Where To Stay For Unmatched Comfort And Access To Grand Canyon National Park

There's a reason nearly 5 million people head to the Grand Canyon every year, making it the second-most popular national park in the country, via the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. First, it's incredibly beautiful, and that Instagram photo you saw of it doesn't compare to seeing the real thing in person. Plus, there are endless activities to enjoy here, including exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site's many caverns, rafting the Colorado River, and hiking any stretch of the canyon's 595 miles of trails.

With so much to see and do — and being that parking is easier and crowds are thinner earlier or later in the day — a stay near the Grand Canyon is a must. Hotels fill up rapidly, so reserve your stay at least six months prior to your visit. Additionally, you should consider visiting the Grand Canyon when it's uncrowded. 

The Grand Canyon offers every kind of lodging option, from historic hotels next door to ultra-upscale resorts for those down to splurge, ensuring there's something for everyone. Explore rounded-up the Grand Canyon area's top hotels. You'll find what you're looking for in this bucket list spot, whether you're a parent on a family-friendly getaway or a couple seeking a romantic retreat. 

The Grand Canyon will be the star of your trip, but staying in this desert paradise is a close second. Amangiri, an Aman resort in Canyon Point, Utah, is a modern minimalist hotel retreat. It's so lavish that Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker conceived their baby there. Room rates start near $4,000 per night and comprise airport transfers, daily guided hikes, wellness classes, private outdoor areas with fireplaces, and all meals. The desert landscape inspires the design of its 34 suites. It consists of white stone floors, concrete walls, and wood and steel details, all hidden within a contemporary sandstone structure. Some of the rooms even have pools and roof decks.

With accommodations so lavish, you might find it tough to leave, but you should. Amangiri is nearly 2 ½ hours away from the Grand Canyon by car and close to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, so you're never far from an outdoor adventure. Once you return to the resort in the evening, visit its 25,000-square-foot spa. In addition to its steam room, sauna, plunge pool, yoga studio, and other expected offerings, the spa also has must-try treatments. You can indulge in one-of-a-kind services like yoga atop a rock formation, floating meditation in a heated desert pool, and mindful walks. Guests can also stay in Amangiri's sister site, Camp Sarika, which, with 10 tents with dining rooms, living rooms, and private pools, gives new meaning to the term "glamp."

Looking for less celebrity appeal and more Old West charm? Bright Angel Lodge is a National Historic Landmark dating back to 1935. It is located in Arizona and offers 90 rooms and cabins inspired by the canyon. The fireplace in the hotel's History Room was constructed with the Grand Canyon's rock layers, while much of the hotel is designed with stone and wood for an outdoor edge. Plus, with rates as low as $77 per night, a stay here is affordable.

Guests can stay in the hotel's Buckey O'Neill Cabin or Red Horse Cabin for a real taste of Grand Canyon history. The former was once the dwelling of a member of Roosevelt's Rough Riders, and the latter served as the town's post office for 20 years. Or, opt for one of the modern lodge rooms and get your history kick in the History Room. The space features vintage postcards, a century-old menu from the neighboring El Tovar hotel, and an original surrey carriage.

But the best part of Bright Angel Lodge is its next-door access to the Grand Canyon, as it's located on the edge of its South Rim. As such, some of its lodging options have window views of the canyon. Dining here is accessible, too, as Bright Angel Lodge has four on-site restaurants. They are the family-friendly Southwest-themed Arizona Steakhouse, the Fred Harvey Burger diner-like joint with historic flair, the Bright Angel Fountain serving ice cream and casual fare to-go, and the Fred Harvey Tavern, loved for its beer and wings.

The point of visiting the Grand Canyon is to get in touch with nature, and there's no better place to do that than at Clear Sky Resorts in Williams, Arizona. It's about 40 minutes by car to the national park and is in a small town nicknamed the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. With a name that lives up to its offerings, Clear Sky Resorts has 45 luxury glamping domes, all with unique themes and designs. 

The Pink Unicorn Dome is decked out in pink walls and oversized unicorn pillows. The Snow Globe Dome has floor-to-ceiling glass so guests can fall asleep to views of the starry night. Visitors will also love Stairway to the Stars Dome, which has a queen bed suspended under a skylight at the top of a spiral staircase. The fun doesn't end in the one-of-a-kind domes, either. Clear Sky Resorts has tons of family-friendly activities, such as a giant bounce pillow, volleyball, stargazing tours, outdoor movies, and scenic hiking.

Dome rates start at nearly $300 per night, but don't get it twisted — this isn't overpriced camping. Clear Sky Resorts offers the features luxury travelers require, such as complimentary cocktails upon check-in, porter service, temperature control, gas fireplaces, and bathrooms with rain showers. Guests can also find on-site fare to munch on every morning and night at the Clear Sky Resorts' food truck. Menu options include croque madame, chicken piccata, truffle fries, steamed mussels, and bananas foster.

El Tovar Hotel is in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, on the South Rim of the national park. As a result of its location, it offers the perfect spot for visitors who don't want to drive back and forth to the Grand Canyon and want to enjoy its magnificent views from their rooms. But it's also a 5-star stay, and its 78 rooms are all unique from one another while retaining classic charm and elegance. It's a historic hotel, and prices start at $376 per night. 

El Tovar Hotel is a National Historic Landmark built in 1905 at the cost of $250,000 and displays a European flair that was all the rage then. It was named for Pedro de Tovar of the Coronado Expedition, who alerted the Spanish about the Grand Canyon. Fittingly, the existence of the El Tovar Hotel also prompted wealthy visitors to the appeal of the canyon. In the more-than century since it was constructed, famous faces like Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey have stayed there. 

Guests can reside in rooms modeled after personalities, such as the Zane Grey Suite, which is adorned with artwork inspired by the author. They can also opt for amenities like bell service, in-room dining, and private balconies. For meals, the upscale El Tovar Dining Room, which features artwork depicting indigenous people, serves delicious fares to cap the night.

It is no accident that Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, has an alluring name. Located on the ancestral land of the Yavapai Tribe at the bottom of the energy-filled Boynton Canyon vortex, visitors head to Enchantment Resort to find peace and healing. It's hard not to at this Southwestern-style resort that pays homage to the region with its 218 modern casita-style rooms. Each has private patios, and prices start at $449 per night. Head next door to the Mii Amo resort, which has a spa that Enchantment Resort guests can access. Some of its unique, Sedona-themed offerings include ancestral stone massages, desert mist body renewals, chakra balancing, and labyrinth walks.

Enchantment Resort also makes it easy to see the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The hotel, which is about 2½ hours from the canyon, offers private canyon tours led by experienced guides. This excursion includes breakfast and lessons about the national park's history, archeology, geology, plants, and animals. Tons of other outdoor activities are also available at Enchantment Resort, like guided hikes and mountain biking expeditions, rock climbing sessions, and stargazing. Once you return from your wilderness trip, you won't be able to resist kicking back with a meal at the resort's restaurant. Che Ah Chi restaurant, meaning "red rocks," is an upscale eatery featuring local ingredients.

There's nothing like taking a dip in a heated indoor pool or hot tub after waking up early to see the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is just 1 mile from the south Grand Canyon National Park entrance. It is one of the few hotels to offer close proximity to the national park. As the sole 3-diamond area hotel, the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon delivers lavishness at every turn. 

It's also relatively new compared to nearby hotels, as it was built in 1998. The contemporary guestrooms, which feature neutral tones and wood details in true Grand Canyon style, start at $254 per night. This style continues throughout the space, especially in The Grand Lobby. The respite features a two-story stone fireplace and the Grand Parlor Room, which is decorated with Grand Canyon artwork, a piano, and board games.

Guests don't have to leave the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon for a meal, either. The hotel has a steakhouse and a saloon, both adorned with wood, stone, and iron for a rustic feel. It will be effortless when you are ready to return to modern life after a foray at the Grand Canyon. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is just a short drive away from local attractions like the National Geographic IMAX Theatre and the Tusayan Trading Post.

Nearly all Grand Canyon visitors flock to the South Rim, forgoing the harsher North Rim due to its more extreme weather, tougher landscape, and higher elevation. However, those unwilling to rough it are missing out. More undisturbed by modern life than the South Rim, the North Rim is defined by unparalleled landscapes and the natural beauty many visitors seek when they head to the Grand Canyon. If you're ready for a taste of everything the canyon has to offer, the Grand Canyon Lodge — North Rim is there for you as the only place to stay in the area. But don't hold off on making your reservation, as some of its accommodations are reserved up to 12 months in advance. Additionally, the accommodation only operates from May through October.

As a National Historic Landmark, the Grand Canyon Lodge — North Rim and its cabins were built in 1928 with local wood and stone. The lodge stands 8,000 feet in the air and continues to offer the rustic allure that brings people to the North Rim. Guests can choose from log cabins with bathrooms, fans, mini-fridges, and porches with canyon views. Or motel rooms with typical amenities — prices start at $171 per night. Despite its affordable cost and relatively bare-bones accommodations, guests can find top-rate fare at the Grand Canyon Lodge — North Rim's restaurant and saloon. The eateries offer dishes made with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients served alongside stunning canyon views.

The bad news is that the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, Tusayan, Arizona, doesn't have much in common with the similarly-named, iconic New York City hotel. But the good news is that the three-story getaway has everything you need for a Grand Canyon adventure, especially the location. It's just 1 mile from the Grand Canyon National Park entrance and 7 miles from the South Rim. Therefore, a stay at the Southwestern-inspired resort makes it easy to hop out of bed and start your vacation.

The Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel is surrounded by desert-like colors of red, turquoise, and beige. It offers guests an assortment of 232 rooms, which include all the typical fixings, such as free internet, coffeemakers, cable TVs, and partial turndown service. Plus, some rooms have private outdoor spaces. Prices start at $259 per night.

When guests aren't exploring the Grand Canyon or catching rest in their rooms, they can unwind in the hotel's spa, outdoor pool, or jacuzzi, as well as get a bite to eat at one of the three on-site restaurants. Upscale-casual JJK's Restaurant serves hearty breakfast items that ideal for fueling up before your outdoor adventure. In contrast, the Wagon Wheel Saloon serves dinner and drinks in a sports bar-like environment. The Bourbon Lounge operates seasonally and is also perfect for a nightcap.

Route 66 was once the road Americans traveled to get, well, anywhere. Those days are long gone, but the High Country Motor Lodge, which is located along the legendary road in Flagstaff, Arizona, keeps that antiquity alive. You can also take this scenic road trip route to the Grand Canyon. The historic lodge, which has served as a paper mill and an Inn throughout its tenure, is about an hour and 20 minute drive to the Grand Canyon. 

The retro-inspired hotel — which, despite its throwback appearance, was renovated in 2022 — pays homage to the glory days of yesteryear in other ways. Perhaps the most fun way it does that is with the lodge's plethora of group fun, like board games, outdoor games, firepits, a pool table, and a full bar. The 120 rooms have this vintage vibe, too, as they include personal cassette players, green pops of color in the chairs, and retro-style mini fridges for rates that start at $144 per night.

However, the High Country Motor Lodge has plenty of cool, modern comforts, too. Guests receive complimentary Malin + Goetz bath products, and they can text the front desk with requests. Perfect after a day exploring the Grand Canyon, the lodge also has a private spa with a sauna and plunge pool that can be booked by the hour.

You won't solely have access to the Grand Canyon if you stay at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, which is about an hour-and-20-minute drive from the canyon. The cozy, ski lodge-like respite is also near a 500-acre forest with a 2-mile hiking trail, the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks. 

Its ambiance fits that rustic theme. Wood lines the walls of the lobby, which also has a wood-burning fireplace, while the 240 rooms have live-edge wood headboards and neutral tones. Some rooms also have floor-to-ceiling windows and marble fireplaces. Rates start at $171 per night. To save even more money, follow these tips to make your trip to Grand Canyon National Park affordable. 

It's also easy to bring the whole family to the Little America Hotel. The destination has a playground, volleyball court, and outdoor games, like badminton, croquet, and horseshoes. Plus, the on-site Silver Pine Restaurant is family-friendly and has an outdoor patio for the kids to let loose. Or, for a more personal experience, order breakfast or dinner for in-room dining or the private dining room.

Exploring the Grand Canyon doesn't have to mean roughing it — especially with a stay at L'Auberge de Sedona in Sedona, Arizona. This hotel, which is about a two-hour drive from the Grand Canyon, can help you plan your visit to the legendary destination and ensure you're embedded in luxury upon your return. Surrounded by 11 acres, stunning red rocks, and Oak Creek, L'Auberge de Sedona offers 62 upscale yet nature-inspired lodging options featuring sustainably made linens. The vibe is even more country-elegant in the cottages, which have oak floors, outdoor lounges with showers, and gas fireplaces.

There's plenty to do at L'Auberge de Sedona that celebrates its phenomenal outdoor landscape. Guests can start their day with sunrise yoga, end it with a stargazing session, or find respite on one of the outdoor patios surrounded by vast greenery. Even its restaurant has plenty of outdoor dining options, with its tables surrounded by fireplaces and red rocks. But it'll cost you, as nightly hotel rates start at $516. Don't feel like making the trek to Arizona? Visit the state park known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.

If you're looking for a fulfilling yet low-budget lodging option in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, look no further than the Red Feather Lodge. Learn more about this affordable lodge at the Grand Canyon's southern rim entrance. For as low as $104 per night, visitors are just 2 miles from the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Park passes can be bought at the reception desk for added convenience. After exploring the Grand Canyon, guests will find every amenity they need back at the lodge. These include a gym, seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, free internet and coffee, and laundry facilities.

In the three-story hotel renovated in 2019, the basic yet modern guestrooms have fridges, microwaves, cable television, and other standard amenities. Despite the Red Feather Lodge's simple offerings, the hotel has a rich history. It was built in the 1960s by R.P. "Bob" Thurston, who had a long list of professions like railway signalman, car salesman, mayor, and whiskey bootlegger.