I have booked a week in Sedona, and am now trying to book a few days by the Grand Canyon rim. I'd appreciate any recommendation as to which of them is preferable, assuming I have a choice. Also, when I brought up the Nat'l Park site, and the Grand Canyon specifically, I was only able to get an address to write to, to book ahead. Does anyone know of a more direct way to to this?

xanterra.com Things are likely to be booked, but there are often cancellations if you call about a week from arrival.

The company that handles lodging at this park is Xanterra, check out their website at Xanterra.com. The best place to stay is on the rim: El Tovar is classic and a bit pricey, Bright Angel is charming/funky and cheaper, Thunderbird is motel-like.

Thanks for the help. I will check out the Xanterra site. I also discovered there is a phone number, on this site, so I'll check that out as well. Now, does anyone know if the summer heat is unbearable at the Grand Canyon Village. I've read that only one or two of the hotels have air conditioning. How hot are summer nights there, generally?

We were at Grand Canyon August 2003. Weather was reported to be about 10 degrees below normal - but it was certainly tolerable. It got much cooler in evening. Husband and son were even able to do early AM hike 3 miles into Canyon on Bright Angel Trail.

We stayed at Bright Angel cabins - they are small, simple, rustic, but very clean. Each sleeps 2 people in, but adjoins the other half of the cabin that sleeps another 2 if there are more in your group. They are steps from the South Rim.

Lots of new motels right outside the park, inclduing a native-indian-run Best Western.

I was able to book two cabins at Bright Angel for my kids, and a king room at Kachina for my husband and myself. A few places were already booked up. I was happy to hear that the places were all clean, and I hear several have been redone. I'm not expecting a four star accommadation. I'm glad we were able to get someplace at the rim. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. Now to decide what, if any, tours to do, while there..... Thanks for the input.

Kachina was recently redone and is pretty decent (on par with an upscale Holiday Inn) and has A/C. I'm not sure if Bright Angel would have A/C or not. The location of Kachina and Bright Angel can't be beat. You'll enjoy your time there!!

Thanks for the input as to location and quality. This is a dream of my husband's, and it's long overdue! We are now trying to decide if we should plan any activities before we get there, or just wing it. We'll be there for two nights, and then leave for Sedona, where we will be for a week.

If anyone has a favorite restaurant, or site along the way, that we shouldn't miss, please share!

Dear Lois:

We just got back today from Sedona & the Grand Canyon. I will be posting a trip report, but in a nutshell, this is what we did: One night at the GC at Bright Angel. It was rustic but clean and steps from the rim. We ate at the coffee shop restaurant at Bright Angel. It was fine. There is also the Arizona Room at BA & the higher end restaurant at El Tovar, but you either need reservations(El Tovar) or have to wait.

Then on the advice of Utahtea, we headed east out of the GC to the Desert View lookout. We continued east getting a fabulous view of the Painted Desert. We stopped at Cameron Trading post to shop and have lunch. Headed south to Flagstaff & Sedona, detouring at the Wupatki/Sunset Crater site.

Sedona is beautiful with its red rocks. And the Grand Canyon was unbelievable. I cried when I saw it.

Hope you enjoy your trip!!

MichelleY

We stayed at a wonderful Bright Angel rim cabin, end unit, July 13 . We opened all the windows upon arrival and that evening did lots of walking and exploring. We left several lights on and when we returned, the cabin was filled with tiny bugs that had been attracted by the lights (they penetrated the screens). They cruised around our heads off and on all night; one even got in my ear. Small bother, when compared to the splendor of the GC. I plan to return, but LIGHTS OUT next time if the windows are open...

Thanks for the tips. I had already planned to save UtahTea's tips, as we got great tips on our Utah trip that way. I'l be watching for your trip report, Michelle. And, nanfox, we will be sure to leave the lights out, after your experience!! That would definitely bother me!! Think I'll be sure to have some bug spray.......