Hotel Review: Parry Lodge, Kanab, Utah

Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah, also known as “Little Hollywood

I bought a new car this past winter and decided that for Spring Break, I’d hit the road with the kids and test out our new Kia Sorento. So, last week, we packed it up and headed out from San Francisco to the American Southwest. First stop was Sequoia National Park, then to Las Vegas for two nights, then it was on to visit some of the amazing canyons of Arizona and Utah.

Kanab, Utah, is a cute little town in between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Red Rock Country. We were able to book a room for a few nights at Parry Lodge, which, it turns out, is quite a landmark in Kanab. Eleven amazing natural wonders are all within a 90-minute drive from Kanab including the north rim of Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and numerous other recreational areas like White Pocket, Peek- A-Boo Slot Canyon and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Parry Lodge was founded in 1931 by brothers Whit, Chauncy, and Gronway Parry in 1931 and is a destination itself. The Lodge has hosted some of the biggest names from the golden age of Hollywood including John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, James Garner, Gregory Peck, Maureen O’Hara, Tyrone Power, Omar Shariff, Sammy Davis Jr., Anne Baxter, Dean Martin, Ronald Reagan and Barbara Stanwyck while filming in scenic locales in and around Kanab. It became known in the industry as Utah’s Little Hollywood. More than 100 feature films and hundreds of television episodes were shot in the area, many of the Western genre.

Today’s guests can choose from among 89 rooms and suites that are family and pet friendly. Our room, dedicated to Margot Kidder, had two queen beds, a fridge, and a private entrance. A continental breakfast was included with the option to upgrade to the hot breakfast buffet that included eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausages, and biscuits ($5.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids).

On the premises is the century-old is the Old Barn that was used to stable famous horses for their celebrity riders like Roy Roger’s “Trigger”, the Lone Ranger’s “Silver”, and Tonto’s “Scout.” The barn has been converted into a rustic theater showcasing some of the great films made in the area.

Movie screenings are free to Parry’s guests from mid-April through mid-October. They even serve drinks, candy, and popcorn!

This post and photos were contributed by Lisa Crovo Dion.  I was not hosted by Parry Lodge.

Parry Lodge