I just booked a Deluxe 2 Queen Terrace room at El Tovar for one night in July. I understand that this is definitely not a room with a view, but it is the only room available on the night we requested. Considering this, do you think it is worthwhile to stay there? Since we're only spending one night, I did want it to be a really nice hotel, but don't want to be disappointed when we get there. Thanks.

I love this place....However--rooms "0ld fashioned" like the Benson in Portland OR. and Old Faithful Inn type.. to me these have a "feeling" of old time excellence.. I am first to admit the rooms are small ( although your room will be more spacious)
On comparrison, rooms in other areas(that I have seen) were sort of"Best Western "type-
One important feature to ME -does the hotel have A/C?? July is really HOT .
Hope this helps..

None of the El Tovar rooms have a view. It is pretty close to the rim and easy to walk out to see the sunsets/rises, which you definately do not want to miss.

Rooms are very basic, comfortable but not elegant by any means.

You got lucky to get a room . . they are usually booked a year or more in advance.

Define "really nice hotel". Most NPS hotels, even upscale ones, are not resort-like. El Tovar is an old - think historic, rather than tired - hotel. It has wide staircases, usually deer grazing outside, and a dining room that makes you fell like you have just taken a great quest to the American West 100 years ago. (Food is OK, but not resort-like either). It is mere steps to the Rim.

Hotels outside the National Park grounds (about 15 or so minutes away) are of the generic middle range chains - no "really nice hotels" there either.

Rich?

None of the rooms have a view ----my akahine!

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/el-...-698__74.html#

And what a grande honeymoon it was, if you can book it!

Hey gyppie, you're so right - there are definitely rooms with views.

On the site you posted there's a picture of the front entrance on the second page - our room was right over the stairs. It had a shared balcony with the next room. We had a fabulous view... when you walked onto the balcony and looked to the left.
There were several chairs and a couple tables so it was great for am coffee after seeing the sunrise from the rim.

To the OP michelevee - i think our room was called a terrace room also, with 2 beds - not sure if doubles or queens - and was about $180; does that sound about right?
Please do report back after your trip. Wherever you stay, you'll definitely enjoy being in the park.

IMO, it is very important to stay in the park, and furthermore, on the rim. You are in great shape there!

If you are stretching financially in the belief that the El Tovar is a luxury hotel, you may be better off in a less expensive room at Bright Angel Lodge, which is also on the rim. None may be available, of course, although cancellations are common.

However, if the lack of a view is your only concern, don't worry, you will be just steps away from gorgeous views.

Enjoy!

ellen_griswold, this room was $256 and is the most expensive room on our entire vacation, but since we were staying just one night, we really wanted it to be memorable, especially for our daughter. From what I understand, the terrace rooms are at the bottom level, like a walk-out basement in a home. There were only two terrace rooms available when I called today (when I had checked online, no rooms were available).

Just my opinion, but having a room with a view at Grand Canyon is overrated--during the day you are out enjoying ALL the views, and after dark the view disappears. But I'd agree that staying in any of the hotels on the rim is a rich experience, but not like a "really nice" resort-style hotel.

. . ok . . so I guess there is one room with a view . .

I agree with those who say it is definitely worth staying in Grand Canyon Village. WE thought our one night in Tusayan outside the park (due to trouble getting a room in GC Village for all our stay) was much less satisfying.
El Tovar is certainly the nicest option and a really interesting historic building, but not luxurious.

The hotel is on the rim. We were there in December. You walk out of the hotel and you are at the rim of the Grand Canyon. That is a great view in my opinion. Just because you can't see it from a windown doesn't mean it's not worth the price. I'll take a hotel inside the park over one outside anyday. You can park your car and use the free shuttle all day.

Thanks for reassuring me about El Tovar! We are really looking forward to our stay there. Now the next question (thank goodness for all of you on this forum ...), we were thinking of taking the Desert View bus tour leaving at 3:40 p.m. and returning at 7:30 p.m. Do you think the bus tour is worthwhile, or are we better off exploring on our own?

No clue about this bus tour, but there is a shuttle bus that runs along South Rim - 2 routes. One goes on roadway very close to Rim and one can hop on/off and walk out to various scenic views. We found ourselves largely alone at many stops, even in mid-summer. The other route runs to visitors center, some other historic areas within Park. You have time to do both if you want.

Unless you hate driving, MicheleVee, I'd skip any tour, because it's easier to pace yourself from one scenic outlook to another--for example, when we're there, if a bus has just dropped off a load of tourists at a stop, we'll skip that one and make a note to come back later while continuing on to the next one. Some stops we linger at, others we don't... you get the idea!

I'd take the shuttle bus on your own rather than the tour. As other posters have noted, you can get off at different stops and explore then get on the next shuttle or hike from point to point
We enjoyed several ranger talks when we visited the GC--there are many different topics
also the drive out of the Canyon along the southern rim toward the eastern entrance to the park is beautiful and much less crowded than the area right around GC village.

Why keep fighting it Rich with a weak 1 room acceptance. We've all been wrong. I've been wrong. Get over it.

" . ok . . so I guess there is one room with a view . . "

More than one, I'd guess 6 minimum, but a call to the front desk would clear up rooms with a view and terraces if you must keep count.

Hoping that terrace has a view, but don't want you to get your hope up MV

Well that is the dangest thing . . When we called a couple of years ago for a reservation, the Reservation person said there were no rooms with a view of the canyon. That some had a deck that had a view.

O well . . .