Surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and wide-open desert, St. George, Utah, is home to some of the American West’s most dramatic landscapes. My husband and I had planned a Switzerland vacation for our first wedding anniversary, but we’re instead road tripping to southern Utah.
Our basecamp: Inn on the Cliff, a 27-room boutique property with views of town and red rock from every balcony.
From here, we visit Snow Canyon State Park, a lesser-known desertscape surrounded by ancient lava flows, slot canyons, and red rock towers. We spend the afternoon hiking underground lava tubes and crossing sand dunes to scenic canyon overlooks. As the sun sets, we’re clinking glasses at a table for two overlooking otherworldly rocky landscapes.
Though we’ve traveled the world together, there’s nothing more romantic than exploring the wild, natural landscapes of our native state. And while it wasn’t the anniversary we’d planned, our Utah getaway rejuvenated our romance and connected us through our shared passion of adventuring outdoors—without the transatlantic flight.
Whether you’re seeking an escape to Utah’s deserts or a cozy ski lodge retreat in Park City, these nine Utah hotels deliver just the right blend of adventure, relaxation, and romance.