Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [189]
Rooms in the historic cabins cost only about $10 more than the most expensive lodge rooms and are worth the extra money. Most of the freestanding cabins house two guest rooms, have many windows, and are bright inside. Buses often stop near the cabins on the Village Loop Road; the cabins near the rim are slightly quieter. At the high end of the price range are the 12 rim-side cabins, which have partial views of the canyon. The luxurious Buckey O'Neill Cabin boasts a fireplace and canyon views. The rim-side cabins tend to fill up far in advance. The lodge has two restaurants (reviewed later in this chapter).
El Tovar Hotel
☎ 928/638-2631 (main switchboard) or 888/297-2757 (reservations only). Fax 303/ 297-3175. 78 units. A/C TV TEL. Standard $137–$152; deluxe room $194; suite $246– $315. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
The El Tovar underwent a $4.6-million renovation for its 100th anniversary in 2005. Its hunting-lodge style makes it a dark, cool counterpoint to the warm, pueblo-style buildings designed by Mary Colter. Built to accommodate tourists arriving on the Santa Fe Railroad, the El Tovar, roughly 100 yards from the rim, casts a long shadow over Grand Canyon Village. A pointed cupola sits above its three stories of Oregon pine and native stone, and spires rise above an upstairs deck. The building's interior is as unforgettable as the outside. Moose and elk heads hang on varnished walls, dimly lit by copper chandeliers. Take away the modern-day tourists, and the El Tovar looks much as it did at its inception, when it offered luxuries such as a music room, art classes, and a roof garden.
The hotel remains the most luxurious at the canyon and is the only one to offer room service and nightly turndown. If the hotel isn't busy, ask to see a few rooms before settling in; they vary in size and shape. During the recent renovation, standard king rooms got a significant face-lift, gaining CD radios and upgraded bathrooms. Deluxe rooms offer more space than standard units, and some have balconies. The most stunning accommodations by far are the four view suites, each of which has a sitting room and a private deck overlooking the canyon. The suites, the hotel's most expensive units, often fill up a year or more in advance.
The hotel restaurant (reviewed later in this chapter) occupies a stunning dining room with views of the canyon.
Maswik Lodge
☎ 928/638-2631 (main switchboard) or 888/ 297-2757 (reservations only). Fax 303/297-3175. 278 units. TV TEL. Maswik South $83; Maswik North $127; cabin room $76. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Built in the 1960s, Maswik Lodge lies in a wooded area, a 5-minute walk from the rim. If you're not up to walking, you can catch a shuttle directly in front of the lodge. Guest rooms are in 16 two-story wood-and-stone buildings known as Maswik North and South. Most Maswik North rooms have vaulted ceilings, private balconies, and forest views, making them among the most pleasant in the park. Maswik North is slated to be renovated in early 2006. Rooms in Maswik South are 5 years older, are a bit smaller, and have less pristine views. With only one window each, they can also be hot during midsummer. However, the Maswik South rooms were renovated in 2001, and their relatively low cost makes them a good value despite their shortcomings. Maswik is especially good for families. All rooms have two queen-size beds. During summer, Maswik also rents out 40 guest rooms in 10 rustic, thin-walled cabins. You can dine at the lodge's cafeteria (reviewed later in this chapter).
Thunderbird & Kachina Lodges
☎ 928/638-2631 (main switchboard) or 888/297-2757 (reservations only). Fax 303/ 297-3175. 55 units at Thunderbird, 49 at Kachina. TV TEL. Park side $130; canyon side $140. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Fans of 1960s-era dormitory