When you’re visiting Moab, you’ll quickly learn there are two kinds of travelers: those who just need a clean bed after a day in the parks, and those who want a true home base with all the extras. I fall firmly in the second camp, and that’s why I booked the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton—and this Hoodoo Moab review explains exactly why. Spoiler: it was perfection.
If you’re building your Moab itinerary, you’ll also love my guide to Where to Stay in Moab: From Luxury to Budget, which compares options before choosing Hoodoo.
You cannot beat Hoodoo’s location. The hotel sits right in the heart of downtown, which meant I could walk to shops, restaurants, and the Moab Food Truck Park across the street (yes, I went there multiple times for sushi and gelato).
The convenience made it easy to split my days—hiking in Arches or Canyonlands in the morning, then strolling through boutiques like The Sundry and Moab Made in the evening without ever getting back in the car.
Walking into the lobby, it immediately felt warm and welcoming. The chandeliers caught my eye, along with the desert-inspired décor that nodded to Moab’s hiking and red rock vibe without being over the top. It was stylish but still felt true to the place.
Here’s the deal: if you stay at Hoodoo, book a casita. Seriously. It felt less like a hotel room and more like a vacation rental wrapped in Hilton service.
Our casita had:
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms (perfect since I was traveling with a friend—no bathroom-sharing drama).
A full kitchen with a big dining table (handy for snacks, coffee, and spreading out all my hiking gear).
A spacious living room with a sectional couch and electric fireplace.
Large TVs in every room (not that I watched much with Moab outside, but still).
Private parking right at the door—no lugging gear across a huge lot.
One bedroom had a king bed, the other two queens, plus the couch had a pullout, so it could easily fit a family. The only downside? Our room was upstairs. If I’d known, I would’ve requested ground level because, well, me and luggage don’t mix.
The bathrooms were big and smartly designed with plenty of hooks (a lifesaver for hanging my favorite travel bathroom caddies), large countertops for all the “stuff,” and showers that didn’t feel cramped.
Hoodoo has two pools:
A private casita pool just for casita guests—quiet and easy to access.
A larger resort pool in the middle of the property, surrounded by desert landscaping and mountain views.
The main pool had padded lounge chairs with umbrellas, a hot tub, waterfall features, and fountain jets. It felt lush but still very “Moab.” After long, hot days in the parks, this was exactly where I wanted to be.
If you’re staying at Hoodoo because it’s close to the parks, check out my Top 5 Stops in Arches National Park to help plan your day.
The hotel has its own restaurant, which I didn’t try, but I did eat at their sister spot, Pasta Jay’s, and loved it (hello, tortellone Alfredo and garlic bread trio). Based on that, I’d bet the Hoodoo restaurant is just as solid.
That said, one of Hoodoo’s best perks is that it’s walkable to downtown dining. I went to Antica Forma for wood-fired pizza, Thai Bella for curry, and Desert Bistro for upscale dining—all within minutes on foot.
Perfect Location: Downtown, walkable, close to everything.
Casita Comfort: Spacious, private, with full amenities.
Luxury Touches: Gorgeous pools, stylish décor, and thoughtful details like fireplaces and hooks (yes, hooks matter).
Great for Groups: With multiple bedrooms, full kitchen, and parking, casitas are ideal for families or friends.
Sure, you’ll find cheaper motels in Moab, but this is luxury that feels worth every dollar—especially if you’re here for more than a quick weekend.
Moab is all about adventure—hiking, biking, rafting, off-roading—but when the day is done, you want a comfortable place to crash. For me, the Hoodoo Hilton casita was more than that. It was the perfect home base: spacious, stylish, and just steps from downtown.
If you’re deciding where to stay in Moab and want luxury with convenience, this is it. Splurge on the casita, spend your afternoons at the pool, and let Moab’s red rock magic unfold right outside your door. For even more ideas to round out your trip, read my Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary before you go.
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
