Lodges in Grand Canyon
 

Looking froward to seeing the Grand Canyon.
We're planning on staying at Yavapai lodge, Grand Canyon mid June for a couple of nights. No AC. Is it likely to be to hot to sleep? I've read some bad reports about that lodge. Also, would Makwik lodge be a nicer place to stay.
Would a one night stay be enough to see the canyon?

We've stayed there--it was fine, relatively recently renovated. None of the park lodges are much to brag about--they are basic necessities kinds of places, but the only place I'd stay at the Grand Canyon. We've also stayed at Bright Angel and in all honesty, although I like Bright Angel's location much better and for that reason will always try to get that one when we go back, Yavapi was probably a bit nicer. You just need to be prepared to drive to the restaurants at El Tovar or Bright Angel Lodge if you want to eat there.

If you are worried about something you read on TripAdvisor, I've gotta say....don't take that to heart. There isn't a hotel of <i>any</i> star level that doesn't get complaints leveled against it there...justified or no.... Take the general consensus instead of taking any individual report to heart.

Thanks for the reassurance Malesherbes. It's nice to hear a positive report from someone who's been there. We were lucky to get that booking anyway. We are not too fussy, and I did read the bad report on TripAdvisor. You may have stayed in an East room, which I read are air conditioned. I think we're staying in an older West room, as we have no air conditioner. I was wondering how hot it got on June nights.

I live in Phoenix. It will be quite comfortable at night up at the Canyon. And Malesherbes comments on the lodges are entirely on target. Enjoy.

We stayed in the un-airconditioned Yavapai in late July and it was just great. Windows open with ceiling fan and it was cool enough for a blanket. The large window looked out into nothing but deep woods.

I second luugis. When we checked in it was mid-afternoon and the rooms were a bit stuffy, but it cooled off quickly. One of the nice things was that it was easy to find a parking place there - unlike the main lodge and Bright Angel.

I agree with the 2 above. We stayed at Yavapai the hottest days of August and were very comfortable at night....almost a little bit cool!

We just booked Yavapai Lodge for the 22nd of June and felt lucky to get it! All the others were unavailable for any other dates that week.

At this point in the season, one is lucky to have anything &quot;available.&quot;

I'm sure we'll get along fine there based upon the comments of others on this board and what I've read about it when I &quot;googled&quot; it.

Jean

Thanks everyone for the replies, it sounds like it will be comfortable even without AC. We're really looking forward to this trip.
Jean, (pumpkin), we may even bump into each other there.

I stayed at the Yavapai Lodge two weeks ago. The room was fine. The line in the cafeterio suddenly got long when a tour group came in.

Food is mediocre at best.

You will have time to look at the canyon from the rims.

I recommend the West Rim Drive on the shuttle bus. The bus starts from near the Bright Angel Lodge.

Private cars not allowed on the road.

The shuttle stops frequently going out to the end station, but only stops a couple of times coming back.

You can ride to an overlook, get off, walk along the rim to the next overlook, and get back on the bus.

Take my advice and try to ride in the front of the bus. The trailer is rough and bumpy to ride in.

The Maswick Lodge is very similar, but you might not be able to switch this late. I see no advantage in doing so.
I have stayed in both lodges and the parking is closer to your room at the Yavapai.

As for eating, good luck.
I had a hamburger that was edible, and then ate all of the cookies, apples and bananas I had in the car!
If I had brought more food with me, I think I would have eaten it cold!!

We stayed at Thunderbird, next to Maswick, and its twin. We were thrilled with our room. Really, really quite nice, and much nicer than we expected. Very room, nicely decorated, unbelievable view (of course).

We had a very good meal at the second nicest restaurant (not the one at El Tovar) and had a great meal. All our other meals there were at more casual venues and the food was abysmal.