Moab's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't just a hotel review, it's a Moab hotel review, which means things get a little…wild. We're talking red rock sunsets, adrenaline rushes, and the ever-present, slightly gritty dust of the desert. And, yes, we're talking about my stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab, which I'm told is supposed to be "the best." We'll see about that, shall we?
First Impressions: Entering the Oasis (and the Lobby)
Okay, let's be real, after a day of hiking in the Arches, you're filthy. Like, sand-in-every-crevice-of-your-body filthy. So, the clean, crisp air of the Fairfield Inn's lobby hit me like a…well, like a refreshing breeze after being baked alive by the desert sun. (That's good, by the way.) The lobby is bright, with that typical Fairfield Inn aesthetic: clean lines, a bit generic, but ultimately… welcoming. They’ve got that lobby vibe down pat. They make it easy to get where you're trying to get, no matter the need.
Accessibility: Yeah, they’ve got it. Elevators, easy access everywhere. I didn't specifically need accessible features, but it's always a good sign when a place is thoughtfully designed for everyone. Kudos.
Check-in/out [express]: Fast and efficient. No endless paperwork, no agonizing waits. Just a quick "Here’s your key, enjoy Moab," and I was off.
Contactless check-in/out: Available, which I appreciated. I'm not a germaphobe, but hey, it's nice to have options.
Front desk [24-hour]: Always a plus. Especially if you’re the kind of person (like me, sometimes) who gets a midnight craving for a…something.
My Room: A Sanctuary, or Just a Room?
Alright, let's talk room. After battling the crowds at Delicate Arch, I needed…silence. And a shower.
Available in all rooms: Yep, the usual suspects. Air conditioning (essential!), alarm clock, free Wi-Fi (more on that later), coffee/tea maker (thank the heavens!), hair dryer… standard stuff, all functional.
Internet access – wireless: Excellent! But let's dive a little deeper. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (See? That’s a headline!) The signal was strong, and reliable, which is vital for me. I'm a travel blogger, so being able to upload photos of the jaw-dropping scenery without wanting to throw my laptop off the balcony is a HUGE win. Plus, after a long day of hiking, the ability to stream a movie in bed is a small luxury that goes a long way. The internet also had good speeds to handle everything I would throw at it. Bravo.
Desk/Laptop workspace: A decent desk, which was perfect for a bit of blogging and responding to emails before heading back out.
Non-smoking rooms. A must. I'm not sure anyone enjoys the lingering smell of old cigarettes. Especially after being out in the fresh desert air.
Shower: Ah, the shower. After the dust of the desert, it was like a baptism. The water pressure was good, the temperature was perfect, and the toiletries were…well, decent. (It’s not a spa, people.)
Safety/security feature, smoke detector: All in place, giving me peace of mind.
Soundproofing and Blackout Curtains: These were lifesavers. The desert can be noisy (those cicadas!), and the sun rises early. These made a world of difference.
Extra long bed. Now, I'm a tall person, so this was a definite plus, I hate a bed where my feet hang off the edge.
Refrigerator. Nice to keep some waters cold. Hydration is key.
I'll be honest, there's nothing wrong with the room at all. It's clean, well-equipped, and comfortable. The only thing lacking was a sense of…character. It’s a perfectly functional hotel room, which is fine, but it also felt a little… generic. But, hey, when you're in Moab, you should be spending most of your time outside, not cooped up in a room.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Okay, let's be real, a hotel's breakfast buffet can be a make-or-break situation. Was the Fairfield Inn's breakfast phenomenal? No. Was it terrible? Absolutely not.
Breakfast [buffet]: Predictable, but well-stocked. Scrambled eggs, waffles, cereal, fruit, yogurt, and the usual. Enough to fuel a morning of exploring.
Breakfast takeaway service: Good for those who want to grab and go.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Plentiful. And you need coffee, trust me.
Snack bar: Handy for grabbing a quick bite or drink.
Restaurants: The onsite restaurants were limited, but I can honestly say the Poolside Bar was a nice touch.
Bottle of water: Available in the room too.
Ways to Relax: Post-Hike Bliss (Or, the Lack Thereof?)
Adventures in Moab are physically demanding. So, if you're looking for serious R&R, you might be slightly disappointed.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: They have a pool and hot tub, which looked inviting. I didn't take a dip because I'm terrible about wearing sunscreen, but it seemed clean and well-maintained.
Fitness center/Gym: Basic gym equipment. Enough for a quick workout if you're that kind of person (I am not).
Spa/sauna: Neither available. This is where the Fairfield Inn falls a little short on the relaxation front. If you're craving a spa day, you will have to book that elsewhere.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping It Clean (and Safe)
Important stuff, especially these days.
- Cleanliness and safety Yes. The hotel felt clean (and my germaphobic side was happy!).
- Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays: Good to see.
- Hand sanitizer: available.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Excellent. I didn't personally witness this, but it’s a comfort.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
Air conditioning in public area: Yup. Essential.
Cash withdrawal: Always handy.
Concierge: Didn't need the service, but it was available.
Daily housekeeping: Room was always perfect when I return after a day of adventures.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy parking, which is a huge plus in a busy town like Moab.
Laundry service: Available, which is great for those sweaty hiking clothes.
Luggage storage: For early arrivals/late departures.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
- Family/child friendly: Seems like it. I didn't notice any specific kids' facilities, other than the pool, but the overall atmosphere was welcoming.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
- Airport transfer, Taxi service: Not that I'm aware.
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent and easy to use.
- Bicycle parking: Available. Considering Moab's biking scene, it is great.
The Verdict: Is the Fairfield Inn Moab's "Best"?
Okay, here's the deal. Is the Fairfield Inn & Suites the most luxurious, the most unique, the most…anything? Probably not. But, is it a solid, comfortable, clean, and convenient basecamp for exploring Moab? Absolutely.
Here's my messy, human take:
- The Good: Clean, comfortable rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, a decent breakfast buffet, and a convenient location. Great customer service, especially from the front desk.
- The Not-So-Good: Lacks a bit of character. No real spa facilities. The hotel in its entirety is, overall just "ok".
Overall Score: 4 out of 5 Stars.
The Compelling Offer (aka: Why You Should Book Now):
Alright, listen up! You're planning a trip to Moab, a place of stunning beauty, adrenaline-pumping adventures, and… well, a whole lot of dust. You need a place to crash, recharge, and get ready for the next day's explorations, a place where you can have a good night's sleep, and start your day feeling refreshed.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab is that place. It’s not fancy, but it's functional. It’s clean, it’s comfortable, and it's conveniently located. Plus, the included breakfast is great for fueling up before a day of hiking and it has
Unveiling Amman's Hidden Gem: The Misk Hotel Experience
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get the REAL Moab experience, Fairfield Inn & Suites style. Forget those pristine travel blogs – this is pure, unadulterated ME, navigating the red rocks with a healthy dose of caffeine and a desperate need for WiFi.
Moab Mayhem: A Trip Log (aka "Surviving Utah's Red Heart")
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (aka "Where's My Luggage?!")
- Time: Roughly 4:00 PM, give or take. Let's be real, travel schedules are aspirational at best.
- Location: Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab – The "Cozy" Side of Moab (or so they say).
- Mode of Transportation: Southwest Airlines (bless their free checked bag policy).
- Initial Impressions: Arrived, unpacked, and immediately realized I packed approximately zero practical clothing. I’m talking no hiking boots, no quick-drying anything, and a severe lack of SPF 50. My suitcase, naturally, is currently residing in Kansas. (A good start, Jen!) The lobby smells suspiciously of chlorine… but hey, free continental breakfast, right?!
- The Real Rundown: After a quick, nervous check-in and a frantic dash to the pool (because, priorities!), I spent a solid hour fighting with the hotel WiFi. Seriously, is it too much to ask for a connection that doesn’t require a degree in astrophysics to decipher? Finally got it working. Success! I made it.
- Dinner: Decided to hit up a local spot I’d read about called "Moab Brewery." Apparently, their burgers are legendary. Here’s the thing—I'm not typically a burger person. But I caved, and I'm not ashamed to say, it was the best burger I’ve had in years. The beer, though? Let’s just say I’m more of a wine gal.
- Nightcap: Back to the hotel, where I collapsed onto the comfiest bed known to humankind and contemplated my itinerary for tomorrow. (Spoiler alert: I need a plan.)
Day 2: Delicate Arch Dreams and the "Is This Dirt?" Dilemma
Time: 6:00 AM (ish). Early bird gets the… sunstroke, apparently.
Location: Arches National Park – The Gateway to Awesome (and potential dehydration).
Mode of Transportation: My pathetic rental car (aka "The Dust Magnet").
Itinerary Highlights:
Sunrise at Delicate Arch (Attempted): Okay, so I thought I was prepared. I was not. The hike up was surprisingly… long. And uphill. And in direct sunlight, which I'd forgotten to bring. After a sweaty, slightly panicked ascent, I arrived to find… a crowd. A massive, selfie-stick-wielding crowd. Saw the arch. It was gorgeous. Worth the hike? Debatable. But I made it! And the view? Spectacular. Totally worth it.
The "Is This Dirt?" Incident: While attempting to find parking at The Windows section, I somehow managed to drive into a patch of… questionable substance. I'm pretty sure it was dirt. It might have been mud. It might have contained some kind of desert animal. In any case, my rental car is now sporting a new, unique paint job.
Balanced Rock and the "Oh My God, This is Beautiful" Moment: Yes, I admit it, I teared up a little. Seeing Balanced Rock in person was even more incredible than the photos. No exaggeration!
Lunch: A sad but necessary picnic of gas-station sandwiches and lukewarm water. Pretty glamorous, right?
Afternoon: Spent the afternoon in the hotel pool, which turned into a small, impromptu pool party with some fellow travelers who were surprisingly generous with their sunscreen. Learned a valuable lesson: befriending strangers is crucial when you're unprepared.
Dinner: Ordered pizza from a place that promised “authentic Italian.” It was not authentic.
Day 3: Rafting and Existential Dread (aka "Am I Going to Fall In?")
- Time: 8:00 AM. Time to face the Colorado River beast.
- Location: Colorado River – The Mighty (and potentially freezing) Colorado.
- Mode of Transportation: A raft, a paddle, and copious amounts of sunscreen (finally remembered!).
- Itinerary Highlights:
- The Rafting: I was terrified, ngl. I'm not the best swimmer, and the thought of being tossed into the rapids filled me with genuine dread. Thankfully, our guide, a grizzled veteran named "River Dan," put us at ease with bad jokes and constant reassurances. The rapids were exhilarating, the scenery was breathtaking… and I didn't fall in! Victory!
- "I'm Alive!" Moment: After surviving the rapids, I realized I was pretty good at this. It's strange how facing your fears can make you feel like a total badass (even when you're wearing water shoes that are three sizes too big).
- Floating and Contemplation: We had some chill moments on the river, too. I lay back, stared at the sky, and pondered the meaning of life. Turns out, the answer is… more sunshine. And maybe some more snacks.
- Lunch: Packed sandwiches, plus a small ice chest (which was a lot more appealing than the gas station sandwiches from the previous day).
- Evening: After the trip, back to the hotel. I spent the evening trying to wash the sand out of places I didn't know sand could get in. The pool felt amazing. The hot tub even better.
Day 4: Goodbye Moab! (But I'll Be Back)
- Time: The very early hours (or the hours when the sun decides it's time to say goodbye).
- Location: Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab, then to the airport.
- Mode of Transportation: The Dust Magnet (see Day 2), then back on an airplane.
- Itinerary Highlights:
- Breakfast: Free continental breakfast, so I made sure to take advantage… or at least fill up on coffee.
- Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble: Panicked souvenir shopping—the only way to travel. Found some cool and not-so-cool things at the local gift shop and a small, charming market in town.
- Departure: The inevitable goodbyes to Moab and a promise to return.
- Emotional State: Exhausted but exhilarated. Sunburnt but enlightened. And already plotting my next adventure.
Quirky Observations and Random Thoughts:
- The amount of dirt that ends up everywhere is astounding.
- Why are all the souvenir shops selling the same generic t-shirts?
- I need to invest in a hydration pack. Seriously.
- The stars at night? Unbelievable. Makes you feel tiny in the most wonderful way.
- Moab is a place that you absolutely can't fake. It doesn't care if you’re prepared or not, just whether you have an open mind and a sense of adventure.
- Hotel WiFi is the bane of my existence. And I will continue to rage, even though I clearly have not learned my lesson.
Final Verdict:
Moab, you glorious, dusty, exhilarating, sometimes-existentially-draining place. I love you. I’m already planning my return. And next time, I’m bringing a hat. And maybe an assistant to carry my snacks. And probably a better rental car. But honestly, the imperfections were what made this trip so perfect.
Signing off, from a very tired, but wholly satisfied, traveler. Until next time!
Escape to Miami: Luxury at OYO Coral Gables Near the Airport!
Is the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab truly the "BEST" hotel? (Spoiler: it's complicated)
Okay, so "BEST" is a subjective beast, isn’t it? Did I *love* the Fairfield Inn Moab? Uhm… yes, and also… maybe not. It definitely has its pluses for sure! It definitely hits a sweet spot for a lot of people. Clean rooms, free breakfast (hello, waffles!), a pool (essential after a day sweating your metaphorical behind off on the trails), and a convenient location? Yeah, it checks the boxes. But hear me out... it really boils down to what you're *expecting*. If you're expecting the Ritz, you're in the wrong place. If you're expecting a solid, reliable base camp for your Moab adventures? Then you *might* be in the right spot. It's like a good friend; reliable, always there when you need them, but maybe not the *most* exciting dinner companion.
What are the rooms *actually* like? Did they have that weird hotel smell?
Right, the rooms. Okay, so the first thing I need to say is... THANK GOD, no weird, stale, hotel smell! That's a win right off the bat. Thank you, travel gods! They were generally clean, which, honestly, is the most important thing after a day of dust and red rock. The decor? Think… modern, slightly generic, and *perfectly fine*. You know, not the kind of rooms you'd write home about, but you also wouldn't be horrified. The beds were comfortable enough. I actually slept *surprisingly* well. There was a decent-sized TV, which I appreciated for those nights when my brain was fried and I couldn’t handle anything remotely educational. Now, the bathroom? It was, well, a bathroom. Functional. Clean. What more can you ask? (Okay, maybe a better shower head, but I'm not complaining, it worked and the water ran hot!) One thing that I thought was cool, they actually had *outlets* by the bed! Genius!
Let's talk about the free breakfast. Do you actually get *excited* about hotel breakfast?
Alright, confession time: I am a *sucker* for a hotel breakfast. Not in a "gourmet brunch" kind of way, but in a "I'm tired, and someone is making me waffles, so YES, I am excited" kind of way. The Fairfield's breakfast buffet? The usual suspects. Cereal (slightly stale – a small criticism, but there it is), yogurt (I'm here for the yogurt parfaits if you're asking!), fruit (the blueberries were *good*, the oranges… less so), and, the holy grail… *waffles*. And look, sometimes the waffle batter is a little thin, sometimes the syrup is a little watery, but in the grand scheme of things? A freshly made waffle cures most of my morning woes. They also had eggs, and, of course, the usual processed breakfast meats. It's not Michelin-star cuisine, but it's enough to fuel your adventures! I appreciated it. I'll say that much. The communal breakfast area got a little hectic during peak times, but hey, it's a budget hotel. Deal with it.
Moab is HOT. What's the pool like? Is it crowded?
Oh, the pool. This is a big one. After a day of hiking in the desert, that pool is a *lifesaver*. It’s not Olympic-sized, but it's big enough. The water was refreshing, and it was well-maintained. The problem? Yes, it *is* crowded. Especially in the afternoon. Think families, kids splashing, the general vibe of "everyone trying to cool off at once." It’s not a tranquil spa experience, let me tell you. I'm not going to lie, I had to strategically plan my pool time to avoid the hordes. Mornings were best. Or late evenings. Bring your own towel, and a healthy dose of patience. But man, there's nothing better than sinking into that water after a hot hike.
What about the location? Is it convenient to the trails, and the town?
Location, location, location! The Fairfield Inn is actually pretty well-situated. It’s not *right* in the heart of downtown Moab, which is a good thing, because the downtown can get *insane*. It’s a short drive to the main drag, with all the restaurants and shops. And, importantly, it’s a relatively easy drive to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks – probably about a 10-15 minute drive to the entrance for Arches. Super convenient. You'll be spending a lot of time in your car regardless, but the location of this hotel is a definite plus. You can get where you need to go without too much hassle. Plus, there's a grocery store nearby, which is essential for stocking up on snacks. And water... lots and lots of water.
Did you have any *bad* experiences? Anything that truly irked you?
Okay, so here's where I get a little bit… *real*. The elevator. Oh, the elevator. It wasn't *terrible*, but it was slow. Seriously, I think I walked up the stairs more often than I waited for the elevator. I'm not saying it broke, I'm just saying it felt like it was taking forever. Picture this: you've just spent the day climbing, hiking, exploring, and all you want to do is get to your room, shower, and fall into bed. And there you are, trapped in a metal box, slowly ascending… or, you know, just hoofing it up the stairs. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it was an annoyance. Also, the parking. It was also a little tight. Spaces filled up fast, and I found myself circling a few times to find a spot. But nothing that ruined the trip -- just little things, right?
Would you stay there again? The million-dollar question!
Honestly? Yes. I absolutely would. Here's the thing: I'm not looking for perfection. I'm looking for a clean, comfortable, and conveniently located hotel that won't break the bank *and* allows me to focus on the adventure. The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab delivers on those promises. It’s not a luxury experience, and it has its minor flaws. But for the price, the location, and the overall experience, it's a solid choice. I'd book it again in a heartbeat. Would recommend for sure, without expecting a fairytale palace. It's the workhorse of Moab hotels and gets the job done.
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