El Tovar Hotel

"EL TOVAR SUITE Sleeps up to 2 One of the finest rooms at the El Tovar Hotel, this suite is located on the 3rd floor of the historic hotel. The two room suite has a bedroom with a king size bed, separate sitting room, and full bath. It also features a large, private balcony offering expansive rim-to-rim views of the Grand Canyon. Additional suite amenities include a door between the bedroom & sitting room, televisions in the bedroom & sitting room, sofa in the sitting room, telephone, air conditioning, in-room safe, and small refrigerator. The suite is accessed via stairs only (no elevator access). The suite sleeps up to 2 people comfortably, but maximum occupancy may be exceeded by an infant in a crib. Contact Central Reservations at 888-297-2757 or 303-297-2757 if you have an infant in your party. No smoking (including vaping), pets, or cooking allowed in the room. < less El Tovar is the best place to stay at the Grand Canyon for location, history, and atmosphere—but it is not the best choice if you expect a modern luxury hotel room. My overall rating: 8.3/10 for the experience; about 6.5/10 for the room itself. The biggest advantage is unbeatable: El Tovar sits directly on the South Rim. You walk out of the hotel and are immediately at the canyon, near the Rim Trail, Hopi House, shuttle stops, and Bright Angel Trailhead. That convenience is especially valuable at sunrise and sunset because you avoid driving, parking, and shuttle logistics. The hotel opened in 1905 and remains one of the signature historic national-park lodges. The public areas are the highlight. The lobby, lounge, exterior architecture, fireplaces, timberwork, and old national-park character feel special and memorable. This is the kind of hotel where staying there becomes part of the trip, not merely a place to sleep. The rooms are where expectations need to be controlled. Recent guest feedback repeatedly describes rooms as small, dated, and inconsistent, with ordinary furnishings and amenities that do not match the high nightly price. Bathrooms can also be compact, and not every room faces the canyon—some face trees, walkways, rooftops, or parking areas. You are paying primarily for the historic building and location, not contemporary luxury. A standard room should not be booked with the expectation of a dramatic canyon view. The best views are associated with a limited number of suites and certain specifically positioned rooms. Even then, trees, rooflines, and the building’s orientation can produce only partial views. For a more dependable room-facing view, a designated canyon-side room at Kachina or Thunderbird may actually be the safer selection. The El Tovar Dining Room is the best-known full-service restaurant on the South Rim. Reservations are required for dinner and strongly recommended for breakfast and lunch; reservations currently open up to 60 days ahead. Reviews are mixed but generally better than you might expect from a captive national-park restaurant: many guests praise the atmosphere and service, while others believe the price reflects the location more than exceptional food. A major current consideration is the planned room refresh. Portions of El Tovar are scheduled to be unavailable between July 5 and September 12, 2026, with the north and south wings closing during different periods. The dining room and shops are expected to remain open. This could mean fewer available rooms, some construction-related disruption, or possibly refreshed rooms depending on your dates and wing assignment. Other limitations to know: * The historic building does not have an elevator; some rooms require stairs. * Parking is free but not assigned, so finding a nearby space can be difficult during busy periods. * Wi-Fi and cellular performance can be inconsistent. * Pets are not permitted in guest rooms other than service animals. * Rooms have air conditioning, mini-refrigerators, coffee makers, and private bathrooms, but the overall amenity level remains fairly basic. There is also some operational risk across South Rim lodging because the park’s aging Transcanyon Waterline has caused temporary hotel closures and restrictions in recent years. The hotels reopened after the December 2025 disruption, and the park is undertaking a major rehabilitation project, but I would still use a refundable reservation and monitor park notices as your trip approaches. My recommendation for you: stay at El Tovar for one or two nights if the rate is acceptable and you value being immersed in the Grand Canyon experience. Do not pay a large premium merely for a standard room expecting luxury or a guaranteed canyon panorama. When booking, ask for: * A renovated room, if available * A canyon-facing or partial-canyon-view room * A room away from kitchen, hallway, and service noise * A lower-floor room if stairs are a concern * Written confirmation of the exact room category The bottom line: El Tovar is worth it once for the location and historic atmosphere. It is not worth it strictly as a hotel-room value proposition. For the most memorable overall stay, choose El Tovar. For a better chance of seeing the canyon directly from your room, choose a confirmed canyon-side room at Kachina or Thunderbird instead."

@brzn99

"06-09-2014: 2 nachten - kosten: 475,51 USD (Xanterra) voor 1 persoon 15-09-2023: 2 nachten - kosten: 714,10 USD ( Xanterra) voor 2 personen (kamer 6403)"

@natesinthestates

"Daredevil types will get a kick out of El Tovar, located just 20 feet from the Grand Canyon’s plunging Southern Rim. (Pop culture fiends, meanwhile, may recognize it from National Lampoon’s Vacation.) Built in 1905, the Swiss chalet–like building incorporates Native American motifs, hand-built furniture, and original drawings from its architect, Charles Whittlesey. The hotel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and has hosted such guests as Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul McCartney (who allegedly had to be told to keep his piano playing down during his stay)."

@chaunch26

"Andie Gately worked 8/2026"

@

"Located in: Grand Canyon National Park Daredevil types will get a kick out of El Tovar, located just 20 feet from the Grand Canyon’s plunging Southern Rim. (Pop culture fiends, meanwhile, may recognize it from National Lampoon’s Vacation.) Built in 1905, the Swiss chalet-like building incorporates Native American motifs, hand-built furniture, and original drawings from its architect, Charles Whittlesey. The hotel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and has hosted such guests as Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul McCartney (who allegedly had to be told to keep his piano playing down during his stay)."

@

"Simplissime - special mention, better hotel, view, estaurant also good"

@

"Daredevil types will get a kick out of El Tovar, located just 20 feet from the Grand Canyon’s plunging Southern Rim. (Pop culture fiends, meanwhile, may recognize it from National Lampoon’s Vacation.) Built in 1905, the Swiss chalet-like building incorporates Native American motifs, hand-built furniture, and original drawings from its architect, Charles Whittlesey. The hotel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and has hosted such guests as Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul McCartney (who allegedly had to be told to keep his piano playing down during his stay)."

@

"À nouveau pas fan. A refaire j’irais y déjeuner /dîner et je logerais aux abords de Grand Canyon. Les lodges sont tenus par l’Etat, et pas très bien."

@

"El Tovar, Arizona Located in: Grand Canyon National Park Daredevil types will get a kick out of El Tovar, located just 20 feet from the Grand Canyon's plunging Southern Rim. (Pop-culture fiends, meanwhile, may recognize it from National Lampoon’s Vacation.) Built in 1905, the Swiss-chalet-like building incorporates Native American motifs, hand-built furniture, plus original drawings from its architect, Charles Whittlesey. The hotel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987, and has hosted such guests as Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul McCartney (who allegedly had to be told to keep his piano playing down during his stay)."

@

"Definitely the best restaurant in the park and sure beats driving out of the park for meals. For dinner: play to the strengths. I had an excellent bison and filet mignonette. Breakfast was slightly less good but I chose the more basic option. Surprisingly good wine."

@

"Nous y sommes uniquement allés pour diner."

@

"Resto chic avec vue. À réserver "

@alix.wr

"Entrer pour admirer les vitraux et vue du canyon depuis le porche."

@

"Le restaurant de l'hôtel El Tovar est sans doute le meilleur de Grand Canyon Village. Cuisine travaillée à déguster dans une ambiance chic et feutrée. Plusieurs tables offrent une vue spectaculaire sur le canyon. Un lounge est également prêt à vous accueillir."

@

"hôtel le plus luxueux et le plus célèbre du Grand Canyon a été construit en 1905 et c'est le El Tovar Hotel . Arrêtez-y pour pouvoir y admirer entre autres son magnifique hall d'entrée en bois sombre"

@

"Check out for place to stay nr grand canyon"

@

"Designed by Mary Colter, a great stop to stop for drinks an appetizers after a long hike down the Canyon."

@

"Great old hotel right beside the canyon. "

@