When you first start planning a trip to Zion National Park, you’re faced with tons of decisions to make. How long will you stay? Should you visit during the off-season when crowds are fewer but the weather may not be as nice? Will you spend all of your time in Zion or will you take day trips to some of the regions beautiful state parks and other nature hotspots?

One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is where you’ll stay. Your chosen basecamp is just as important as what you plan to do during your vacation. After all, it’s where you’ll rest to re-energize yourself for another day of hiking. It’s where you’ll spend your evenings or the days you choose not to go into the park. If you’re traveling with family or friends, it’s also likely where you’ll reconnect and hang out after spending your days doing different activities.

While there are plenty of hotels in and around Springdale, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the right choice for your vacation. Keep reading to learn why a Zion vacation rental beats a hotel or motel every time.

Room for Everyone in Your Group

The biggest problem with staying in a hotel when you’re traveling with more than two people is that everyone has to stay in separate rooms. This can make what was supposed to be a great chance to bond and enjoy time together difficult. After a long day of hiking, everyone is likely to want to relax in comfortable clothing and in a spot where they can stretch out, making a hotel lobby less than ideal. You’ll be stuck either hanging out in one person’s room or going your separate ways.

When you stay in a vacation rental, you can choose a size that fits your whole group. Each individual or couple can have their own separate bedroom to retreat to, with shared living spaces that you can all enjoy together.

A Kitchen

Springdale is home to dozens of restaurants where you can grab a quick bite to eat or enjoy a nice sit-down meal. But there’s also plenty of reasons to want your own kitchen space during your vacation.

Maybe you have picky eaters or individuals with food allergies in your group. Agreeing on a restaurant or dining safely can be a challenge. If you take a day trip or stay in Zion too late, you might not get back until long after many of the local restaurants are closed. If you have a large group or family with you, dining out for 3 meals a day is not only expensive, but also time consuming, cutting into your valuable vacation time.

Every Watchman Villa vacation rental comes equipped with a kitchen. You can whip up a quick breakfast, a cheap lunch, or even just a fun family meal to enjoy any day of your vacation. There’s also dining tables in each unit so that your family can enjoy your meal together.

Comfortable Long-term Stays

Planning a multi-week or even a month-long vacation is an excellent way to explore all that southern Utah has to offer. Unfortunately, staying in a hotel for that length of time is less than ideal. You have limited closet space, no kitchen, and often no room to relax besides your bed and maybe a couch or chair.

If you’re planning a long-term trip to Springdale and Zion, a vacation rental is a must. Not only will it give you the space you need, but also the comforts of home that you’ll crave after just a few days’ time.

Luxurious Bathrooms

If you’re going to be tackling one of Zion’s more difficult trails, you’re going to want to unwind after all that hiking. While hotel bathrooms will get the job done, nothing beats a soak in an oversized tub after a long, exhausting day on your feet.

Outdoor Living Spaces

While not necessarily a necessity, an outdoor living space is just one more perk of choosing a vacation rental. After all, you’re in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, so you’re going to want to spend as much time outdoors enjoying the view as possible!

Choosing a unit with an outdoor living space means room to relax after a long day and the perfect spot to spend time with friends and family. You can even plan a grill out or host your very own evening of stargazing.

More Privacy

Having your bed made each day and fresh towels replenished is a great perk of staying in a hotel. But when you want to spend time in your room or sleep in, or if you’re just craving a little privacy, constant knocks on the door from housekeeping can be a drag. If this is something that’s important to you, a stay in a vacation rental will give you the privacy you crave. And when you need quick clean-up or fresh sheets, you can always request housekeeping on your own schedule!

Choosing the Perfect Basecamp for Your Stay

Now that you know just a few of the perks of choosing a vacation rental over a hotel for your Zion National Park vacation, it’s time to pick the perfect spot.

Watchman Villas not only offers luxurious, spacious vacation rentals, but is also located just a mile from the park entrance and just steps away from a shuttle stop, making it easy to get to and from the park each day!