Congratulations! You made the epic journey to visit the canyon. Now you just have to figure where to stay in the Grand Canyon. If you are like me, you want to enjoy your Grand Canyon experience without breaking your piggy bank. Here are my recommendations for hotels in the Grand Canyon This document is for those who are looking for hotels.
First: The Lingo
It is important to know that there is a difference between staying “in the Canyon” and “Outside the Canyon.” As a first-time Grand Canyon goer, I was not aware of the difference. It’s first important to note that in order to gain access to the Grand Canyon you first must go through a gate. This may seem simple and obvious for some, but I wouldn’t be ashamed if you didn’t know that. I didn’t know this prior to my visit either.
There are three entrances into the Canyon, two at the South Rim and One in the North Rim. The most convenient entrance is the South Entrance Gate from the Flagstaff and Phoenix area. The Gate to the North Rim is not convenient and I would not recommend it. When looking for a place to stay, you must keep in mind whether you want to be in the Canyon or outside the Canyon. The line to get into the canyon can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes during peak season and hours.
My Recommendation: Stay in the Canyon (Grand Canyon Village)
I recommend that you choose to stay IN the Canyon / the Grand Canyon Village. I like to have as few hick-ups as possible while traveling. The idea of having to wait in line to get into the canyon, then find parking and then make my way to whatever canyon activity I had for the day did not sound appealing to me. As a lover of walks and adventure, I was not interested in daily driving during my Grand Canyon adventure.
There are six hotels within the Grand Canyon Village. They are located in the South Rim.
- Bright Angel Lodge
- El Tovar Hotel
- Kachina Lodge
- Thunderbird Lodge
- Maswik Lodge
- Yavapai Lodge
Benefits to Staying in the Grand Canyon Village
When you choose a place to stay in the Grand Canyon Village, you can focus on your vacation without the hassle of traffic and distractions. Within the Grand Canyon Village, there are restaurants, shops, grocery stores everything you need for your adventure. My favorite was the Grand Canyon Conservatory store which came in handy when I failed to bring a jacket on my canyon hike. They have everything you need, but they may not have everything you “want,” so prior to entering the gates make sure you have gotten your Starbucks to fix. If you do realize that the shops at the canyon are not carrying the special ketchup you use, you can take your car out of the canyon to the larger supermarkets.
But the best benefit to staying at hotels in the Grand Canyon Village is your ability to wake up, wash your face and walk to the canyon to watch the sunrise. Walking to the Canyon from your hotel room is hard to beat. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When to Book your Hotel?
I recommend booking your hotel as soon as possible. I booked my hotel 2 months in advance and there was only one hotel in the Grand Canyon Village that had openings for my weekend trip. Every other hotel was booked and booked far in advance (I checked. I called each one to be sure). I would suggest that you book 6-8 months in advance to ensure that you are in the location/ room that you desire.
Where Did I End Up Staying?
During my stay, I stayed at the Yavapai Lodge East. I highly recommend your stay here if you are focused on having an adventure and not too concerned about aesthetics. My hotel room was a 5-minute walk from the South Rim and across the street from the Yavapai Restaurant and Grand Canyon Conservatory Store. It was a convenient location and for that reason alone I recommend it. The lodge itself was clean, neat but definitely not high-end. A few outlets no longer worked. But for me, and for this trip, I needed a nice, warm place to stay, that was convenient. The staff was also really knowledgeable and kind. As a single solo female traveler, I felt comfortable staying at the Yavapai Lodge.
Price?
The hotel prices in the Grand Canyon are unfortunately a bit more expensive than you would like to pay, but considering what others have paid, I think the Yavapai Lodge gives you the most bang for your buck. My daily rate was around $252 a night, but in my opinion, well worth it. Who can beat this view.. doorsteps from your hotel
That’s that. Those are my recommendations for where to stay in the Grand Canyon.
If you would like more info about my solo travels to Arizona, click the link below
