Aquarius Motel, Bicknell

We didn't expect to stay here, but an auto accident just outside town changed our plans. We were not disappointed. The room was huge, clean, well maintained, if a little old (apparently an older part of the motel). We used the weight room, video rental, basketball and volleyball courts, which we hadn't seen before. The owners went above and beyond, assisting us in every way possible for our situation. Forget the tourist-oriented places in Torrey, stay here!

We stayed there 3 nights Oct 2007. W/6 in our family, cost $59.42/night which included tax. BIG BIG newer rooms w/2 Queen size beds. We had ample room for 2 air mattresses besides (could have squeezed one more air mattress in if needed). Very nice pool & hot tub & weight room (all newer). Cable TV, DVD & VHS machines (we only used cable). Small fridge & microwave. Sink & mirror separate in our room from Bath/Shower & toilet. Bath & Shower have door. Counter/Sink & Mirror don't have door. Wireless internet access, though we didn't have computer. One complaint (this happens at many motels) - maids exhale their smoke-filled lungs when cleaning no-smoking rooms after smoking outside on breaks. Smokers don't realize how non-smokers can smell such stuff & how long it lingers. Restaurant remodeled early 2007 - very nice decor & large (100+ capacity). Meals were fair (not bad). Pricing from about $7.50 - $25.00 per meal. Most of our meals were $10.00 - $12.00. They serve wine in restaurant (we don't imbibe ourselves). Not the value for the $ motel is. But decent nevertheless. We looked at conference room. Very nice. Can hold 65 inside easily. 2 handicap restrooms in it. All fairly new & well kept. Covered porch along long front of conference ctr could handle more people in good weather. Basketball, volleyball, tetherball & horseshoe facilities in front of Conference Bldg. Lawn area btwn motel & laundromat would be large enough for games or other large event activities. Laundromat in front of that (Conference Ctr & laundromat are both behind restaurant). Other bedrooms in Motel (16 were very large, at least), may be in other sizes. 2-bedroom room above offices in their own building. Some rooms behind or in back of building attached to swimming pool. They rent videos, DVDs in separate store next to office. Also sell candy & beer (we had no need for latter). Toll-free #. Emil & Lois Brinkerhoff are owners - said they've owned it since 1977. They operate motel now. Had others manage it until about 1996, when Emil still drove truck & they lived then in Las Vegas. Nice people. We definitely will stay there when visiting Capitol Reef again. Both (motel & national park) are incredible!!!