Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

The View Hotel, Monument Valley, Utah
Nominated By: Allison and Michael at Darn Good Digs, Brooklyn, NY, July '10

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Price Range: # of Rooms: 96 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the The View Hotel so Darn Good? THE VIEW! Unbelievable.

Location: The View Hotel stands at the gateway to Monument Valley, famous for its jaw-dropping, iconic red-rock formations that have come to symbolize the American West. The location couldn’t be more ideal – not only are you literally at the edge of the valley, but the seventeen mile loop road that winds its way through the red rocks begins right at the hotel. Monument Valley, a Navajo Nation Tribal Park, straddles the border of Arizona and Utah.

Rooms: The hotel has an attractive low-rise adobe-like façade on the outside and some authentic Navajo touches on the inside, but what really makes this hotel so darn good is its unsurpassed view. While we splurged for a room with a balcony facing the Valley, guests opting for the more economical rooms opposite the parking lot can still enjoy the million-dollar view from the hotel lobby, restaurant, and terrace.

Food: The hotel restaurant offers typical American fare as well as some Navajo-inspired dishes. We partook in the breakfast buffet which did the trick to get us started on our day.

Vibe: The hotel is owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, employs an almost entirely Navajo staff, and has a well-stocked trading post selling Native American artwork, crafts, and jewelry.

Keep in Mind: Rooms in the high season book fast, so either book early or keep calling every day in hopes for a cancellation, like we did. We wanted a room with a view and managed to save US$20 by asking for a better deal over the phone. We arranged separately for a Navajo guide to take us on a tour through the back roads of Monument Valley, but the hotel can also make arrangements.