Moab may be small, but if you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Moab, it has a surprisingly wide range of places to stay—from luxury casitas with fireplaces and private pools to budget motels that keep you close to the action without breaking the bank. Choosing the right stay depends on how you like to travel. Do you want a pampered home base with every amenity? Or just a clean, comfortable bed after a long day of hiking?
Here’s my breakdown of the best places to stay in Moab, from splurge-worthy resorts to budget-friendly picks. If you’re planning your trip and want to pair this hotel guide with itinerary ideas, check out my Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary.
This is where I stayed, and let me tell you—it was perfection. We (my friend and I) booked a casita, and I’ll never go back to a regular room. Ours had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a large living room with a sectional couch, and even a fireplace. One room had a king bed, the other two queens, plus a pull-out couch if you’re traveling with a larger group.
The best part? Each casita comes with private parking and access to a pool reserved just for casita guests, plus the larger resort pool with waterfalls, desert landscaping, padded loungers, and a hot tub. The main hotel itself is gorgeous, with warm, inviting décor that blends modern touches with Moab’s desert vibe.
Location: Right in downtown Moab. You can walk to shops, restaurants, and the food truck park across the street.
Best For: Travelers who want luxury and space—perfect for families or groups who like to spread out.
Since Hoodoo is right downtown, it’s easy to explore local eats—my Must Eats in Moab guide has all my favorite spots.
If you’re looking for a true resort escape, head just outside Moab to Sorrel River Ranch. This high-end property sits right on the Colorado River and has a more secluded, retreat-like feel. Think horseback riding, spa treatments, riverside dining, and cabins with rustic luxury vibes.
Location: About 20 minutes outside Moab, surrounded by red rock and river views.
Best For: Honeymooners, couples, or anyone who wants a luxury “out in nature” experience rather than being downtown.
Hyatt Place offers modern, reliable comfort at a price point that won’t completely blow your budget. Rooms are spacious, breakfast is included, and there’s a pool and hot tub for relaxing after a long day of exploring.
Location: Just north of downtown, a short drive to Main Street and the national parks.
Best For: Travelers who want convenience, modern amenities, and a name-brand stay with consistency.
To see what’s nearby for sunrise and sunset, check out Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots in Moab Utah.
Don’t let the word “motel” fool you—Bowen Motel is clean, well-kept, and right in the middle of downtown Moab. You’ll be steps away from restaurants, shops, and even murals. Plus, it has a pool, which is a nice perk at this price point.
Location: Downtown Moab.
Best For: Budget-conscious travelers who want to stay central and walk everywhere.
Another great budget choice, Archway Inn sits just outside downtown but still close to everything. It’s a little more low-key and spread out, with an outdoor pool, free breakfast, and easy parking.
Location: North end of Moab, close to Arches National Park entrance.
Best For: Families or road trippers who want more value for the price and don’t mind being slightly outside downtown.
Where you stay in Moab really depends on how you want to experience the trip. If you want full-on luxury with every amenity, Hoodoo Hilton and Sorrel River Ranch are the splurge-worthy picks. If you want comfort without going overboard, Hyatt Place hits the sweet spot. And if you just need a budget-friendly base to crash between adventures, Bowen Motel or Archway Inn will do the trick.
No matter your budget, the most important thing is that you’ll be waking up in Moab—ready for arches, canyons, and red rock adventures right outside your door. After booking your stay, use my Spend a Day in Downtown Moab guide to plan out shops, coffee, and meals right near your hotel.
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
