SWS extra day in Moab

[Bobo912]

If you add an extra day at the Red Cliffs Lodge what activities or tours are available that you haven't done already as part of the ABD or wouldn't have time to do in your free time? Looking for things at the lodge or tours that pick up at the lodge, since we wouldn't have a car. TIA for any suggestions.

 

[sayhello]

So thinking about staying local instead? You know how much I adore this trip...

I was there in the early season, so there weren't that many activities offered. You have a free afternoon & a free morning at the Red Cliffs Lodge, so we had plenty of time. Honestly? I'd suggest contacting the Lodge. I bet they could give you a good idea of what kinds of activities would be available whatever time of year you're thinking of going.

http://www.redcliffslodge.com/about-the-inn/directions.htm

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks, sayhello. I had almost made up my mind to book SWS and then the Visa gift card offer came out and I started looking at the international trips again. But airfare is so high now that I'm a little uncomfortable spending that much on travel in a single year. The total for the Galapagos trip for the two of us is over $11,000, so the idea of another $9000-$10000 trip makes me nervous. Today I listened to the podcast about Pete and Walter's trip and I'm leaning towards SWS again. I can still take advantage of the $300 gift card and airfare is 25% or less than any of the international trips. I kept thinking that SWS was a trip we could do on our own, but honestly, if I had to plan it myself, I know I would never find the time to do it.

I looked up Red Cliffs Lodge on Trip Advisor and the reviews are glowing, with many people saying they wish they could have stayed longer. I would be happy just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of my surroundings, but DS needs something to do or he'll be in the room watching Cartoon Network.

 

[sayhello]

I totally agree about the Red Cliffs Lodge. I loved it. Chris, our guide, called it "a little piece of heaven". The setting is spectacular, and the rooms are wonderful. Just make sure you get a river view! I totally expect to go back there some time, just to hang & do stuff there & in Moab. It's a fabulous Lodge, and a fabulous area. I don't think you could do wrong hanging there one or two extra days. I didn't make it to the pool, but several folks said it was great. And there's some nice hiking right across the road. I'm *sure* you could find stuff to keep your DS occupied!

I'll tell you, listening to Pete & Walter's podcast made me want to go back & re-do the whole trip!

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

I think Red Cliffs had some kids programs. We would have loved to stay an extra day or two - it was great. You could probably book an ATV adventure for your extra time - even if you did one earlier on one of your free mornings/afternoons on the abd, you could probably arrange to go into a different area the second time.

fwiw: we didn't have a river view room, but still loved our view. There was a small creek where the horses gathered and it was fun to watch them.

 

[queenmother]

We did the ATVs on Onion Creek and the Hummer Tour up the rocks, they were awesome, others did the rock climbing/rapelling in the canyons. The Lodge can arrange the Moab tour companies to come get you for these activities. The Red Cliffs is a drive out of town, and Moab is far from the airport. How will you get to Grand Junction? One of our tour mates rented a car and drove to Vegas from Moab. That is an option.

 

[Bobo912]

We did the ATVs on Onion Creek and the Hummer Tour up the rocks, they were awesome, others did the rock climbing/rapelling in the canyons. The Lodge can arrange the Moab tour companies to come get you for these activities. The Red Cliffs is a drive out of town, and Moab is far from the airport. How will you get to Grand Junction? One of our tour mates rented a car and drove to Vegas from Moab. That is an option.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was assuming that if I stayed an extra day and booked the room through ABD that I would still have a transfer back to the ariport. Is that not correct?

 

[Smuggs]

I know that ABD does not do any pre-nights for the Southwest Splendor trip, I ma not sure about post nights.

I am still holding off on booking. I missed the 5% off plus the Visa card as well that an agent was offering over Black Friday-Cyber Monday. She said they will be running it again right before Christmas so I can wait! 5% off an ABD is a chunk of change.

 

[Bobo912]

I know that ABD does not do any pre-nights for the Southwest Splendor trip, I ma not sure about post nights.

I am still holding off on booking. I missed the 5% off plus the Visa card as well that an agent was offering over Black Friday-Cyber Monday. She said they will be running it again right before Christmas so I can wait! 5% off an ABD is a chunk of change.

It makes sense that they wouldn't do pre-nights since this trip starts at the airport. I think the folks who stayed an extra night on our Alaska trip still received the airport transfer, but I'm not 100% sure. I'm not sure I want to stay an extra day. If something goes wrong on the last day when I'm responsbile for everything, it will spoil my memory of the trip.

In addition to the ABD Visa gift card offer, you can get an American Express gift card if you book with DU or a Costco Cash Card if you are a Costco member. The Costco cards we've received have been a little more than 5% of the cost of the trip. They go up to a max of $2000. The DU card is about the same for us, but the max is $500. So it works out the same for the two of us, but not as well for a big family. But I think DU give you the card before the trip and, of course, you can use it anywhere, not like the Costco card that you have to use at Costco. You get the Costco card after you return from your trip. I shop at Costco alot, so I like the Costco Card.

 

[sayhello]

It makes sense that they wouldn't do pre-nights since this trip starts at the airport. I think the folks who stayed an extra night on our Alaska trip still received the airport transfer, but I'm not 100% sure. I'm not sure I want to stay an extra day. If something goes wrong on the last day when I'm responsbile for everything, it will spoil my memory of the trip.

Every time I've asked, ABD has said that if you arrange the pre- or post-nights through them, then transfers to/from the airport are included (unless it's one of the Gateway trips that doesn't provide transfers in the first place). And you're right about the pre-nights on SWS. They haven't got anything set up in Phoenix since the trip technically starts in Sedona, and the Phoenix airport is just a pickup. I did 2 pre-nights on my own, and just showed up back at the Phoenix airport for the meet-up time & the transfer to Sedona via Montezuma's castle.

Also, when I went to Alaska, they took me to the Anchorage airport after the trip even though I wasn't flying out for 2 days. After dropping everyone off at their terminals, they took me as close to the car rental desks as they could get with the motorcoach. I think the main issue is the logistics with the motorcoach, and where it needs to be next.

Sayhello

 

[queenmother]

Its a long drive to Grand Junction from Moab, thats all I'm sayin. The bus goes back to Phoenix to get the next load generally.

 

[glassslipper2004]

I LOVED the Red Cliffs Lodge. I would go back there for a week if I could. The logistics may be a little complicated but I say go for it. On both of my ABD's I regretted not adding an extra day or two - you spend so much money and anticipate the trip so much, and then it goes by so fast...