Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
Purpose-built pet-centric boutique motel with warm Southwestern design — barn doors, tiled bathrooms, slatted walls separating sleeping and sitting areas. Community-oriented, casual, and genuinely mission-driven. Feels less like a hotel and more like a basecamp for animal lovers.
Best Friends members get $20 off per night — membership pays for itself quickly if you're staying multiple nights
Why It Matters
This is not just pet-tolerant — pets are treated as full guests. Each room is named for a Best Friends alumni animal. The property runs on a no-kill mission: all proceeds support Best Friends Animal Society. You can host a sanctuary dog or cat for a sleepover, take a complimentary shuttle to the Sanctuary for tours or volunteering, and get two free vegan lunch tickets at the on-site Angel Village Café. It has won Best Motel in Utah (Best of State) in 2022 and 2023, and earned a 2024 Travelers' Choice Award from TripAdvisor.
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is the only pet-centric lodging in Kanab, Utah — and that distinction is taken seriously. The 40 rooms are purpose-built with built-in sleeping nooks for dogs and cats, pet-airlock entry doors to foil escape artists, and slide-out pet beds tucked under the main bed platform. Every dollar you spend here funds Best Friends Animal Society, the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, located just five miles up the road.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
King Suite
A step up in square footage and pet integration. The King Suite comes with an actual built-in doghouse in the room — not a gimmick, a proper little architectural nook in the furniture — plus bedside snuggle nooks for cats and dogs. The kitchenette (small fridge, cooking surface, microwave) seats six, making it work for small groups. Eight of these suites have the option to add an adjoining double-queen room for larger parties. Entry through a foyer with a pet introduction door. Barn door separates the bathroom from the living/sleeping space.
King
Standard Room – King
The most common room type at the Roadhouse. A slatted wall separates the sitting area from the sleeping area, giving it a touch of design intent beyond standard motel. Tiled bathroom with open vanity area, sliding barn door for privacy, and separate toilet and shower. The armoire doubles as a desk. The real differentiator: a pet introduction double-entry door (so your dog can't dash out when you open it) and built-in nooks in the bedside nightstands sized specifically for a dog or cat to curl up in.
King
Standard Room – Queen(s)
Same layout and pet features as the King Standard, but configured with one or two queen beds instead. Good option for families or friends traveling together. Sitting area, slatted divider wall, tiled bathroom with sliding barn door, armoire desk, wardrobe, and TV all included. Pet introduction double-entry door and bedside nooks for pets.
One or Two QueensTwo-Level Suite
The biggest option at the Roadhouse and clearly built for families or groups who are serious about bringing their whole crew — pets included. Ground floor has a living room with pull-out queen sofa sleeper, half bath, and a full kitchen (dining table, six chairs, small fridge, cooking surface, microwave). Head upstairs for twin bunk beds, a king bed, a working area, TV, slide-out pet bed, and two pet nooks. The upstairs bathroom has a two-sink vanity. Entry through a pet-airlock door. Everything the King Suite has, but with more sleeping options and two floors of space.
King + Twin Bunk Beds + Pull-Out Queen SofaThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Sanctuary is five miles north of the Roadhouse on Highway 89 — this is the main draw for most guests. Home to up to 1,600 dogs, cats, horses, birds, pigs, bunnies and more on a 5,800-acre property in Angel Canyon. Guided tours run every 90 minutes. The Roadhouse provides a complimentary shuttle to the Welcome Center. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Fenced dog park on the Roadhouse grounds with a splash water feature that operates seasonally. Available exclusively for Roadhouse guests and their dogs. Good for burning off energy after a long drive.
An outdoor fire pit on the Roadhouse grounds that guests use in the evenings. Popular gathering spot — guests with dogs tend to congregate here.
The Roadhouse offers a booking service for local outdoor adventures in the area. Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness are all within reach.
The Mercantile patio hosts occasional live evening music performances. Schedule is not fixed — check the Roadhouse Facebook page before your visit for upcoming events.
Arguably the most unique thing you can do here. Host a homeless dog or cat from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in your room overnight. Must be arranged with the front desk before arrival. Guests doing sleepovers cannot simultaneously travel with their own personal pets. Arrive at the Roadhouse before 2pm Mountain Time on sleepover day.
Walk a dog, cuddle cats, feed pigs, or tidy up after rabbits at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The Roadhouse coordinates volunteer shifts for guests. This is hands-on animal care — not a petting zoo visit.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Served in the Mercantile building 7:30–9am daily. Coffee available from 6:30am. All food is plant-based. Specialty coffees and snacks also available for purchase throughout the day.
Each stay includes two complimentary all-you-can-eat vegan lunch buffet tickets for the Angel Village Café at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Each room includes an INTELITY® in-room control and information tablet for room controls and hotel information.
Outdoor communal fire pit on the Roadhouse grounds.
On-site fenced dog park for Roadhouse guests, with a splash water feature that operates seasonally.
Complimentary self-service dog washing facility on grounds. Shampoo, towels, and blow dryers included.
Pets stay completely free — no extra nightly charges, no weight limits mentioned. Up to four household pets per room.
Open to the public. Sells prepared vegan food items, pet necessities, Roadhouse and Best Friends branded merchandise, and outdoor/travel supplies.
Complimentary self-serve laundry facilities for guests.
Shuttle service to the Best Friends Animal Society Welcome Center for Sanctuary tours.
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