Sorrel River Ranch

Sorrel River Ranch sits right on the Colorado River and is the place to stay when visiting Arches. It’s located a 30-minute drive from Moab, through stunning red rock landscapes.

• The beautiful riverside setting, framed by red rock mountains and Aspen trees
• The spa suites with balconies and views of the river and the mountains
• The fact that most of the produce used in the restaurant is grown on property

Usually when a property is located a 30-minute drive outside of the closest town, it is an inconvenience – in the case of Sorrel River Lodge, it's actually a plus thanks to a glorious setting right beside the Colorado River. It also helps that Route 128, that leads to the 240-acre property is one of Utah's most scenic, framed by towering red rock cliffs and the rushing river.

Guests turn into the sprawling property and drive along large meadows studded with the property's horses (lessons and rides into the surrounding landscapes are available). By the time you reach the cluster of wooden cottages and cabins, you cannot hear the road anymore; the sound of cars has been replaced by the rustling Aspen trees and gurgling river.

Sorrel has 55 rooms and suites, all of which come with kitchenettes (if you want wine or snacks, you have to purchase them in Moab, as there is nothing up near Sorrel). All accommodations are set in clusters of wooden cabins that line the river, though not all of them have river views. There are eight family suites, and every room category has several options, including king beds, double queen or full beds. Some are multi-level and others have the possibility of connecting rooms. Interiors are modern interpretations of the Wild West, with polished wooden floors, Navajo-inspired rugs, wrought iron light fixtures and massive picture windows. Most of the bathrooms comes with separate showers and claw foot tubs, and the lovely eco-friendly amenities are made exclusively for Sorrel. For couples, some of the best rooms are the Riverview Deluxe Kings, which have lofty ceilings and a lot of space.

The heart of the property is the main lodge, which was the original owner's personal home in the 1990s. The large wooden deck outside is reminiscent of a safari lodge, with lots of comfortable couches and rocking chairs, overlooking the river and into the mountains. The pool and hot tub are small and located right next to the riverside entrance of the main lodge; walking by a hot tub-full of people in bikinis can feel a little awkward at dinnertime. Overall, though, the vibe at Sorrel is laid-back, almost like a summer camp for grown ups – no one dresses up for meals, and most everyone is just happy to be staying in this special setting.

There's a small spa with four treatment rooms, tennis courts and some short hikes on property, but the whole point of a visit here is to explore beyond Sorrel. The lovely staff is happy to help arrange day activities in the nearby parks and wilderness. Guided tours to Arches and Canyonlands are options, as are excursions to nearby Fisher Towers and the incredible mountain bike trails of Moab. During the summer months, the Colorado gets busy with rafting traffic, and guests at Sorrel have front-row seats to the spectacle. More serene are April and October: both are glorious months to visit this part of southeastern Utah.

Couples, friends and families who want to visit Moab and surroundings and who enjoy a luxe but low-key sensibility. Know that as the property is a 30-minute drive from town, you will be eating most meals at the resort.

Most guests fly into Salt Lake City, which is a four-hour drive from Moab. A longer, but incredibly scenic road trip can also be done from Denver (5.5 hours). There's a small regional airport some 30 miles away that has daily flights from Salt Lake City with SkyWest.