Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [194]
It's sure not much from the outside, but this two-story 1966 motor court between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 66 is one of the best lodging values in Williams. Guests can swim in the outdoor pool, cook out on barbecue grills, or relax in the spotless rooms, which come with a host of amenities. The only drawback is the proximity of certain rooms to the westbound traffic. As for the decor, one owner aptly describes it as "blue."
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86046. ☎ 800/843-8724 or 928/635-4010. Fax 928/635-2180. www.thetrain.com. 297 units. A/C TV TEL. Mar 16–Oct 15, $139 double; Oct 16–Mar 15 $89 double. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Recently renamed, this sprawling lodge replaced the original Fray Marcos Hotel. In the lobby, oil paintings of the Grand Canyon adorn the walls, and cushy chairs surround a flagstone fireplace. Spenser's Lounge offers simple dining and drinks from behind a century-old bar. The hotel has an indoor pool and an exercise room.
Thanks to the success of the Grand Canyon Railway, this hotel has grown rapidly. It more than doubled in size with the addition of a new wing in 2004. Rooms are fairly spartan. Although this is a quality hotel providing good service, it does feel less intimate and more commercial than other area lodges.
Legacies Bed and Breakfast
450 S. 11th St., Williams, AZ 86046. ☎ 866/ 370-2288 or 928/635-4880. Fax 928/635-2509. www.legaciesbb.com. 3 units. $135– $185 double. Rates include full breakfast. AE, MC, V. Children under 15 not accepted.
This two-story home on a quiet residential street offers inviting, reasonably priced accommodations. The Hawaiian room is a tropical escape from the Southwest, the Route 66 room is a walk down memory lane, and the Legacies Suite is a romantic retreat with a raised canopy king bed, fireplace, and lighted two-person whirlpool. The highlight of the gourmet breakfast is orange pecan toast served with warm maple syrup. A number of hiking trails, as well as downtown Williams, lie within easy walking distance.
Red Garter Bed and Bakery
137 W. Railroad Ave. (P.O. Box 95), Williams, AZ 86046. ☎ 800/328-1484 or 928/635-1484. www.redgarter.com. 4 units, all with private bathroom, 3 with shower only. TV. $120–$145 double. Rates include continental breakfast. DISC, MC, V. Closed Dec–Jan.
In the early 1900s, this Victorian Romanesque building had a brothel upstairs, a saloon downstairs, and an opium den in the back. The innkeeper, John Holst, has worked hard to preserve both the building, built in 1897, and its colorful history. Each room has custom-made moldings, a 12-foot-high ceiling, a ceiling fan, and antique furnishings. The Best Gals' Room overlooks Route 66 and is the largest and most luxurious of the four. Its two adjoining rooms were once reserved for the brothel's "best gals," who would lean out of the double-hung windows to flag down customers. This unusual B&B boasts "more than 100 years of personal service."
Sheridan House Inn
460 E. Sheridan Ave., Williams, AZ 86046. ☎ 888/635-9345 or 928/635-9441. Fax 928/635-1005. www.grandcanyonbedand breakfast.com. 8 units. TV TEL. $160–$220 double. Rates include full breakfast and dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Ask about pets in advance.
Few B&Bs offer an inclusive package that rivals the one at this inn. Rates include a social hour with beer, wine, and other beverages; an exquisite three-course dinner; and a gourmet breakfast. Most of the guest rooms have brass beds, glass-topped coffee tables, TVs, stereos, VCRs, and refrigerators. The Rosewood has a lighthouse theme, a fireplace, and a large marble bathroom with separate shower and tub. Two family units offer separate bedrooms for parents and kids, each with its own TV and VCR. Outside, under the ponderosa pines at the end of the quiet street (a short walk from downtown Williams), the seasonal hot