Canyon de Chelly-where to stay?
May 25th, 2006, 06:19 PM
#7
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We stayed at the Thunderbird also, a few years back. It's a good location if you want to be in the park, and similar to modest accommodations at the Grand Canyon (such as Maswik). We hired a Navajo guide, and we and 2 children had a 3 hour horseback ride through the canyon (guide required - paying for his ride required). We had an experience we will never forget - including the wonderful insight into the Navajo culture from our guide!
May 26th, 2006, 06:41 AM
#8
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We stayed at the Thunderbird a few years ago ... very convenient, but pretty basic motel-type accomodations (a bit worn).
The Holiday Inn was only about a 1/4 mile from the Thunderbird ... I would have preferred to stay there. There was also a restaurant a the HI that was OK. There's not much else in the area.
Canyon de Chelly is wonderful to visit - almost a spiritual experience. We only did the half-day tour, but if you have time I would recommend a full day. Also, if you have time take the scenic drive along the brim of the canyon out to the last point overlooking Spider Rock. Plan on an extra 1-2 hours to do this depending on how many of the overlooks you want to stop at. When you get to the Spider Rock one, there's a short, easy path that you need to follow to get to the actual overlook -- definitely worth it if you have time.
The Holiday Inn was only about a 1/4 mile from the Thunderbird ... I would have preferred to stay there. There was also a restaurant a the HI that was OK. There's not much else in the area.
Canyon de Chelly is wonderful to visit - almost a spiritual experience. We only did the half-day tour, but if you have time I would recommend a full day. Also, if you have time take the scenic drive along the brim of the canyon out to the last point overlooking Spider Rock. Plan on an extra 1-2 hours to do this depending on how many of the overlooks you want to stop at. When you get to the Spider Rock one, there's a short, easy path that you need to follow to get to the actual overlook -- definitely worth it if you have time.
May 26th, 2006, 07:41 AM
#10
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Cher (or anyone)
Regarding Thunderbird vs. Holiday Inn ~
Why would you have the Holiday Inn?
We always try to stay in the Nat'l Parks whenever possible although i understand that while Thunderbird is IN the park, it is not operated by the NP service. Also, reviews on tripadvisor are mixed for both, actually for all chinle properties. We really prefer location above all, and can do "worn" as long as it's clean.
Thoughts? Anyone? TIA.
Regarding Thunderbird vs. Holiday Inn ~
Why would you have the Holiday Inn?
We always try to stay in the Nat'l Parks whenever possible although i understand that while Thunderbird is IN the park, it is not operated by the NP service. Also, reviews on tripadvisor are mixed for both, actually for all chinle properties. We really prefer location above all, and can do "worn" as long as it's clean.
Thoughts? Anyone? TIA.
May 26th, 2006, 08:17 AM
#11
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Hi -- I understand your comments about staying in the lodges in the NP -- we always try to do that. However, Thunderbird Lodge in not inside Canyon de Chelly (which is not National Park land, but rather Navajo land -- you can only enter with a Navajo guide); it's right outside it. It's essentially an older, privately run motel. There's really no ambience although they have a nice gift shop that you don't need to stay there to visit. The accomodations were very basic. The place was clean, but seemed a bit worn.
The Holiday Inn is literally right down the same road, probably less than a 1/4 mile from the Thunderbird - there's really no advantage to the location of the TB Lodge to the HI. The Holiday Inn seemed to be a bit nicer.
Don't obsess too much over accomodations - they're all pretty basic without much ambience. The main experience is the Canyon.
The Holiday Inn is literally right down the same road, probably less than a 1/4 mile from the Thunderbird - there's really no advantage to the location of the TB Lodge to the HI. The Holiday Inn seemed to be a bit nicer.
Don't obsess too much over accomodations - they're all pretty basic without much ambience. The main experience is the Canyon.
May 26th, 2006, 10:34 AM
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Hello - I was just in Chinle last week for two nights. Our first night we had planned to camp in the Cottonwood campground there, but much to our dismay when we got there, the grounds were infested with ants and we were tired from having hiked and camped at Chaco Canyon before we got there. We decided to treat ourselves to a night in a hotel. Since I already had a room booked at the Thunderbird for the next night, we tried there first - no vacancy. Then went to the Holiday Inn - no vacancy. Our last choice and only viable option left was the Best Western, which is a few miles away near the center of town. Even though we were disappointed that it was farther away from Canyon de Chelly, it actually turned out great. It was the cheapest place to stay, there is an indoor pool, sauna, and jacuzzi (which felt great after a long day hiking in the sun), and the Junction Restaurant was far superior to the restaurant at the Holiday Inn (we at ate both). I know that there aren't many options in Chinle to eat, but I would recommend Junction over Garcia's. It may look like a run-down diner, but the quality of the food was better and half the price. Our second night in Chinle we stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge becuase I had already booked a room there, but in all honesty, we wish we had been able to stay at the Best Western again.
May 26th, 2006, 12:45 PM
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We stayed at the Thunderbird. Wish we had read a thread like this one, which is right on. The T-Bird is very basic (no pool or other facilities). While they say it's located in the park, it's not like it's that much nearer any of the areas you will be visiting. You don't need to stay there to use their restaraunt or gift shops, which are recommended if you stay for any length of time. Our preference would be the HI, BW and TB in that order.
May 26th, 2006, 01:33 PM
#17
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Hummmm...the Thunderbird Lodge says it's in Canyon de Chelly National Monument and you enter the park before you reach the lodge!
http://www.nps.gov/cach/pphtml/lodging.html
http://www.tbirdlodge.com/
http://www.nps.gov/applications/park...s/CACHmap1.pdf
Now, the lodge is NOT in the canyon. You can drive the north and south scenic rim drives that are within Canyon de Chelly National Monument. You can do the one hike into the canyon to Whitehouse Ruins, but to enter the canyon anywhere else you need a Navajo guide.
None of the lodging in the area will have a view of the canyon.
Utahtea
http://www.nps.gov/cach/pphtml/lodging.html
http://www.tbirdlodge.com/
http://www.nps.gov/applications/park...s/CACHmap1.pdf
Now, the lodge is NOT in the canyon. You can drive the north and south scenic rim drives that are within Canyon de Chelly National Monument. You can do the one hike into the canyon to Whitehouse Ruins, but to enter the canyon anywhere else you need a Navajo guide.
None of the lodging in the area will have a view of the canyon.
Utahtea
May 28th, 2006, 10:32 AM
#18
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Got it. In other words, while technically in the nat'l park, thunderbird is a far cry from el tovar, paradise inn or even the new(er) motel style rooms in yosemite or sequoia np.
Instead i'm remembering the low rise barrack style groupings in glacier np and crater lake np, among others.
Thanks guys, this helps alot.
May 28th, 2006, 01:12 PM
#19
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So far advice sounds good...we stayed at Holiday Inn and did the halfday into the canyon last March. Motel and food fine. Be aware that the jeep rides are pretty bouncy, but definitely a wonderful experience. It is also good just to get a taste of Navajoland.
I'd say the eating places mentioned (carlyshells & others) were OK, nothing special.
ozarksbill
I'd say the eating places mentioned (carlyshells & others) were OK, nothing special.
ozarksbill
May 28th, 2006, 07:08 PM
#20
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We really enjoyed the 1/2 day tour with tour guide "David" who leads tours with the tours that leaves from the T-Bird gift shop(you don't need to be staying at their lodge to take their tours, just purchase the tickets at the gift shop). David is a native from around there and has been leading tours with them for years.
