Just back from PHX, GC, MV etc. any questions?
 

Just got back from a great trip to Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Painted Desert and Tonto Natural Bridge (in that order).<BR><BR>Thanks for all the great posts on this board! They helped make this trip a complete success.<BR><BR>Now it's time to give back - so ask away. Responses might not be immediate: have to go back to work tomorrow and have jet lag (I live in Europe).

What was your opinion of Phoenix? I notice that it gets a lot of negative comments here. Also, did you try one of the jeep tours in Sedona?

Don,<BR><BR>Phoenix/Scottsdale is like a prettier version of LA with LOTS of golf courses but without the beach or the nightlife. <BR><BR>We spent a few days on either end of the trip staying with friends in Scottsdale and it was a very nice place to relax.<BR><BR>Also, the Heard Museum (Native American art) and Taliesin West were interesting.<BR><BR>2 restaurants I would recommend: Christopher's (French/New American) at the Biltmore Park (?) mall and the Cantina (Mexican)at the Boulders mall. Good restaurants in shopping malls? That says it all about Phoenix. BTW both the Biltmore Park (?) with Saks and Fashion Square (Neiman Marcus) malls are very nice if you like upscale shopping.<BR><BR>Didn't take the jeep tour in Sedona but hiked up Boynton Canyon for a while (very nice) after lunch at the Enchantment Resort.<BR><BR>Andre

Hi, Andre.<BR><BR>Do you have any recommendations on places to stay in Sedona and Grand Canyon? We are planning a trip in October and would appreciate your input. Also, if you had to choose your favorite among Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and Painted Desert, which would it be? We are starting in Santa Fe and driving to the Grand Canyon and then Sedona and finally Phoenix. Thanks.

Hi Eileen<BR><BR>Monument Valley was our clear favourite along with Grand Canyon. Stay at Goulding's, simple but clean motel with a great view of the rock formations and take a tour (they leave from Gouldings) as they go into restricted areas of the park you can't reach on your own. www.gouldings.com<BR><BR>Regarding hotel recommendations:<BR>- At Grand Canyon, we stayed at the El Tovar right on the South Rim. What a ripoff! Our 180 USD a night "deluxe" rooms had bad motel furniture and were dirty to boot... The mouse in the dining room was also part of the "atmosphere"! I would still stay at the rim, but can't imagine that the cheaper lodges are any worse (I could be wrong however) - www.grandcanyonlodges.com<BR>There are chain motels just outside the park at Tusayan about a 15-20 min drive from the rim.<BR><BR>- We didn't stay overnight in Sedona, but had lunch at the Enchantment Resort - great natural setting and beautiful views from the restaurant, mixed impressions for service and food. Rates are probably high (over 200 USD).<BR>www.enchantmentresort.com<BR><BR>- We also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Holbrook, near Petrified Forest/Painted Desert. Absolutely OK new motel. Decent Italian restaurant (Mesa Italiana) down the road.<BR><BR>Hope this helps<BR>Andre

Thanks, Andre, for your prompt response. We have reservations at El Tovar which we may have to rethink. I wonder if anyone else has any experience with this hotel and would like to share it. We will definitely go to Monument Valley on your recommendation. Thanks again.

Hi Andre.<BR><BR>I am on my way to the Grand Canyon 3-22-02 (from LV) then off to Monument Valley and S. Utah. How many hours from the Village to Goulding's? How many stops did you make? <BR>Thanks!<BR>GP

My husband and I spent 3 nights in Sedona last spring at the Wishing Well B&B. We usually go for bargain hotels but this place was a real treat - they serve an incredible brekfast in your room - hummingbirds outside our sliding door-small deck with hot tub. We are returning in April for ten days - staying at the Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa (it is free for us) for 5 days then onto Canyon de Chelly - where did you stay there? we will be heading to Tuscon from there - any suggestions for hotels or food? Thanks

GP:<BR>The drive to Monument Valley takes about three hours, not counting any stops on the GC East rim road along the way. We stopped at the Grandview and Desert View belvederes - absolutely great views under blue skies with a fresh coat of snow on the ground!<BR><BR>There's nothing to stop for between the Canyon and MV. The drive is easy and quite beautiful at times, although the final approach around Kayenta had me wondering if I should have come - don't worry, all of the sudden you're there and it's amazing (Eileen's approach from the South/East should be much more scenic though).<BR><BR>Afternoon tours leave at 3 from Goulding's so time your arrival for a late lunch. The tour will give you unbelievable sunset views this time of year. Enjoy!<BR><BR>Linda:<BR>We didn't sleep at Canyon de Chelly. Had lunch at the Thunderbird Lodge motel, which is right behind the visitor center. Looked simple but clean - the restaurant was cafeteria style and the food was just decent though. There's a Holiday Inn down the road, but we had a reservation there which we subsequently decided to cancel - pushed onward to Holbrook... just got my amex statement today and they charged me for 2 of the 3 rooms anyway! Weren't too courteous about it when I confronted them over the phone either. So in doubt I would opt for Thunderbird.<BR><BR>Hope this helps<BR>Andre

Thank you Andre - sounds like we need to include Monument Vally in on our trip!

We also just returned from a wonderful 8 day tour of Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion National Parks. I was travelling with 2 kids and was very pleased with our accommodations in Sedona (Sky Lodge Ranch cottage up by airport - incredible views, nice facility $175 for private cottage w/ kitchen & living area) and Grand Canyon<BR>(El Tovar Whitley suite - very large, partial Rim view, HUGE balcony, seperate sitting room/sofabed, nicely furnished - not cheap... $250). We did not like the El Tovar dining room - service was very slow - we were far happier choosing our own meals at Maswik Lodge cafeteria - what it lacked in atmosphere, it made up for in selection, price & reasonable quality. I loved El Tovar's location, but for the price would probably try Bright Angel cabins next time. We had a grand time & found the info here at Fodors very helpful in making our trip a success.