Originally written for/posted on: templesquare.com

Airbnb has slowly but surely become a household name (no pun intended!) since its inception in 2008. Since then, Airbnb has truly evolved from a couple of college friends renting out their air mattress in San Francisco, to having over 3,000,000 listings in 191 countries. Airbnb differs from your typical hotel stay in that it offers you that cozy “home away from home” feel with some wonderful amenities, including but not limited to hammocks, floating beds, surf lessons, and other things beyond your wildest imagination.

Airbnb is great in that you can both navigate its user friendly website, or, search for your next dream vacation through their nifty app. There, you can choose from a number of filters to zero in on your perfect home, including how many rooms you’d like, if you need Wi-Fi, whether you’d like an entire home or just a room, and, you can even chat with your host via Airbnb’s convenient messaging app.

[source: Tech Crunch]

One could even say that finding the right Airbnb is a bit of an art, but if done right, can be completely worth it in the end. As much as I love staying at hotels with their clean, crisp white bedding and towels, little soaps, and bouncy beds—Airbnb will likely surprise you with all their hosts have to offer.

If you’re planing to come to Utah in the near future you’re in luck, because there are plenty of incredible homes to choose from all over the state. Whether you’ve gotten the call of adventure from The Mighty 5, are curious about the incredible architecture at Temple Square, want to catch some stars at the Sundance Film Festival, or can’t wait to shred the fresh powder at one of Utah’s many resorts, there is sure to be a place on Airbnb that will complete your excursion to this incredible state.

Whatever your reason for visiting Utah, here are some of the best Airbnb’s to consider that are located near some of the best of what Utah has to offer!

Near Zion National Park

The “Almost Inn” Zion | Toquerville, UT

As if the clever play on words wasn’t enough of an indicator of how great this place actually is, the “Almost Inn” Zion is only a stone’s throw away from the immaculate National Park—24 miles to be exact. While some people prefer to stay at lodging within the park itself, you might enjoy the privacy of this scenic property. This particular Airbnb offers a private entrance through the basement in the back of the house with a patio just for you to enjoy. The grill outside is fair game and perfect for a summer BBQ under the stars after a long day of hiking. And did we mention stars? This semi-secluded location is a star gazer’s dream, as the minimal amount of lights allow you to enjoy a starlit sky, full of shooting stars! In the morning, the gracious hosts offer the option of a delicious hot breakfast, adding that perfect touch of hospitality that explains why Carylee is rated as a “superhost.” With a 5-star rating and tons of positive reviews, this is one of the more popular Airbnb’s in the area.

[source: Airbnb.com]

Near Bryce National Park

The “Hilltop Hideaway” | Panguitch, UT

This eclectic Hilltop home is perfect for those looking to get a feel of the vast openness and freedom. This house perfectly captures the essence of the Western front with its vibrant and earthy tones and outdoorsy decor. A small city located about 25 minutes away from Bryce, Panguitch offers a variety of other activities right in their historic downtown-information that the host provides on their homepage. Or just relax after a long day of hiking enjoying the gorgeous scenery and delicious BBQ, you honestly can’t go wrong.

[source: Airbnb]

Near Moab & Canyonlands National Park

Kenzie’s Cottage | Moab, UT

Don’t let looks deceive you with this beautiful, tiny home tucked between two of Utah’s most beautiful National Parks. What Kenzie’s Cottage lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in personality – according to over 100 positive reviews. A perfect couples getaway, this beautiful cottage provides you with everything you need-including a queen size bed, a walk-in shower, and a beautiful outdoor space complete with a relaxing hot tub and a grill, so make sure to bring your favorite food to cook! If you’re looking for something a little bigger, try Moab Adventure Basecamp!

[source: Airbnb]

Near Capitol Reef

Central Utah Recreation Paradise | Monroe, UT

Paradise is never too far in Utah, depending on your definition. If lush green valleys, fireplaces and hot tubs are your idea of paradise-this home is definitely right for you. Spacious, homey and full of everything you might need for a relaxing getaway, previous guests had nothing but raving reviews about Charly and Kellie’s beautiful home-which probably explains why they’re Airbnb Super Hosts!

[source: Airbnb]

Near University of Utah

“Silver Sunset” | Salt Lake City, UT

This beautiful home is nestled in a wonderful location just minutes from Ensign Peak, Temple Square, and other fun downtown attractions. A “luxury” accommodation, this beautiful abode overlooks the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake Valley from the balcony, and can provide extra beds for up to 14 guests. Including both a 60” TV and Wi-Fi, this is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day of shopping, meetings, or tourism in beautiful Salt Lake City.

[source: Airbnb]

Near BYU

“The Underground Designer Apartment” | Provo, UT

Stay at this one-of-a-kind Airbnb for an experience unlike any you’ve ever had. If you’re someone who likes to try new things and don’t mind having a little less natural light, then this is the place for you. Located in the basement of a historic building in the heart of downtown Provo, this underground treasure combines “funky, fun” with “urban living.” This includes an old school Xbox, intriguing artwork, quirky furniture…and oh, did we mention it has a sauna?

[source: Airbnb]

Near Ski Resorts

Snowbird/Alta

“Holladay Hideaway” | Holladay, UT

This cozy space in Holladay is perfect if you want to enjoy both the slopes and downtown. It’s also a great place for families to come and relax by the mountainside while still enjoying a cute neighborhood feel. This newly remodeled gem has a large, open living room, a fully stocked kitchen, and on top of that, super friendly and accommodating hosts. The beautifully kept backyard is also available for events, so be sure to ask the hosts if you’re interested in that option!

[source: Airbnb]

Park City

“A-Frame Haus” | Heber City, UT

Say hello to the coziest little private mountain property located only a short drive away from Park City. Enjoy scenic mountain views from not one, but two decks in this unique cabin built nearly 30 years ago by the owner’s grandparents. A touch of nostalgia mixed in with the modern renovations give this home a peaceful vibe that is sure to be enjoyed by all. The A-Frame Haus is actually one of the few Airbnb hosts in Utah to create an Instagram page, which is super cute! You can follow them here and search #aframehaus to get a better feel of what other guests are saying about the place!

[source: Airbnb]

Beaver Mountain/Bear Lake

“The Two Moose Inn” | Garden City, UT

You’ll likely be visiting this beauty of a Cabin during the Winter, but let’s be real-Cabins are awesome any time of the year. What we love about this Cabin is that it sits 5 minutes from the Bear Lake Marina for your summer fun, and only 15 minutes from your winter activities at Beaver Mountain. With a capacity of up to 13 guests, this is the perfect place to spend some quality time with your big family, or your group of friends. It’s also very kid friendly, with air hockey tables, kids play tables and Amazon Fire Sticks for those low-key Netflix nights.

[source: Airbnb]

Snowbasin/Pineview

“License to Chill” | Ogden, UT

Though this place may only sleep a few people (3 to be exact), it is literally the perfect place to come “chill” after an epic day on the slopes or paddleboarding at the Pineview Reservoir. Enjoy spectacular mountain views from either the deck/balcony area, or from the super cute window day bed. Some other amenities to look forward to? Free Wi-Fi, a nice flat screen TV, a jetted tub, and breakfast IS provided. Need I say more?

[source: Airbnb]

Near St. George

“Ricky’s Desert Oasis” | Ivins, UT

This gem, surrounded by the iconic red rocks of Southern Utah, is the perfect little place to get away with your significant other, or just a few friends. Cozy with a fun and colorful southwestern decor, this gorgeous home can be your personal little oasis for a minimum of 3 nights (but hey, who’s complaining!). Complete with a hammock, hot tub and soothing views of the stars and glorious sunrises and sunsets from their homey little porch, you simply won’t want to leave, unless it’s to explore the beautiful surrounding areas. These include St. George, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, and the Ancient Petroglyphs. If you’re looking to venture out a little further, Zion National Park is also only a 50 mile drive away. This superhost has raving reviews and even makes sure to stock the kitchen with yummy snacks for you to munch on after a long day of soaking up the Utah wilderness.

[source: Airbnb]

Near Sundance

“Luxurious Log Cabin” | Sundance, UT

They say that one should spend money on experiences, and not things-but, what if you could do both? This exquisite hand hewn log cabin, “nestled among the pines on the backside of Mt. Timpanogos,” is a way to treat yourself to a well deserved little getaway. The fresh air, natural sunlight and outdoor vibe of this cozy home is exactly what you need to reset your mind, body and soul. But, have no fear-this humble abode comes well equipped with Wi-Fi, AC & heating, cable TV, a hot tub-if you need that sort of thing..

[source: Airbnb]

Something important to keep in mind is that prices may vary depending on the season. You may also want to double check the cancellation fees and how much they charge for deposits-if any. Airbnb hosts, especially Super Hosts, are typically very communicative. I highly suggest reading to make sure there aren’t any (or too many) negative reviews, and to double check how many nights they require as a minimum stay (most places only require 1-2, depending on the day of the week you’re looking to stay).

Overall, Airbnb wouldn’t be as wildly successful as it is today if it wasn’t composed of a giant community of incredible hosts and people seeking a different type of hospitality experience, and is definitely worth trying at LEAST once! For more ideas while planning your trip to the Beehive State, make sure to add some of these awesome ideas from our Utah Bucket List to yours!