The Grand Canyon is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The beauty of the place is legendary and is part of the reason it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And because of this, it draws visitors from all parts of the world to experience its natural grandeur.
As such, accommodations close to the Grand Canyon are at a premium. During busy summer season, it can be difficult to score a reservation.
My husband and I were on a road trip on our way back to Albuquerque and decided to stay 2 nights during December close to the Grand Canyon entrance. My Peruvian husband had never seen the Grand Canyon and he was eager to see how this natural wonder compared to the Colca Canyon in Peru. (For those that don’t know, the Colca Canyon is a river canyon in southern Peru. It is one of the world’s deepest – deeper than the Grand Canyon – and is famous for being the habitat for the giant Andean condor.)
As a bonus, we were treated to a snow covering of the canyon on our final day. Not many travelers can showcase snow dusted photos of the canyon from the South Rim. But now, I gleefully added this to my photo inventory.
Near the Grand Canyon Entrance
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is only 1-mile from the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance. A 3-story chalet, the hotel is part of the Xanterra travel collection. Located in the small tourist town of Tusayan, it is also a 3-diamond hotel, the only one in the region, and one of the few with an indoor swimming pool.
Built in 1998, the hotel has 121 rooms that were fully renovated in January 2016.
The Hotel
The rustic charm of this lodge showcases mounted taxidermic heads of various wildlife in the Grand Canyon, from bison to antelope. Not my thing but it was interesting to see the variety of large mammal species that inhabit the Grand Canyon.
A stone-slab fireplace dominates the lobby, and prominently displays a moose head. Exposed timber stone and ironwork define the architecture. It is reminiscent of the grandeur, but rustic charm associated with national park lodges. Massive with natural materials, while showcasing the local environment.
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The Grand Hotel has a heated swimming pool and bar, along with a fitness room, business center, and a restaurant and bar.
The Canyon Star Steakhouse is the restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast buffet is worth eating, especially before a long day at the Grand Canyon. Not many options in the small town.
The hotel is smoke free.
The Room
The beds are extremely comfortable and come with many pillows. For me, it is necessary for a good night of sleep.
Temperatures were cold because it was December. Plus, a snowstorm was brewing outside. We cuddled under the covers for warmth.
The in-room coffee was great as was the bottled water.
The Rates
For the best rates online, book directly with Grand Hotel, Grand Canyon. Or check Booking.com, Expedia, or Booking.com for competitive prices. Rates vary greatly, depending on day of the week, season and room type. Winter rates are around $120 per night whereas spring and summer rates run from around $350 per night.
Promotions are available on the hotel website and include a 10% discount off the standard rack rate for seniors over 50. You must use promo code SENIOR.
For those who book 90 days in advance, there is a savings of 15% off the nightly rate. Be sure to use promo code EARLY when making the reservation.
For reviews of other properties in the Grand Canyon area, check out nearby Red Feather Lodge.
Karin Leperi Pezo is a writer and photographer living in Peru. She and her husband paid full fare for two nights. All photos are by Karin Pezo, unless otherwise noted. As always, all opinions are those of the author.
