Alice Peacock checks into the Desert Rose Resort and Cabins, in Utah.
Location:
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins is smack bang in the middle of Bluff — a small town just an hour's drive from Monument Valley, and a couple of hours from Arches National Park. The resort itself is a rustic spot surrounded by the area's landmark red cliffs.
Check-in experience: Speedy — which we're thankful for after a long day exploring Monument Valley.
Room: I was in a courtyard queen room, which was kitted out with two queen beds and a private porch.
The rooms have a rustic, homely feel about them which suits the desert setting. We arrived in the dark, but I enjoyed the view from my private porch in the morning, when I woke up for a leisurely 7.30am sunrise. The view is incredible — Desert Rose is surrounded by the vast expanse of the Southern Utah desert.
Exercise facilities: There's a gym open 24/7 — it's small but is equipped with the basics. The pool and hot tub room next door is more appealing, perfect for a soak after a day canyoning and hiking in the surrounding desert.
Food and drink: We have breakfast at Dukes — the restaurant on site. My filter coffee is good, strong (I opt for filter after a questionable version of a "flat white" the day before) and also bottomless. The food menu is "infused" with southwestern favours, but also offers your classic pancakes or eggs benedict, should you have overdone it on the chipotle and tortilla.
Out the back of Dukes is a lush looking patio area, where several couches surround an open fireplace.
Our late arrival and temperatures nudging zero meant we gave this a miss, but it looked a perfect spot to enjoy an evening beverage while marvelling at the desert landscape.
Service: Friendly and efficient.
Price: You can get a courtyard room from around $280 a night.
Other stuff: The hotel has everything the average traveller would be after — free Wi-Fi, a decent room service menu and toiletries to clean yourself up after a day jeepin' in the desert.
The bottom line: But the Desert Rose is a fantastic spot for those after a spot of luxury. The beds were the most comfortable I've slept on in a while — though that could be due to my state of mild exhaustion after a day of activities.
