The first time we went to the Grand Canyon we were on Adventures by Disney Southwest Splendors tour. It was great! Not only do you get to see the Grand Canyon but also Sedona, AZ, Monument Valley, Moab, Ut and Arches National Park.
We went by ourselves a couple of years later. We flew into Phoenix and rented a car. The drive is not bad at all. But you go through lots of mountains. We were there in late March (Cactus League - Go Royals!) and there was still snow on the ground in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
With the tour we stayed in Tusayan, AZ, the town right outside the South Rim, at the Grand Hotel. We thought the hotel was just fine. When we went by ourselves we stayed in the Park at the El Tovar Hotel. That is really a once in a lifetime kind of hotel. Expensive and right at the rim.
There are ranger programs that are really interesting. And there is a Imax movie in Tusayan that is really worth your time. The Park service provides free shuttles so you can go to all the lookout areas on the South Rim without having to hike. Also the Rim "trail" is more like a sidewalk when you go in the direction of the Observation Tower.
Hope this helps! I'd be happy to answer any questions! It is really a great trip!
