Grand Canyon Hotel Help

[Muddy Rivers]

Was wondering if anyone can suggest a reasonable hotel very near the Grand Canyon. We are looking for a chain only because of consistent quality. I get nervous about independent motels that are sight unseen.

We've posted on the Disneyland - West board but there is no where near the activity as on the WDW boards. DIS Board people have always been so helpful in the past. We were hoping some Budget Board followers may have traveled out West and can give us some help.

 

[jel0511]

We stayed at El Tovar last summer. Book quickly as it sells out quickly. You can make reservations 12 months in advance. It's located right on the canyon's rim, and was very clean.

 

[Snoozan]

We stayed in one of the Bright Angel cabins right on the South Rim. The hotels right inside the Grand Canyon Park are not chain hotels. The accomodations are rustic, but clean, however, the view cannot be beat!.

 

[aboveH20]

We stayed three nights at the Holiday Inn just outside the park -- but very close. There are a few restaurant within walking distance and of course a couple souvenir shops. I think it was an Express, meaning it includes a simple breakfast.

 

[hsmamato2]

I recommend staying inside the park, it's all run by xanterra, not fancy,but clean,and you are right there to see things....I stayed at Yavapai lodge(motel rooms) it was very basic but clean. I liked the look of the bright angel cabins right near the rim.... next time,I'm gonna book there! We went for the sightseeing,not for the room though. We didn't want to waste time driving in and out....even the Yavapai, which was a walk over to the rim thru some woods was very nice,there are little stores and places for food too.

 

[MrsPete]

The first question is, Which Grand Canyon do you plan to visit?
The four typical portions offer very different experiences:

Most people visit the South Rim -- and all the hotels recommended thusfar are for the South Rim. This is a national park, and it is open year-round. During the summer it is incredibly crowded -- so crowded, in fact, that you're not allowed to drive your private vehicle, but they provide bus transportation. It's, by far, the most commercial of the choices, and you'll find multiple hotels, fast food and chain restaurants, etc. If you want to visit the South Rim (or ride mules), you must make your reservations FAR in advance.

Open only during the summer months, the North Rim is an entirely different experience. It's much more remote, and because its elevation is quite different it's about 10 degree cooler at all times (we stayed there over July 4th, and we never noted the lack of air conditioning). The North Rim is also a national park, and instead of hotels they have small cabins -- they look just like Lincoln Log cabins. This area is much less crowded, but it's also far from civilization -- no chain hotels, no restaurants just outside the park. You shouldn't show up without hotel reservations, but you can expect to get same-day mule rides. They offer an evening program that includes a train ride and a very good dinner. You can expect to see more wildlife at the North Rim.

If you want to actually sleep IN the canyon, you can stay at Phantom Ranch, which is at the bottom of the canyon. If you're in great shape, you can hike in one day and out the next . . . or you can book a mule trip. The hotel at the bottom is owned by the national park system and books a year in advance. Your overnight accomodations include meals.

The last choice is the Western Rim. This is not a national park; rather, it's owned by the Havasupai Indian tribe. You can hike in or (if you have plenty of money) be ferried on a helecoptor. At the bottom you can either camp or stay in their hotel. They have waterfalls and natural swimming pools. This is the least-visited portion of the Grand Canyon, and it takes more planning than the other options.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Try looking on tripadvisor.com for reviews and recommendations.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you to all for your suggestions. We are looking at visiting the South Rim. We plan on driving from Vegas with a stop at the Hoover Dam. We are going June 2014 so we are able to book a year in advance.

Has anyone driven to Anaheim from the Grand Canyon? We know it is a long ride and are thinking about staying a night somewhere in between. Perhaps Palm Springs. Any suggestions we should consider?

We really appreciate all of the help.

 

[gr8leg8]

The first question is, Which Grand Canyon do you plan to visit?
The four typical portions offer very different experiences:

Most people visit the South Rim -- and all the hotels recommended thusfar are for the South Rim. This is a national park, and it is open year-round. During the summer it is incredibly crowded -- so crowded, in fact, that you're not allowed to drive your private vehicle, but they provide bus transportation. It's, by far, the most commercial of the choices, and you'll find multiple hotels, fast food and chain restaurants, etc. If you want to visit the South Rim (or ride mules), you must make your reservations FAR in advance.

Open only during the summer months, the North Rim is an entirely different experience. It's much more remote, and because its elevation is quite different it's about 10 degree cooler at all times (we stayed there over July 4th, and we never noted the lack of air conditioning). The North Rim is also a national park, and instead of hotels they have small cabins -- they look just like Lincoln Log cabins. This area is much less crowded, but it's also far from civilization -- no chain hotels, no restaurants just outside the park. You shouldn't show up without hotel reservations, but you can expect to get same-day mule rides. They offer an evening program that includes a train ride and a very good dinner. You can expect to see more wildlife at the North Rim.

If you want to actually sleep IN the canyon, you can stay at Phantom Ranch, which is at the bottom of the canyon. If you're in great shape, you can hike in one day and out the next . . . or you can book a mule trip. The hotel at the bottom is owned by the national park system and books a year in advance. Your overnight accomodations include meals.

The last choice is the Western Rim. This is not a national park; rather, it's owned by the Havasupai Indian tribe. You can hike in or (if you have plenty of money) be ferried on a helecoptor. At the bottom you can either camp or stay in their hotel. They have waterfalls and natural swimming pools. This is the least-visited portion of the Grand Canyon, and it takes more planning than the other options.

Mrs. Pete - You Rock!

This was very helpful.

 

[Ashley80]

We stayed in one of the Bright Angel cabins right on the South Rim. The hotels right inside the Grand Canyon Park are not chain hotels. The accomodations are rustic, but clean, however, the view cannot be beat!.

YES! We stayed here and LOVED it. I HIGHLY recommend these little cabins. LOVED it.

 

[Princessmom2]

We stayed in one of the Bright Angel cabins right on the South Rim. The hotels right inside the Grand Canyon Park are not chain hotels. The accomodations are rustic, but clean, however, the view cannot be beat!.

Yet another vote for the cabins-we stayed here also and loved it!

 

[Lizzim]

Thank you to all for your suggestions. We are looking at visiting the South Rim. We plan on driving from Vegas with a stop at the Hoover Dam. We are going June 2014 so we are able to book a year in advance.

Has anyone driven to Anaheim from the Grand Canyon? We know it is a long ride and are thinking about staying a night somewhere in between. Perhaps Palm Springs. Any suggestions we should consider?

We really appreciate all of the help.

We drove from Anaheim to the Canyon last September. There should be a link to my blog in my signature. I highly recommend the accommodation in the national park....it wasn't fancy but was clean and you cannot beat the location!

 

[tar heel]

We were very happy with Yavapai Lodge. I think staying in one of the National Park hotels is part of the experience. In a chain hotel, you could be anywhere.

We enjoyed the Grand Canyon but were more blown away by Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado (liked the lodge there, too). Perhaps it's because we had seen so many pictures of Grand Canyon.

 

[robsmom]

I agree with the prior posters suggesting to stay in the Park. We only stayed one night at the El Tavor hotel and it was beautiful. So peaceful. They have different motels/hotels at different price points, so hopefully one will meet your budget and needs. They have buses that run from point to point within the park and stop and the hotels. This can cut back on your driving.

 

[mafibisha]

We were very happy with Yavapai Lodge. I think staying in one of the National Park hotels is part of the experience. In a chain hotel, you could be anywhere.
We enjoyed the Grand Canyon but were more blown away by Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado (liked the lodge there, too). Perhaps it's because we had seen so many pictures of Grand Canyon.

THIS.

Like the others have said, do all you can to stay in the park. It makes a huge difference in your experience. You're there to see things and explore, so you won't have to drive in and out.

But more than that, there is something so serene and special when you stay in the National Park Lodges. (its not the lack of TV or comfort either, as most have all of that, including the rim cabins at Bright Angel)

Its hard to explain but once you do it you'll understand. Sorta like going to WDW; you can tell someone all about it but until they actually visit, they won't really know.

 

[disneybound31]

Another vote for staying inside the Canyon...there is nothing more peaceful than sitting on the rock wall and enjoying the one of a kind sunset...or getting up a tiny bit early to take a sunrise stroll by yourself--I can't say when I have ever felt more calm than my couple days stay inside the Canyon. We stayed 2nd floor (best Canyon views) Canyon side in the Kachina lodge.

I would even go so far as to say it WAS fairly elegant. Very nice Keurig machine well stocked with tea and coffee (with decaf as well--I came right home and bought my first Keurig after that experience so I could be reminded every day of the Canyon, lol).
The tv had a nice selection of channels- enough to keep the kids entertained at night- when the sun goes down it is DARK and not much to do after you've had a nice dinner (I recommend Bright ANgel next door for that) and after a little souvie shopping in the very nice lodge stores. Or look at the gorgeous art at the Kolb Studio right past Bright Angel lodge.

Plus the bathroom at Kachina had a nice supply of bath products and the ceilings are really high in the bedroom which has sa nice feel- beds comfy too. Not cheap, but nothing is there and well worth the expense IMO. Closest to rim there is...El Tovar is a GREAT breakfast, but I would not pay the $$$ to spend the night there. The views are not near what Kachina has.

Best advice I can give: when you (finally) find a parking space, ANY parking space even if not near your lodge/room, then STAY THERE! Trust me. You don't want to waste an hour driving after that first parking success.

 

[Sagginit]

when i went we booked about 3 months out, so we could not get a room in the canyon. instead since we drove up from sedona we chose to stay in Williams. we stayed at the lodge on route 66. it's not a chain but was clean and very cozy. the rooms were on the small side but i think thats b/c its an older motel. we also liked staying in the town. i think the drive was maybe 30-45 minutes.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...s-The_Lodge_On_Route_66-Williams_Arizona.html

we also got lucky since there was a freak rain storm front that moved in that day so we would have never seen the sunrise there and sunset was a bust too so we left early instead of sticking around.

 

[3boymthr]

We drove not from Anaheim but from Malibu to Vegas - stayed overnight in Vegas then to the Hoover Dam for a quick tour and the on to the Grand Canyon. We stayed in the Maswick Lodge, not fancy but very nice. Absolutely would stay in the canyon again. Was totally worth the extra money. We stayed in July, while it was crowded it was totally worth being in the canyon as we did not have to battle traffic every day to find parking and get to see the canyon, plus you can go out and walk to the canyon as early or as late as you want. I'm too heavy for the mule rides and the youngest was too little to take the mule rides down into the canyon. We hiked the rim trail instead. Because we were staying in the park we were able to get up and get out on the trail soon after dawn and be done with the hike by a little after lunch time avoiding the worst heat of the day and the worst of the crowds.

My parents OTH waited too late to book in the Canyon so stayed in Williams then took the train from Williams to the GC. They loved the experience of the train as they felt they got a leisurely experience on the approach to the Canyon. They then drove to the canyon the second day before heading on to Sedona.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

Thank you to all for your suggestions. We are looking at visiting the South Rim. We plan on driving from Vegas with a stop at the Hoover Dam. We are going June 2014 so we are able to book a year in advance.

Has anyone driven to Anaheim from the Grand Canyon? We know it is a long ride and are thinking about staying a night somewhere in between. Perhaps Palm Springs. Any suggestions we should consider?

We really appreciate all of the help.

If you are planning on going in June 2014 I'd highly suggest researching what appeals to you in the park and book online on June 1st of this year (it will be open to reservations in June of 2014 then) and then you can pick whatever you want. This is how we were able to score a deluxe room at El Tovar and are going in June of this year (can't wait!).

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you to everyone. We will be booking it June 1st to get our pick. It looks like we are narrowed down to El Tovar or Kachina. Is one much better than the other? Not sure which way to lean on this one. We are only staying one night.