Review: Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, A Dog-Lover’s Destination Worth the Drive

When the Dog Friendly Las Vegas team packed up for Kanab with our own resident reviewer, Roadie, we weren’t sure what to expect. Many hotels claim to be “dog friendly,” but too often that means a patch of grass behind the parking lot and an extra cleaning fee tacked onto the bill. Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, however, isn’t just another pet-permitted property — it’s a purpose-driven extension of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, one of the nation’s most respected rescue organizations. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was something entirely different.

A Welcome That Feels Personal

We checked in on Halloween night, greeted by cheerful staff who immediately made us feel at home. A welcome sign at the front desk displayed Roadie’s name, setting the tone for a stay built around thoughtfulness and heart. Alongside our keycards came a Blue Buffalo treat bag — just one of many small touches that made it clear dogs aren’t just tolerated here; they’re celebrated.

Our queen room, located on the first floor of this modernized, two-story, outdoor-entry hotel, was designed with dogs in mind at every turn. A clever wooden slat door served as a secondary barrier to prevent curious pups — or visiting Sanctuary dogs — from dashing into the courtyard. Inside, two bowls and a dog mat sat beneath a custom sign welcoming Roadie, while a slide-out dog bed tucked neatly beneath the platform bed was ready for instant use. The space was modern yet warm, with clean lines, remote-operated blinds and lighting, and photos of Sanctuary founding animals adorning the walls. Even the closets were enclosed to keep supplies secure from curious noses.

We did find that the in-room bowl mat was just a tad undersized for the two provided bowls, so we ended up using it solely for water. And while we loved the addition of the new, plush under-bed dog bedding, it fit so snugly that pulling it out fully took a bit of extra effort. Minor things worth noting for guests with larger dogs, mobility issues or older dogs who might appreciate just a little more wiggle room or that tend to be messy.

A Stay Designed Around Dogs

What makes Best Friends Roadhouse so remarkable isn’t just the absence of pet fees or the generous allowance of up to four dogs per room — it’s how the environment feels designed for them. Outdoor space is plentiful, from a fenced dog park for large breeds to a separate space for smaller pups, both decorated with colorful artwork and connected by a shared firepit. These areas were spotless, tranquil, and — remarkably for an in-town property — almost entirely free of road noise.

Roadie quickly made friends during our morning park visits, as local and visiting dogs mingled freely under the watch of equally friendly owners. One guest from Las Vegas told us it was his sixth stay at the hotel, meeting friends there annually to hike the red rock trails with the four dogs they brought between them. Their enthusiasm mirrored our own; this wasn’t just a place to sleep — it was a community built around dogs and the people who love them.

We also appreciated the complimentary self-serve dog wash – a feature that’s both practical and generous after a dusty desert day. Roadie’s enthusiasm for freedom made bath time a bit of a juggling act, the addition of a leash clip or tether to keep pups from splashing away from the ominous clean water would streamline the experience. Still, having a dedicated wash area with shampoo, conditioner, towels, and a dryer was a luxury most hotels can’t match. Guests also have access to a no-cost laundry area, another thoughtful touch rarely seen in properties of this size.

Comfort for Humans, Too

While the focus is undeniably canine, human guests are far from overlooked. Our room was compact but efficient, with thoughtful amenities like cruelty-free bath products, ample charging stations, a spacious bathroom, and bedding designed to handle even the most devoted co-sleeping dogs. Morning began with a complimentary vegan breakfast in the Mercantile, featuring hearty oatmeal, warm bites, and muffins — plenty to fuel a day of hiking or volunteering. Guests could enjoy breakfast indoors with their dogs or on the sunny outdoor patio, where water bowls were freshly filled.

The Mercantile itself doubles as a boutique and community hub, stocked with snacks, merchandise, and information about the Sanctuary. Staff were warm and conversational without being intrusive, always ready to offer local insights or share stories about the animals benefiting from each stay.

Pricing adjusts seasonally, fall rates ranging from approximately $136 per night for a Queen room to around $319 for a two-level suite. members of Best Friends Animal Society, whose annual membership starts at just $25 annually and directly supports the Sanctuary’s mission, receive $20 off per night. Flexible payment options are also available through the Roadhouse site, making a stay here both accessible and meaningful.

Connecting with the Mission

Every stay at Best Friends Roadhouse supports Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, located just five miles north in Angel Canyon. Guests are encouraged — but never pressured — to visit the Sanctuary, take a tour, or volunteer. Our team member Michael joined the morning Dogtown crew for a three-hour shift, helping prepare meals and clean housing areas for adoptable dogs. The facilities, staff, and volunteers reflected the same compassion and care we felt at the Roadhouse.

We also took advantage of the Sanctuary’s Angel Village Café for lunch — a delicious, fully vegan buffet offered free to Roadhouse guests or just $5 for visitors. The panoramic view overlooking Grand Staircase-Escalante was worth the short drive alone. Between the café, the animals, and the shared purpose that ties it all together, it was clear how seamlessly the hotel and Sanctuary work hand-in-hand.

In 2025 alone (January through September), The Roadhouse welcomed 546 animal companions, hosted 350 Sanctuary sleepovers and served up blisfful nights sleep for nearly 8,000 travelers, volunteers and Sactuary visitors. The Sanctuary itself saw more than 34,000 visitors during that same period – a clear sign of the growing connection between dog-focused travel, tourism, and animal welfare, and the role Best Friends Roadhouse plays in that connection.

More Than a Stay — A Sanctuary Experience

From cruelty-free shampoo to personalized dog beds, the Roadhouse delivers luxury through empathy. It’s the difference between a “dog-friendly” hotel and a “dog-welcoming” one. The staff never overstepped boundaries with Roadie — no unsolicited petting or crowding — but every interaction was filled with genuine warmth and respect for both pets and people.

Though we stayed in a standard queen, other rooms include additional touches like built-in pet cubbies and kitchenettes, designed for extended stays or family visits. The property also includes a small amphitheater used for weddings following ceremonies at Angel’s Landing inside the Sanctuary — a meaningful extension of the same mission of love that defines the brand.

The Dog Friendly Las Vegas Review

We rated Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile five stars for humans and five paws for dogs across every category:

• Dog friendly staff: Yes
• Clear policy and communication: Yes
• Dog amenities available at check-in: Yes
• Outdoor space: Accessible, clean, well-kept, with waste stations
• Noise level: Exceptionally quiet day and night
• Comfort for humans: Excellent
• Human amenities: Fully available and thoughtfully integrated

Exceptional call-outs: “Purpose meets comfort in this dog-lover’s dream stay.”
Constructive comments: “We only wish more hotels followed this lead.”
Dog-Friendly Category: Absolutely “Dog Welcoming.”

Why Kanab Should Be on Every Vegas Dog Owner’s Map

Roughly 200 miles and just under a four-hour drive from Las Vegas, Kanab feels like an escape in the truest sense — a quiet red-rock town where time slows down, the air feels cleaner, and dogs are not only welcome but expected. It’s surrounded by some of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes, with Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes all within easy reach. For dog owners who crave open space and natural beauty without the crowds, this part of southern Utah is hard to beat.

Kanab’s charm runs deeper than its scenery. Known as “Little Hollywood,” it’s a town steeped in Western film history — the backdrop for classics like Gunsmoke, Stagecoach, and The Lone Ranger. Strolling its quiet streets, you’ll spot nods to that cinematic past alongside modern cafés, local shops, and the kind of easy hospitality that makes travelers (and their dogs) feel instantly at home.

For those coming from Las Vegas, Kanab offers the best of both worlds: close enough for a weekend getaway, far enough to feel like you’ve truly gotten away. Whether you’re hiking among coral-colored dunes, exploring trails with your dog by your side, or simply sitting under the stars after a day well spent, it’s a place that reminds you how good it feels to slow down — and to share the adventure with your best friend.

This isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a reminder of what’s possible when hospitality meets heart.