For some people, Valentine’s Day conjures up images of champagne, bubble baths and rose petal-strewn beds. Others would rather pet bunnies and feed pigs. If you fall into the latter category, Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in Kanab, Utah has the V-Day getaway for you. Their special “Make Magic with Your Loved One” three-day weekend deal runs through February, offering a motel stay, sparkling cider, two fluffy robes that you get to keep and vegan breakfast and coffee bar every morning. The roadhouse is part of the amazing Best Friends Animal Society, which runs a famous sanctuary outside Kanab.
A special sanctuary
Best Friends started in 1984 when a group of friends moved to the beautiful red rock country of southern Utah to create an animal sanctuary. These dedicated individuals started a movement to end what was then a widespread practice of euthanizing shelter animals. Best Friends has been a leading voice in the no-kill movement ever since. Nowadays, you can find up to 1,600 cats, dogs, horses, pigs, birds, bunnies and other animals living their best lives in the sanctuary.
Related: This Thanksgiving, cuddle a turkey instead of eating them
It’s a huge place with separate areas for each type of animal it houses. Cat World houses more than 600 cats in 11 buildings! The dogs of Dogtown even had their own TV series for a while, including some canines rescued from NFL player and notorious dog abuser Michael Vick.
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Bring your own pet or schedule a sleepover
This is the first time the Best Friends Roadhouse has offered a Valentine’s Day package.
“So far, the response has been great, with 10 packages booked as of mid-January,” said Julie Barger, director of experience at Best Friends Animal Society. But if you don’t have a human partner, no problem. “If your pet is your sweetheart, the Best Friends Roadhouse is a perfect place to stay,” she said. Up to four pets stay free in your room. “We have two fully fenced dog yards, pet beds and dishes in the room, and there’s a lot of pet friendly opportunities in Kanab to go hiking, exploring or dining al fresco.”
If you have a nonhuman Valentine, let the front desk know when you make your reservation and they’ll prepare a special swag bag.
Or maybe you’re traveling without your pet. Have you ever found yourself in a hotel room, wishing you had somebody to cuddle? Best Friends gives you the extraordinary opportunity to invite a dog, cat or rabbit for a sleepover. It’s a win-win, as you get the cuddles and the pet gets to live the luxe life outside the sanctuary with extra-special one-on-one time with a human.
“If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, you’ll find it at the Best Friends Roadhouse,” Barger said. “The rooms are specially designed to make pets and their owners happy, with amenities such as Frette linens, luxurious vegan bath products, pull out trundle pet beds and free passes to the Best Friends Fitness Center in town.”
Volunteer experiences
You’re probably not going to visit Best Friends unless you’re an animal lover. And as an animal lover, you’ll want to book a tour of the sanctuary and probably even schedule a volunteer shift in one of the animal care areas.
“That can include socializing cats, walking dogs, feeding pigs, playing with bunnies or helping with horses,” said Barger. “Guests are also welcome to take full sanctuary tours or see specific animal care areas in action while visiting. Tours should be scheduled in advance, if possible, or visitors can check in at the welcome center on site to see what’s available in real time.”
In addition to Dogtown and Cat World, you may also want to visit Horse Haven, Marshall’s Piggy Paradise, Bunny House, Parrot Garden and/or Wild Friends, a rehab facility for wild animals. You might need to book an extra night or two at the roadhouse to experience it all.
What’s for breakfast? And lunch?
If you love animals enough to be vegan, you know it’s not always easy finding a decent breakfast when traveling. But the Best Friends Roadhouse will take care of you with a vegan continental breakfast every morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
“Guests can choose from a variety of freshly made pastries and breakfast breads, hot and cold cereals, overnight oats and chia pudding, fruit and plant-based milks to enjoy, along with locally sourced, expertly roasted coffee,” Barger said.
Guests also receive two free lunch passes for the vegan buffet lunch at Angel Village located in Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Expect fresh, hot fare, salad bar, desserts and beverages, including coffee and tea.
Why Kanab?
Kanab and the surrounding area is absolutely gorgeous. If it looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it in a western movie. In fact, the land Best Friends bought in 1984 was known as the Kanab Movie Ranch, because it featured in many films.
“Kanab is a beautiful small town, with gorgeous red rock vistas all around, as well as local hiking and walking trails,” said Barger. “If you’re a foodie, there are lots of delicious options to enjoy, including vegan and vegetarian dishes at most restaurants.”
Or you might want to just hang out with a board game at the Roadhouse Mercantile, or toast vegan marshmallows to make s’mores over a firepit. And as you sit outside, beloved pet and/or human partner by your side, don’t forget to look up. Kanab is known for stunning dark sky viewing.
Images via Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
