Need input on lodgings for Grand Canyon

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Dh and I will be going to the Grand Canyon next May. We'll be using a timeshare in Sedona as our "home base" but want to spend a night, or two, at the Grand Canyon. I've seen the places available through the park department, but wanted to know if anyone had any input. The only one I've even heard about is the El Tovar. TIA

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I think that El Tovar is the nicest one.
We had lunch there.
It's a nice historic hotel with a great restaurant with reasonable prices.
I wish we had stayed the night there.
All the others are a bit further away.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I think that El Tovar is the nicest one.
We had lunch there.
It's a nice historic hotel with a great restaurant with reasonable prices.
I wish we had stayed the night there.
All the others are a bit further away.

I have always wanted to do the overnight mule ride in to Phantom Ranch.

Overnight Rides
stay the night at Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the Canyon near the Colorado River. This service must be reserved and purchased in advance. Overnight rides include accommodations and meals. Overnight ride prices start at $506.82 for the first person, or two people for $895.11 including taxes.

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

We did the same thing and stayed inside the park and very close to El Tovar which was nice but it was twice the price of what we paid. I don't recall the name but the room was comfy, clean and I would stay there again. If you give me the choices I will probably remember the name. We went during the summer about 4 years ago and remember that we needed to make reservations about six months in advance.

We had drinks at El Tovar while watching the sunset which was spectacular. We then had dinner went for a nice walk along the rim and back to El Tovar for some coffee. Our room was no more than a three minute walk from El Tovar. I would definitely not stay outside of the park.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I have always wanted to do the overnight mule ride in to Phantom Ranch.

You go for it! I'm more the "I'll view from up top thank you very much.".

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We did the same thing and stayed inside the park and very close to El Tovar which was nice but it was twice the price of what we paid. I don't recall the name but the room was comfy, clean and I would stay there again. If you give me the choices I will probably remember the name. We went during the summer about 4 years ago and remember that we needed to make reservations about six months in advance.

We had drinks at El Tovar while watching the sunset which was spectacular. We then had dinner went for a nice walk along the rim and back to El Tovar for some coffee. Our room was no more than a three minute walk from El Tovar. I would definitely not stay outside of the park.

Here are some of the other places to stay:

Yavapai Lodge
Kacina Lodge
Thunderbird Lodge
Bright Angel Lodge
Maswik Lodge

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

Here are some of the other places to stay:

Yavapai Lodge
Kacina Lodge
Thunderbird Lodge
Bright Angel Lodge
Maswik Lodge

OK I remember that we wanted to stay at Thunderbird lodge but nothing was available so we stayed at Kacina Lodge.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

OK I remember that we wanted to stay at Thunderbird lodge but nothing was available so we stayed at Kacina Lodge.

Thanks. When I was checking prices it doesn't look like there is all that much difference between the El Tovar and the others. It is more expensive, but not double. Maybe it's the time of year we're looking at. Right now all of the lodges have availability for the time we're looking for.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thanks. When I was checking prices it doesn't look like there is all that much difference between the El Tovar and the others. It is more expensive, but not double. Maybe it's the time of year we're looking at. Right now all of the lodges have availability for the time we're looking for.

We stayed at El Tovar and LOVED it - did 2 nights - - the first morning we got up and drove to an area of the park to watch the sun come up - there was maybe 8 other people besides us - plan on arriving 30 minutes before sunrise....spectacular!
Drinks and dinner at El Tovar are a must...highly rated restaurant.

This was one of my favorite vacations Malibu CA, Veags and the Grand Canyon....driving all around - wonderful family memories.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I've been doing some checking on availability for the date(s) we want.

We could get a room at the El Tovar with NO view for $215/night. Or we could get a room with a partial view at either the Kachina or the Thunderbird (both are on the rim) for $197/night.

Is the El Tovar worth the extra money, if we wouldn't get getting any view?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I've been doing some checking on availability for the date(s) we want.

We could get a room at the El Tovar with NO view for $215/night. Or we could get a room with a partial view at either the Kachina or the Thunderbird (both are on the rim) for $197/night.

Is the El Tovar worth the extra money, if we wouldn't get getting any view?

As I recall, it is a bit weird but the rooms at E Tovar do not have views - the views are from the public spaces.
Read about the other places, again this was well over 10 years ago but I remember they were more motel like - the El Tovar is a historic lodge, just appealed to me.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Pat, it sounds like that is the appeal of the El Tovar. I think we may go with that.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Oh definitely do El Tovar. The others look like the cabins i went to at camp when in girl scouts.

The El Tovar kind of felt like it might have been an inspiration for a Disney resort. Kinda like hotel Coronado. Same era.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Oh definitely do El Tovar. The others look like the cabins i went to at camp when in girl scouts.

The El Tovar kind of felt like it might have been an inspiration for a Disney resort. Kinda like hotel Coronado. Same era.

Thanks. Now the big decision will be one night, or two, and which nights. I've been talking to dh about this. I kind of want him to feel like he's got some part in the decision making....even though he really doesnt.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thanks. Now the big decision will be one night, or two, and which nights. I've been talking to dh about this. I kind of want him to feel like he's got some part in the decision making....even though he really doesnt.

I had a long answer typed and then lost power....okay - do 2 nights.....
The day between the two nights you can get up for your 6am date with the sunrise and ride around, tour and then come back to enjoy the resort - drinks on the porch, a lovely dinner....if u have the time, stay two nights.