This is the place that my husband and daughter brought my son and I to as a surprise getaway. I fell in love with the outdoor patio, the copper/iron moose and the rest was history. We started coming up here twice a month and stayed the weekends and long weekends at that. I NEVER wanted to leave, but the expense as with any hotel it mounts up the more you come. HA!
Six-years ago we started our adventure at this lodge and there were more places to eat out because no one really wants to eat at the hotel-the food at best is All American and the service staff is hit or miss; college students trying to earn extra money and it shows-- some are nice and others never come back to check on you so you become your own wait staff, but you do it more for being there than the service. Watch out for the "happy hour buffets", gratuity is included and it was eye opening for 4 people-- make sure your kids are hungry! This is the same area that has a pool table and if you hit it right you will get a turn but they should have 2 tables so guests don't have to walk away and never get a chance to not play or there is a time limit; just an observation. DO NOT eat at the downstairs restaurant just behind the main check-in desk-- pathetic at best and the food quality then and now is something to be reckon with, but wait staff seems more accommodating here than upstairs with the pool table-- not sure why. The rest of the amenities are sad- video game room where coins go in and you don't get to play (machine eats the coins) but the pool and outdoor hot tubs are nice just eye opening with the high amounts of chlorine they use; you smell like it after awhile-- lots of soap in the shower!
Again, the area outside the hotel is nice just don't go during winter as hotel staff doesn't do a great job in ice melt but thankfully we brought our own learning the hard way. Again, the eateries around Brian Head resort are decent and back 6-years ago there were more than there are now but keep in mind, this is a tight knit area and the population year-round is small. It's expensive to truck food, gas, propane, supplies, etc., up so a lot of businesses that find there nitch will stay for years. New businesses think that they too can survive here because others have for a long time ie Mexican restaurant, build up, close down after realizing the main thing people want is grab and go ie the pizza place has a good vibe (good, filling and able to share especially the XL pizzas and their calzones-- oh my!). The coffee house is decent but expensive. The convenient store has changed hands many times. If you want groceries be prepared for a hike and not on foot but in a car all the way down the mountain to the mom and pop grocery located in Parowan. The store is not huge and parking is pretty good given the area it sits in. You can feel rest assured that you're not going to get mugged or your car damaged given how close the lines are for spaces but cops are always patrolling. You can get groceries, cleaning supplies, candies for your kids. If you want a bigger grocery you have to head into Cedar City as there is a Walmart there. The best thing to do and this is solely what we found is, if you are staying say for a week, bring supplies and stop by the Parowan grocery store, get a few things essentials and/or some perishables and head up the mountain because I don't know if you have been told, but buying essentials on the mountain are more expensive and always will be based on what I mentioned above.
Don't forget to venture out down St Rt 143 toward Panguitch and stop by the old fashioned general store with a vintage gas pump-- they offer free water for those who need to fill a tank or two as they are hooked up to a well; just be prepared stay a bit depending on the size of your tank. Burger Barn had family loving owners but since the new owners took over its be challenging and more costly. If you eat here, eat under the white tents as outside flies are many, but during summer months it gets quite loud. Go early if you want a parking spot as it's very HARD at times to get one and since there are no white lines to park in-between cars, trucks and motorcycles alike park like they all need lessons. Definitely go for the changing of the leaves in the Fall, its one of the most scenic drives on 143 is absolutely worth any time you can devote - beautiful lakes, trees turning color and Cedar Breaks is exquisite. LOVE!!
All in all, start your journey at the Brian Head Resort Lodge and stay a few days and see if you don't fall in love as my family did hence we now own a cabin so we can come and go as we please and be one with nature. All in all, do it for the adventure and clean air-- oh, don't forget to also go to the new visitors center and drive down through Dixie National Park-- get your cameras ready for the most breathtaking view of all time- Cedar Breaks monument. Have FUN!! read more