This past weekend we had an opportunity to take a weekend trip to St. George Utah. I’ve never been to the northern part of the Mojave Desert, nor have I ever seen such Red Rocks! It was absolutely beautiful and I only wish I could have gone hiking, but there was no way I was going to be able to climb some of those rocks 6 and 1/2 months pregnant!
So what is there to do in St. George? Golf, Hike, Bike, or you could take a few tours of the historic town. The golf courses were absolutely green and lush! There were paved bike trails everywhere. As far has hiking, we staying right on the edge of Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park is only an hour away. There were trails every where you looked.
After some research on the interent we decided to stay at The Inn at Estrada. Ellie was excited because they filmed High School Musical 2 at the resort. I was excited to lay by the pool and relax!
View from our patio
I’ll be honest, we had a hard time finding the location. There was no large sign directing us. It’s actually behind the gates of a private community. Even after we were the community it wasn’t easy finding a lobby. Once you check in you’ll be given a garage door opener and 2 card keys. Each hotel room is more like a small patio home rather than an actual hotel room.
Drive to each individual townhome
After Ellie and Daddy spent and hour pushing all the buttons to raise and lower the blinds, play with the lights and even turn on and off the fireplace it was time to head out to dinner.
The only restaurant on property is country club attire, unless you sit on the patio or lounge. We were not prepared. We were packed for a weekend of outdoor activities, children are not allowed in the lounge and evenings are very cool and to cold for us to sit on the patio. So we were off to a local Mexican restaurant Pancho and Lefties.
The next morning it was time to head to the pool. Ellie and I walked over the pool which you need to enter through the fitness center. Thank goodness we got there when we did because there aren’t a ton of pool chairs. Also, this is not a resort pool. It is definitely a community pool. What does this mean? No cocktails, food or pool side service. Which is fine, just be prepared. There is an indoor lap pool, hot tub and a nice work out facility.
What I liked about The Inn at Estrada
The property was beautiful. The views are amazing! It’s very easy to take amazing photos.
Apparently there were no other rooms available while we were there, yet it never seemed crowded.
The location is great for outdoor activities.
The rooms are very nicely done.
What I didn’t like about The Inn at Estrada
While the views are beautiful, it is not truly a resort. It felt more like we rented someone’s townhouse for the weekend.
While employees were very pleasant, they did not go out of their way to accommodate. My husband had booked myself and my daughter a mani/pedi at the spa as a surprise a month in advance. When we checked in they did not give us an itinerary and my poor husband had forgotten all about his little surprise for us. The next morning we got a phone call from the Spa 20 minutes after our appointments were scheduled to let us know they were going to charge us 50% and could not reschedule us.
While the pool was beautiful, I was expecting a resort pool. It was disappointing that we had to leave to go get lunch or drinks.
There is no child care on site and they had no recommendations.
Would stay at The Inn at Estrada again?
I would go back with out children to spend more time on the golf course. I’d also like to explore the region a little more as well. I wouldn’t not go back if I wanted a relaxing lazy weekend at a resort.
A few little interesting tidbits about St. George.
St. George is known as the Dixie of Utah because it was founded as a cotton mission in 1861 under the direction of Brigham Young.
The longest continually-operating LDS temple is located in St. George.
On May 19, 1953, the United States government detonated a atomic bomb at the Nevada Test Site 135 miles away. St. George received the brunt of the fallout. Because of this increases in cancers occurred from the mid-1950s through 1980. I’ll be honest, this stopped me from stopping in at one of St. George’s many antique shops.
Want to see a dinosaur foot print? St. George is where you want to go! Jurassic Park was filmed here and it feels like it! A number of other movies were filmed in St. George including one of my Dad’s favorites Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
One of my favorite Bloggers/Conference organizers lived in St. George. Can you guess who?
I can’t wait to show these pics to L & L. They’re going to flip out and want to go there immediately. #HSM4EVER
Mama Mary recently posted..5 ways you know you’re 40
I love St. George. I would be totally bugged about the lack of food, etc. at a “resort”. Bummer!
Julie {Angry Julie Monday} recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: A Photowalk at Knott’s Berry Farm
I’ve never been to St. George but I know the answer to your trivia question
gigi927 recently posted..The Butterfly Jungle
Utah has some of the most fascinating places on earth. It also harbors some of the most interesting hotels and resorts. Estrada inn is such a beauty. It has amazing views, wonderful patios and living spaces, tasty food, just to name a few.
Visit us http://www.abbeyinnhotels.com/deals.php?packages