Hotels near Monument Valley
Feb 20th, 2010, 06:18 AM
#21
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Visitors who enjoy a drink, with or without a meal, may find alcohol spottily available, if it is available at all.
Since alcohol is not sold on reservations, I would be interested to know if it is available at Gouldings.
No alcohol at Gouldings or in Kayenta (both on the Navajo Reservation), but Mexican Hat (22 miles north of Monument Valley) is just across the San Juan river, which is the northern border of the Navajo Reservation, and alcohol is legal and served freely here (though it's in Utah and Utah has its own funny drinking laws due to the Mormon influence).
You would have to be pretty hard up for a drink to want to stay in Mexican Hat rather than at Gouldings though ...
Since alcohol is not sold on reservations, I would be interested to know if it is available at Gouldings.
No alcohol at Gouldings or in Kayenta (both on the Navajo Reservation), but Mexican Hat (22 miles north of Monument Valley) is just across the San Juan river, which is the northern border of the Navajo Reservation, and alcohol is legal and served freely here (though it's in Utah and Utah has its own funny drinking laws due to the Mormon influence).
You would have to be pretty hard up for a drink to want to stay in Mexican Hat rather than at Gouldings though ...
Feb 20th, 2010, 07:45 AM
#22
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Note for the ladies - some of these tiny towns right in the 4 Corners area are SO tiny that you really need to come completely prepared. Or drive 50-60 miles for what you need. Amazing, but true from personal experience.
Bill - when have you last visited Utah? Things are improving all the time!
No more "private clubs" - anyone of legal age can walk in and get a drink any time (during open hours). They do tend to frown on people helping themselves when the place is closed
.
Liquor stores are bigger, better and easier to find!
Restaurants have the wine list right on the table now, you don't have to ask for it.
Here in Park City we just gained a nationally recognized, award winning Whiskey distillery (to go with our 3 brew pubs).
Plus, my nearest liquor store just expanded its hours to 10am - 10pm. A huge improvement in convenience.
Salute!
Bill - when have you last visited Utah? Things are improving all the time!
No more "private clubs" - anyone of legal age can walk in and get a drink any time (during open hours). They do tend to frown on people helping themselves when the place is closed
.Liquor stores are bigger, better and easier to find!
Restaurants have the wine list right on the table now, you don't have to ask for it.
Here in Park City we just gained a nationally recognized, award winning Whiskey distillery (to go with our 3 brew pubs).
Plus, my nearest liquor store just expanded its hours to 10am - 10pm. A huge improvement in convenience.
Salute!
Feb 20th, 2010, 09:26 AM
#23
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Bill - when have you last visited Utah?
Visit often, just don't have occasion drink while I'm there except maybe a beer with lunch at Moab. Sorry if I'm not up-to-date on all the new, improved liquor laws.
Things are improving all the time! No more "private clubs" - anyone of legal age can walk in and get a drink any time (during open hours).
No more 3.2 beer? No more 'private club' nonsense? Welcome to the 20th century
Visit often, just don't have occasion drink while I'm there except maybe a beer with lunch at Moab. Sorry if I'm not up-to-date on all the new, improved liquor laws.
Things are improving all the time! No more "private clubs" - anyone of legal age can walk in and get a drink any time (during open hours).
No more 3.2 beer? No more 'private club' nonsense? Welcome to the 20th century
Feb 22nd, 2010, 11:40 AM
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'Ackislander on Feb 20, 10 at 5:34am
The group conclusion mirrors my own: there is no luxury accomodation in or near Monument Valley, but of course that isn't why you go there.'
At $490.00 per nite per room - the "View Hotel" in Monument Valley sure fits into my definition of luxury acommodation.
The group conclusion mirrors my own: there is no luxury accomodation in or near Monument Valley, but of course that isn't why you go there.'
At $490.00 per nite per room - the "View Hotel" in Monument Valley sure fits into my definition of luxury acommodation.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 01:07 PM
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At $490.00 per nite per room - the "View Hotel" in Monument Valley sure fits into my definition of luxury acommodation.
Wow, that's really over-priced! (I just checked the View for late May and it was $240 w/ tax for a double, so not sure where the $490 comes from though).
In the olden days when I went to MV often Gouldings was under $90 in the off-off season and $150-180 in peak season, though it was usually full in peak season, which is when I'd try other places.
eganders says they are going in late May ... I just checked for grins and Gouldings was full the three dates I checked for (no surprise, it's the best deal unless their rates are now sky high too). View had rooms starting at $240.
I also checked the Hampton Inn at Kayenta and their rates for late May started at $79 + tax, with a free hot breakfast included. This is why I mentioned Kayenta as an option earlier. Many people would rather drive an extra 25 minutes and pay about 1/3 as much for the room.
Someone posted above "My best friend stayed just 1 night in Kayenta and said it was a horribly depressing place. They couldn't leave fast enough" ... this was surprising to me. All the on-rez Navajo towns (Chinle, Tuba City, Cameron, Kayenta, etc) seem a bit poverty-stricken to most outsiders so I guess you could consider them "horribly depressing", but the people I've met were all friendly (except for a couple of aggressive drunks in Chinle).
About the only tourist amenities in Kayenta are the Navajo Code Talker display at the Burger King, and the well-stocked Basha's supermarket (Basha's is a big Arizona chain). Other than these it's just a quiet place to get a hotel room or a meal, nothing more. Maybe these nutters were expecting Sedona North or Scottsdale Lite. They don't sound like experienced travelers to me.
Wow, that's really over-priced! (I just checked the View for late May and it was $240 w/ tax for a double, so not sure where the $490 comes from though).
In the olden days when I went to MV often Gouldings was under $90 in the off-off season and $150-180 in peak season, though it was usually full in peak season, which is when I'd try other places.
eganders says they are going in late May ... I just checked for grins and Gouldings was full the three dates I checked for (no surprise, it's the best deal unless their rates are now sky high too). View had rooms starting at $240.
I also checked the Hampton Inn at Kayenta and their rates for late May started at $79 + tax, with a free hot breakfast included. This is why I mentioned Kayenta as an option earlier. Many people would rather drive an extra 25 minutes and pay about 1/3 as much for the room.
Someone posted above "My best friend stayed just 1 night in Kayenta and said it was a horribly depressing place. They couldn't leave fast enough" ... this was surprising to me. All the on-rez Navajo towns (Chinle, Tuba City, Cameron, Kayenta, etc) seem a bit poverty-stricken to most outsiders so I guess you could consider them "horribly depressing", but the people I've met were all friendly (except for a couple of aggressive drunks in Chinle).
About the only tourist amenities in Kayenta are the Navajo Code Talker display at the Burger King, and the well-stocked Basha's supermarket (Basha's is a big Arizona chain). Other than these it's just a quiet place to get a hotel room or a meal, nothing more. Maybe these nutters were expecting Sedona North or Scottsdale Lite. They don't sound like experienced travelers to me.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 01:50 PM
#26
"Maybe these nutters were expecting Sedona North or Scottsdale Lite. They don't sound like experienced travelers to me."
I've been traveling the area since the 70s and I'm neither a "nutter" or an inexperienced traveler.
Just one with a different opinion.
I've been traveling the area since the 70s and I'm neither a "nutter" or an inexperienced traveler.
Just one with a different opinion.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 03:02 PM
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Forgot to include earlier that we not only stayed at Valley of the Gods B&B one night, but also stayed in a cabin at the campground in MV. This was the only thing available. I think it was about $40 a night and it did have a nice sunrise view. There was even a "secret arch" a short 10 minute hike at the back of the campground. It was actually a fairly large arch. The cabin was pretty sad, but we did sleep well. One other option is to sleep in a Hogan. And, I might as well throw my opinion in- MV, along with the petrified forest are two of my least favorite places I have visited in UT/AZ. Certainly worth doing, just not my favs.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 03:49 PM
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Was at 'The View" last fall for lunch and a lookey-see. It was crawling---no, make that swarming- with tourists in every nook and cranny, big tour buses kicking up dust. Guess it's the novelty of the new plunked down in an ancient place...
Mar 8th, 2010, 04:02 PM
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Hi Starrs!
Can you tell me more about the cameron trading post - did you also stay there on your last trip? We've been a few times for lunch or shopping - we too loved the frye bread! - but haven't stayed there. The last time we stopped, i intentionally looked for the 'beautiful, secluded gardens' as written on their site, and thought they were anything but!
That was over two years ago however, so how is the place these days? We may have to stay there. The gardens aren't a deal breaker LOL but it did make me wonder what the rooms are like. Any other thoughts about the place? Or from anyone else who might have stayed there lately? Thanks!
Can you tell me more about the cameron trading post - did you also stay there on your last trip? We've been a few times for lunch or shopping - we too loved the frye bread! - but haven't stayed there. The last time we stopped, i intentionally looked for the 'beautiful, secluded gardens' as written on their site, and thought they were anything but!
That was over two years ago however, so how is the place these days? We may have to stay there. The gardens aren't a deal breaker LOL but it did make me wonder what the rooms are like. Any other thoughts about the place? Or from anyone else who might have stayed there lately? Thanks!
Mar 8th, 2010, 05:47 PM
#31
Hi ellen! Good to see you here!
The rooms at the Cameron Trading Post were basic rooms, nothing fancy. I chose it because I learned the hard way that it's virtually impossible to get my sister on the road in the timely fashion. The last time we were out there together, the kids were small and we didn't get out of GCNP until after 3pm. We went through Monument Valley in the dark. THIS time we were leaving the North Rim - and sure enough, she spent hours at the gift shop at the Jacob Lake Inn. We rolled into Cameron Trading Post after dark...well, after the registration desk had closed. So, the gardens were only peeked at when we got there.
The next morning we had one of the best breakfast at the trip...and then spent a few more hours in the trading post. She was SERIOUSLY shopping for Navajo rugs. So, it's not a "destination location" per se, but a good place to stay before heading into Monument Valley - and a great place to get some fry bread ;-)
The rooms at the Cameron Trading Post were basic rooms, nothing fancy. I chose it because I learned the hard way that it's virtually impossible to get my sister on the road in the timely fashion. The last time we were out there together, the kids were small and we didn't get out of GCNP until after 3pm. We went through Monument Valley in the dark. THIS time we were leaving the North Rim - and sure enough, she spent hours at the gift shop at the Jacob Lake Inn. We rolled into Cameron Trading Post after dark...well, after the registration desk had closed. So, the gardens were only peeked at when we got there.
The next morning we had one of the best breakfast at the trip...and then spent a few more hours in the trading post. She was SERIOUSLY shopping for Navajo rugs. So, it's not a "destination location" per se, but a good place to stay before heading into Monument Valley - and a great place to get some fry bread ;-)
Mar 9th, 2010, 03:14 PM
#32
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Thanks, starrs. They really do have a nice gift shoppe. Did your sister buy a rug? The only other place we saw anything near the quality of navajo rugs was at the Hubbell Trading Post in the middle of nowhere, AZ.
And i know all about getting on the road in a timely fashion. Or not. LOL Which is one reason i'm looking at this place between destinations
And i know all about getting on the road in a timely fashion. Or not. LOL Which is one reason i'm looking at this place between destinations
Mar 9th, 2010, 05:10 PM
#33
Yeah, we went to Hubbell too. We made a special trip there It was weird, the first time I was there it was very dry. That trip it was raining and I really got to see what a wash is all about. I stopped on the bridge to take a picture - but a ranger was there to keep me from doing it. Amazing the power of that water.
She gathered all sorts of info and narrowed down what she wanted and ordered it - a version of a tree of life rug. She even knew where on the road to the North Rim the weaver lives. She's a diligent researcher. She bought me a small rug to hang and it cost a fortune. It's the thought that counts, right? It's in my closet right now.
The Hubbell Trading post does a great auction once or twice a year. I hope to get there one day.
If you go, read the Vanity Fair article I linked earlier. I WILL stay at Gouldings on the next trip.
It was weird, the first time I was there it was very dry. That trip it was raining and I really got to see what a wash is all about. I stopped on the bridge to take a picture - but a ranger was there to keep me from doing it. Amazing the power of that water.She gathered all sorts of info and narrowed down what she wanted and ordered it - a version of a tree of life rug. She even knew where on the road to the North Rim the weaver lives. She's a diligent researcher.
She bought me a small rug to hang and it cost a fortune. It's the thought that counts, right? It's in my closet right now.The Hubbell Trading post does a great auction once or twice a year. I hope to get there one day.
If you go, read the Vanity Fair article I linked earlier. I WILL stay at Gouldings on the next trip.
Mar 9th, 2010, 05:11 PM
#34
Posting it again-
In any case, read this very interesting article before you go -
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fe...t-valley200903
In any case, read this very interesting article before you go -
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fe...t-valley200903
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