The Most Unique Stay at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa, Utah

This blog post is all about our review of Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa in Utah.

Our recent West Coast of America road trip took us to many places, many motels and many hotels.

None of our stays during our three weeks driving across America were as unique and as memorable as our stay at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa in Bluff, Utah.

We were visiting Monument Valley and while Gouldings Lodge wasn’t in our budget, we were so pleased to find an incredibly unique stay in Bluff, Utah, only a 45 minute drive away.

We arrived in Bluff, Utah after the neon buzz of Las Vegas, slightly dusty, slightly tired, and very ready for red rocks and wide open skies.

After this, we were heading towards Tombstone, Arizona, though a rogue nail in our tyre had other plans and temporarily rerouted us to Phoenix. But that is a story for another post.

For now, let’s talk about one of the most unexpectedly special stays of our trip.

I’ll have YouTube content of our West Coast Road Trip up very soon, so make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can see everywhere we visited during our three weeks in America.

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Where to Stay When Visiting Monument Valley

When people plan a trip to Monument Valley, most automatically look at staying inside the valley itself.

The most famous option here is Goulding’s Lodge. And honestly, it makes sense.

Goulding’s has history. It sits right near the iconic red buttes, and it has that classic Old West film backdrop feel.

There’s a lodge, cabins, and a restaurant with huge windows overlooking Monument Valley’s dramatic landscape. If your dream is to wake up and see sandstone towers glowing pink at sunrise without driving anywhere, Goulding’s delivers.

One of my long-time favourite content creators, Victoria Magrath (intheFROW) stayed in an Airstream here and it looked insane. You can see her experience of staying in Monument Valley here if your budget is on the larger side.

However, while Goulding’s Lodge is iconic and in Monument Valley itself, it was just a little bit outside of our price range.

Other hotels directly in the Monument Valley area to consider:

• The View Hotel (they also screen Western movies at sunset every night with Monument Valley as the backdrop, it’s quite amazing)
• Firetree Bed & Breakfast
• Tear Drop Arch B&B

A short 10 minute drive away is Mexican Hat (another rock formation to visit) which has a few resorts located here:

• Hat Rock Inn (4-star hotel)
• Mexican Hat Lodge (motel)
• San Juan Inn and Trading Post (2-star hotel)

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Why We Chose to Stay in Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa

There are two things to consider when looking at Goulding’s Lodge. First, it can be pricey. Second, it books up quickly, especially in peak season.

And depending on what type of traveller you are, you might want something that feels a little different.

That is how we ended up looking slightly outside Monument Valley for a more unique and more budget friendly stay at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa.

Bluff is about a 45 minute drive from Monument Valley. For some people, that extra driving might sound inconvenient. But for us, it was part of the adventure (we are on a road trip after all).

The road between Bluff and Monument Valley is pure iconic desert landscape with vast skies and rolling red earth.

The kind of scenery where you start narrating your own Western film in your head.

Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa offered something we were not expecting in this part of Utah: a boutique style desert resort, surrounded by towering red rock cliffs, with the option to stay in a teepee.

A real one!! Not a novelty backyard glamping tent, but an actual canvas teepee under Utah stars.

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Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa Review

Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa was one of our favourite stays of the entire trip.

After the sensory overload of Las Vegas, pulling into Bluff felt like stepping into a different universe.

The town is tiny, quiet, and dusty in the most cinematic way. And then you see the resort tucked against dramatic sandstone cliffs, and it feels like you have discovered a secret desert hideaway.

The first thing that struck us was the setting. Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa is built directly beneath towering red rock formations that glow at sunset.

It feels private and cocooned by nature. Not isolated in a lonely way, but protected, almost sacred.

And then there was our accommodation.

Staying in a Teepee at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa

We stayed in one of the teepees at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa, which is genuinely one of the most unique hotel experiences we have ever had.

From the outside, it looks straight out of a Western film set. But inside, it is surprisingly comfortable.

There is a proper bed, electricity, TV, air-conditioning (!!), and a huge private bathroom with a shower. It was like stepping into a tent from Harry Potter. You would never guess from the outside just how big it is inside.

It felt like glamping elevated to something more intentional. You are immersed in the desert environment, hearing the wind move across the rocks at night, seeing the stars through the opening at the top, but you are not sacrificing comfort.

No wrestling with sleeping bags, no awkward midnight trips across gravel in total darkness without lighting to find a toilet. Bluff Dwellings Resort teepees strike a perfect balance between adventure and ease.

Waking up in the teepee was magic. The early morning light slowly warming the red cliffs around us made it feel like we were inside a painting. I took photos of just about every corner of the resort.

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Facilities at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa

The main lodge at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa is equally impressive. It has this modern Southwestern design aesthetic, all warm tones, wood, and huge windows framing the cliffs.

There’s an onsite pool and hot tub, which felt slightly surreal in the desert landscape. Floating in the pool while staring at red rock walls is a core memory for me now.

There’s also a spa on site, which adds to that unexpected luxury feel. We didn’t book treatments this time, but after days of driving and exploring Monument Valley’s dusty roads, the temptation was strong.

Thankfully there was also a cafe on-site too, which meant I could wake up to a perfect hot cup of coffee every morning in bed (courtesy of Steff of course).

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Overall Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa Review

The atmosphere throughout the property is relaxed and welcoming. It never felt stuffy or overly polished.

It felt thoughtful, like someone had carefully designed a place that respects the landscape instead of competing with it.

Location wise, it worked perfectly for our Monument Valley plans.

Each morning, we drove out towards the valley, stopping for photos along the way. Having that small commute actually allowed us to see more of the surrounding desert landscape rather than limiting ourselves to one pocket of scenery.

And in terms of value, Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa felt like a smart choice. Compared to staying directly inside Monument Valley, we had more space, more amenities, and a genuinely unique experience without the premium valley pricing.

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Things to Do in Bluff, Utah

Bluff may be small, but it has depth. Real historical depth.

One of the standout experiences for us was visiting Bluff Fort Historic Site. We were given a tour here, and it ended up being far more fascinating than we anticipated.

Bluff was settled in the late 1800s by Mormon pioneers who undertook a brutal journey through southeastern Utah to establish a community.

The tour at Bluff Fort explains how members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints travelled across rugged terrain, carving routes through sandstone cliffs to reach this remote location.

If it’s your first time visiting Utah and you are unfamiliar with the Mormon faith, it is worth understanding how central it is to the state’s history. I’ve personally seen The Book of Mormon musical too many times, so to experience real-life Mormon country was something else!

The Mormon pioneers were sent to settle remote and often harsh areas, building self sufficient communities from almost nothing. Bluff, Utah is one of those places.

The tour we experienced was informative and respectful. It focused on resilience, faith, and survival. It also touched on the complexities of settlement in lands that were already home to Native American tribes, which is an important part of the broader story of the American West.

Understanding this history added depth to our time in Bluff.

Beyond Bluff Fort, the town itself is peaceful to wander. There are art galleries, desert viewpoints, and easy access to hiking trails. It feels slower than many tourist hotspots, which after Las Vegas was exactly what we needed.

But of course, Monument Valley itself is the main draw.

Driving the scenic loop through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, seeing those iconic buttes rising from the desert floor, is unforgettable.

Staying at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa meant we could experience Monument Valley by day and retreat to quiet luxury by night.

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Best Restaurants in Bluff, Utah

Food in Bluff requires a little planning. This is not a place with endless dining options, and opening days can vary.

Always check ahead, because depending on what day of the week you arrive, your choices might be limited.

We ate both evenings at Comb Ridge Eat & Drink, and it was excellent. The menu focuses on regional ingredients and elevated comfort food.

After long days exploring Monument Valley, sitting down to a proper meal in a relaxed setting felt perfect.

We also had a meal at Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room while visiting Monument Valley. Even if you are not staying at Goulding’s, it is worth going for the view alone.

The windows frame Monument Valley’s sandstone formations beautifully, and wandering around the Goulding’s property afterwards gives you a sense of its cinematic history.

Other Bluff restaurants recommended to us included:

• Duke’s
• Canyon Smokehouse
• Twin Rocks Cafe

We didn’t manage to try them this time, largely due to opening schedules, but they came highly suggested by locals and fellow travellers.

The key takeaway is this: check restaurant hours in advance. In small desert towns, especially outside peak season, closures on certain days are common.

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Would I Recommend Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa?

Without hesitation, yes.

Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa was one of the highlights of our entire three week road trip. It offered something different, and something memorable.

Staying in a teepee surrounded by red rocks felt immersive and adventurous, yet we still had access to a pool, spa, and comfortable facilities.

It struck that rare balance between unique and genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes novelty accommodation can feel gimmicky, but this did not.

It felt intentional and beautifully integrated into its surroundings.

If you’re visiting Monument Valley and want something more distinctive than a standard hotel room, or if you are looking for a more budget friendly option than staying directly in the valley, Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa is an amazing choice.

For us, it wasn’t just a place to sleep, it was an experience in itself. And when you’re on a big West Coast road trip, those are the stays that linger long after you come back home.