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Family reunions are a time-honored tradition, bringing loved ones together to create lasting memories and strengthen bonds. What better place to celebrate these cherished gatherings than the picturesque city of St. George, Utah? Nestled in the heart of the stunning red rock country, St. George offers a tranquil oasis for families to reconnect. Escape Properties provides the ideal accommodations for such occasions. With these exceptional homes, your family can enjoy a convenient and memorable reunion in this spectacular setting.

Come Stay with Escape

One of the standout features of family reunions in St. George, facilitated by Escape Properties, is the convenience of staying close to each other.  Escape Properties offers a range of spacious and comfortable units suitable for various family sizes and preferences. Here’s a glimpse of some of the fantastic properties you can choose from:


Area 51: Area 51 offers a playful blend of conspiracy, imagination, and quality family time. Its theme is a nostalgic nod to the mid-century American road trip, drawing inspiration from the charm of Route 66 and the vibrant flair of the 1950s, with the occasional lighthearted “alien” twist.

Area 51 is a micro resort located in Hurricane, offering a private pool for endless fun and relaxation. This property is perfect for large families seeking the perfect balance between shared experiences and private moments. You can even bring your pets along!


An Oasis View: Comprising two townhomes in Freedom Village, Oasis View offers the perfect balance of togetherness and privacy. With separate units, your family can stay close while enjoying individual space. These townhomes are equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. The pool, playground and pickleball courts are all directly across the road.


Grand Riviera: Grand Riviera consists of two townhomes. These elegantly designed units offer a tranquil and luxurious escape for your family. Each townhome provides a private and cozy retreat, allowing family members to relax and rejuvenate. The community pool is perfect for the entire family with a slide, lazy river, multiple hot tubs and even a splash pad! Grand Riviera is located in Washington right off the freeway, making it simple to get to your different adventures.


Passport Resort: Passport Resort stands out with its two duplexes, totaling four units. With a plethora of amenities, including three hot tubs, a ball pit, and a play ship for kids, this is a dream destination for families. Each duplex offers a cozy retreat where your family can unwind and make memories. Passport Resort also allows pets.


Booking multiple units together with Escape Properties for your family reunion in St. George offers the added benefit of cost savings, allowing you to enjoy the convenience of shared spaces while making the most of your budget compared to booking each smaller unit individually.

Looking for larger, single units? Escape Properties offers 2 in the scenic Ivins area.

Rendezvous: Paradise Village offers a unique and inviting space for your family reunion. Located in the vibrant Paradise Village community, Rendezvous ensures an unforgettable experience. With a fire pit, hot tub, and a spacious patio, this unit is designed for both relaxation and entertaining. It provides the perfect blend of privacy and shared moments, making it an excellent addition to your family’s St. George getaway. With 2 community pools including multiple slides and a lazy river, there is something for all ages.


Canyon View Oasis: With breathtaking views of Snow Canyon State Park, Canyon View Oasis is an inviting and luxurious property that can accommodate large groups. With 2 living rooms, fire pit and private pool, there is ample room for all your family members to come together under one roof.


Fun Activities for Families

St. George and its surroundings offer an abundance of activities to keep your family entertained during your reunion. Here are some of the exciting options:

  1. Outdoor Adventures: St. George is renowned for its outdoor recreational opportunities. Families can explore hiking and biking trails in Snow Canyon State Park, take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Red Hills Desert Garden, or venture into the nearby Zion National Park for a day trip.
  2. Golfing: If your family loves golf, there’s no better place than St. George. With numerous top-rated golf courses like Red Hills Golf Course and Sunbrook Golf Club, you can enjoy a friendly competition or just take in the scenic beauty of the area.
  3. The Arts: The Tuacahn Amphitheatre offers world-class entertainment in a stunning red rock canyon setting. Check their schedule for Broadway shows, concerts, and other performances during your stay.
  4. Family-Friendly Adventures: Enjoy quality time together with activities such as horseback riding, ATV tours, and exploring the fascinating Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.
  5. Relaxation: Sometimes, the most memorable family moments come from simply relaxing together. Whether it’s enjoying a BBQ by the pool, stargazing in the clear desert skies, or having a family movie night, there are plenty of opportunities for quality time at your Escape Properties rental.

St. George, Utah, is a hidden gem for family reunions, and Escape Properties makes the experience even more extraordinary. With accommodations that cater to all your family’s needs and a wealth of activities to choose from, your reunion will be filled with laughter, adventure, and cherished memories. Make your next family gathering truly special by bringing everyone together in the scenic and welcoming oasis of St. George with Escape Properties.

Over the past few years with the number of new nightly-rental building taking place offering nightly rentals we are asked this question often:

Have we reached a saturation point in the nightly rental market?

This is a great question and one that should be asked before you put down $300-900k on a second home (or more).   What’s the marketing going to be like if you’re just one of 1,000 like?  Will you be able to compete on more than just price?  Is price all you have?  (if it is, will it be a race to the bottom of the pile?)

The short answer is NO.

Of course I will elaborate why I believe this and why the numbers support the conclusion.  I will even go further and give some insights on pricing, creating a unique selling proposition and making your home stand out.

Point 1:  Because city’s codified nightly rentals and worked with developers to build proper communities and inventory, we are seeing that transition or shift to replace legally what was once illegal.

A short 5-7 years ago, most cities didn’t have municipal code in place to handle the boom of the vacation rental.  People were buying second homes and doing the nightly rental thing everywhere they could.  Very wild-wild-west like.  Airbnb was in its infancy and the vast majority of nightly rentals were operated ‘underground’ if you will.  As such no one really knew how many there were in operation.  We knew that on holiday weekends there were 15-20k more people in town and we knew we didn’t have the hotel space to house them and they were staying somewhere but it was a SWAG method to get a number.  Estimates at the time were between 4,000 and 5,200 properties operated short-term stays.  Fast forward to today, the cities have now codified short-term rentals, inventory is being built that meets the code and demand and the underground model is discouraged by the market (some still exist, but it is becoming less of a market share rapidly as no one wants to deal with the headache when you can buy legit nightly rentals)

Meaning the inventory was already there, we just couldn’t quantify it.  Now that we’ve also had crazy demand as well I personally think we have capacity to ad much more before saturation.

Point 2: For every nightly rental built, only about 40% are used and marketed as a nightly rental – available for public occupancy.   It is estimated that 30% are occupied full time or near full time as a primary residence. An estimated 20% were bought as a ‘family only’ use and is used for that owners family, friends etc. only and will never be in a pool – a true second home.  These properties will be in trusts and passed to the next generation(s).

Point 3:  The Greater St George area has always been a ‘regional’ destination.  A sleepy little retirement town between Salt Lake and Vegas – only people along the Wasatch Front knew about for its awesomeness.  Only in the past 10 years has it started to gain national and international recognition as a ‘must see’ place.  We will always retain the 300-400 mile radius draw but now, mega events and the YouTube boost, we are now a destination community.  The Sr. Games, the Ironman, Red Bull Rampage, The ATV/Offroad events, the St George Marathon and its 15+ other little races, the countless baseball and soccer tournaments, dance competitions and with Utah Tech entering Division 1 sports, the drive

for short-term units is growing. All this before you even get into the heavy demand of Zion, The Grand Canyon (north rim), Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon and even little Snow Canyon have their impact.  Toss in the development of Sand Hollow, Quail Lake, Gunlock, Firerock, Anderson Junction and Long Valley reservoirs . . . we’ve barely scratched the surface.

Even as this shift is taking place I personally believe that we could build another 1,500-2,000 units before we even reach a point to start discussing saturation.

 

What may be of more importance than saturation is the risk of ‘sameness’.  This is where there are many units in a small geographical area that are all near the same size, same sleep capacity, look the same from the curb and all have the same “EAT, LOVE, PRAY” art work in the kitchen.  Failure to stand out is a greater risk.

 

To help with this risk here are a few quick points:  First,  think of your systems that adjust your price daily to not always be the cheapest nor the most expensive unit in your market.  Second, stand out.  IF 95% of units in your area are not pet friendly – you should become pet friendly.  Look at adding a THEME to your unit.  A theme is not just putting in a bunk bed and a princess poster and calling it a princess themed room – that’s just sad.  Build a bunk bed that looks like a castle fit for a princess – now you’re cooking with gas.  Look at this unit as an example:  Castle Ridge.

here is another one to get you thinking of how to stand out and improve occupancy as well as short up your rates.  Think a cave or mine shaft with a ball pit- this may inspire you – Silver Reef. 

We’d love to discuss your needs when it comes to buying, selling, managing or theming your property.  Reach out to us today.  435-414-1525.

 

Christmas lights in St. George are spreading holiday cheer throughout the area! From snowflakes glistening in the night sky to Christmas trees twinkling with delight, Christmas decorations are lighting up the town and providing a festive atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for traditional Christmas light displays or something more unique, St. George has something special in store for you this Christmas season. Take some time to explore the various Christmas lights and other holiday decorations around St. George and get into the Christmas spirit!

Hedgehog Electric & Solar provides a great map with every location that is a must-see in the St. George area!

https://www.hedgehogelectric.com/2022-st-george-christmas-light-map/

Come explore Ancestor Square, located in the heart of St. George Utah. This quaint little square is full of shops, restaurants, and galleries, all built around historic buildings. There’s something for everyone here, so come on down and explore!

Restaurants:

George’s Corner Restaurant and Pub: “Big Hand Cafe” was once located on this same corner. It was the most popular spot for tourists to stop by in the 1930s-40s. It was the hub of the town located right next to the only stop light. Now George’s Corner is a popular place to wind down and eat some “Especially Good Food”.

The Pizza Factory: Come enjoy some delicious custom-built pizzas, bread twists, a salad bar, and more. This location has been in Ancestors Square for over 40 years. Tourists say The Pizza Factory is always a highlight of their trip!

The Pasta Factory: Located right next to The Pizza Factory, come in and try the wonderful soups, sandwiches, and pasta! Catering is available if you’re traveling with a group of 20 or more!

Benja Thai and Sushi: Eat out or Dine in Restaurant. Enjoy some diverse cuisine including sushi, Thai noodles, Thai curry, exotic soups, and more!

The Painted Pony: Inspired by the South-West, The Painted Pony has unique flavors and artwork throughout the restaurant. It is the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date night as well.

Check out the other galleries and cute shops around Ancestor Square! Learn more about the history of Ancestor Square here!

 

 

Ancestor Square is the heart of St. George, Utah. It’s a beautiful, historic area that’s perfect for exploring. Here are some fun facts and history about Ancestor Square.

St. George was founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers, and Ancestor Square is named after Brigham Young, who led the Mormon pioneer settlers to the area. The square was originally part of Main Street but was renamed in honor of Brigham Young in 1858.

There are many historic buildings surrounding the square, including the Old Courthouse, which was built in 1876 and now houses the St. George Chamber of Commerce; the Tabernacle, which was built in 1867 and now serves as an event venue; and the Opera House, which was built in 1913 and now serves as a museum.

Ancestor Square is also home to many shops, restaurants, and businesses. It’s the perfect place to spend a day exploring all that St. George has to offer. Thanks for learning more about Ancestor Square!

Zion National Park is a beautiful place to hike and explore. There are hikes for all levels of difficulty, so everyone can find a hike that is perfect for them. The town of Springdale has great food and gift shops, so you can find everything you need while you’re here.

Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes in the park. If you are wanting to hike it during you’re stay, make sure to apply for the lottery with plenty of time in advance! There is a free shuttle service that will take you right across from the trailhead. There is a day before the lottery that you might be able to get a last-minute permit if you stay on top of the deadlines! You can access all of the lotteries and information on nps.gov.

 

For a more family-friendly hike, check out Emerald Pools! Emerald Pools is made up of three different waterfall destinations. The lower falls are easiest to access and are only a 1.2-mile round trip. Going up to the middle falls is 2 miles round trip while the upper falls is a total of 3 miles round trip.  This hike has many different duration/difficulty options and is great for little kids! The trailhead is located by the Zion lodge which has restrooms, drinking water, a restaurant, and a small gift shop!

Oscar’s Cafe is one of the top restaurants near Zion National Park located in Springdale. This restaurant offers a variety of food ranging from Mexican to salads, burgers, and sandwiches. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s the perfect place to fill up after a long hike on the beautiful red rocks. It’s wonderful to sit in the outside dining and see the big cliffs surrounding you.

Lastly, Springdale Candy Company is the best place to stop by after dinner while enjoying the shops. Located right on Zion Park Blv, it’s surrounded by all the restaurants for some yummy sweets! They have delicious candy, desserts, and ice cream!

 

Come enjoy Zion National Park! Hurricane is about 30 minutes away and the perfect place to stay to enjoy Southern Utah. Check out our properties in Hurricane HERE!

Snow Canyon is a state park in Utah that is known for its hiking trails and red sandstone cliffs. The park is located in the city of St. George and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. There are red cliffs, white sand dunes, and black lava flows.

 

There are many different hiking trails to choose from, so there is something for everyone. Whether you want a short hike or a longer hike, there is a trail for you. Some of the popular trails include:

Red Mountain Trail: This is a 3-mile round trip hike that takes you to the top of red mountain. The views from the top are incredible and it is definitely worth the effort to get to the top.

Snow Canyon Trail: This is a 7-mile round trip hike that takes you through snow canyon. The trail is beautiful and has many different landscapes.

Johnson Canyon Trail: This is a 5-mile round trip hike that takes you through a canyon with red sandstone walls. The trail is fairly challenging in parts, but the views are worth it.

Petrified Dunes: Perfect for all ages, the petrified sand dunes are a great place for kids to explore!

If you are looking for things to do in Snow Canyon State Park, hiking is definitely one of the best options. No matter which trail you choose, you are sure to have an incredible experience. So, get out there and explore Snow Canyon State Park!

 

Looking for somewhere to stay near Snow Canyon State Park? If you have a large group, check out Canyon View Oasis. It has a private pool and is about 10 minutes away from the park entrance. Get more information here.

 

15 minutes away from Snow Canyon State Park is a popular resort, Sports Village. There are plenty of condos to stay at, from one-bedroom condos to units that sleep up to 10. Included in your stay are access to the club house, pickleball courts and pools! See all of our condos at Sports Village here!

 

 

If you’re looking for a summer getaway that includes lots of options for outdoor activities, then look no further than St. George, Utah. This desert oasis is home to several lakes, all of which offer something different for visitors. Whether you want to go boating, fishing, swimming, or just enjoy a picnic by the water, there’s a lake in St. George that’s perfect for you.

Here are just a few of the lakes you can find in and around St. George:

 

Quail Creek State Park: This man-made reservoir is located about 20 miles north of St. George. It’s a popular spot for boating, fishing, and swimming, and there’s also a 3-mile hiking trail that circles the lake.

 

Sand Hollow State Park: This state park is located about 10 miles southwest of St. George. It’s known for its red sandstone cliffs and turquoise waters, and it’s a popular spot for fishing, camping, and ATV riding. There are also two sand dunes that you can explore.

 

Gunlock State Park: This state park is located about 20 miles northwest of St. George. It’s a popular spot for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. There’s also a 1-mile hiking trail that leads to a waterfall.

 

Whether you’re looking for a place to cool off or just want to enjoy some time outdoors, be sure to check out one of the lakes in St. George. There’s something for everyone. You’re sure to find the perfect lake for your next adventure.

 

Don’t have your own equipment? There are multiple local rental companies around town. Or vacation in a home that has them included!

 

Lil’ Hacienda is just down the road from Sand Hollow and has kayaks, paddle boards and a trailer available for your use. Check out Lil’ Hacienda here.

 

See Cactus Rose details here. Cactus Rose has a kayak for guests to use, bring your truck and life jackets!

 

Castle Ridge has 2 inflatable paddleboards. Book our adventure themed home here!

I am a NOVICE (beginner) at Mountain Biking – truth be told, I still rent my bike each week as I am debating if I like this sport or love it – but I am fascinated with the adventure and culture.  It costs me about $75 each time to rent, but these are like $3-4,000 dollar bikes, so I feel I am getting a deal.  I will eventually buy my own, but like I said, I am still debating if I like this sport.  (leaning yes)

The above image is of the RED BULL RAMPAGE held each year on the 3rd Sat. of October (usually).  There are some of the most spectacular videos of this sport captured right here in St George.  I know I will never do these things these world class athletes do (unless it’s the last thing I do).  I can and do feel the adrenaline surge and my palms perspire as I watch over and over these videos.

As a new Mountain Bike nerd I found a great trail website Trail Forks. This is a site that gives insights to all of our trails in the area.  According to them there are 250+ trails within a 30 minute drive of my home.  This means St George is a perfect playground for mountain bikers from all over the US and World.

I am glad to see our communities building venues like Snake Hollow in St George.  This venue is for locals and visitors alike to build and practice skills and have quality time with friends and family.

As an investment property owner we love to see our units get booked and we get really excited when we it books to top dollar too!  But what is “Top  Dollar”?  Take a minute and think where you consider the value point to be.

Spoiler alert – it is virtually impossible to define as it is highly subjective.  To the consumer – $200 may be top dollar.  To the owner $1,000/night is a dream top dollar.  The reality is ‘It Depends’ and its somewhere in between.  IF we always market at $1,000/night however we may have very few bookings.

Baseball

As a strategy we want to find the ideal balance between price as well as occupancy – the sweet spot.  We look at the best winning strategy is similar to how a coach works to win a baseball game.  They do this by focusing on base hits – singles and doubles.  The percentages of success goes up on singles.  When we load the base throughout the year our revenues are consistent and predictable.  Then we set ourselves up for home runs on key events such as Presidents Day, Thanksgiving etc. – and at the end of the year we will have a winning season.  If we focus on only the home run or big plays, and not the basics and fundamentals, then our joy will be limited and far and few between.  Keep your eye on the year over year performance.

Scoreboard

Escape Properties has invested significantly into predictive pricing tools that analyze your property comparatively to other like properties within a geographic area using anonymized data through Airbnb, VRBO and our historical transactions.  This is powerful AI technology similar to what the airline industry uses to predict occupancy and rates.

 

As such we, as a team, only need to look at 2 numbers.  Your BASE (the number the AI +/- value from to set the daily rate) and the MINIMUM or the lowest daily rate we will accept for a booking.  At the start we will analyze your property and help set these numbers.  Over the first 6 months we review how the property is doing and make micro adjustments to fine tune performance.  There is a score tool in the system.  Our objective is to keep that score at +/- 5 points of 80 on a scale of 0-100.  This is a health score.  If the score is too high suggests that our rates are too low and occupancy it too high and placing operational stress on a property.  Too low suggests that our rate is too high and our revenues are not going to be where we want them to be.

As the owner, you’re part of our team in setting occupancy and revenue plans.  Our role is to execute and report back.  About 2 times per year we will connect with you to review these goals and objectives and plan special pricing or marketing strategies with you.  To me, this is the fun of vacation home ownership – fine tuning its performance.

Engine