CaribbeanChick

We are spending a day in Sedona, then heading to GC for one night on our way to Bryce...

Thunderbird Lodge has an opening... and Yavapai Lodge hubby did NOT like Thunderbird when he stayed there last year.. how about Yavapai Lodge ?? Also, is there maybe somewhere ELSE we can stay to break the drive from Sedona to Bryce? We want to spend one night in the Canyon or nearby that we can easily go and explore it... We don't care to stay IN the park itself... so anywhere nearby works for us...

Thanks in advance!

MikePinTucson

I think you would like Yavapai less, since it is almost 1/2 mile from the rim. I'm not sure what was wrong with Thunderbird. We have stayed there and it was fine. If you are looking for something more upscale than Thunderbird, forget it anywhere near the GC, other than perhaps El Tovar..

One place you could stay that would break the drive up a bit would be at the Cameron Trading Post, which is on 89 east of the GCNP. After taking the shuttle to the viewpoints west of the Village, you can drive the east rim road, stopping at those viewpoints. Then, after you exit the easy gate, it is about 25 miles to the Cameron Trading Post. The accommodations there are on a level similar to Thunderbird.

J62

Ditto what MikeP said.

Accommodations at Yavapai are utilitarian at best. Basic national park hotel room, non-luxury double bed, and rugged commercial carpeting. Definitely not luxurious or fancy.

For me staying 1/2 mi from the rim is no problem, if the alternative is staying 20mi away outside the park. Yavapai will be no better than Thunderbird, unless it's a quiet place in the woods your DH wants.

Since you've been there before and staying in-park isn't a higher priority, I'd look into one of the hotels in Tusayan, just outside the south entrance. There are free shuttles into the park from Tusayan, or you can drive in, park, and take shuttles around.

CaribbeanChick

Thanks! He hated the hotel for the price.. and said he rather stay outside this time, we can drive in for sunset..

The Yavapai is like $180-190.. we can get Best Western or similar for that price in Tusayan..

El Tovar is booked as well.. only ones open were Thunderbird and Yavapai...

MikePinTucson

Strange, but Yavapai rooms are around $150 and Thunderbird rooms are $180. Personally, and I am certainly not alone, the little bit extra to be a few yard from the rim is well worth it. I would never stay outside the park if there were rooms available inside. It is just so much more convenient to not have to drive and find a parking space. And so easy inside the park to pop back to the room to get something, drop something off, or get a quick glass of wine in the afternoon. We always go back to our room before sunset, grab a bottle of wine, then walk along the rim trail a bit and find a nice spot to sit and sip and watch the canyon at sunset.

The Grand Canyon certainly isn't about the rooms. That is just a place to crash after a long day seeintg the beauty that is the Grand Canyon. If you want luxury, stay at an upscale place in Sedona and do a day trip.

Bill_H

The biggest hassle in staying at Tusayan is if you have to drive into the park mid-day, when the line at the entrance station can be up to 30 minutes long. If you are going in very early for sunrise it's not a big deal (we usually go in before the entrance station is even staffed).

We've stayed at El Tovar three times (really nice when you are hiking up Bright Angel trail after a river trip!), Bright Angel once (on the rim), Maswik and Yavapai probably 8-10 times (about 1/4 mile from the rim), and four lodges in Tusayan probably 10 times (7 miles from the rim). Rim is nice but not a necessity for us, but we have hiking or photo trips planned to avoid the long entrance lines mid-day.

Squire Inn BW has a nice restaurant if you stay in Tusayan, and there are also chain fast food places like Taco Bell and McDonald's if you want something quick.

CaribbeanChick

We just went with Holiday Inn Express in Tusayan.. DH refused to go back to Thunderbird..

Thanks for the info!

MikePinTucson

I'm so sorry for you. I think your husband is doing you a big disservice by denying you the opportunity to be a few yards from the rim of the Grand Canyon. Very selfish of him, IMO. There is nothing to compare with walking out of your room while it is still dark and walking to the rim, most likely among several elk, and watching the light as the sun rises over the canyon.

Bill_H

I'm so sorry for you. I think your husband is doing you a big disservice by denying you the opportunity to be a few yards from the rim of the Grand Canyon. Very selfish of him, IMO.

Wow, that's a pretty harsh thing to say. Especially since they already stayed at Thunderbird last year and didn't like it.

There is nothing to compare with walking out of your room while it is still dark and walking to the rim, most likely among several elk, and watching the light as the sun rises over the canyon.

But there are at least 15 overlooks that offer BETTER views of the canyon at sunrise and sunset. The lodge area is in a bit of an alcove so offers limited viewing angles. The best view spots are points that push out into the canyon and offer wider viewing angles. Hopi, Mather, Grandview, Yaki, Powell and a dozen others offer better views upstream and down than the crowded area next to the lodges.

Plus at the HI Express they can walk to the Imax GC movie at night, get a free breakfast, have free high-speed internet, and have an indoor swimming pool and spa (really nice if you are bringing kids).

As I mentioned already sometimes we stay inside the park (occasionally on the rim), sometimes we stay in Tusayan. It's not a make-or-break deal either way. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

CaribbeanChick

Thanks Bill_H

I didn't care where I stayed... PLUS he's taking me to the park EARLY to see the sunrise, so I am not quite missing much except having to drive to it.. so no biggy for me.. He hated it.. and he knows me.. unfortunately when he went with his mom last year I visited family in the Caribbean.. so I was not there, but saw pics.. I also went on Google Earth over the areas.. sure it's a great spot to stay at, but it's not worth it for me..the HI-Express is close enough! Just a few miles away...

At Bryce we are staying in the Park... and at MOAB very close to the park.. same for Yosemite, we got a nice cottage with fireplace and tub outside the park.. rather than stay somewhere I know we would detest no matter how nice the view can be.. doesn't mean we can't get there early to enjoy it also, which is what we're planning on doing...

I am excited about the Imax now! Will add that to the list!