We're planning to be in Monument Valley during a future trip (June 2001). There would be 2 adults and kids ages 11 and 9. Everyone says to stay at Gouldings, but it's $140. That seems a bit steep, but the other place we're considering is a new Hampton Inn in Kayenta and it's $99. I'm leaning towards spending the extra money to stay at Gouldings. If you've been there, do you recommend it? Will this place appeal to the kids at all? If anyone's done a guided tour I'd like to hear who you did it with and if it was good. We'll have our van and could do the 17 mile drive ourselves. Please give me your comments if you've done that.

A very loud YES for staying in Goulding's Lodge. If for no other reason, it's worth it just to wake up early in the morning, go out on your balcony (every room has one, I believe) and watch the sun come up over the monuments. It is truly a thrilling site....and have your camera ready. It's truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
As for the drive, we took the tour that's available at the lodge, enjoyed it and thought it was worth the money. I'm not sure which is the better choice--doing it yourself or taking the guided tour. However, I think your children (and probably you and your wife, as well) would probably get much more out of the guided tour.
Yes, staying at Goulding's Lodge is defnitely worth the extra $41.

That $41 is the best $41 difference you will ever spend. The poster above is absolutely correct. We have both taken the half-day tour and spent the night at Goulding's -- memories to last a lifetime. You will be glad you popped for the extra bucks.

I agree on Gouldings. The rooms are nice and the view spectacular and SO convenient. My only negative comment relates to the food, which was pretty grim. Also, tho we were there early for dinner, the soup in the serve yourself soup and salad bar, was gone...just a big empty vat at about 6 PM. Otherwise it was a great experience.

We drove ourselves through Monument Valley in our rental car. Looked into a tour through the guides who park by the visitor's center, but they were charging $40/person, and as there were 4 of us, we just decided to do it on our own. It suited our style better anyway probably, because we linger over beautiful spots, and it's best for us not be on anyone else's schedule.

If you enjoy a glass of wine before or after dinner, you'll have to bring your own. This is all reservation land and no alcohol can be purchased.

Here's another vote in favor of Goulding's. As Howard said, it's worth it just to be there at sunrise. We took the tour offered through Goulding's, and were glad we did - it was one of the highlights of our trip. The guide was entertaining and informative, and by going on a tour you can go off-road and see a lot more than you would by driving yourself (besides which, the road is pretty poorly maintained, and I think your van would thank you for avoiding it.)

Another thumbs up for Goulding's. I stayed there on April 5 with 2 kids aged 10 and 12 and it was a great time for all. We were in one of the little cabin units and watched the sunrise from our beds. The Goulding's 2 1/2 hour tour is $25 per person except for smaller children. It seemed like enough to me because the lurching ride and dust tires you out no matter how incredible the scenery. Driving yourself means the driver will get exhausted and won't see as much as the passengers. Our guide was very soft-spoken but told wonderful stories of growing up in the Valley - added a fascinating dimension. The kids loved the indoor pool and even the little lodge museum. Have yours take a look at some of the John Ford films and maybe Back to the Future III before they see the places these were filmed.

The one drawback is the food. Relatively expensive for the marginal quality. Next time I would pack a big lunch and breakfast picnic and eat on the balcony.

Definitely stay at Gouldings...Kayenta ia quite a drive and not much of a town. I also would definitely take the tour from Gouldings...I don't know what you can see on your own tour, but chances are that you will only visit once and you will see far more with the Indian guide and his truck. Food is extremely mediocre at all of the places in Indian country, I just don't know why!

We stayed at Goulding's for 3 nights about 4 years ago and I still recall how wonderful the view was from the bed in our room.....one day my husband felt sick so we basically never left the room but I just sat there in Goulding's and watched the most amazing light changes on nearby Monument Valley...a storm came and went and then the sun came out! We drove the Valley in our own car and were glad to as then we could stop where ever and for as long as we liked. BTW we actually liked the food in the restaurant there...but maybe they changed cooks recently as I see nowadays people don't seem to.

YES! YES! Staying at Gouldings is definitaly worth the extra money. Standing on our balcony and looking out over Monument Valley was the highlight of our trip! On the day we were to leave we were on our balcony for a last look and saw the most spectacular sight. A large black cloud (the first rain cloud we had seen in the 8 days of travelling from Vegas to Grand Canyon to Monument Valley) was over the valley and a bolt of lightening ripped through the sky over one of the mesas. WOW!! We took one of the Navajo guided tours through the Valley, which was most informative--much more than doing it on our own. Of all we saw, including the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley was the most impressive and memorable.

Tomorrow's (Sunday's) NY Times Travel Section includes an excellent article about Monument Valley, along with one about the Canyon de Chelly and its surrounding area and another about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
If you can't buy a copy, try your local library. They are worth reading.