Moab's BEST Hotel? La Quinta Inn & Suites Review! (You Won't Believe This!)
Moab's "BEST Hotel?" La Quinta Inn & Suites Review! (You Won't Believe This!) – A Messy, Honest Take
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to unleash a review of the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Moab that’s less “polished travel blog” and more “drunken confession on a rainy Tuesday.” I'm talkin' real-life experiences, the good, the bad, and the slightly-stained-carpet-in-room-312 ugly. This ain’t a paid advertisement, folks, this is real. And honestly? I’m still trying to decide if it's "best" or just… Moab.
Metadata/SEO Stuff (Because Google needs to know, too!)
- Keywords: Moab hotel, La Quinta Moab, La Quinta Inn & Suites review, accessibility Moab, wheelchair accessible hotel, free wifi, Moab lodging, swimming pool, breakfast, clean rooms, family friendly, pet-friendly, fitness center, reviews, Moab, Utah, USA.
The Setup: Expectations vs. Reality (Spoiler: There were expectations!)
Moab, baby! Red rock canyons, adrenaline-pumping adventures, the whole shebang. After a day of scrambling over slickrock, you need a sanctuary. You crave a chilled-out vibe. My hopes for La Quinta ran high, especially after reading some glowing reviews. Let's just say, life, and this hotel, is a journey.
Accessibility:
Okay, let's get the important stuff out of the way first. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I did pay attention to the accessibility features. Impressive! The lobby and common areas were definitely wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators galore. They seemed to have thought about the details, from the accessible parking to the grab bars in the bathrooms. I really appreciate seeing that, too often a hotel says it's accessible, and you get there and it's a disaster. La Quinta actually seemed to commit! It looked like they have guestrooms dedicated to accessibility, so top marks there!
Rooms & Amenities: A Mix of "Meh" and "Oh, That's Nice!"
The Good: Free Wi-Fi (hallelujah!), and it actually worked (mostly!). My room was clean (essential!), the bed was comfy (hugely important after a long day of hiking), and the air conditioning was a godsend (it got HOT). The blackout curtains were the unsung heroes of the trip. I'm a light sleeper, and they did their job. They also had a mini-fridge, which is a lifesaver for storing those leftover beers. Daily housekeeping was a consistent plus, keeping everything neat and tidy. I appreciated the coffee maker, too.
The Not-So-Good: My room was… basic. Think "functional efficiency" rather than "luxury oasis." The decor wasn't offensive, but it wasn't exactly inspiring either. The bathroom was a standard hotel bathroom, nothing special. And, okay, I might have caught a whiff of something faintly… musky… but nothing a generous spritz of my travel-sized air freshener couldn't handle!
The Ambivalent: The TV. Good selection of channels, but the remote was… well, it was a remote. Let's just say I'm not entirely convinced it's even the remote for my TV.
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Situation
Breakfast: The breakfast was… fine. Let's be honest, hotel breakfasts are rarely gourmet experiences. They had the usual suspects: waffles (with a waffle iron that may or may not have been older than me), scrambled eggs (questionable origin), cereal, fruit (mostly melon, which is a crime against fruit), and the ever-present coffee (lukewarm, but caffeinated). I did appreciate the breakfast takeaway service because I had to get up before it started, which was nice.
The Coffee Shop/Snack Bar/Convenience Store: This was literally just a small counter where you could buy snacks and drinks. It was useful, but that's about it!
Restaurants: Technically they did not have a restaurant, or a bar, but there were restaurants close by.
Relaxation & Things to do (On-Site):
Swimming Pool & View: The outdoor pool was lovely! It was clean, refreshing, and definitely a plus after a dusty day in the desert. The view wasn't breathtaking, but it was pleasant. The pool area was a perfect place to chill out, and it was often full of families having a great time.
Fitness Center: I'm not a gym rat, but I poked my head in. Looked like a basic hotel gym – treadmills, weights, the usual.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Nope.
Cleanliness and Safety:
COVID-19 Considerations: They tried. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seemed to be following protocols. I didn’t see anyone not wearing a mask so that was cool. They emphasized room sanitization, and I definitely noticed they tried. Things were pretty clean.
Other Safety (Generally): The hotel felt safe and secure.
Service and Conveniences: The Humans Behind the Desk
The staff were generally friendly and helpful. Check-in and check-out were smooth. They had the standard conveniences – laundry service, a small gift shop, and a business center (if you absolutely had to work).
- The "Above and Beyond" Moment: I had a minor issue with my room key, which I figured out at 3 AM (don't ask!), and the night staff were quick to help me. That's the kind of stuff that sticks with you way more than the cleanliness of the toilet!
For the Kids:
Family friendly! There were kids everywhere, but it didn’t feel out of hand. They had outdoor space.
Getting Around:
- Car Park [free of charge]: Plenty of free parking!
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Car power charging station: Did not see one.
The Verdict: Would I Recommend La Quinta in Moab?
Honestly? Yes.
It's not the Ritz-Carlton, but it’s a solid, dependable option. It’s functional. It's clean. It's got a pool. It's got free Wi-Fi. And, crucially, it gets you out of the sun and into a safe and accessible place to sleep.
It's not perfect. It's not glamorous. But it works.
Final Thoughts:
The “One Thing!” The free Wi-Fi! Can't stress this enough for digital nomads and travelers like me.
The Caveats: Don't expect luxury. Lower your expectations on the food front.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a no-frills, practical, and generally pleasant hotel in Moab, La Quinta is a good bet. It's certainly not the "best" in a luxury sense, but it’s a comfortable, reliable base for exploring the area. And let's be honest, that's what matters. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dream about red rocks and those blackout curtains…!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is my Moab misadventure, chronicled from the supposed comfort of the… well, let's just say it, the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Moab. (And already, the word "suites" feels ambitious, but we'll see.)
Moab Mayhem: A Mostly-Organized Chaos (Or, My Very Real Vacation)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh, Crap, I Forgot…" Syndrome
- Morning (and a bit of a panic): Landed in Grand Junction, the usual airport purgatory (that baggage carousel - why do they make it so slow?!). The rental car? A dusty Jeep Compass, which, let's be honest, is not the real Moab experience, but hey, budget. The drive? Scenic, but mostly spent muttering, "Where's the gas?" and "Did I really forget sunscreen?" (Spoiler: Yes. Yes, I did. My apologies to future me.)
- Afternoon (Check-in… and Judging the Decor): Arrived at the La Quinta. Okay, it's… fine. Clean-ish. The pool is… well, it exists. Judging by the lack of people, the allure is questionable. The decor is a beige symphony, punctuated by floral prints straight out of 1997. My room? Blessedly quiet (for now). Unpacked, which mostly involved the ritualistic unpacking of my overly-organized suitcase, which is mostly a performance. A performance I don't do well.
- Evening (First Dinner, First Regret): Wandered into town. Found a highly-rated burger joint. Ordered a monster of a burger, because, vacation! Took a bite. Regretted it. Immediately. The burger was dense, the bun resembled something from a hockey puck, and the fries were, sigh… limp. Lesson learned: research beyond the top-rated spots. After dinner, I did a quick check-in with myself, and found my emotional state was… drained.
Day 2: Arches National Park (The Good, the Dusty, and the Existential)
- Morning (Sunrise Run for the Instagram): Woke up before the sun (because sunrises!). Attempted a "sunrise hike" at Delicate Arch. Ha! My attempt at an "easy jog." The actual hike…let's just say it was a brutal up-and-down struggle, with me wheezing and gasping for air. Made it to the top just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. The view? Staggering. Spectacular. I took about 50 photos (got to get that Instagram content!). The existential dread of "am I really doing this?" was definitely present, but it was tempered by the sheer beauty of it all.
- Afternoon (Arches Overload): Continued exploring Arches, because you can't get enough of those red rocks. Balanced Rock? Check. Double Arch? Double-check. The heat was already beating down. Drank gallons of water. Considered building a small shelter out of the shade. I even saw (and envied) a pack of goats, which were probably better prepared for the day than I was.
- Evening (Emotional Breakdown… Over Dinner?): Tried a "highly-recommended" Tex-Mex place. Another wrong choice. The food was…uninspired. (I feel like I should be using a thesaurus for "bad" at this point). I sat there, alone, staring at the neon sign, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit. The heat. The driving. The questionable food choices. The pressure to "have a good time." I almost cried. Just a little.
Day 3: The Canyonlands Conspiracy and a Sudden, Complete Obsession
- Morning (Canyonlands Grand View): Headed to Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district). Massive. Breathtaking. The sheer scale of the place! Felt tiny, and a little bit terrified. Mesa Arch, again, at sunrise for the photo(s) and it was worth the effort.
- Afternoon (The "Canyoneering" Revelation): This is where things get weird. I'd seen a brochure for a canyoneering tour. I'd dismissed it as too… intimidating. Too athletic. Too anything. But, I found myself drawn to it. The idea of rappelling down a cliff… the chance to see the canyons from a different angle…it sounded crazy, maybe a little bit dangerous, but intriguing. After much internal debate (and a mild panic attack), I booked a half-day tour. It was a risk. My fear was that I would fail.
- Afternoon/Evening (Canyoneering: The Descent into Obsession): Okay, the canyoneering tour? Changed my life. Seriously. The guides were patient, funny, and incredibly skilled. (That's a huge relief.) Standing on the edge, looking down, was terrifying. The first rappel was a blur of adrenaline and awkwardness. Then, the second. And the third. By the fourth, I was loving it. The sense of accomplishment? Epic. The views from inside the canyons? Unbelievable. I was hooked. I'm now considering a canyoneering guidebook! I'm looking for the gear! I've become that person! I am obsessed. The rest of the day was colored with a lingering sense of awe and the satisfying ache of muscles I didn't know I had.
Day 4: Recovery, Regret, and a Slightly Less Beige Evening
- Morning (The La Quinta Ritual): Slept in. The bed was okay, I guess. The free breakfast? Standard hotel fare. Waffles, and I didn't actually feel that bad eating them. I did a quick evaluation of what I did the day before, mostly to make sure I didn't get any significant injuries.
- Afternoon (The Spa… Sort Of): Found a local place with a hot tub. Soaking in the hot water, watching the sun dip below the red rocks, I was able to let my muscles do their work.
- Evening (Dinner Redemption): I took a risk. Found a tiny restaurant, tucked away on a side street. The food? Fantastic. Fresh, flavorful, and the portion size was perfect. The servers were friendly. The atmosphere was not depressing. A small victory, but a necessary one.
Day 5: Departure (And a Promise to Return, Possibly with More Skills)
- Morning (The Long Goodbye): Checked out. Packed. Drove back to the airport. The drive was a reminder of how much I had seen. How I had changed. It was also a reminder of how much I still need to learn about what I really like doing.
- Afternoon (Waiting Game): The airport wait was predictably awful, BUT, I took the time to research more canyoneering options. I am serious about getting more involved at home!
Postscript: Moab, you magnificent, frustrating, and utterly captivating place. You broke me down, built me back up, and gave me a love for canyoning that I never saw coming. I'll be back. I promise. And next time, I'm bringing a better burger-finding app and a lot more determination, and maybe a decent pair of hiking boots.
Dexter's Hidden Gem: Unbeatable Travelodge Deal!
Moab's La Quinta Inn & Suites: The Honest Truth (You Gotta Know!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups! We're diving DEEP into the rabbit hole of my recent stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Moab. You want the good, the bad, and the gloriously meh? You got it. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotional responses, questionable life choices, and a whole lotta opinions.
Before We Even Get to the Room (The Pre-Game)
Q: Is the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Moab easy to find? 'Cause, you know, I'm directionally challenged...
Okay, confession time. I’m practically a professional wrong-turn-er. But even *I* found it. It's right on the main drag! Super convenient for hitting up Arches and Canyonlands. Bonus: you can practically smell the (overpriced) breakfast buffet from the road. Smell...not necessarily a guarantee of *taste*, mind you...
Q: Is there parking? (I'm a detail-oriented person!)
Yep. Parking. They *do* have it. It's free. It's… well, it's parking. Subjectively speaking, on one particularly busy day, finding a spot closer than a mile away from the lobby felt like winning the lottery. But hey, exercise, right? (Don't look at me like that. I ate a whole pizza that day.)
The Room Itself: Okay, Let's Get Real
Q: What did you actually *think* of the rooms themselves? Were they clean and all that?
Okay, look. I've stayed in places that look like they haven't seen a disinfectant wipe since the Carter administration. La Quinta? Surprisingly decent. The cleanliness was… acceptable. Clean enough that my germaphobe side didn't erupt into a full-blown panic. (Winning!) The beds were comfy (crucial!), and the air conditioning worked like a champ – a godsend after hiking in the desert. Though, I did find a… let's call it a 'crusty friend' of a granola bar under the bed. Was it mine? Was it from a previous guest? (Shudders). Didn't ask. Didn't need to know.
Q: Was the room noisy? I need my beauty sleep!
Ugh, noise. My nemesis. The walls? Relatively thin, I'd say. I definitely heard the enthusiastic...ahem...activities of my neighbors one night. Let's just say it was a symphony of bumping headboards and muffled giggles. Earplugs are your FRIEND. Invest now. You've been warned. (And maybe bring some earplugs for your significant other. Just sayin'.)
Q: Were there any amenities? (Free breakfast? Pool? The *essentials*!)
Okay, the free breakfast situation is… a mixed bag. Think: waffles (yay!), questionable scrambled eggs (boo!), and a constant battle for a table. It's your classic hotel breakfast buffet. It fills a hole. It's free. Don't expect gourmet. But the coffee? Actually decent. Which makes all the difference early in the morning when you're facing a grueling hike. The pool? Yes! It exists. Didn't actually use it on this trip due to questionable weather (and my profound laziness). But hey, it's there if you're into that kind of thing. The hot tub, however... looked like an oasis of relaxation from afar but I somehow missed a memo, because it didn't open until late (and when it did, it was packed!)
That Breakfast, Though... (Deep Dive)
Q: Let's get specific about the breakfast. Was it a disaster?
Okay, here's where things get… real. The breakfast. It *saved* me on some days. But other days… it was a culinary experience. The waffle maker was a constant source of drama. Lines. Burnt waffles. The whole shebang. One morning, I swear, I saw a toddler trying to wrestle a sausage onto his plate. It was a scene. I spent a solid 45 minutes just trying to find a clean plate. But the coffee? Like I said, not bad. And sometimes, when you're fueled with caffeine and a smidge of optimism, even a slightly-burnt waffle tastes like victory.
Q: Are there any nearby options besides the hotel breakfast?
Oh, definitely! Moab has some fantastic breakfast spots! Even if the hotel's breakfast isn't your jam (and, frankly, it's understandable if it isn't), you have delicious options. Literally a 5-minute walk from the hotel and next door, you can grab a coffee and some bagels. Bonus: They always seem to have good music to keep you dancing.
The Overall Vibe: Would I Go Back? (The Big Question)
Q: So, bottom line: would you recommend La Quinta in Moab? And what's with that ranking?
Okay, here's the truth: it's a solid choice. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton, but it's clean, convenient, and the price is usually pretty decent. The staff? Generally friendly and helpful. Look, it's a La Quinta. Manage your expectations. But for what you're paying, you get a comfortable base camp for exploring Moab. Would I go back? Probably. Unless I win the lottery and can afford a private villa… THEN I might consider something fancier. But for now, La Quinta does the trick. Just pack your earplugs (seriously) and embrace the slightly-burnt waffle.
Post a Comment for "Moab's BEST Hotel? La Quinta Inn & Suites Review! (You Won't Believe This!)"