Majestic and grand, there are not enough words to describe the Grand Canyon’s beauty. One of the world’s seven natural wonders, this 445 kilometre long and 28-kilometre deep landmark will make you shudder in awe. Like an outdoor museum for the history of the Earth, this five-million-year-old canyon boasts dizzying heights, intense colours and rugged trails that snake around the wild Colorado River.
With the help of over 400 million visitors per year to HotelsCombined, we’ve done our research on the accommodation in Grand Canyon’s South Rim and have highlighted the top hotels and lodges in the area, so that choosing your perfect home base is easy as pie. Combining natural beauty with a prime location, read on to discover what we believe are the best accommodation choices in the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, followed by our recommendations on our favourite things to do.
Staying Near The Grand Canyon South Rim
Staying near the Grand Canyon South Rim means you can choose from a range of hotels and lodges. While the word “lodge” might conjure up images of roughing it, these historic havens offer modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and on-site restaurants. While you can book a hotel directly on the South Rim, we also suggest considering the small resort town Tusayan where the Grand Canyon National Park Airport is located or the family-friendly Grand Canyon Village only three kilometres from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. In all three locations, you’re less than 10 minutes from the park’s entrance, various National Historic Landmarks and excellent dining options.
Hotels Near The Grand Canyon South Rim
Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire
Just minutes from the splendour of Grand Canyon, Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire offers a central location and a family-friendly ambience. With 318 rooms ranging from Traditional to Suite accommodations, you’ll find modern in-room amenities like Keurig coffeemakers, refrigerators and a workspace.
It’s the on-site facilities that really make this hotel shine. If you’re up for some competition, meet at the Squire Pub for a night of family fun with classic arcade games, billiards tables and an on-site bowling alley. Feeling peckish? Head to the Coronado Room to find Southwest-style cuisine that will please even the most discerning of eaters. After all the excitement, make sure to soak in your pampering in-suite spa tub to rejuvenate your muscles.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: US$75 – US$355
Guest Rating: 8.1
Address: Kaibab National Forest, 74 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
El Tovar Hotel
Located on the canyon’s South Rim, El Tovar Hotel first opened its doors in 1905 and was designed to be a combination of a Swiss chalet and Norwegian villa. Let’s be honest, we haven’t heard of a more attractive combination since chocolate and whipped cream. Once considered the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi River, it has retained its position as the crown jewel of the Historic National Park Lodges with its distinct American charm. Here you’ll find 78 rooms and 12 suites each with their own unique decor, spacious sitting rooms, private balconies and bell service.
Put on your fancy digs and choose from a menu of gourmet dishes at the world-class Dining Room, and soak in the surroundings where Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and Sir Paul McCartney once dined. Wrap up your evening with a cool beverage at the El Tovar Lounge, where a small veranda offers romantic views that are perfect for stargazing.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: US$186 – US$421
Guest Rating: 8.0
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon
With convenient shuttle buses that take you directly inside the park, Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon is a solid choice if you’re looking for a place to take the entire family. The guest rooms and suites feature modern comforts, while dining on-the-go is made easy with several restaurants within walking distance. Guests on HotelsCombined rave about the on-site pool, perfect for a refreshing dip in Arizona’s dry climate.
Wake up to the sweet smell of fresh cinnamon rolls from the complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar and fuel up for the day, or catch up with emails from home with the fastest High-Speed Internet access available in the Tusayan area. Travelling with the kids and on a tight budget? Stay here and save some cash, as kids aged 19 and under can stay for free when sharing the same room as parents.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: US$79 – US$392
Guest Rating: 7.7
Address: Kaibab National Forest, 226 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
If prime location is what you’re after, The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon will not disappoint. Just one kilometre from the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance, this sprawling three-storey chalet is home to 121 newly renovated rooms that feature Plush Top Luxury mattresses, flat-screen TVs with movie channels and in-room Keurig coffee makers.
Indulge in a delicious hand-cut steak and other hearty fares at the rustic on-site Canyon Star Steakhouse before stepping back in time with a beer at the Canyon Star Saloon. A handy tip, this is one of the few hotels in the area with an indoor heated swimming pool and spa. So after a full day of sightseeing, let the kids splash around in the pool while you soak in the relaxing hot tub, a win-win situation for all.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: US$53 – US$441
Guest Rating: 7.6
Address: Kaibab National Forest, 149 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Hotel Location
Lodges Near The Grand Canyon South Rim
Kachina Lodge
Sitting directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon, Kachina Lodge is a contemporary lodging option. Guests on HotelsCombined rave about the immaculate king-size beds at this lodge, which makes for a blissful night of sleep. Upgrade to a canyon-side room, and you’ll not only wake up well-rested, but you can start your day with exceptional views of the canyon.
Kachina Lodge is in the centre of the Historic District, so walking to nearby restaurants, gift shops, Kolb Studio and the Bright Angel Trailhead is a breeze. Popular hiking trails seemingly start right at your front door, with the Trailview Overlook just a 20-minute walk away through a scenic footpath.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: US$181 – US$470
Guest Rating: 8.1
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, 10 Albright Ave, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Yavapai Lodge
Combining natural beauty with convenience, Yavapai Lodge is just a one-kilometre walk from the Grand Canyon South Rim. Nestled amongst stunning scenery, this newly remodelled lodge is perfect for groups and families. Get comfy in the spacious Family Rooms, where a king-size bed sits next to two twin size beds and accommodates up to four.
Travelling with your four-legged friends? You’re in luck, as Yavapai Lodge is one of the only accommodation choices in the area that is pet-friendly. Gear up for a day out on the trails with a flavourful breakfast burrito, pulled pork sandwich or beef brisket at the Yavapai Lodge Restaurant, or plan your next day’s itinerary with a cold beverage at the laid-back Yavapai Tavern.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: US$103 – US$330
Guest Rating: 7.8
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, 11 Yavapai Lodge Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Red Feather Lodge
Comprised of both a hotel and motel suites, Red Feather Lodge offers comfortable lodging combined with easy access to the park. The 229 spacious guest rooms with rustic decor can accommodate up to five, while the cosy one-room suites here feature king-size beds, body jet showers and kitchenettes.
Dig into Chile Verde and Chicken Fajitas at the on-site Plaza Bonita Restaurant and for a sweet treat, indulge in fried Sopapilla pastries for dessert. Need help planning your next adventure? The National Geographic Visitor Center is within walking distance to the lodge, where park information and various tour options can be found.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: US$70 – US$473
Guest Rating: 7.5
Address: Kaibab National Forest, 300 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Maswik Lodge
Built in the 1960s, Maswik Lodge is a 250-room contemporary-style lodging complex nestled within the lush Ponderosa pine forest. Just 400 metres from the canyon’s edge, the guest rooms here feature all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable overnight stay, including a king-size bed, satellite TV and refrigerator.
Ready to satiate any appetite, the Maswik Food Court offers anything from quick snacks on-the-run to dinner entrees, such as grilled burgers and deli sandwiches that perfect for a sit-down meal. Sports fans will want to visit the Maswik Pizza Pub, where freshly baked pies are paired with four TVs showing live events from around the world.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: US$103 – US$174
Guest Rating: 7.0
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, 202 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, USA
Hotel Location
Things to do in the Grand Canyon
First time in the park? Hikers of all skill levels can have a pleasant day of sightseeing on the most popular trail in the Grand Canyon, the century-old Bright Angel Trail. Take the kids to a Free Ranger Program, where they’ll learn about the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon and earn a special patch and certificate. If you’re interested in the history of the area, an exploration of the Trail of Time is a must. Walk along this interpretive timeline and gain a fascinating insight into the geological history of the towering walls that date back millions of years.
A scenic stretch of Arizona Highway that extends 40 kilometres along the canyon rim, Desert View Drive is perfect for those short on time. Here you’ll pass six canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five pullouts where visitors can snap pictures of the magnificent wonder and majestic views of the Colorado River. Connecting with the historic Desert View Watchtower, visitors can climb 85 steps up for a 360-degree view from 20 metres up. A small Ancestral Puebloan village and archaeological site, walk along the Tusayan Ruin and imagine what Puebloan Indian life was like over 800 years ago, then meander through the Tusayan Museum to find 4,000-year old artefacts.
Join an adrenalin-pumping Colorado River whitewater rafting tour, where you’ll get an amazing perspective of the canyon from the bottom and discover hidden waterfalls, ancient Indian ruins and diverse wildlife. Just don’t get too distracted on the way down or you may end up a lot wetter than when you began. Still keen to see more? Hop aboard the iconic Grand Canyon Railway through prairie and ponderosa pine towards the South Rim and you might spot an elk or two along the way, or combine adventure and history together on a traditional mule ride while guides share fascinating information about the canyon’s rock formation. If that’s not enough, fly high on an exciting helicopter tour to soak in majestic views of the South Rim from a dazzling bird’s eye view.
What is your favourite way to explore the Grand Canyon?
Overwhelming for the senses, you’ll be awestruck at the sight of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and its massive expanse of gorges, ridges and rock formations. Neither Michelangelo, Shakespeare or Spielberg could capture this natural masterpiece in art, writing or film. You simply have to see it in person.
With over 400 million visitors per year to HotelsCombined, we’ve highlighted the top accommodation near the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The most popular hotels and lodges provide family-friendly amenities in addition to easy access to dining options and the park’s main entrance. Rooms with canyon views are an added touch of luxury, offering unrivalled access to this natural wonder throughout the day.
More Grand Canyon adventure? 5 Grand Canyon South Rim Hiking Experiences You Have to See to Believe
What is your favourite way to explore the Grand Canyon? Let us know if you’ve been to Grand Canyon’s South Rim and what outdoor adventure you can’t pass up when visiting the area.
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