Hello,

I am travelling to Grand Canyon (with my hs and dad) on August 7. All the hotels in the park are fulled.
We will arrive at PHX the same morning from PIT and my dad is arriving from France. he will be very jetlagged.

After looking at the canyon I would like to stay in a comfortable hotel, so we can rest during the night before heading up to Monument Valley.

Any advices on the Best Western, the grand hotel (can't find a web site for this one) and the holiday inn?

Thanks


Celine

Hi Celine, Keep on trying the Park's web site...I did, and a room at the El Tovar (in the park) opened up...try a few times a day, if you can. Fodor's destinations, on this site at the top, will give you some pointers for hotels, including the Best Western. Have a great time. Judy

Thanks, I'll try bugging the El Tovar.

I read mixed comment for the BW, almost nothing for grand hotel (it's such a generic name)


Celine

Forget the park hotel website and try calling them everyday -- cancellations happen a lot more frequently than you think. As long as you aren't too picky over what type of room you want, there shouldn't be any problem acquiring a room in the south rim.

Hi,

I called and got a room at the thunderbird lodge, with partial view. I am wondering how partial it will be !
price 140 with tax for 3 adults, would be the same in Tusayan so I am quite happy.

The xanterra web site was saying that the lodge was full.

Is it worth trying to call to get in El Tovar ? I didn't read so good reviews for El Tovar.

Celine

'Partial view' may just mean that there's a tree growing somewhere between your window and the Canyon rim. If it were me, I'd trade a room at Thunderbird for one at El Tovar, but I wouldn't worry if that didn't happen. Thunderbird was fine for us. Nothing fancy, but more than adequate and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
I'm really glad you're in the park. I think you'll have a very different experience.

OK, I can deal with a tree !
and I'll try again for el tovar but won't be stuck on the phone all day for it.

I just ask for the room to be comfy enought so we can rest after the flight and the road trip... will also need a nice bath !

Do you remember seeing deers outside your room ? when my dad came to pittsburgh he had a blast with the squirrel in my backyard, so I can't imagine if we had deers !


Celine, still 1 month and 2 weeks to wait

Thunderbird should be fine for a good night's sleep and a nice, hot shower. We saw deer several times in the early morning and early evening when we'd go out for a walk around Grand Canyon Village. It's likely that your dad will also see more squirrels! (In fact, the squirrels around the Canyon rim have become quite tame and some visitors feed them by hand. The park rangers, however, try to discourage that.)

Have you considered staying overnight somewhere half way to the canyon? Sedona is a very beautiful town, and it's about halfway between Phoenix and the canyon. Driving direct from the airport to the Grand Canyon will be very tiring after a long flight, especially if you are heading to Monumnet Valley the next day! Yes you will probably see mule deer - they walk around with no fear of people, and even a few coyotes.

zoosti:

I was thinking of staying at Sedone (been there last time and loved it) but if we want to stay until sunset we would havbe to drive back at night and then it would take longer to reach MV and we would miss the east rim drive.


In Central park my dad was walking around with cereal bars for himself and for the squirrels ;-), he will have to refrain himself in the park.


btw: do you pronouce the last -e- in coyote ?

Celine

I DO pronounce that last 'e' in the word 'coyote', but I'm from Pennsylvania, so what do I know?

I am leaving there too (in PA).

I wasn't sure about the -e- thing,

Thanks


Celine (-e- not pronouced at the end)

The website for the Grand hotel is www.visitgrandcanyon.com