9 Best Hotels Inside Grand Canyon National Park

The gorgeously grandiose Grand Canyon National Park is the very embodiment of the splendor and scale of the American West. The stories of exploitation, preservation, and exploration, the dusty trails, and dramatic vistas have been enthralling visitors since 1919. Since then, it’s been a premiere road-tripping destination and was also on our outdoor lovers’ bucket lists! Just imagining the brilliant rust-red cliffs and the fragrant ponderosa pines with the gushing Caribbean blue waters of the Colorado River meandering below had us getting excited about our trip. Staying at the Grand Canyon is equally trippy, and the best hotel inside Grand Canyon National Park is inside it! Our choices included searching for ghosts at a historic hotel, indulging in a safari on a dude ranch, and eating traditional Navajo fare for breakfast. 

What was even better was that we found hotels for all kinds of budgets, too. So, whether you prefer historic hotels or want the comforts of an indulgent suite, even the most world-weary traveler will find something of their liking here. And, while all stays differ in historical background and ambiance, they all share a key attribute – a front-row seat to one of the great natural wonders of the world. What’s more, the region is rich in Hopi Kachina history, which are holy spirits living in Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks and other sacred Southwest mountains. So, for a healthy dose of history and adventure and with the promise of out-of-the-world views, check out this useful guide to staying inside the Grand Canyon.

Phantom Ranch

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Only bottom-of-the-canyon hotel. While most other hotels on this list sit on either the North/South Rims, Phantom Ranch is very special – it sits at the bottom of the canyon. Tucked amidst a tree-filled oasis a short walk from the Colorado River, this 1920s-built ranch is a truly special place.

The main lodge and the rustic cabins are built from native stone and wood, but what blew our minds was the lottery system for future stays (April 2024 onwards). While the lottery opened 15 months earlier, the results would be announced the following month, after which the remaining reservations go on sale! Another highlight here is the Phantom Ranch Canteen breakfasts and dinners, which necessarily require reservations months in advance. Moreover, the Canteen also sells sundries, beverages, and snacks.

Four dormitories, two each for women and men, feature five bunk beds each, a shower, and a restroom. Moreover, there were also beautiful cabins accommodating 2-10 people. Not only did they provide bedding and towels for everyone, but there was also a central location with liquid soap, bath towels, hot water sinks, and showers. What more could we want?

We had three ways to reach this place – rafting down Colorado Rover, on foot, or by mules. There are two hiking options, the 10-mi (16 km) Bright Angel Trail, which takes 4-6 hours, and the 7.5-mi (12 km) South Kaibab Trail, which takes 4-5 hours. While the ascent is harder due to the elevation, the descent is harder due to the heat, especially while approaching the river.

P.S.: Don’t forget to reconfirm your reservations two days before you begin hiking – it’s mandatory.

Maswik Lodge

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Since we’re culture vultures and history is our thing, we decided to stay at the Maswik Lodge, which is nestled in a ponderosa pine forest close to the canyon’s edge in Grand Canyon Village. Maswik’s structures are all contemporary, but the region and the lodge’s history are ancient. Santa Fe Railroad and the Fred Harvey Co. built the original “Motor Lodge” in 1927. After a series of renovations, the original stone pillars in the historic lodge buildings are the only architectural remnants.

Named for a Hopi Kachina who’s said to guard the Grand Canyon, Maswik comprises North and South lodges, of which the latter had undergone a massive renovation in 2022. Maswik South’s 120 rooms are spread across 4 2-storeyed buildings. Moreover, all of them feature plush beds, mini-fridges, air conditioning, satellite TVs, and even Keurig coffeemakers. The highlight for us was the small outdoor patio, which offered mesmerizing views. In fact, our room even had a kitchenette, so we could even prepare our own meals. Maswik North’s rooms, on the other hand, are spread across 12 older 2-storeyed structures.

Despite being a budget-focused place, the main lodge building boasted a spacious food court with many family-friendly options, including a pizza restaurant – get that!

Thunderbird Lodge

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Hotel with spectacular views. Since we were hiking the Grand Canyon with the family, staying at the Thunderbird Lodge was perfect. The 1968-built lodge sits between the Bright Angel and El Tovar lodges, right in the heart of the historic district of the South Rim. So, what made the lodge so family-friendly? For one, it had natural touches but with a healthy dose of contemporary style, too. Secondly, the location was superb, and we were within walking distance of the Bright Angel trailhead, the visitor center, and the gift shops and restaurants of the South Rim. Since we’re all outdoor enthusiasts, the Rim Trail location was extremely convenient for us.

Many of the modern and comfortable rooms offer canyon views, while others overlook the streets of the historic South Rim village. So, we simply asked for canyon-view rooms while booking and the staff was extremely helpful. Moreover, there are ADA-compliant rooms too. Notwithstanding the view or the category, all rooms came with plush and comfortable beds, satellite TVs, coffeemakers, and comfy bathrooms with bath products.

P.S.: If you’re staying at the Thunderbird, your check-in will happen at the front desk at the Bright Angel Lodge.

Kachina Lodge

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Best value-for-money. We were looking for practical value-for-money accommodations in the heart of the South Rim historic district, and the Kachina Lodge perfectly fit the bill.

The contemporary lodge, which was built in the late 1960s, might not have the historical charm of its peers, but its location and amenities are absolutely on-point. Check-in is done at the El Tovar Lodge. Since it sits right on the edge of the South Rim, many of the rooms offer partial views of the canyon, while the others overlook the parking lot and the main street. Since we wanted a canyon-side room, we asked for one while making a booking. Notwithstanding the views, all rooms came with queen or king beds, TVs, and evaporative coolers, which kept the heat at bay. We loved the restful décor, which included attractive wooden lamps and nicely presented artwork.

We mainly chose the Kachina Lodge due to its enviable location smack dab in the heart of the historic district. What’s more, it was also within walking distance to the visitor center, shops, and restaurants in the Grand Canyon Village, as well as the Bright Angel Trail Head. Since it sat directly on the Rim Trail spanning Hermits Rest to the Kaibab Trailhead, we could hike in either direction with spectacular views accompanying us.

Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins

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The 1935-designed Bright Angel Lodge combines a historic character with affordability, making it one of the best Grand Canyon lodging options. The registered National Historic Landmark boasts a natural rustic character and has a rich cultural history. Formerly a hotel, then a camp, and finally a lodge, Bright Angel’s changes were made after more travelers began arriving after the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1901.

Architect Mary Jane Colter drew a lot of inspiration from the surrounding setting for the lodge’s decor. For instance, the History Room’s “geologic” fireplace features all of the rock layers of the Grand Canyon. We loved exploring the History Room, which also had information on the original Surrey carriage, the Harvey Girls and Indian Detour Couriers, a 100-year-old El Tovar menu, historic postcards, and so much more. Moreover, the lodge’s design includes the amazing Red Horse Station, a former post office, and the Buckey O’Neill Cabin, originally home to one of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders! We had the choice of 90 digs, which ranged from standard rooms to historic ones and even historic cabins. The lack of TVs in the rooms was quite refreshing, to say the least!

We loved the profusion of amenities here, which included a coffeehouse, a gift shop, a seasonal ice cream shop, even an old-style saloon, and two restaurants. Fred Harvey Burger serves diner classics like gourmet burgers and huevos rancheros, while the Arizona Steakhouse serves classic American fare for all meals.

El Tovar

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Most historical. Any culture vulture worth their salt will know of the El Tovar Hotel, the “crown jewel” of Grand Canyon lodges. The European aesthetic of this Norwegian villa-style, 1905-built historic hotel was the epitome of refinement for American designers. Perched atop the South Rim’s edge, the El Tovar still impresses more than a century later. Built from Oregon pinewood and local limestone, this National Historic Landmark was considered the most elegant stay west of the Mississippi River. It has an eminent visitors’ roster that includes Sir Paul McCartney, Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and even Albert Einstein. So, we also wanted to experience staying here and were left enchanted.

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Since it sits directly on the canyon rim, we were treated to magnificent views from just about everywhere. The amenities here were excellent, considering that many other hotels around don’t have them. For one, the fine dining room served breakfasts and dinners. After a long day of hiking around the park, the lounge was welcoming. Plus, the fact that the hotel offered full bell service and in-room dining gave us many bonus points. A newsstand and a gift shop wrap up the offerings here, cementing El Tovar’s reputation as a world-class travel destination.

The 78 rooms and 12 suites were simple but comfortable, with vintage park photographs and Mission-inspired furnishings. Since the hotel is so historic, no two rooms were alike, and the suites, in fact, all had unique names, decor, and identities. For instance, our Zane Grey Suite came with unique wall art designed around the eminent author, as well as an attached sitting area and a terrace!

Yavapai Lodge

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You might think that not staying on the rim of the Grand Canyon isn’t exciting, but staying at the Yavapai Lodge changes that. Tucked in a ponderosa pine forest, the 1958-built lodge is away from the bustle of the Grand Canyon Village but close enough that we could cycle or walk down. It was originally built to serve the post-WWII visitors during the National Park 50th anniversary boom. The lodge’s rooms are divided into regular hotel rooms in Yavapai Lodge East as well as motel-style rooms in Yavapai Lodge West. Here, we could pull up right next to it, reminding us of iconic Route 66 motels. What’s more, all remodeled rooms in the East have air conditioning, while the West ones don’t, but are pet-friendly.

After a day of hiking and exploring, the Starbucks coffee was as welcoming as the ice cream scoops at the ice cream shop, followed by a round of lawn games. What’s more, the lovely patio even featured live music in summer and a wonderful firepit and heaters for chilly nights (we went in the fall). The onsite Yavapai Tavern had the most delicious Southwestern-inspired menu with items like Tavern Street Tacos and Melted Elk burger, which we washed down with locally brewed beers. The best bit? They even had grab-and-go items for when we wanted to go on a picnic lunch.

Did you know that the lodge is committed to sustainability? It even received an environmental achievement award in 2022 from the Department of the Interior for its fantastic waste diversion program!

Cabins at Grand Canyon West

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Staying inside the Grand Canyon could also mean staying near the thrilling skywalk. That’s why we chose to stay at the Cabins at Grand Canyon West, located all the way on the other side of the National Park in the heart of the Hualapai Indian Reservation. We loved the location, which was just a few minutes from the entry to the West Grand Canyon rim. What could be better?

We loved the rustic setting of this hotel, which featured a bunch of beautiful wooden log cabins sitting next to each other, with the vastness of the Hualapai Indian Reservation all around. What’s more, the cabins ranged from single rooms for solo travelers to spaces as large as two-bedroom suites for larger groups or families. We chose a queen-bed cabin, which not only had air conditioning but even a coffee machine! So, we could brew our own morning cup of coffee to enjoy out on the patio, which came with every cabin and had mesmerizing views. The best bit was the presence of modern luxe bathrooms, which even came with free bath products. Talk about luxury in the middle of nowhere!

“This was the best experience we’ve had of staying in the middle of nowhere!”

WOW Travel

But that’s not all. The property has a bunch of facilities that absolutely impressed us, like the restaurant and the snack bar. It was a welcoming amenity after a long day of exploring and hiking the Grand Canyon. Free Wi-fi meant that we were connected all the time and also able to plan our itineraries. Rounding up the offerings were the ATM and the concierge service.

Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

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Only North Rim hotel. We finally come to what is the only lodging on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim. The historic 1928-built lodge sits right on the North Rim’s edge, which is higher in elevation than the South Rim. Plus, it was tucked in a coniferous forest and way less crowded than the South Rim, which is how we liked it.

The resort complex comprised the main building, 91 rooms, and 23 deluxe cabins, all of which were a short walk from the main lodge. What’s more, it’s built from native timber and Kaibab limestone, with the rustic design beautifully harmonized with its forested and rocky setting. The main lodge had a gift shop, a restaurant, and even a check-in desk. We loved digging into delicious American comfort food and healthy fare in the main dining room, which offered spectacular views of the North Rim.

When it came to the digs, the smallest Frontier Cabins were perfect for couples, with single/double beds and a bathroom with a shower. The Western Cabins were ideal for groups of four, as they even came with full baths and private front porches. However, the largest two-bedroom Pioneer Cabins were the best, where families and larger groups stayed. Some Pioneer and Western Cabins even had rim views, and for that reason, we chose to stay in a Western Cabin.

Travel tip: Reservations open a year in advance (yes), and it’s best to try and book rooms/cabins as soon as the window opens.

Our Verdict!

While every stay at the Grand Canyon is unique, we’ve drawn up a specialized list to help you decide where to stay:

• Only North Rim hotel: Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim
• Most historical: El Tovar
• Best value-for-money: Kachina Lodge
• Hotel with spectacular views: Thunderbird Lodge
• Only bottom-of-the-canyon hotel: Phantom Ranch

Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon?

Not for nothing is the Grand Canyon one of the world’s most breathtaking canyons. Since it sits in Arizona, just three hours north of the capital Phoenix, it’s also one of Phoenix’s top things to do. In fact, it’s one of the top things to do in Arizona.

When it comes to staying inside the Grand Canyon National Park, there’s only one place to stay – the Grand Canyon Village. This small town was bursting to the brim with character and charm, and its main focus was to cater to the travelers visiting this region. What’s more, this centrally located town is also home to a bunch of famous landmarks and a host of historic structures. Tucked on the southern rim of the national park, the village is home to most of the excellent accommodations on this list.

Secondly, there’s the rustic and less populated North Rim, which is less of a settlement and more of an open region that’s home to amazing hiking trails and abundant wildlife. It’s home to the Grand Canyon Lodge, the sole accommodation on the northern side of the national park inside it.

Is it better to stay inside the park Grand Canyon?

While staying within the park is more expensive than staying on the outside, it definitely saved us a lot of time that we would have otherwise spent just getting here. That said, the closest town outside the park is Tusayan, which is less than 3 km (4.8 mi) from the South Rim.

Which is the most beautiful side of the Grand Canyon?

That would be the South Rim, hands down, and is often described as “the real Grand Canyon.” It’s also that portion of the national park that you would have seen in photographs and movies.

Is 1 day enough in the Grand Canyon?

While a day is enough to see the Grand Canyon, you’ll miss the sunrise and the sunset, which is when the canyon is at its most stunning. And you shouldn’t miss those, as the Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular sunset locations in the world.