Living in Northeast Ohio, I’d always wanted to visit Utah. Home to five national parks, the landscape is so different than what I’d experienced my entire life. Visiting Utah for spring break would allow us to see a new place (and mark another state off my list) while also giving us a little time to spend with Meghan, Joe, and J.R. We decided to meet Meghan and Joe in Moab, Utah, using the Expedition Lodge as a jumping off point to explore Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Our Plans
Our plans changed several times, but eventually we settled on flying from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas and then driving to Moab, Utah, to meet up with the kids. What I didn’t count on was the time change and how tired we would be. Waking up at 4:30 a.m. in Pennsylvania and flying to Las Vegas via Phoenix followed by a 6 1/2 hour drive without stops is brutal. We almost gave up and got a hotel before finishing the drive. However, there’s a 105 mile stretch of nothing between Salina and Green River, Utah. No exits means no gas stations, no hotels, no anything. We kept “trucking,” as Dennis says.
Our Hotel: The Expedition Lodge
I’d booked the Expedition Lodge at 168 North Main Street in Moab. It looked cute, and the price was right. I paid a total of $387. 82 for two rooms for two nights (Saturday and Sunday). Of that, $49.62 went to taxes and fees, which meant that each room was approximately $85 a night. They did have family rooms that slept six, but we decided to book two rooms because that meant two bathrooms.
First Impression
For some reason, I’d imagined that the focal point of the ads, the pool, would be behind the hotel and that the hotel would be surrounded by empty land. I was wrong. The Expedition Lodge is smack dab in the middle of downtown with the pool out front surrounded by parking lot.
We arrived around 10 p.m. after being up for over 20 hours, exhausted and ready for bed. The rooms were cute, but we weren’t in adjoining rooms with Meg and Joe despite being promised them earlier in the day. One of the rooms had had a leak and someone who had arrived earlier had been moved to our room. Guess what? Water still leaked through the ceiling of our bathroom and in the main room in front of the television. Drip. Drip. Drip…all night. Unfortunately, we were the last ones to check in. Luckily, employees fixed the small leaks early next day.
The Rooms
Honestly, the retro vibe of the rooms was very cute and welcoming. The table, two chairs, and ottomans were a cherry red that contrasted nicely with the mustard wall and baby blue refrigerator and microwave. J.R. loved the mural in his room (each was a little different) because dinosaurs hid among the formations. The beds were comfortable, and we slept well.
The bathroom was tiny, but acceptable. Most importantly, it was clean. Outside the bathroom was a sink and closet area. Nothing spectacular, but it worked.
The Common Areas
The common areas of the lodge were very inviting. There was a large television, a fireplace with a sofa, chairs, several board games and puzzles, and plenty of tables to play them on. The game room was off to the side, but we didn’t go in.
Breakfast at the Expedition Lodge
Breakfast at the Expedition Lodge was similar to breakfasts at hotels throughout the U.S.–cereal, oatmeal toast, pastries, bagels, fruit, yogurt, milk, juice, and waffles. For some reason, the waffles at the Expedition Lodge were Texas shaped. J.R. loved them.
The Pool
The pool was undergoing maintenance when we visited. As a result, employees at the front desk told us that we could use the indoor pool at the Comfort Inn next door. It looked like they were sandblasting all the features of the Expedition Lodge pool to get them ready to paint for summer. Despite being right on the main drag, I thought families would enjoy the outdoor pool in warmer weather.
Location
Location is everything in Moab, and the Expedition Lodge’s location did not disappoint. Located in beautiful downtown Moab, the lodge’s location made it easy to walk to the shops, restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, and other attractions. Plus, the Expedition Lodge was only 4 1/2 miles south of the entrance to Arches National Park.
Expedition Lodge: Concluding Thoughts
We enjoyed our time at the Expedition Lodge in Moab and would definitely stay again. The lodge gives great value for its price. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the location is ideal. Consider staying at the Expedition Lodge on your next trip to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. However, be sure to book early–the lodge was sold out the entire time we were in Moab.
This looks like a wonderful place to stay with family! I agree that the retro vibe looks super cute! And, that waffle in the photo looks amazing! Although I do t have children, I love finding new places to stay out west as I’m an East Coast girl! Thanks! Melissa Damiani | Gratitude Grace Glamour
Absolutely love Utah and I can’t believe all the places you’ve been! I have a feeling one day Utah is where we will hang our hat to retire, we can’t get enough of it!
One state I have yet to visit is Utah. Would not mind seeing Moab and staying at this resort.
Those Texas shaped waffles are a nice touch! Seems like a decent place to stay, despite a couple setback I’m glad you enjoyed your stay
Sounds like Expedition Lodge was the perfect balance of value, comfort and location. Utah is a state I have yet to visit but being able to explore two National Parks in one trips sounds ideal!
This is so gorgeous. Love the cozy homely feeling. Never been to Utah but would love to visit sometimes.
I would love to be here. I love the green of national parks. The rooms look nice & big. And the breakfast has a very good spread. Thanks for sharing.
wonderful write up up from the flight from pittsburg to vegas and then the drive. Yes the time change always hits you. I just love the weather down there it is so cool and dry. The drips of water yes the drop drop makes it irritating to sleep. Thanks for writing this
I have always wanted to go to Utah! If we ever get stationed back on that side of the country, we will definitely be making the trip!
It looks like a great place to stay and I loved those Texas waffles, big and yummy!
What a fun trip! I have a friend who lives in Salt Lake City, so Utah is definitely on my travel list. You had me at 5 national parks! Lol. Now I want to go and see it all even more. Plus I’d have a friend to go too, and I know she would love it.
I personally liked the rooms! They look very comfortable and welcoming. And they have a pool too, how cool!
The Texas shaped waffles made me laugh. shaped food is always a hit with kids though! Despite the leaks, this looks like a good place to stay.
That was quite a journey, but looks like it was worth it. Such a shame about the leaks in the room, but at least they fixed it early the next morning. The lodge does look nice – I like the style. And those waffles look delicious!
I’ve never been to Utah or to any state in the US and it makes me so excited looking at different things to do there! Makes me want to go there soon
such a beautiful place to stay
Looks like such a great, fun place to be!
What a great destination for a family vacation! Such a detailed review to help others with their vacation planning.
*Samantha- https://herjournal.blog
What a fun looking trip! I love waffles so I’d be in heaven! This looks like a great place to visit!
I liked the entrance! Breakfast must be amazing here.
ohh my….1st time I heard about this unique place from your sharing here, learnt a lot here & thanks for sharing this
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
What a fun & unique place to stay.
This is great info I will have to remember. Now this trip will be added to my bucket list!
The Texas shaped waffle is so cute!
Lauren | https://www.laurelandiron.com
Hi 🙂 Thanks for sharing this. I’ve never heard about this place before.I love that yellow sign.That’s a great marketing idea.. everyone will get to remember the place because of it. It gave me an idea. 🙂 Thanks.
Being a midwest girl, I havent explored the west too much but have so many places I want to go. Glad you enjoyed Utah and I hope we make it out there one day!
This seems like a great place to stay next time I am in Utah! Thanks for the detailed review
I like The Expedition Lodge hotel that have been you book, it so luxurious hotel when i see on your pictures.
https://blogersport.com
This looks like such a neat place to stay, and the price is totally affordable! It looks like they worked to make it feel as homey as possible with the lodge area and the breakfast bar. I love the Texas shaped waffles…so creative!
This place gives a homely feeling. I am going there next year. I have added it to my list.
what a great destination. the rotary dial phone must have been the topic of conversation for a bit. great pictures!
I have heard there’s amazing photography opportunities in Moab, so I plan to go there at some point. Thanks to your review, I will add this location as a great option for lodging. And I’ll enjoy a Texas-shaped waffle while there!
Loving the TX shaped waffle all the way from TX xo,xo -Jess
This has been on my list for ages — keep putting it off. Thanks for the honest review of the lodge, it looks perfect.
Thanks for putting up this review. It can be hard when traveling out of town to know which kinds of places are worth spending your money. This place sounded great. If we ever make it to Utah, I will definitely think about stopping by. Thanks, Candice @littlestepsbighappy.com
Omg beautiful place to stay i loved this
The place looks really nice! Did you have a great time?
I loved Utah and would go back in a heartbeat. Unfortunately it’s about 2000 miles from where we live.
Thank you for giving me yet another destination I need to visit! Cute blog and I love the family being involved.
it’s such a modern and clean hotel. Looks like you all got a great deal with the space and amenities at that cost!
This looks like a wonderful spot!!! My husband would LOVE this!
Beautiful hotel. It’s got some unique touches that make it stand out among other hotels I have seen.
This is so cool– I’m also from Ohio (Dayton area) and I’m so fascinated with the southwest since its landscape is so different from home! My husband and I have been planning a road trip with Utah and Arizona for YEARS… and reading about your trip makes me even more excited! Definitely going to look into the hotel you stayed at. Also, I’m DROOLING over those waffles.
What a fun place to stay and those waffles look awesome! LOVE me some waffles no matter what the shape LOL!
Looks like a fun place to stay. You can never go wrong with waffles. 😉
This seems like a really cool hotel!
The community areas look really cool. The Texas waffles! haha! Yes!
What an exciting trip and in an affordable price. Thanks for the post!
I always love cozy and friendly guesthouses. the decors look so beautiful
the place looks great! so welcoming and cute! absolutely charmed! I would definitely stay there too, it seams cozy
Wow, that sounds like an exhausting trip! Expedition Lodge sounds like it was a nice place to stay though, despite the minor faults.
Knowing the fact that Utah has 5 National Park makes me visit Utah as soon as possible. I love vising National parks and reserved Forest! Expedition Lodge seems to be a decent place to stay in with your family and is really a good value for money! Enjoyed reading your review!
It sounds like the hotel had a lot of thoughtful touches- like the Texas waffles! Moab (and all of Utah!) is on my list of places to visit.
looks like fun… Utah does look like a cool place for an expedition
Expedition Lodge seems like a fun place to stay when visiting the area! I think I’d enjoy the retro look of the lodge as well. That part of the country is so visually different than most other places. I’ve only been to one national park in my lifetime and it was stunning. I didn’t realize Utah had so many right there.
Their sign is adorable, and they look like a great lodge.
This looks like a cozy & friendly guest house. I’m intrigued by their original-shaped waffles!
Love the way you mentioned all the minute details right from booking amount to water dripping in bathroom. It must have been an exhaustive day for you guys doing flying and then driving 105 miles without any exits. That’s really hectic. I can relate to as we often do long road trips. Good to know about no exits between Salina and Green River. Will bookmark this as we were planning for Utah. Thank you for sharing.
Heena.
https://travelandhikewithpcos.com
What a beautiful place to stay! I just LOVE the decor, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with those Texas waffles!