With Hoodoos jutting out of rocky red clay soils, there is no place like Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah. This part of Utah is home to an abundance of national and state parks, including Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Dixie National Forest, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Kodachrome Basin State Park, to name just a few. For the outdoorsman, equestrian, photographer and nature lover, this part of the world is a wonderland of raw, natural beauty. My husband and I had a chance to visit the area when we stayed at Ruby’s Inn.
A stay in the Bryce Canyon area is a highlight for anyone seeking out time spent in nature, any time of year. Our stay at Ruby’s Inn followed on the heels of an RV trip to Albuquerque for the International Balloon Fiesta. We stayed in our recreational vehicle the entire time of our Albuquerque trip, but decided to break up our Southwestern holiday with an overnight at Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground, followed by two nights at Ruby’s Inn, a member of Best Western hotel. While the campground was in a lovely, forested location, right next to Ruby’s Inn, sometimes the comforts of a hotel add a little luxury to a holiday.
Ruby’s Inn has been around since 1916 when Reuben (Ruby) Syrett settled his family in Southern Utah and built a lodge near Bryce Canyon. Fast-forward 100 years, and the family-owned property has mushroomed into almost 700 rooms at the resort, with several hotel rooms being pet-friendly.
The resort is divided into eight wings; Lakeview Lodge, Ponderosa Lodge, Elk Lodge, Deer Lodge, Aspen Lodge, Antelope Lodge and Columbine Lodge, in addition to the Main Lodge. There is also a general store, post office, restaurant, business center, fitness center and indoor swimming pool.
Our room, #7522 was dog-friendly, with two queen beds, two bathroom sinks and a tub/shower combination and rented for $144.95 plus tax during our off season visit. Prices will vary based on the season and type of room. All hotel rooms include complimentary wifi, television, hair dryer, alarm clock-radio, coffee maker, iron & ironing board, as well as Aromae Botanicals, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion & soap. The rooms are a western theme with earth tones reminiscent of the area.
Speaking of western themes, Ruby’s Inn offers three restaurants; The Cowboy Buffet and Steak Room, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, Canyon Diner & Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill. During our stay we tried Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill, offering an evening of western music & cowboy faire of steak, chicken & ribs, or salmon, with all the fixins, as well as a kid’s menu. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of my steak – delicious! This family-friendly Western night is a whip-cracking good time and popular with the tour buses visiting Bryce Canyon. Reservations are recommended for dinner at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.
Need to know:
Check in: 4:00 p.m. Check out: 11:00 a.m. There is a pet fee of $20.
Insider Tip: If you are looking for a different way to see the Bryce Canyon area, I highly recommend a trail ride with Ruby’s Horseback Adventures. My husband has very little riding experience, while I am an experienced equestrian; we both enjoyed our horseback ride in Red Canyon. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Instagram or Twitter @Nancydbrown and @RubysInn on Twitter or @bwrubysinn on Instagram.
If You Go:
Ruby’s Inn (435) 834-5341
26 South Main Street
Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764
Ruby’s Inn hotel review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I received a complimentary media stay, however, all opinions are my own.