Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [193]
Grand Hotel
Hwy. 64, 1½ miles south of the park entrance (P.O. Box 33319), Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. ☎ 888/634-7263 or 928/638-3333. Fax 928/638-3131. www.grandcanyonhotel.com. 121 units. A/C TV TEL. High season $129 standard, $189 balcony; low season $99 standard, $119 balcony. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Modeled after an Old West lodge, the Grand's lobby features an enormous fireplace, hand-woven carpets, and hand-oiled, hand-painted goatskin lanterns. The rooms are less grand though still inviting, decorated with prints of the Canyon and simple Southwest furnishings. The choicest units are on the third floor, with balconies facing away from the highway. The hotel restaurant (reviewed later in this chapter) features nightly entertainment in the summer.
7-Mile Lodge
Hwy. 64, 1½ miles south of park entrance (P.O. Box 56), Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. ☎ 928/ 638-2291. Reservations not accepted. 20 units. A/C TV. High season $80 double; low season $68 double. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Instead of taking reservations, the owners of this motel start selling spaces at around 9am and usually fill up by early afternoon. If you need a reasonably priced place to stay, think about stopping here on your way into the park. Don't be put off by the motel's cramped office; the rooms are actually quite comfortable and large enough to hold two queen beds. They have 2-inch doors and walls thick enough to muffle the noise of planes from the nearby airport.
WILLIAMS
Williams is 59 miles south of the park. It has one moderate to expensive chain hotel that we recommend: Best Western Inn of Williams, 2600 Rte. 66 (☎ 928/ 635-4400). Rates run about $69 to $109 double.
Recommended midprice chain hotels in Williams include Fairfield Inn by Marriott, 1029 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., off I-40 Exit 163 (☎ 928/635-9888); Quality Inn Mountain Ranch Resort, 6701 E. Mountain Ranch Rd., 8 miles east of Williams off I-40, Exit 171 (☎ 928/635-2693); and Holiday Inn Williams, 950 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., off I-40, Exit 163 (☎ 928/635-4114). Doubles at these hotels usually run about $40 to $79.
In addition to the properties described below, a recommended B&B in Williams is the Terry Ranch Bed and Breakfast, 701 Quarterhorse Rd., near Rodeo Rd. (☎ 800/210-5908 or 928/ 635-4171), with double rates of $125 to $155.
Inexpensive chain hotels include Travelodge, 430 E. Rte. 66 (☎ 928/635-2651); Motel 6 East, 720 W. Rte. 66 (☎ 928/635-4464); and Motel 6 West, 831 W. Rte. 66 (☎ 928/635-9000).
Canyon Motel
1900 E. Rodeo Rd., Williams, AZ 86046. ☎ 800/482-3955 or 928/635-9371. Fax 928/635-4138. www.thecanyonmotel.com. 18 cottage units, 5 train-car units, 10 with shower only. TV. Cottage unit $50–$80 double; train-car unit $75–$90 double. DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted in smoking rooms only; $7 fee.
Kevin and Shirley Young have lovingly restored these historic flagstone cottages as well as the eye-catching guest rooms in two Santa Fe cabooses and one former Grand Canyon Railway coach car. From the outside, the cabooses resemble—well, cabooses, only with private decks. They are wonderful for families of up to five, with a bed for the parents in the larger section, a compact bathroom and shower, and three small beds for the kids. The two largest guest rooms are in the Grand Canyon Railway car. Unlike the cabooses, these rooms have windows that open and enough space to accommodate a queen bed and futon. The cottage rooms are a good choice for travelers on a budget. The property has an indoor pool (may close seasonally) and Internet cafe.
Under the same ownership, the Railroad RV Park (www.railroadrv.com) opened on the property in 2005. Its 47 spaces go for $29 to $32 in high season, $26 to $29 in the winter. The owners plan to add showers, laundry facilities, and a general store in 2006.
El Rancho Motel
617 E. Route 66, Williams, AZ