Southern Utah? A retro, roadside lodge?
What does that have to do with wine-related hospitality?
Growing up in Utah, I spent my summers in my family's hometown of Kanab, UT - the location of the Quail Park Lodge. As a kid I used to ride my bike through town and would ride by this quaint motor lodge wishing I could swim in the pool. Fast forward 35 years, a summer vacation to visit my grandmother and I saw the 'For Sale' sign in the window. That was it, an opportunity for me to feel passion on many levels - family, community and my passion for hospitality.
My parents were retired and wanted something to do, my grandparents were getting up in years and needed more family around to help and it would give us a common goal and provide a gathering spot for our family.
Because of my lifetime love of Southern Utah and fascination with the splendor of the surrounding geography and national parks, I knew that I could bring this neglected 1960's landmark back to it's original glory and provide both the community and travelers to the area a place they could all enjoy!
The Quail Park Lodge serves as the inspirational headquarters for my hospitality management, marketing and operational ideas. It seems to be working! The property doubled revenues in the first two years of operation and our #1 ranking on TripAdvisor has maintained 3 years in a row. I want to share my knowledge and template for success with others.
More on the location: The Quail Park Lodge is located in the scenic and geographic diverse town of Kanab, Utah - it is surrounded by the most stunning National Parks and monuments in the world: The Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Escalante Grand Staircase National Park, Lake Powell, Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Because of this diverse geography, the area has been home to numerous movies and television shows. You can find out much more by visiting the Quail Park Lodge website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Utah’s Quail Park Lodge Renovation Triumphs
Grape Leaf Hospitality Group Acquires Retro 1960s Roadside Lodge; Modernizes with Full Range of 21st-Century Amenities
KANAB, Utah.—(August 26, 2009)—Newly restored and remodeled, Quail Park Lodge is a slice of Americana that’s perfectly situated for a (road) trip down memory lane in picturesque Kanab, Utah. Grape Leaf Hospitality acquired the property in February 2008 and revitalized the roadside icon, giving its 13 rooms and suites the modern updates of a boutique inn while retaining its nostalgic, ’60s charm.
Reinvesting almost one-third of the purchase price, Grape Leaf Hospitality completed a thorough revamp in May 2009. From the outside, the Lodge is now a gleaming version of its original self with an exterior that’s detailed down to the retro-chic color palette and featuring mid-century reproduction tulip chairs and classic cruiser bicycles for guests to get around town.
Despite the extensive restoration, Grape Leaf Hospitality has kept room rates competitive at $89 – $159 during peak season, and $69 – $109 off season. In its’ first year after purchase, Quail Park Lodge’s annual revenue increased 65 percent year-over-year and is projected to double by the end of 2009.
“I spent part of my childhood in Kanab, and have great memories,” says Matt Walters, Grape Leaf Hospitality principal, “nearby national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell make it a popular jumping off point for road trippers. And National Geographic’s reality show DogTown is filmed at Kanab’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which makes us a destination for volunteer-cations.”
The modern amenities include:
•Lobby: Fresh fruit, pastries and coffee each morning; complimentary computer with printer and Internet access
•Plush Beds: Hypoallergenic comforters; plush pillow-top mattresses; 300-thread-count, triple-sheeted linens; four pillows (two soft, two firm)
•Deluxe Queen and Double Queen Rooms: Clock radios with iPod/MP3 player docking stations; flat screen televisions with 40+ channels, DVD, and gaming access (Nintendo, Game Cube); refrigerator and microwave oven; wireless internet access
•Additional in Deluxe Suites: Two queen beds in separate bedrooms; living area with pull-out sofa bed for extra sleeping area; electric fireplace
•Bathrooms: Spa-quality personal care amenities including Q-tips; fluffy, oversized towels; plush robes
•Swimming pool and outdoor lounging area
Grape Leaf Hospitality plans to follow Quail Park Lodge’s successful remodel with more affordable, yet stylish lodging in other popular national park destinations as well as opening a wine-themed inn, spa, event and culinary center in Washington State’s thriving wine country. Grape Leaf Hospitality principal, Matt Walters, is also building the domain www.winerylodging.com, a Web site that will provide consumers unique, localized experiential lodging, direct access to unique winery destinations, and experiences with winemakers and the winemaking process.
Quail Park Lodge Offers Dog Lovers the Ultimate Volunteer Vacation with “Puppy Therapy” Package
Spend your day helping out at nearby Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary, then retire
to retro-chic comfort for a doggy slumber party
KANAB, Utah.—(October 12, 2009)—Scenic southern Utah’s Quail Park Lodge, an upscale homage to the iconic roadside lodges that sheltered Western road-trippers in the 1960s, is now offering a “Puppy Therapy” package, sure to delight any dog lover seeking an experiential vacation. Guests visiting Quail Park Lodge can volunteer at the nearby Best Friends Animal Society; then bring a canine pal back with them that night for a doggy sleepover.
First opened in 1963, Quail Park Lodge was purchased by Matt Walters in 2008 and underwent a full remodel, completed in May 2009. Recently voted as one of America’s best budget hotels by AOL Travel, the new Quail Park Lodge embraces its original retro, roadside lodge aesthetic while adding a full range of amenities for the modern traveler—and his new “best friend.”
Guests who choose the “Puppy Therapy” package can volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Society, and bring a shelter dog “home” for the night to help the Society begin to socialize dogs for adoption—and provide these animals some always-needed love.
The “Puppy Therapy” package is priced at $79 for a double room and $99 for a suite, per night. Quail Park Lodge will provide:
• Gift certificate for local pizza delivery (a $25 value) as well as sodas, so guests can spend as much time with their new best friend as possible.
•A selection of assorted doggy snacks and treats.
•Before their stay ends, guests will also receive a keepsake frame and Polaroid of them with their puppy pal.
To receive the package, guests should enter “PUPPY” during online checkout. “Puppy Therapy” is available November 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010.
Matt Walters explains why he believes in “Puppy Therapy,” “Best Friends Animal Society is a neighbor that has over 20,000 visitors and volunteers visiting a year! - We definitely are dog-friendly! And with this package we hope we can be part of their unique experience at the animal sanctuary.”
Guests continually express their delight at volunteering at Best Friends, “It was amazing! We had no idea about all the great work Best Friends does, and bringing home a dog for a doggy sleepover was the highlight of my daughter and my vacation.”
The 13-room, boutique-style Quail Park Lodge offers guests and their four-pawed pals a complete vacation experience with:
•A perfect, central location between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
•Classic cruiser bicycles for touring downtown Kanab
•An outdoor swimming pool and outdoor lounging area (seasonal)
•Fresh fruit, pastries and coffee each morning in the lobby
•Complimentary computer, printer and internet access
•Plush pillow-top mattresses, hypoallergenic comforters, 300-thread count, triple-sheeted linens, and four pillows (two soft, two firm)
•In-room IPod/MP3 player docking stations, wireless internet connection, a refrigerator and a microwave
•Spa-quality personal-care amenities
•A dog-friendly policy
Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends Animal Society has been guided by a simple vision rooted in caring and compassion. For more than two decades, it has assisted animals in need, focusing on those that are injured or abandoned, have special needs or are considered unadoptable by others.
The heart of the organization’s work is the Best Friends sanctuary: 3,700 acres devoted to 1,700 homeless pets and surrounded by an additional 30,000 acres of federal land which Best Friends uses as a wildlife refuge. A leader in the “no-kill” movement, Best Friends works with animal shelters and rescue groups nationally and internationally to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets.
Quail Park Lodge, a member of Grape Leaf Hospitality, originally opened in 1963. Owner Matt Walters purchased this charming, roadside property in 2008 and oversaw a full remodel, completed in May of 2009. The remodel embraces Quail Park Lodge’s retro Americana, roadside-Lodge aesthetic while adding a full range of modern amenities. Centrally located between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, Quail Park Lodge is the ideal getaway in picturesque southern Utah. The Lodge is located at 125 North 300 West (Hwy 89) in Kanab, Utah. For more information on Quail Park Lodge, visit quailparkLodge.com or call (435) 644-8700. For more information on Grape Leaf Hospitality, visit glhospitality.com.
Quail Park Lodge Invites Travelers to Enjoy America’s Awe-Inspiring Parks with National Parks Package
With More Travelers Seeking Out America’s National Parks, Quail Park Lodge is Perfectly Situated
KANAB, Utah.—(October 12, 2009)—Filmmaker Ken Burns’ documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” has brought increased interest among travelers to America’s national parks. In response, Quail Park Lodge 13-room boutique roadside lodge is ideally situated near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park—proudly introduces its new National Parks Package.
First opened in 1963, Quail Park Lodge was purchased by Matt Walters in 2008 and fully remodeled in May of 2009. Today, it embraces its original iconic, retro, roadside-motel aesthetic while offering a full range of amenities for the modern guest, and was recently featured as one of America’s best budget travel accommodations by AOL Travel.
The package is priced at $99 for deluxe double queen rooms and $129 for deluxe suites, per night. Guests partaking of the National Parks Package will be treated to the following:
•An Artist Gift Pack from renowned national parks photographer David J. West (a $35 value).
•A DVD of Burns’ 12-hour, six-part documentary series and a copy of the accompanying book (together a $150 value) will be available for guests to enjoy during their stay.
•A complimentary bottle of Quail Park Lodge’s own “Red Rock Red” wine in room upon arrival (a $30 value).
Visitors taking advantage of the National Parks Package should enter the promotional code “PARKS” during online checkout.
“Since my first job at Bryce Canyon’s lodge, I’ve been in love with the parks” says Matt Walters. “It’s so much fun to have people stay with us as they experience the parks for the first time.”
After days spent exploring the surrounding natural beauty, guests can return to the comfort of Quail Park Lodge and enjoy:
•Plush pillow-top mattresses, hypoallergenic comforters, 300-thread count, triple-sheeted linens, and four pillows (two soft, two firm)
•In-room IPod/MP3 player docking stations, wireless internet connection, a refrigerator and a microwave
•Spa-quality personal-care amenities
•A swimming pool and outdoor lounging area
•Fresh fruit, pastries and coffee each morning in the lobby
•Complimentary computer, printer and internet access
•A dog-friendly policy
Quail Park Lodge, a member of Grape Leaf Hospitality, originally opened in 1963. Owner Matt Walters purchased this charming, roadside property in 2008 and oversaw a full remodel, completed in May of 2009. The remodel embraces Quail Park Lodge’s retro Americana, roadside-lodge aesthetic while adding a full range of modern amenities. Centrally located between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, Quail Park Lodge is the ideal getaway in picturesque southern Utah. The Lodge is located at 125 North 300 West (Hwy 89) in Kanab, Utah. For more information on Quail Park Lodge, visit quailparkLodge.com or call (435) 644-8700. For more information on Grape Leaf Hospitality, visit glhospitality.com.
