Hotel Check: The Advenire, Autograph Collection

WHERE IS IT? This new hotel is part of the City View project, has its fair share of entertainment with the restaurant scene being varied and well-priced. There’s also a children’s museum, town square with fountains and a merry-go-round, and lots of small boutiques and cafes near the hotel. It’s the perfect finale (or jumping off point) for any visit to and through the Greater Zion region and Zion National Park.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Advenire has plenty of local flair, which as an Autograph Collection hotel is not surprising; this is St. George’s top hotel and for good reason. Designers spared no expense on the interiors with their whimsical Western touches. The moment you walk in, the fragrance of lavender fills the air. A local farm supplies the lavender, which is also used in some of the craft cocktails on the bar menu. Advenire means “to arrive” in Latin, and the hotel’s ethos is to make you feel like you’re in southwestern Utah the moment you arrive. The lobby even features exposed surfaces that were created with soil and sediment from the surrounding area. During my visit, COVID-19 precautions were in place with hand-sanitizing stations everywhere (including cleaning wipes in the lobby), plastic barriers at reception, and social distancing reminders. Still, many of the hotel’s facilities remained open to enjoy, and it was clear that locals enjoy the hotel’s food and beverage scene.

ROOM FACILITIES The 1860s-style décor is both playful and well thought out. Wide hallways lead to rooms decked out in blond wood and colorful fabrics. Plush beds feature oversized pillows and thick duvets with power and USB outlets on either side. Handmade desks have great storage space, and a leather bench at the foot of the bed provides space to unpack. My favorite is the cozy sitting nook in the corner with pillows and a reading lamp to curl up with a book (or your laptop). The hotel’s “pioneer chic” feel features old-fashioned wallpaper and vintage-style silhouettes of hotel employees. Bathrooms are bright with large glass shower stalls, C.O. Bigelow toiletries and terrycloth robes. All rooms feature free wireless Internet, Keurig coffeemakers and hallway hydration stations to refill water bottles. This eco-friendly approach is also evident in the “smart” air conditioning systems designed to switch off when the room isn’t occupied; key cards activate the in-room lights, too. Some rooms have prized terraces overlooking the neighborhood from rocking chairs.

 AND BARS The lobby’s cocktail bar is a big draw with bartenders chipping away at huge blocks of ice and muddling local herbs into tasty cocktails. Wood.Ash.Rye is the main restaurant serving three meals a day; it is incredibly popular with locals, and reservations are a must. The menu features plenty of regional dishes plus favorites like fried chicken and biscuits. A rotating selection of fresh-made pasta is part of the chef’s choice, and it went well with a few of the sharing plates I ordered. One menu highlight, Rocky Mountain Oysters, is not what it sounds like (look it up!), but I did not partake. An open-plan kitchen lets diners watch the action.

LEISURE FACILITIES A rooftop terrace has great views with lounge chairs surrounding fire pits and a scenic whirlpool. On the lobby level, a fitness center features modern equipment including Peloton bikes and free weights. Kids can borrow board games to play in the lobby.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Parking is valet-only, but there are plenty of free spots along the street. The hotel has modest meeting space that is great for social functions or small business events.

VERDICT This is a clever and creative hotel that represents the area well, and as an Autograph Collection member, is sure to please Marriott Bonvoy fans.

HOW MANY ROOMS? 60 rooms and suites

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS Rooftop terrace with whirlpool and firepits; excellent restaurant with craft cocktail bar

PRICE Internet rates for a traditional room start at $175

CONTACT 25 West St George Boulevard, St George, UT, 84770. theadvenirehotel.com