ZION NATIONAL PARK, June 8, 2010 � Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of Zion Lodge in Zion National Park, has completed a comprehensive renovation of the historic Western Cabins in the park. 

Built in 1927 by the Union Pacific Railroad, the cabins are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Xanterra contracted with Archdeacon Designs to restore the original look and feel of the cabin but with modern materials as well as plumbing and electrical components and systems.

�The cabins and baths � inspired by Union Pacific archival photos � have been redone to try and capture that feeling of a bygone era that made our national parks one of our country�s proudest achievements,� said Trina Smith, general manager of Zion Lodge. �While we maintained modern conveniences we also returned to a historic feel through great attention to detail.�
 

Historic Western Cabins at Zion are either duplex or quad units. All units have private entrances, two double beds, full baths, air conditioning, telephones, radio-alarm clocks, hair dryers and gas log fireplaces. The cozy Western Cabins were built in the late 1920s by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Changes include the removal of carpeting and refinishing the original fir flooring, addition of custom-designed replica furniture by Old Hickory Furniture Company based upon an original dresser using oak and wicker and the placement of cabin draperies and custom-made blankets to replicate the original Indian designs.

Lighting was fabricated to either match original fixtures or complement them. For example, a scroll design was replicated and used with a candle base to create new double sconces over each bed. The sconces were finished with black powder coating similar to original lighting fixtures and drapery hardware.

The cabins also feature ceiling fans, air conditioning, water heaters, desks with built-in power outlets and beds with triple-sheeted, 300-count cotton.

Environmentally sustainable aspects of the project include building furniture with renewable wood in the forms of oak and hickory saplings, using washable wool instead of fabric requiring dry cleaning, reducing air conditioning by installing ceiling fans and installing energy-efficient water heaters.

Zion Lodge�s motel rooms have also been updated with new carpet, window treatments and bedding.  Televisions are scheduled for installation in the motel rooms by mid-July.

Zion Lodge is open year round and offers 81 rooms, 40 cabins, a restaurant, café and gift shop. Reservations can be made at www.zionlodge.com or by calling 1-303-29-PARKS (1-303-297-2757) or toll-free at 1-888-29-PARKS (1-888-297-2757).

Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of several affiliated Xanterra entities) operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country�s largest park concessioner. Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates concessions in the following locations: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Silverado Resort in Napa, California, and eight Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio's Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been committed to the preservation and protection of the environment for many years. Through its environmental program, �Ecologix,� Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been recognized repeatedly for environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association of America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, National Parks Conservation Association, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality. For more information about Xanterra Parks & Resorts, links to individual properties and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com.