The Grand Canyon in northern Arizona is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. Here, you can go hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, or walk around the rim, taking photos and admiring the epic landscape. It is an impressive national park with majestic beauty, interesting history, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
There are campgrounds in the national park if you want to really immerse yourself in nature. But if you want a few more comforts of home, book one of these hotels near the Grand Canyon to put yourself in easy driving or walking distance of the best sights to see.
El Tovar Hotel
One of the best Grand Canyon lodges, The El Tovar Hotel is a historic hotel directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. It first opened in 1905 and was modeled as a cross between a Norwegian villa and a Swiss chalet. The hotel is elegantly charming and has a very unique location in the park. It offers luxurious amenities to guests, including in-room dining and full bell service. There are 78 rooms and suites at the hotel. The hotel suites each have their own unique theme and décor. All of the rooms have satellite TV, hair dryers, coffeemakers, and air conditioning. Complimentary self-parking is available at the El Tovar.
Yavapai Lodge
The Yavapai Lodge is a hotel with a prime Grand Canyon location. It is at the South Rim and just a short walk or bus ride from the South Rim. There is also a market, bank, and post office nearby. This lodge has cozy seating areas, an onsite restaurant that serves all meals, and a tavern for grabbing a drink. It is a pet-friendly hotel that also has electric car charging stations. The hotel can also help you plan daily activities at the Grand Canyon. The eastern part of the lodge is comprised of six two-story buildings, and the western part of the lodge has 10 single-story, mid-century modern buildings. The Yavapai Lodge West is the section with pet-friendly rooms for a $25 per day fee (two pets max).
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
For a luxurious stay near the Grand Canyon, book a room at the Grand Hotel. This is a three-diamond hotel just a mile away from the national park. The South Rim of the canyon is just a short drive away. At the hotel, there is a heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub. The hotel is a three-story, chalet-style building with rustic and modern décor. There is an adjacent fitness center that guests can use during their stay. This is one of the hotels operated by the national park concessioner, Xanterra Travel Collection.
Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn
There are also familiar, chain-style hotels located near the Grand Canyon, including the Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn. It is situated in a convenient location just outside the national park and just one and a half miles from the park entrance. There are guest rooms here with LDC televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, and iHome docking stations. You can use the outdoor pool and hot tub at the hotel, as well as the fitness center, bowling alley, and arcade. This is also a good hotel choice because it has a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and pub onsite.
Bright Angel Lodge
Bright Angel Lodge dates back to 1935 and has a rustic, historic vibe. At the lodge, you’ll find cozy units of varying types. The rooms have phones, coffeemakers, and refrigerators. This hotel has a “history room” where you can learn a lot about local history, including the Harvey Indian Detour Couriers, Harvey Girls, historic postcards, surrey carriage, and more. The lodge is surrounded by cabins that you can book for overnight stays as well. Fred Harvey Burger is located here and serves dinner classics in a family-friendly environment. There is also the Arizona Steakhouse that you can dine at during your stay. An ice cream soda fountain is open when the weather is warm.
Maswik Lodge
When you visit the Grand Canyon, you can book a stay at the Maswik Lodge. It was originally a motor lodge built in 1927, featuring cabins and hotel rooms. Today, the lodge is a complex within a ponderosa pine forest. It is just a quarter mile from the canyon’s edge. The lodge complex includes a gift shop, food court, and pizza pub. Lodging is split between the Maswik South and Maswik North rooms.
Kachina Lodge
The Kachina Lodge dates back to the 1960s and is on the rim of the Grand Canyon. It is a contemporary lodging option with a modern ambiance. The rooms have views of the canyon or the street. It is centrally located in the historic district and within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and attractions. You’ll be right on the rim trail here and have easy access to hiking. All of the rooms at the Kachina Lodge are similar in size and amenity offerings. Check in at the El Tovar front desk if you book a room at the Kachina Lodge.
Phantom Ranch
For adventurous travelers, Phantom Ranch is an epic place to stay near the Grand Canyon. There is overnight lodging and a campground at Phantom Ranch. This is such a special place to stay because it is nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The only way that you can get here is by reaching the lodge on foot, by mule, or by rafting the Colorado River. Expect rustic accommodations in male and female dormitories and in cabins for two to 10 guests each. At the time this was written, Phantom Ranch was open with limited services, so check the official hotel website to confirm offerings and availability. You can make reservations for overnight mule rides and hiker cabins at Phantom Ranch. There is also the Phantom Ranch Canteen, which is open for breakfast and dinner.
Clear Sky Resorts – Grand Canyon
If you’re interested in more of a glamping experience than a traditional hotel, check out Clear Sky Resorts. This resort offers glamping in luxe private domes that you’ll never forget. The domes have 1,000-square-foot panoramic windows and swinging chairs from 26-foot-tall ceilings. They have modern bathrooms with rain showers, air conditioning, heat, and upscale linens. When you stay here, you’ll be 20 minutes south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Besides their uniqueness, other reasons to stay in the domes is the on-site breakfast and dinner options at the food truck, nightly s’mores around the firepit, frisbee golf, yard games, jump pillow, kids’ craft activities, and live music.
Red Feather Lodge
The Red Feather Lodge is a hotel just one mile from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance. It offers affordable and contemporary lodging, plus easy access to all of your outdoor adventures. The lodge has a lobby with 24-hour coffee and tea, laundry facilities for guests, a fitness room, and a business center. There is a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub onsite too. The original lodging building here is the motel, which offers smaller, economy rooms. The hotel building is the newer lodging option and is three stories tall with elevators.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon
Another chain-style hotel option near the Grand Canyon is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon. It is two miles from the South Rim entrance and within walking distance of some full-service and fast-food dining options. The hotel offers free grab-and-go breakfasts and also has an indoor pool and whirlpool. The rooms have Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and microwaves.
Thunderbird Lodge
Another option by the Grand Canyon is the Thunderbird Lodge, which is right at the South Rim of the canyon. It is a family-focused lodge with lots of amenities and comfortable, modern rooms. When you stay at the Thunderbird Lodge, you can walk to restaurants, gift shops, Kolb Studio, Verkamp Visitor Center, and the Bright Angel Trailhead. Since you’re staying right on the Rim Trail, you can plan to hike the approximately 12.8-mile route from Hermits Rest to the Kaibab Trailhead. Many of the rooms here have partial canyon views. All of the rooms have full bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, phones, hair dryers, and coffeemakers.
7 Mile Lodge
Located on Highway 64, the 7 Mile Lodge is located just under two miles from the South entrance gate of Grand Canyon National Park. The lodge is also near a small grocery store, IMAX theater, gift shops, and restaurants. There is free parking for guests at the lodge, as well as a seasonal shuttle service, an outdoor picnic area, and a bike path. The hotel rooms here have Wi-Fi, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, coffeemakers, air conditioning, and heat. However, the hotel does not offer breakfast or allow pets.
