Recapture Lodge — Hotel in Bluff

This should be your hub and base camp if you plan to truly explore the dirt roads, river, and back-country trails in the Bluff/Mexican Hat region. For over 30 years the same owners and their daughters have operated this fantastic hotel. The lobby features a book library complete with 50+ different Utah topo maps for sale as well as a comprehensive library of books, magazines, and articles about the region. The 8 foot x 10 foot topo map mounted on the west wall provides a true feel concerning the tumultuous terrain. The swimming pool and hot tub are surrounded by dense greenery and flowering vines. Best of all, the room entrances all are face east and are shielded by tall trees, providing endless shade for the hotel occupants to sit outside at the many tables or picnic benches and enjoy the ambiance.

San Juan river trip companies use the Recapture Lodge as an overnight starting point so expect to see their vans and many rafters assembling here and there in the lot. The hotel has a limited number of pet-friendly rooms and our big Rottweiler, though there were no more pet-friendly rooms available, was allowed to stay overnight in our pickup truck's camper shell, not far from our room and easy to monitor.

There are numerous trails along the San Juan River that are easily reached by a short, 10 minute walk straight off the hotel parking lot on an old dirt road that is closed to traffic. Our dog loved taaking a swim in the river and we loved the fantastic cliffs that line that section.

The front desk staff is so friendly that pretty soon you'll want to invite them over for dinner, I kid you not. This is a one-of-a-kind place that you should definitely include on your southern Utah explorations. We drove 15 minutes west the next morning and entered the Valley of the Gods, a miniature version of Monument Valley geology, and 2 hours later were hugging the curves of the famous Moki Dugway, hairpin turn dirt road that climbs over 2,000 vertical...

Now...this might be a weird review...because our stay was 15 minutes, but our experience at the Recapture Lodge was so special we wanted to share it.

My friend and I were driving from Colorado to Sedona, and we’d done a lousy job of planning (by which I mean no planning). We just figured American roads usually have loads of lodging options...we’d make a stop if we wanted to. Yeah. Don’t do that anywhere near Monument Valley in May. Our plan was to stop in Bluff and find a room. Hah! Instead we found the owners of this lovely lodge.

With their “No Vacancy” lights lit, they welcomed us for a quick pit stop and a few questions about where we might stay anywhere nearby. It was just dark, there was wildlife everywhere, it was a two-lane road, and we had five more hours to go to reach Sedona. No bueno. The RL owners jumped on the phone (landline...there is no cell service in Bluff) FOR US and called six different lodges within 90 minutes. They let us know that most of the others fill up first (closer to main roads), but they tried anyway. And on call number 6, they struck gold (or we did).

We fortunately got a room in Mexican Hat, about 30 minutes down the road. Without cell service or any inside knowledge, we would have been lost and in some degree of danger. Doing the rest of our drive in the night was a poor idea. More importantly, if we had done it, we would have missed more natural beauty than our brains can comprehend.

We also had the chance to enjoy the near-concert-level performance of one of the owners’ four kids on one of two pianos in the lobby.

We are just awash with gratitude for this place and this couple. They love life, they love hosting, and hospitality isn’t always about a room. Sometimes it’s about extending yourself to help and care for people you can’t house.

We felt the kindest reciprocity would be this review. Support these lodge owners and their family. The entire place has a magical...

If you’re craving a stay that feels like stepping into a simpler, sweeter time, Recapture Lodge delivers that country-living aesthetic in spades. From the moment you arrive, the rustic charm is unmistakable, woodsy decor, a quaint atmosphere, and a vibe that says “slow down and stay awhile.”

The aesthetic is undeniably cute, with thoughtful touches that make the place feel more like a cozy home than a hotel. Each morning starts with a complimentary breakfast featuring fresh coffee and hard-boiled eggs, simple, satisfying, and served with genuine hospitality. One of my favorite parts of the stay was the hummingbird show just outside. Watching them flit around in the early light was pure magic.

Customer service was consistently kind and attentive. The owner, in particular, stood out, always keeping an eye out for guests and making sure everyone felt welcome and cared for. It’s the kind of personal touch that’s rare and deeply appreciated.

Now, a heads-up for summer travelers: Recapture Lodge doesn’t have traditional air conditioning. Instead, they use a swamp cooler system, which actually works quite well when done right but it does require keeping your front window open to circulate the air. Also, I would recommend opening the back window “ at night” to extra help. It kept the room cool enough, but if you’re sensitive to heat, I’d recommend bringing a fan for extra comfort.

That said, this setup is part of the lodge’s old-country charm. It’s not trying to be sleek or modern, it’s embracing tradition, and that’s what makes it special.

All in all, I absolutely enjoyed my time here. It’s a place with soul, warmth, and character. If you’re looking for a peaceful, nostalgic getaway with friendly faces and hummingbirds to greet you each morning, Recapture Lodge is well worth a visit. Just pack a fan and...