I want to like Field Station. I like their concept, renewing an out of date motel and curating an adventure hub that you can rely on for a consistent experience across their brand (though their Moab location was sold to a corporate chain). But after multiple stays, I'm concluding it's all a bit half-assed, and not well-thought out.
The good things: the entire campus is so clean. Our rooms were immaculate, very modern, and common spaces were cute and welcoming. The beds are 1000% the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever stayed on. Towels are comfortable, and I ended up ordering a set the first time I stayed here. Our spacious room was great for organizing and sorting gear before/after JTree adventures. And the Nomadix blankets are great for winter stays - they turn into a cape that I can multitask in (read: have a drink by the fire pit) while staying cozy. Oh, and I was given a returning customer discount when I emailed ahead of booking.
Now for the not so good things that you should consider before staying here:
1. It's an old hotel with thin walls, despite the refurbishment. You will hear your neighbors, and your neighbors will hear you. And if you have a grumpy guest yelling at the poor staff for things out of their control, you'll hear that too.
2. It likely depends on the room, but don't plan to use all 5 beds if you book the double bunk room. We booked the room for a group of climbers, and luckily our 5th opted to get a separate room with their partner because one of the top bunks is directly beneath both the ceiling lamp (heating the bed space and blocking the light from reaching most of the room that doesn't have any other lighting) and beneath the only air vent in the room (which kicks on every 30 minutes, directly into the pillow side of the upper bunk). I "slept" in this bunk one night, and couldn't figure out a way to block the air from sweeping onto me and waking me up every time.
3. No matter the room, it comes with an uncomfortable camping bench for two. Yes even in the room supposedly meant for 10. The luggage bench, with its bumpy rubber rails (our room was missing the bench cushions other rooms had) was not suitable for anyone trying to play board games (nor was the tiny table). We grabbed the folding chair out of the primary bedroom and pulled in the 2 Adirondack chairs from the balcony.
4. There's two outlets in the main living area - one for the fridge and one for supposedly 8 people's worth of rechargeables. No extension cords or surge protectors at Field Station, we asked. In a smaller room I stayed in, they were part of the furniture next to the bed. In the double bunk room, plan to invade the primary bedroom with your phones, watches, headlamps, battery packs, etc.
5. The WiFi was shoddy enough in our building that not even the TV could connect to anything. After 20 minutes of letting it buffer, freeze, and snow, we gave up.
6. The bathroom is claustrophobically small, you'll have to spin in place to close the door. The window looks directly into another bathroom. And there is extremely limited spots to hang a wet towel - ONE hook in or near the bathroom, no crossbar under the sink, no rod in what used to be the closet alcove, anything. We got creative hanging it from chairs and bed posts, but this felt ridiculous for it not being a hostel.
7. No amenities in room except for a fridge and a thermostat (which was a plus that it worked well). The microwave is in the lobby, purchase coffee at the cafe, and we brought our own camp kitchen to slap some sandwiches together before we headed out for the day.
8. Don't expect to use the fire pit for s'mores. I'd called in advance to ask, and got incorrect info that we could roast mallows, but staff politely asked us not to because they can't have things dripping into the metal rings.
9. Gear shop doesn't have much in the way of gear. It's 90% clothing with a few technical items under a glass display case. Familiar brands like Outdoor Research and Black Diamond though!
All in all, our stay was nearly $1,000 and there were far more cons than pros. I'd recommend Field Station for a couple or family, but if you want to book as a group in a suite, I'd continue looking. read more