How does one reserve a stay at El Tovar in the Grand Canyon? I need a telephone number please. If El Tovar has no rooms, and you suggest another option and a telephone number. THANKS!

The park service site gives the information on calling it is:

www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm

It says that inside the USA call 888 297 2757 and outside the USA call 303 297 2757

In any case you should go to the site to plan your visit.

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/ is the direct link to the concessionaire who handles in-park lodging, including El Tovar. You can check for availability easily on the site easier than you can call.

Some people like Bright Angel Cabins that are directly on the rim. Those usually go about 12 months in advance though.

If you can't get a room at El Tovar, try to get one at one of the other lodges on the rim -- Kachina, Thunderbird, or Bright Angel. As was mentioned, Bright Angel also has cabins.

Don't be concerned about trying to get a room with a view of the canyon. Even the best "view" rooms have only a tiny glimpse of the canyon. IMO, it is more important to be in one of the lodges within yards of the rim.

There are two other lodges, Maswick and Yavapai, that are away from the rim. I would book one of these only if nothing is available at any of the rim lodges. Even then, I would check back frequently, on line and by phone, to see if there have been any cancellations at any of the rim lodges. There very frequently are cancellations.

We stayed at the El Tovar about six years ago. I'm not sure if it has been renovated at all but the rooms are small and they weren't that nice (given the price). I don't know how they compare to the other lodges mentioned. Even if you don't stay there, you can always hang out in the lobby (which is beautiful) or eat there.

We stayed at Bright Angel I believe it was - and had a nice view out the double window of the Rim. We could even see the wildfires on the North Rim - back a few years ago.

El Tovar does have a nice dining room - not cheap - but you can also have other dining options along the rim and over at the Yavapai.

Even if there are no rooms, keep trying because there are cancellations. Regarding the dining room, try to have at least one meal there, even if you're staying elsewhere. I had a magnificent breakfast there on our last visit.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

A second on the suggestion to keep trying . . we could not get a booking a few years ago but kept checking in every day on the trip . . the day before we arrived at the GC, a room came open and we got it! !

The rooms are very basic, but we enjoyed the Hotel nontheless. We got up early bith mornings to watch the sunrise in the canyon and the mule deer that mingle with the people watching

Stay at any of the lodges on the rim of the canyon, but eat at El Tovar. Keep trying, you'll get a room--there are always cancelations.

HTTY

The room JenMiddlebrooks had sounds like a so-called Terrace room. These are smaller and less expensive than the standard rooms. We have stayed in both the standard and deluxe rooms with 1 queen bed, and they were very nice, and plenty roomy.

THANKS everyone. Right now, we are booked to stay at Maswick. I hope to get on the rim. I will keep checking as you suggested and hope for a cancellation.

i stayed at Maswick and was very happy with the location. i wanted to stay at Bright Angel, but couldn't get a room. In the end, I was glad that we were there. But, if you do want to change hotels, i agree with everyone.....keep calling as there are always cancellations.
Other suggestion: take the sunrise tour. My family was upset about 4:45AM wake up, but we all agree it was the best part of the trip. Magnificent sunrise and really, once you're awake, you're awake! Need to book in advance; no charge for your children.

I have recently booked a room at El Tovar for an overnight stay in October. No problems booking online. For once I dont care what a room looks like inside. Its what is outside that matters. Cant wait to visit.

Definitely try to stay right on the rim if you can - Bright Angel, El Tovar, whatever. Keep the reservation for Maswick - but keep checking back and you will probably be able to switch over tot he rim. We had a decent room at Bright Angel - but from the 2nd floor - we had a very nice view of the Canyon - and could even see the amazing spectacle across the GC - where on the North Rim - they were having forest fires. Quite an amazing site 4 sure.

And the Dining Room at El Tovar is a sight to behold. Right after having lunch there - we walked back to Bright Angel and there were two big - Royal Elks (6 x 6 - points on each side of their rack) just casually munching on the grass between the Bright Angel and the walkway along the rim. I was stoked seeing them.

Keep in mind that you will need to make a reservation for dinner if dining at El Tovar. They start taking reservations 6 months in advance.

Bookmarking.

I will be staying here April 1st in a few weeks and let you know how it goes. I booked it last fall for me and my wife's anniversary and got one of the better rooms which were quite expensive if you ask me. I don't bother using the internet except for sports and porn (Which one is Fodors) so I just called them....

http://www.xanterra.com
US: 1-888-297-2757, Intl.: +1 303-297-2757

Yo Chris: Hope you got the right room - the one with the drop down trapeze.

Trip report.
We stayed here April 1st.
It snowed!!!
The hotel is cool but imho not worth the price. There were no views of the canyon from the room we had. I don't believe any of the rooms at El Tovar have canyon views as they are facing a north/south direction. This does give you great views of sunrise from one side and sunset from the other side however.

If I had to do it over I would stay at one of the other lodges near by which had better views. Thunderbird, Kachina and Bright Angel. I believe they are less expensive also.

In the summer, just grab a tent and go to the north rim where you can camp on the rim for free. Buffalo Ranch near Marble Canyon is also a great place to set up.