Watchman Villas

Top Vacation Rentals Near Zion You’ll find many options for vacation rentals near Zion in Southern Utah.  Some are single-family houses, some are apartments, and others are condos.  In price they range from $90 per night to $550 per night. Watchman Villas For first class condominiums, the Watchman Villas in Springdale, Utah do not disappoint.  The villas stand just five minutes from the entrance to Zion National Park.  The Watchman provides the three Cs: convenience, class, and comfort.  If vacation condos were rated on the star system like hotels, they’d be four to five stars.  The villas are elegant, roomy, and contain everything you’d want, including the kitchen sink.  The views from your rooms are of the colorful and majestic, towering cliffs and mountains of Zion National Park.  Rentals cost from $250 to $550 per night. LV3 A cozy and less expensive vacation rental near Zion is LV3, a two-bedroom house in Laverkin, Utah, near Hurr...

The Best Vacation Destinations in Southern Utah Choosing the best vacation destinations in Southern Utah is like choosing your favorite food or, possibly, your favorite child.  Not easy to do.  Southern Utah is a geologist’s paradise with its diverse topography, national parks, and desert and mountain landscapes; consequently, the vacation spots are numerous and varied, so the “best” depends on what you like to see and do. Hunting and Fishing If you like hunting and fishing, you could hit southeastern Utah for desert bighorn sheep, south central Utah for the only free-roaming herd of bison (buffalo) in America, many regions for deer, antelope, and elk, and eastern Utah for game birds.  For fishing, there are many lakes and rivers to challenge the angler.  One of the favorite vacation destinations in Southern Utah is Lake Powell, a huge labyrinth of the dammed-up Colorado River which provides boating, swimming, house-boat relaxing, and fishing for striped ba...

THE TOP RESTAURANTS IN SPRINGDALE, UTAH How could Springdale, Utah get any better? Already possessing some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, some wonderful hotels , and being the gateway into Zion, the third most popular national park in America, it has evolved into a paradise for food lovers, too. From Mexican to Asian to European, to American foods, Springdale has it all. For your dining pleasure, this article presents some of the top restaurants in Springdale, Utah. The King’s Landing Bistro The King’s Landing Bistro has a reputation for excellent food and drink to delight the palate and calm the mind. Reviewers consistently rank it as a top restaurant in Springdale. Chef King and Chef Ngyuen are skilled when it comes to beautiful and delicious American dishes, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free offerings. A variety of cocktails, beers, and wines augment the experience at King’s. The address for King’s Landing Bistro is 1515 Zion Park Boulevard. C...

This article is a continuation of the previous travel post The Benefits of Traveling - Part 1 . Personal Appeal Benefits The more you travel, the more stories and experiences you will have which makes you a much more interesting person in general. This is isn’t to say that you aren’t interesting already, but a well-traveled person tends to often be the focal point of many conversations because they have so much to say, so much wisdom to impart, and have new and original perspectives on things due to their travel experiences. You’ll attract more attention. Food Benefits Many people travel as often as they do mainly because they enjoy tasting foods from different places around the world. Homemade meals certainly have their own unique appeal, but Mexican south of the border is a whole different ballgame compared to the Mexican food in the States, for example. And you haven’t truly eaten sushi until you’ve traveled to Japan and partaken of the real thing. Being cultured when it com...

You’ve probably heard people talk about how travel is the best thing you can spend your money on because there are so many life benefits to traveling. So what are all of these so-called benefits? Well, for starters, the benefits of traveling are long-lasting. Positive psychological and physical changes take place (more on this later). After reading through all of the benefits listed here, you’ll understand why saying that you don’t have enough money or time shouldn’t not be an excuse for lack of travel. Cheap flights can be found with minimal effort and time can be made if you plan ahead with purpose. But we digress. Back to the benefits of travel. Here they are: Health Benefits There are numerous health benefits to traveling. Some of the most widely experienced and written about ones include a decreased risk of heart disease and a lowering (or elimination) of stress, anxiety, and/or depression. To maximize this particular benefit, be sure to add to your itinerary times that will ...

This article is a continuation of the Zion packing tip post Packing Suggestions For All Travelers - Part 1 . Do Laundry During Your Vacation The next Zion packing tip has to do with laundry. Laundry facilities are one of the most underused amenities of the hotel industry. Many travelers are not even aware that their hotel has one, let alone consider using it if they do. Our response to this is: why? It is not that expensive and is absolutely worth it considering the amount of packing space you’ll save by bringing half as many outfits as you would normally bring and then simply doing one load of laundry at your hotel halfway through your trip? This is a Zion packing tip that is easily executed with almost no effort at all and makes an enormous difference on the amount of stuff that you bring on a trip, particularly if you’re traveling with your whole family, kids and all. Depending on where you stay, your hotel or vacation rental may even have free laundry service. Not taking ad...

It’s happened to all of us. You’ve planned the vacation with care, you’ve packed your bags with precision, and you’ve successfully traveled to the destination only to realize when you arrive at the vacation rental that you have forgotten your toiletry bag (or something else important). Now you’re rushing to find a supermarket or convenience store to acquire the items you forgot, paying more than you otherwise would have and being stressed while running around. Another common scenario travelers find themselves in involves overpacking which causes a lot of discomfort, disorganization, and money to be wasted (baggage fees). In order to avoid these and other packing mistakes that add unnecessary burdens to vacation, consider the follow Zion packing tips. Roll Your Clothes Zion packing tips 101: Folding tends to be the default way that most people pack their clothes in their suitcases but from now on you are going to roll, not fold. You can fit more items into an allotted space by ro...

The beautiful town of Springdale is located in Southern Utah at the entrance to Zion National Park. Over the years, this little town has built quite the reputation for itself among travel community, and not just because Zion is its neighbor - thought that certainly helps. Thousands upon thousands of yearly visitors plan a Springdale vacation. You may be one of them. But in case you haven’t ever stayed the night in Springdale, here are 4 reasons why you need to plan a Springdale vacation this year. Zion National Park We will start with the obvious. Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful and beloved locations in the world and most certainly in the United States. Over 4.5 million people drive or walk through the entrance to the park every single year on their Springdale vacation. Some of the most breathtaking natural beauty Mother Nature has to offer is found right there. And it isn’t just a pretty place to look at. Hundreds of gorgeous trails for all levels of hikers, campi...

Now that Spring has come and gone and Summer is upon us, folks are hitting the open road and the blue skies taking trips. Travelers of all kinds are choosing to rent homes and vacation rental properties on their vacations instead of traditional hotel rooms because of all the wonderful benefits they offer. But, like any industry, there are those out there in the Utah vacation rentals industry (and elsewhere) who operate shady businesses and try to swindle people in hopes that they can get away with your money. Here’s how to take steps to make sure you don’t get caught in one of these traps when booking Utah vacation rentals. When it comes to scams in the Utah vacation rentals industry, all incidents usually fall into one of two categories. The first is the most common which is that the property you booked isn’t actually owned by the supposed person. In these scenarios, the person has taken photos from other listings and created their own seemingly legitimate but ultimately fake lis...

When it comes to the interior design of a vacation rental property you own, you shouldn’t stress about it too much but at the same time you should be deliberate with your choices. There’s no way that you can implement the tastes of all your future guests as that would be impossible. However, there are a handful of tips that are easy to understand, simple in their implementation, and will most certainly help you beautify your property and, most importantly, book more reservations. Watchman Villas, our Zion vacation rental, has seen wonderful success in large part from the consideration of these suggestions. Durability The flooring that you select for your Zion vacation rental should be built to last. Choose stone or hardwood, for example, rather than carpet as the latter requires more time and effort to clean and maintain. Your Zion vacation rental will endure a lot of wear and tear and the surface that receives the most friction is obviously the floor. Where furniture is concerned...

Have you ever heard the term wanderlust? It’s a word that refers to an intense appetite for travel. Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with a burning desire to travel Zion. In fact, we think that’s a good thing! The more you travel Zion, the happier you are. But we’ve seen many people who travel Zion only for self-satisfaction and public attention, particularly in the age of social media. This attitude toward travel Zion is often void of real meaning and ignores the most beneficial aspects of taking trips. Consider this: if you’re traveling somewhere to sip umbrella drinks, party at a concert, and show off your new swimsuit, though there is nothing inherently wrong with that (and a trip like that can be loads of fun), but it sounds more like a vacation than travel. Travel is different from a vacation in that it involves really exploring an area foreign to you and away from your home. Getting off the beaten path, making an effort to integrate yourself into the culture, and making...

Traveling with a large group? Look no further than Watchman Villas for the perfect accommodation. For those in need of condos to rent that act as a unique and convenient space that can house many party members with their own bedrooms and bathrooms, provide secluded spaces for individualized activity, and offer plenty of space for full-group dining, our Springdale vacation rentals are ideal. When taking a vacation with a big group, traditional hotels can often be somewhat cumbersome, restrictive, and impersonal. Our vacation rentals and condos for rent, on the other hand, offer a much more comfortable, home-style environment with more than enough space, beds, seating areas, and other features and amenities to give everyone in your party an incredible pleasant lodging experience. Here are some detailed reasons why Watchman Villas is the absolute best choice in Springdale and Zion Canyon for large group reservations. Lots of square footage Watchman Villas includes five total condos f...

This article is a continuation of the Zion Park lodge post Industry Trends in 2018 for Vacation Rentals - Part 1 . Home-style lodging options will continue to increase in popularity The rise of vacation rentals worldwide has led to more and more home and property owners renting out there places to travelers. People with vacant properties have turned a profit by letting tourists stay in them. People are buying homes and condos for the express purpose of getting into the vacation rental industry to make some side income. Staying in a Zion Park lodge or traditional hotel in any location is an option that certainly isn’t going anywhere, but vacation rentals and other alternative lodging choices are becoming increasingly more desirable and convenient. Even very alternative options like treehouses (30%), houseboats (40% growth), barns (55% growth), RVs (133% growth), and yurts (155% growth) have seen huge increases in the number of total reservations even in just the last year. The dive...

The vacation rental industry is as exciting as any other modern industry. With all the change and growth that happens with each passing year, being involved with vacation rentals near Zion or anywhere in 2018 has already been and will continue to be quite an experience. It is expected that by the beginning of 2019 the industry will have exceeded $35 billion. Here is an explanation of existing trends that are likely to continue as well as new trends that are expected to surface in 2018. The most popular type of vacation rental - beach property - will remain king As has been the case for many years, destination locations with beaches will most certainly continue to be the most visited places in the world. However, it is interesting to note that because of the growing popularity of vacation rentals, large coastal resorts no longer hold an exclusive grasp on the lodging market in these areas. More property owners every year are making oceanside homes available for rent to tourists pro...

Have you ever gone on a vacation where everything went according to plan, every itinerary item was met with exactness, and you didn’t have to change plans at all? It’s unlikely. There are some things that you can do to eliminate a large majority of potential vacation hurdles in advance, even when staying at vacation rentals and hotels in Zion, as well as help your trip be as stress-free as possible. Consider the following suggestions. Understand Why People Often Get Stressed Out On Vacation We find that the reason the majority of people can’t relax when they take a trip and stay at hotels in Zion is that their vacations are so few and far between that they simply aren’t used to being away from the stresses of everyday life and it’s difficult to simply unplug. A great way to fix this problem is to do everything you can to take breaks (even if they last only one day on the weekend) and go somewhere. Let your mind and body experience as often as feasibly possibly taking breaks. Go ...

The percentage of frequent travelers who regularly or semi-regularly choose to stay in vacation rentals (including Airbnb options) is rising every year. To say the vacation rental industry is booming would be an understatement. The industry as a whole has been on the rise for some time now. Figures from 2017 estimated the vacation rental industry, including Zion National Park accommodation, at over $150 billion. One interesting fact is that of all nationalities, Europeans book vacation rentals the most (which could be attributed to staying in “holiday homes” which is common in European culture and has been for years). In fact, according to data, approximately 50% of all European travelers in 2015 stayed in private accommodations which include places such as homes that are owned privately, individual couches and rooms that are formally rented, offerings by travel management companies, and park lodges. Americans are the runners-up in frequency of vacation rental bookings. As far back...

Because we are passionate about vacation rentals, we want to make sure that over time we cover some relevant topics that have to do with all different aspects of the industry, including some that are directed primarily to those of you who own a vacation rental property of your own or are considering the purchase of one. Getting into the standard or luxury vacation rental business can be very profitable if executed properly. Those who get involved do so typically to create for themselves an additional stream of income. But in order to turn a profit with a standard or luxury vacation rental, it takes more deliberate action than simply listing it on booking sights and waiting for people to pay you to stay there. When it comes to a luxury vacation rental, the most successful property owners treat this little side gig with the mindset of a small business owner. You have to be serious about your level of customer service as if you were running a storefront, for example. You have to find ou...

There are many differences between staying at a hotel and staying at a vacation rental. For one, the hotel industry is heavily regulated whereas the vacation rental industry isn’t. There are some things that can happen and certain situations that one can find oneself in - problematic situations - that are unique to the world of vacation rentals. Granted, the majority of vacation rental owners out there are interested in repeat business and good reviews so the honor system is notoriously heeded in the vacation rental business. But, as in any industry, situations can arise that you would rather avoid. There is a way that you can eliminate almost any chance of booking vacation rentals in Zion or anywhere else and that is with the help of Airbnb Plus . Last month (Feb 2018) Airbnb launched a new platform, Airbnb Plus, which only includes listings that have been meticulously looked over by certified inspectors using a system they’ve put in place that involves a checklist with 100 points. ...

If you ask us, vacation rentals are nearly always the best lodging option when traveling for nearly reason. There are so many places to stay near Zion National Park, many of them vacation rentals, but none better than Watchman Villas . We stand by that statement. Watchman brings together the best things about vacation rentals and the best things about hotels creating a unique and superior lodging experience. Not every vacation rental is like Watchman Villas, mind you. Many of them are simply a home that the owner rents out rather than an establishment built specifically for tourist lodging. So, for all of you who tend to go the vacation rental route instead of the traditional hotel route when traveling, here are some questions that you should find the answers to before clicking the book button regardless of what country or city you’ll be staying in. Do I need a personal vehicle? Depending on the location of the vacation rental as well as your personal plans, you may or may not nee...

This article is a continuation of our previous piece about booking luxury vacation rentals: Effective Ways to Find the Right Vacation Rental - Part 1 . Another great option to help you find the right vacation homes or luxury vacation rentals is Expedia.com. When you visit their homepage, locate the button that allows you to specify your search not as “hotels” but as “vacation rentals”. Also remember that Expedia owns Travelocity, Orbitz, and HomeAway. Because of this, hyperlinks from those other sites are located throughout the listings near the top of many pages on Expedia. In fact, Hotels.com is also an Expedia property, though there are no hyperlinks throughout the site as there are with the other three previously mentioned. So once you filter your search to show only vacation rentals, results will be pooled from many different Expedia-affiliated sites so that you can have the best possible chance at seeing all of the luxury vacation rentals that are available according to your ...