While SpringHill Suites locations are normally good places to stay, they aren’t usually much to write home about, unlike a high-end fancy hotel, over-water villa, or even a tree-top hotel. However, practically every unwritten rule has an exception.
This hotel, which first opened in 2017, is not just new and excellent in and of itself, but its claim to fame is clearly its location in the direct shadow of Zion National Park.
Every year, over 4 million people visit Zion, and they all need somewhere to stay, making housing in the surrounding towns a desirable commodity.
With the natural beauty, outdoor activities, and naturally remote aspect of national parks beckoning to guests more than ever before, here are five things to know about the SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion.
If you wish to visit Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah is an excellent place to stay. The entire town is within a mile or two of the park’s entrance, and there is a shuttle stop quite close to the hotel that will transport you to Zion if required, as parking can be difficult.
Keep in mind that unless you intend on renting an electric bike or walking hours and miles (and miles), you must plan how to get into Zion via the park’s shuttle service or a third-party private service. In any situation, you must plan ahead of time. only keep in mind that the park service’s shuttle is far more reasonable (only $1) and actually travels further than the third-party shuttles we encountered, although availability might be limited.
In other words, even if the Springhill Suites Zion is relatively near to the park entrance, you’ll still need a plan to go into Zion and explore.
While visiting a national park is frequently a very inexpensive vacation (and can even be free if you have a 4th or 5th student in the family), dining in and near national parks is not always inexpensive. Food in Springdale, just outside of Zion, can be rather costly, so we searched for ways to save money wherever we could.
The SpringHill Suites Zion offers complimentary breakfast to all guests, and while it has definitely been adjusted owing to the epidemic, we were still great fans.
Everything is grab-and-go and pre-packaged, but we liked the microwavable biscuits, single-serve brand-name cereal or oatmeal, granola bars, and Uncrustables that you could stuff in your bag for a “free” lunch later in the day.
The SpringHill Suites Zion, as the name suggests, provides… suites.
We reserved a two-queen bigger suite for the four of us. This room type is a real suite and is well worth the little premium above the basic suites with only half a wall.
The living area included a West Elm couch sleeper and workstation, ideal for road schooling and working from wherever. There was also a terrace, so we could easily open the door to get some extra ventilation in the room.
The mini-fridge, microwave, and sink were located in the corridor leading to the bedroom.
The bedroom had two comfy queen beds, a huge walk-in closet, and a bathroom with an actual bathtub (excellent news for parents with children).
Our family of four had begun to feel extremely confined in a standard hotel room, but we never felt cramped in this suite since there was enough of properly separated space to stretch out, as well as designated storage areas.
Because this is a Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy facility, a free night at the SpringHill Suites Zion costs 40,000 to 60,000 points. Of course, on nights that cost 50,000 points or less, you could use a Marriott certificate worth up to 50,000 points at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program (certain hotels have resort fees) that is awarded annually with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Points or 50k vouchers might be an excellent alternative during the high summer season, when prices can reach $350 per night. However, I would argue that the fall shoulder season is the greatest time to visit Zion, with rates as cheap as $125 per night during the off-season. At such off-peak rates, you should certainly collect Marriott points and save them for a future vacation.
We went around Thanksgiving week and thought it to be the ideal time to see the park. As an extra benefit, the hotel’s rates were cheap enough that we could pay cash and collect points.
While I appreciate the Marriott Bonvoy program, it may be a disappointment when parking and resort costs come back to get you – even on award stays. Unlike Hyatt and Hilton, Marriott does not waive resort and parking costs regardless of elite status or if you are cashing in points.
There are no resort fees or additional parking costs, however you will be given a permit to show in your windshield in order to park your car. You will not be shocked by any additional obligatory costs whether you pay cash or redeem Marriott points.
Oh, and if you drive an electric vehicle, there are three charging stations in the parking lot.
Our Marriott Platinum designation didn’t help us much here, but it did allow us to select a complementary non-alcoholic item from the market upon check-in. We obviously chose the otherwise $10 Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pint.
But this isn’t the place to overindulge and maximize your elite level advantages. This is the hotel to choose if you want to experience a genuinely gorgeous setting while staying near to the entrance to one of the country’s best national parks.
You’ll be staying in a suite that still looks and feels brand new. Breakfast is complimentary for all guests, and the onsite pool (when open) and hot tub are both appealing and restful. Spending time on the back patio by the fire pit each evening proved to be the ideal way to conclude the day.
I know SpringHill Suites aren’t typically thought of as aspirational hotels, but I’d say that this hotel is not just interesting, but also the ideal base for seeing Zion and the surrounding area.