Red Cliffs Lodge opens in Moab under Marriott Bonvoy

In Moab’s red-rock country, Red Cliffs Lodge has reopened after a full renovation as a Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio property—and is now bookable. A first weekend stay highlighted the cabins and riverfront options, strong views and amenities, a few early m

Moab has a way of getting under your skin. Even before you reach your hotel. the drive along Highway 128—past towering red rock and alongside the Colorado River—can make the day feel lighter. That’s exactly how the trip starts at Red Cliffs Lodge. now bookable through Marriott Bonvoy after its renovation and relaunch as a Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio property.

The lodge sits about half an hour outside downtown Moab. in a bend in the river beneath the shadow of two iconic red mesas. It’s a sprawling mix of cabins and motel-style rooms designed to feel country-inspired without turning into full-on kitsch. Inside. a gray. red and sandy palette keeps the Southwestern energy grounded—no animal heads on the walls. a small but telling detail for a vegan traveler.

Red Cliffs Lodge is a 110-key property: 40 creekside suites, 39 riverfront suites and 31 riverfront cabins.

The rooms are built for space and downtime. The two-bedroom cabin the reviewer stayed in included a living area with a gas fireplace. a work desk and kitchenette; two bedrooms with their own TVs; and a Jack-and Jill-style bathroom. Outside. there was a spacious deck facing the river with a dining table and a seating area—exactly the kind of “stay put for a while” setup Moab visitors often end up needing.

What didn’t quite match the promise was the kitchenette. It offered a sink. a mini fridge. and coffee/tea supplies. but no microwave or range top—plus no dishes or silverware. Dishwashing supplies under the sink suggested the hotel plans to add those later. There was also a noticeable snag with water: in this part of Moab. the tap water may be safe to drink. but it has a strong chemical taste that made it hard to swallow. The cabin had two sinks—one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen—with a second faucet labeled “drinking water. ” but both tasted the same. Until any filtration system is installed for the drinking-water spout. the reviewer leaned on the ample free bottled water provided in the minifridge.

For meals, Red Cliffs Lodge has one restaurant: Ember. It serves elevated country fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, rustic setting. The view over the Colorado River is a major part of the draw.

Still, the food experience came with a mixed note—especially for vegan travelers. Despite Moab being generally veg-friendly. the reviewer found scarce (filling) vegan options and said staff seemed reluctant to accommodate dietary needs. Carnivores, though, will find standout dishes such as grilled steelhead trout for $34 and red wine braised bison short ribs for $40.

Ember, recently opened, still seemed to be smoothing out its early kinks. During two visits. the restaurant was mostly empty. but service was a bit slow and the communication between staff felt chaotic. The upside was flavor: the pomegranate margarita ($16). green goddess hummus ($14). the Western Impossible burger ($20). New York steak ($56). and blueberry bread pudding ($12) all impressed the reviewer.

Beyond the room and restaurant, the lodge leans hard into keeping guests busy—especially those who want Moab access without having to constantly drive into town.

There’s an activity desk for booking adventures through Paradox Adventures. The list ranges from national park tours and hot air balloon rides to rock climbing and skydiving excursions. There’s a swimming pool and hot tub with views. a communal fire pit with free s’mores every night. an impressive playground. two full-sized tennis courts. and a grab-and-go shop for snacks. toiletries and souvenirs.

A Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage visit is also on the agenda. The reviewer said admission is supposedly included for two guests, with additional guests paying a $15 entry fee—but when they visited, no one was charging admission.

The lodge is kid- and pet-friendly, though it seems to skew toward adults. During a Mother’s Day weekend stay, the reviewer ran into just one family with kids, which points to a couple-friendly or friends-trip vibe—while still being suitable for adventurous children.

Outdoor adventures are where Moab truly shines, and Red Cliffs Lodge is positioned as an easy base for it. The area’s reputation as “the adventure capital of the West” isn’t just marketing: guests can hike. climb or bike through red rock landscapes. try water sports on the Colorado River. and visit Arches and Canyonlands national parks as well as Dead Horse State Park. Moab also has three International Dark Sky Parks for stargazing.

The lodge’s relationship with Red Cliffs Ranch next door helped the reviewer book a two-hour horseback ride—and they described it as fantastic. But the booking process wasn’t flawless. They had to reschedule the trail ride because the activity desk staff didn’t confirm it with the outfitter. a reminder to double-check reservations when plans go through multiple hands.

In terms of getting there, the reviewer said the easiest route is to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), rent a car, and drive about four or so hours to Moab. A vehicle is strongly suggested to explore the area.

On-site parking comes with a cost: Red Cliffs Lodge charges $20 per night for onsite parking.

For points travelers, the timing matters. Red Cliffs Lodge was recently added to Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio. which means Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and burn points here. Rates start as low as $215 or 56. 000 Marriott points per night for a creekside suite. while the riverside two-bedroom cabin the reviewer stayed in was $441. The cabins don’t appear to be bookable with points at the moment. but the reviewer said they should be after the Tribute Portfolio transition.

Accessibility is also part of the package. The lodge offers mobility-accessible guest rooms with accessible vanities and toilets. roll-in showers with hand-held wands. bathtub grab rails and more. as well as hearing-accessible guest rooms with special kits. Common areas are wheelchair-friendly, including the pool and fitness center. Service animals are welcome without a fee.

Overall, the lodge aims to deliver an upscale escape in a town where points hotels often feel more low-frills. It’s farther from Moab’s touristy core. and that matters if you want to be steps from shopping and dining. But for travelers looking for a quieter. more authentic Moab-style retreat with straightforward access to the parks. Red Cliffs Lodge positions itself as a strong home base—one that comes with just enough early imperfections to feel real.

Red Cliffs Lodge Moab Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio Marriott points hotels Utah travel Arches National Park Canyonlands National Park Colorado River