to say that the Hoodoo Moab was a real treat. This was a full service hotel with nicely appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant.
I’d return to this property in a heartbeat, and would definitely make it a stop on any road trip through this part of the country.
Anyone know of other full service hotels that are this good so close to a national park?
We stayed there last week at the start of our Rocky Mountaineer Moab to Denver train excursion (which we HIGHLY endorse). Truly an exceptional hotel. We had two minor issues with the plumbing, and they had a service technician to our room within five minutes. We loved the decor and the quiet of being a block off the VERY busy highway through town. And not least, really good pillows. - a rarity among hotels.
Curio Collection is definitely a bright spot in the brands, especially comparing to the underwhelming Canopy.
Also while I was able to get a $0.045/p in Hilton hotels for the past couple months, looking through award calendar I do agree it's going to at most $0.035/p. Always earn and burn for Hilton……
Thanks, Ben, for taking the time to give us this wonderful review. Though we can't travel there yet, your report enables us to enjoy the experience vicariously. When I do go I'm definitely going to order that filet mignon steak with the garlic whipped potatoes after hiking around the arches and canyons.
https://nuts.com/healthy-eating/steel-cut-vs-rolled-oats
Moab has come a long way in the hotel market. It was only 12 years ago that the best options were Hampton Inn or Best Western. I'd argue still that renting a home is the best option, it's nice to park your toys in a garage rather than locking them down on/in trailers in the hotel parking lot. And in town is fine but a home in Spanish Valley makes a nice quiet difference (Moab...
Moab has come a long way in the hotel market. It was only 12 years ago that the best options were Hampton Inn or Best Western. I'd argue still that renting a home is the best option, it's nice to park your toys in a garage rather than locking them down on/in trailers in the hotel parking lot. And in town is fine but a home in Spanish Valley makes a nice quiet difference (Moab is littered with UTV/Jeep noise nearly all the time). Moab Springs Ranch on the north side of town was VERY convenient to Arches.
I could go on for awhile about Moab, we've loved it there. We've moved on to quieter locations though we love Arches. Best thing about Arches is nighttime, go in after dark on a moonless/cloudless night and you'll be stunned at the vistas.
Whilhelm- there actually quite a few ways for oats to be cut but steel cut preserves most is the good stuff and therefor is considered healthier and more popular - Much better than rolled oats
Hey Ben,
I think it's important you read this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/opinion/coronavirus-meat-vegetarianism.html
Thanks,
V
nice hotel. Thanks for this good review. If I'm allowed in again I will surely check out this hotel.
This review made me hungry! :-)
Btw - I’ve always wondered why it’s always “steel cut oatmeal”. How else would they cut it?
@Lucky, your reviews of this trip have really made me realize how little time you've spent at US suburban/small city/rural hotels. Every time you mention that the parking is free and no permit is required I have to chuckle. As someone whose work and a few cross country driving trips have taken me to many hundreds of limited service and full service hotels outside the center of big cities, free parking without a permit is...
@Lucky, your reviews of this trip have really made me realize how little time you've spent at US suburban/small city/rural hotels. Every time you mention that the parking is free and no permit is required I have to chuckle. As someone whose work and a few cross country driving trips have taken me to many hundreds of limited service and full service hotels outside the center of big cities, free parking without a permit is the rule, not the exception. I'm glad that you enjoyed your western road trip and we'll be happy to see more of you, until your international travel reviews can resume!
@TM, if a Motel6 has an attached Dennys, is it considered full service?
"Frankly food wasn’t a highlight on this trip up until this point, as both Springdale and Page weren’t exactly culinary hotspots".... literally let out a giggle. Yeah they definitely aren't.
I think the 70,000 points vs $214 anecdote just goes to show that Hilton Honors is indexed at 0.3 cents per point and that is basically where you should be spending them. Sad but true! If you're waiting to get 0.5 cents per point, you will be waiting a long time. (Yes, you can spend a 5th night free in Bali or whatever, but when is that even realistic)
I think you may want to correct the spelling in the title.
@James S,
For the most part these days, 'full service' really just means there's a restaurant on site.
Was debating this versus the Hyatt Place when I go in September, but at 70k Hilton points for HooDoo vs 8k Hyatt for Hyatt Place, I'll deal with a hotel a notch lower in quality (and several lower in uniqueness)
I dont see what makes this "full service" versus the other hotels. They all look exactly the same.
Looks like this is definitely the choice for when I head to visit Arches. Only a 5.5 hour drive for me to get there, so it has definitely been on my list.
Agreed with the other commenters. This is the first thing I've liked on your trip. :)
I stayed at this hotel January of this year for a short weekend trip to Arches (lived in SLC at the time) and I felt so guilty showering off my snowy/dirty/muddy shoes in that enormous shower.
The drive to the park entrance took about 7 minutes. There are rooms right next to the elevators with water dispensers that dispense water only, ice only, or water AND ice which made refilling my Camelback and extra water bottles for the day hikes super convenient.
Was the breakfast credit given daily?
That looks like a great hotel for anywhere, not just southern Utah. I’m impressed.
I have stayed in a couple Curios and enjoyed one but thought the other one was just ok. But they were both very unique historic properties. So I like the Curio brand as a concept. This one looks like a great choice in Moab.
Thanks for the review. It’s on my list.