Grand Canyon - Bright Angel
Apr 8th, 2002 | 02:23 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Grand Canyon - Bright Angel
Hello, All. We are 30 and 33, newly married, professionals who want to spend a few days seeing the GC and stay in a clean place. Our jobs take us to the finest places and 5 star hotels, but we just don't see the sense in that while staying in the GC area. Does anyone have advice on where to stay at a reasonable price? We booked Bright Angel for mid-August. Will this suffice? El Tovar is available, but after reading some "rants and raves", it seems so over rated. Your advice and feedback is appreciated. Thanks so much. If we do this, we want to do it right!
Apr 8th, 2002 | 02:34 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cara,
Stayed at the El Tovar less than a month ago and it was a real disappointment! "Deluxe" room at 180$ was dirty and generically furnished. The mouse in the dining room didn't really add a much needed touch of class. This is not Ritz/4S territory...
I would try the Bright Angel or one of the other adjacent lodges (Kachina?) on a future stay.
That said, GC is FANTASTIC, especially in early spring. If you have the time, spend a night at Monument Valley - awesome. Stay at Gouldings (clean motel right in the valley with great views).
Andre
Stayed at the El Tovar less than a month ago and it was a real disappointment! "Deluxe" room at 180$ was dirty and generically furnished. The mouse in the dining room didn't really add a much needed touch of class. This is not Ritz/4S territory...
I would try the Bright Angel or one of the other adjacent lodges (Kachina?) on a future stay.
That said, GC is FANTASTIC, especially in early spring. If you have the time, spend a night at Monument Valley - awesome. Stay at Gouldings (clean motel right in the valley with great views).
Andre
Apr 8th, 2002 | 02:36 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
'The finest places and 5 star hotels' just don't exist at the Grand Canyon. (Might have something to do with the fact that the whole point of the place is outside.)
The El Tovar is a beautiful, historic old hotel in a remarkable location.The atmosphere is unparalleled, but you won't find it to be luxurious. There's never been a room available there when I was at the Canyon, but if there ever is...I'll jump on it. I don't think history can be 'over-rated'.
The El Tovar is a beautiful, historic old hotel in a remarkable location.The atmosphere is unparalleled, but you won't find it to be luxurious. There's never been a room available there when I was at the Canyon, but if there ever is...I'll jump on it. I don't think history can be 'over-rated'.
Apr 8th, 2002 | 03:29 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
The kachina, thunderbird and bright angel are all right on the rim next to the el tovar. The best rooms are the ones with the canyon views. We stayed at the kachina. It's a very generic motel like place (i think thunderbird is the same). You can eat and sit in the lodge of tovar or bright angel regardless of where you stay.
Apr 10th, 2002 | 06:51 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cara, I'm glad you decided on Bright Angel. We've stayed there and loved it. It's far from the Ritz, but *feels* like the sort of place you should be staying while you are at the Grand Canyon. Comfortably rustic. No pretense. My husband runs a 4* hotel and I agree 100%--that is not the experience you are looking for at the GC!
We also stayed at Gouldings one night. I was a little disappointed in it, but *only* because it was nothing as described in my Fodors guidebook. I was expecting something historic looking and the rooms and the building they are in, are not, though parts of the compound may be. They are however, nicely furnished and the view is unbeatable. I'm sure you've heard already...do not miss getting pictures of sunrise over Monument Valley. What a sight! One other comment about Gouldings...we aren't picky eaters but the food in their restaurant was pretty grim. Also...if you enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner, bring your own. There is no alcohol sold on reservation land.
We also stayed at Gouldings one night. I was a little disappointed in it, but *only* because it was nothing as described in my Fodors guidebook. I was expecting something historic looking and the rooms and the building they are in, are not, though parts of the compound may be. They are however, nicely furnished and the view is unbeatable. I'm sure you've heard already...do not miss getting pictures of sunrise over Monument Valley. What a sight! One other comment about Gouldings...we aren't picky eaters but the food in their restaurant was pretty grim. Also...if you enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner, bring your own. There is no alcohol sold on reservation land.
Apr 11th, 2002 | 12:16 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cara,
I'm glad you took my advice on GC and Monument Valley - sure hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did...
OliveOyl's post on Goulding's is RIGHT on. Indeed the only problem is the food - but since it's miles to Kayenta, the nearest town (where dining options looked pretty grim as well), you don't have too much of a choice. It's a small price to pay for the stupendous natural beauty.
BTW, we took the afternoon tour of Monument Valley run by Goulding's. The driver/guide - Rosie - was great (laid-back, no BS). However there are many opinions on the best way to see MV (do a search on this site).
Have a great trip!
Andre
I'm glad you took my advice on GC and Monument Valley - sure hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did...
OliveOyl's post on Goulding's is RIGHT on. Indeed the only problem is the food - but since it's miles to Kayenta, the nearest town (where dining options looked pretty grim as well), you don't have too much of a choice. It's a small price to pay for the stupendous natural beauty.
BTW, we took the afternoon tour of Monument Valley run by Goulding's. The driver/guide - Rosie - was great (laid-back, no BS). However there are many opinions on the best way to see MV (do a search on this site).
Have a great trip!
Andre
Trending Topics
Apr 19th, 2002 | 07:14 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
We stayed at the El Tovar several years ago & it was vrey nice. The restaurant was very good. The lounge was a great place to relax after dinner. We sat by a window & watched deer amble by. The room was small, but adequate.
It is difficult to get a room there. The way we were abel to get a room was by calling a few days ahead of time. Apparently, there are frequently last minute cancellations that open up a few rooms. If you cannot intially get a reservation at any of the lodges inside the park, book somewhere outside the park and call back frequently.
It is difficult to get a room there. The way we were abel to get a room was by calling a few days ahead of time. Apparently, there are frequently last minute cancellations that open up a few rooms. If you cannot intially get a reservation at any of the lodges inside the park, book somewhere outside the park and call back frequently.
