This was a return visit. Stayed in Cabin 502 (queen bed). We have stayed several times over the years and thought we would pass along some tips. * I'm attaching photos of the lodge/ cabin layout and the FAQ page. For some reason this info isn't on their website. I scanned their laminated map so that others can have the info. I was able to request a particular cabin location by calling a week in advance. * Limited (slow) wifi service - it is at dial-up speed - graphics are slow to load and depend on how may users are on line. Wifi is open (unsecured). * Cell phone service is practically non existent. This is NOT mentioned on the Xanterra reservation web site. We had Verizon and AT&T phones - both were very distorted to the receiver when the call went through. Texts would 'hang' for several hours before going through. If you MUST have typical cell phone/ internet service during your stay, you may want to try Springdale instead. * Bicycles are for rent at the gift shop. * Emphasize the need for a flashlight after dark. Very little light - easy to slip in the sidewalk snow/ ice if you can't see it. * If you are traveling in the winter, make your reservation early, then check back to see if their Zion Lodge Bed & Breakfast package is available for some/ all of your dates. This is posted in ~October on their website. We had one night for $139 that included two breakfasts. Our breakfast was a buffet with takeout not officially permitted. * Note that any change in your reservation will allow Xanterra to update each night's stay with their latest rates. We decided to arrive one day later than originally planned: one night went up $20 and the following night went down $10 - so no big deal. * the Zion Shuttle runs into Springdale, so you can ride it to try one of their restaurants. * Dinner reservations are highly recommended * Zion charges for admission - you may want to consider an annual/ lifetime national park pass. If one of your party is 62 or older, the $80 pass allows everyone in the vehicle access to the park.

The reason to stay here is because you can walk to Angel's Landing before the crowds arrive on the first bus. It's very convenient. The worry with a place like this is that the National Park System will have contracted it to a scam artist like Xanterra that will charge Hilton prices and provide worse quality and service than a Hampton Inn, and that is exactly what has happened. Next time we'll go back to staying outside the park in Springdale because the advantages of sleeping at Stop 5 aren't worth having to deal with Xanterra. So what's wrong with Xanterra? The hotel facility is very nice. The rooms are comfortable, with some modest attention to furnishings (no fridge or microwave). The bathroom fan is a blow-dryer in the ceiling, which is weird-but-nice. The grounds are picturesque; the main lobby is big and comfortable; the restaurant is large with big windows. Xanterra ruins all this by doing things like (1) Not filling the soap bottles in the shower; (2) Not providing a do-not-disturb sign for the door; (3) Not rebooting the broken router for in-room WiFi, even when they knew it was broken before you brought it to their attention; (4) Not offering bread with dinner (even though there were bread plates); (5) Not providing effective night illumination on the pathways; (6) Not letting you go back to the salad bar a second time; (7) Snack bar hours too narrow and ice cream machine always broke; and (8) A variety of other minor offenses that all come from hiring the worst staff and paying them nothing. For the prices that Xanterra charges at Zion Lodge, they could give first-rate service and high quality food. They choose not to, which makes them very profitable, but also very detestable. The Zion Lodge could be an ornament to the National Park System, instead of hosting a parasite on the park visitors.

Dave and I were in Zion and stopped at the lodge in hopes of finding some food on Thanksgiving Day. We were seated in short order in the grill upstairs and Stephen, our waiter, was fantastic! The food was sooo good (especially after hiking) and plentiful! Turkey, ham, prime rib, all the fixings and deserts, all the drinks we could drink (alcohol excluded), and as many trips to the buffet line as we wanted to take. We each went once...and were totally stuffed - pun intended! I'll make reservations the next time, but...wow, what a treat for my husband and myself.

We stayed in one of the cabins. It had two beds, desk and fireplace in the main section with a separate bathroom and small kitchen area. The kitchen had a coffee maker, sink, small refrigerator, counter top to work on and storage for your dry goods. This was nice as eating options are limited within the park. There was a shared wall with another cabin but noise was not an issue for us. It was nice staying in the park, although more expensive than Springdale. I particularly enjoyed the early morning before the crowds arrived.

We enjoyed our stay here for two nights. Only thing I’d recommend is that you ask for a room away from the stairs. We could hear people stomping up and down the stairs. A fridge in the room would have been nice, but we managed without. The fireplace and an area to sit in the building was a nice touch. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful.