El Tovar Hotel

The Iconic Location vs. Modern Expectations If you prioritize an unbeatable location and historical charm, El Tovar is perfect. The building is full of character and I loved the nostalgic scent of wood-burning fireplaces throughout the property. However, be aware that the facilities are quite dated. Given the high price point and having visited many modern luxury resorts, the "value for money" here is something to consider carefully. It’s more about the history than modern comfort. Dining Experience We had both breakfast and dinner here. The food quality is above average and reasonably priced for a landmark hotel. While I wouldn't call it "gourmet" or a destination for foodies, the atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a meal. It's a great spot to soak in the Grand Canyon vibe.

We recently stayed at El Tovar over Thanksgiving week, and it was a wonderful and memorable experience. The location truly can’t be beat — you step outside and you’re right on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Sunrise, sunset, and even just quiet moments throughout the day felt incredibly special thanks to the hotel’s unbeatable setting.||The staff was warm and welcoming, and we had excellent meals in the dining room. Our Thanksgiving-week dinner was especially good — hearty, well-prepared, and served with that classic El Tovar atmosphere.||One feature that made our stay even more convenient was the availability of EV charging on site. Being able to plug in overnight while staying this close to the canyon made our logistics simple.||The rooms themselves are a bit tired and show their age — but honestly, that’s part of the charm of staying in a historic lodge built in 1905. We expected it, and it didn’t detract from the experience. Everything was clean, comfortable, and quiet, and you absolutely feel the history of the place.||Overall, El Tovar delivered exactly what we hoped for: great meals, a perfect location, helpful staff, and a truly iconic national-park experience. We’d happily stay here again.

It was a fabulous experience to celebrate my husbands birthday. The location was fantastic, the hotel was historical. There was a grand.old fireplace when you enter the front entance and a pianist on the second floor with another fireplace. Dinner at the hotel was superb. The waiters were attentive, friendly and were all about attention to service and details. The food was fantastic, well prepared and seasoned and the presentation was lovely. They went out of their way to make.my husband feel special and gave him a delicious birthday dessert. Both the dessert and presentation were extra special. You couldn't beat the views from our window. We have tried all the other restaurants in the area but none compares to this one. Its the best. We loved it and highly suggest it for lunch or dinner.

This is truly a beautiful historic hotel/lodge, right on the south rim, with absolutely beautiful views all around. The rooms/bathrooms are updated and clean. The first floor lobby is warm and welcoming, has a wood burning fireplace with comfortable seating, a large pleasant dining room and bar (we had dinner and breakfast) and a gift shop. The second floor has a cozy balcony lobby, also with a wood burning fireplace, piano and several sitting areas. We stayed only one night, but should have stayed 2! There were several trailheads a short walking distance, and a color coded bus system for transportation to other areas of the park. I don't think you can be disappointed with this beautiful historic lodge!

This is a grand old hotel on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Easy access by foot or bus to the trailheads. Views are spectacular. The hotel has signs of age - it was built before GC was a national park so don't expect an urban 5 star. It's warmth and history more than make up for its age and the staff - from front desk to maintenance crew - are knowledgable, hard working and more than happy to help. If your looking to hike, walk, bike, ride mules down the canyon and disconnect for. while this is the perfect place

We stayed overnight in William's at the Grand canyon railway hotel and took the Polar express ride. Rode train next day 1st class round trip for an overnight stay at El Tovar. Beautiful vintage hotel with great accommodations and excellent restaurant! Grand Canyon speaks for itself!! Hiked rim both east and west a couple miles, amazing not to miss adventure! A wonderful time start to finish!

We stayed for one night at the El Tovar. The rooms are a little dated, but large, with enough space for two queen beds and a rollaway. The mirror in the bathroom has seen better days, and the sink was a little small. Service was friendly and good. The location right by the Grand Canyon was excellent. It was wonderful to be able to watch the sunset over the canyon and immediately retreat to your room afterwards, and also to watch the sunrise just a few steps out of your room.

I went there thanksgiving week. It’s crowded but the view from my room is incredible although it’s a bit old style which I get it as they like to keep traditional. It’s very pricey but if that’s what you pay for view to enjoy the whole view at GC park without hiking yes it’s worth it. The room I booked is presidential suite. That room is very huge with living room and great balcony to see Grand Canyon and they also put telescope to view and I like to see stars at night.

A top notch, amazing hotel, nestled on the edge of the south rim of the Grand Canyon located within the Indian village! Make sure you visit this beautiful place even if you're not planning to spend a night here. That's what I did. This is where President Theodore Roosevelt used to come and stay when visiting the Grand Canyon. When you walk inside, it's simply majestic! If I were to stay here, I could see myself spending the afternoon sitting on a porch, reading a book looking out at the Grand Canyon! The restaurant in here is fantastic, all of the gift shops are fun to shop also. Make sure you don't miss this little gem when visiting the Indian village at the Grand Canyon.

Super nice place to just walk around and see the historic areas also amazing to stay here and the food is amazing. Take a walk outside around the scenic Grand Canyon view it's one of the best you get on the south rim.

I love the historic nature of El Tovar and there's little quaint touches throughout the property like the original ornate mirror in our bathroom. The views and the location can't be beat... it was so nice to be able to just wake up and head out to locations to catch the sunrise or on a hike without any fuss. However, some of the more standard fixtures in the rooms are a bit worn and are definitely in need of a refresh. Regardless, I would highly recommend to any of my friends and would absolutely stay here again.

We were having our wedding anniversary dinner at the restaurant when my husband began feeling really ill. The waiter came by and offered water, and said it was likely the altitude, as its very common for guests to feel this way. My husband was unable to even stand up, so I went to the front desk of hotel and met Joel and Walt. They both listened and jumped into assist right away. They were able to bring a wheelchair, assist my husband getting into the chair, wheeled him out to the car & helped him get into the car. We are extremely appreciative to both of these kind, helpful, gentlemen. They showed us so much kindness at a time that I was clearly worried, and unfamiliar with my surroundings as a guest to the other hotel they also own. I cant thank them both them enough. We ended up warming up our food the next day and enjoying it very much! A++++ Thank you Joel and Walt. You made me feel safe and supported in a challenging situation. Best to you both!

I booked a two-night stay at El Tovar and was initially hesitant after reading several reviews calling it outdated, overpriced, and worn down. I'm happy to say my experience was the opposite. This is a charming, historic hotel with a lot of character and beauty. Yes, it's old--but it's old in all the best ways. The lobby is stunning with rich woodwork, vintage decor, and a nostalgic, welcoming atmosphere. I was worried about musty smells or signs of mold, but there were none. It smelled fresh and clean. The carpet on the stairs could probably use an update--it's a solid color that shows every little spot--but overall, the hotel felt well-maintained and authentic. I felt our rooms were well worth the price. Having lived in a 1926 home for 25 years, the bathroom in our room brought back fond memories. It had clearly been updated, but it retained that vintage charm, and everything was clean and functional. One big plus: you don't need air conditioning at night. We opened the windows, and the cool mountain air--dropping into the 50s--was perfect. If you do this, just remember to close the windows by around 8 a.m. to help maintain that chill. We had no issues keeping the rooms cool. Our family had two rooms and both were comfortable and refreshing. The gift shops were also a pleasant surprise--offering a great selection of unique and fun items at reasonable prices. The only downside of our stay was the restaurant experience. You absolutely must make dinner reservations in advance--ideally the day before--or you won't get in. Our first night, we didn't have a reservation and had to eat at a nearby steakhouse instead. Thankfully, it was excellent--just two buildings down from El Tovar, within easy walking distance, and didn't require a reservation. I did manage to book breakfast the next morning for a party of four, but the rest of my group decided to sleep in. When I arrived alone, another couple was waiting to be seated and told there would be a 30-minute wait. I offered to share my four-person reservation with them since I had three empty seats. Oddly, the staff refused to allow it. It made no sense, especially with the dining room only 3/4 full. I voiced my concern, and it seemed to make them uncomfortable--so they seated the couple right away, but at a separate table. My guess is that they were short-staffed in the kitchen or on the floor, which might explain the rigidity. Another nice convenience is that the National Park runs a free shuttle system until 9 PM, with buses running all over the park and back to your hotel. It's a great way to explore the area without having to drive or find parking. As for the location--it's unbeatable. Right along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it couldn't be more convenient. One thing to keep in mind: there is no elevator, so if you have a lot of luggage or mobility concerns, request a first-floor room. Also, the hotel wasn't designed with sweeping canyon views from most rooms--likely because the architect assumed guests would spend their time outside enjoying the views. That said, one of our first-floor rooms with two queen beds actually had a lovely partial canyon view. Final Thoughts: Despite a few quirks, I truly loved this hotel. It's historic, clean, welcoming, and in the perfect location. If I return to the Grand Canyon, I would absolutely stay here again--just with my dinner reservations made in advance!

In September 2025 I booked a reservation for 3 nights for mid-December. I showed up on the day my reservation started (Dec 14th) only to be told that the hotel had to cancel all reservations starting December 6th due to low water situation. Nobody called me or emailed and they charged me the entire amount for my visit but yet I showed up after flying out from Tennessee into Phoenix and driving the rest of the way. The hotel knew for 8 days that they had no water, yet nobody contacted the guests... some people got a 3-hour notice on the day they were supposed to start their reservation and others like me got NO NOTICE. This is so egregious and there is no excuse for leaving people hanging out there without anywhere to stay.

Rooms were a bit outdated and small, but service was nice, views were good, and dining options were good.

What an amazing hotel! Throw place had history and class. The woodwork and architecture were outstanding. The service was excellent and the location...this hotel is on the rim. The walk to the edge is about 20 yards and on a paved walkway. It was a lot of fun to walk out in the dark and see the stars and the planetary alignment. Once we were sufficiently cold, a quick walk back to the lodge area for some fireplaces and then our spacious room.

El Tovar is a historic hotel at the Grand Canyon and has a wonderful lobby full of that history. The room which cost $504.57/night was tiny. The bed was hard and there was really no place to lay out things in the bathroom. The room a/c was extremely noisy as was the refrigerator which we ended up turning off. The dining room has a dress code at a place where the majority of people are hikers. You can't just walk into the lounge to get a drink at a table. You have to be seated. It was a bucket list for us and it's been checked off but never again!

Amazing place! Had an incredible view! Booked a suite, but didn't think it would be as great as the description. The staff were super friendly, ESPECIALLY Austin at the Front Desk. The Bell Hops are angels, carrying luggage up stairs, as there's no elevator. The suite was big, with a separate living/dining area, and an amazing patio. The reservation system is a little antiquated, but it's definitely worth a visit. I have stayed at several other lodges at the Grand Canyon, but El Tovar is the best of them. This place has such a comforting vibe, plenty of places to lounge and chill taking in the views. Great gift shop, and dining options.

Stayed in a suite with balcony on the Rim. Exceptional views. The room is totally outdated. The AC sounds like a taking off Jumbo 747 and is right along the bed so we had to cover it with towels to reduce the noise and avoid freezing to death. Best part: as a hotel guest you will be denied access to the dining room for breakfast if you didn't make a reservation! True. And there was a sign on the rim trail everyday saying "rooms available"!

Incredibly disappointed with our stay at this hotel Room was musty Drapery did not close A/C was incredibly loud and turned on/off Kept us up Blinking green lights on the fire alarm on the ceiling Lamps had cobwebs Sheets were pillie Towels were dingy Large spider above our bed The hotel room is in desperate need of an update The minute I walked in I felt like I was at camp! Hotel dining was horrific Food was served cold (mashed potato)/cut of meat old/ This location gets two stars for the proximity to the canyon- It would be a one! Btw, hotel room was over $400!!! Not worth the value

The food was absolutely delicious and staff were very friendly with our three children. The hotel was very nice too

Wow. My wife and I decided to make El Tovar Hotel a destination trip for 3 nights and invited some family up. We were fortunate enough to book their El Tovar Suite, and I can't recommend it highly enough. However, if it is your first visit to the Grand Canyon, you're likely to be out and about much of the time. A standard hotel room anywhere on the rim should be appropriate for that. BUT if it's a repeat visit, staying in the El Tovar Suite gives you an extremely intimate and immersive experience. Relax and absorb the wonderful view all day long. I have stayed on the rim a few times and have backpacked down to Phantom Ranch and camped (back in the days when I could). I find that for many visitors, a 4-hour visit might be enough. You get the 'wow' factor for 15 minutes, you walk around the visitor center, buy the obligatory shirts, magnets and bottle openers and for many folks, they get their feeling of 'been there - done that". Staying in a standard hotel room affords more time to see the canyon at various time of day, and of course before/after most of the tourists have had their day trips. But to see the view, you normally have to go outside to enjoy it. It is SO much better to have the view at hand, all day long in the privacy of your own suite. The El Tovar Suite has a small bedroom and sitting area, but the 'punch' is in the HUGE deck, which offers the best views on the south rim, and ample shade. There was a nice telescope in the room for our stay. It is a about double the cost of a standard room, but it was worth every cent. I highly recommend making El Tovar the destination of a trip. The restaurant is great, but quite pricey. We only ate there once. The lounge is great, with drink prices more in line with non-canyon pubs. The beer garden is great. Sip a cool one in the shade and watch the tourists stroll by. We even saw a young bighorn sheep grazing in the yard right outside the restaurant window! There is no elevator at El Tovar, but bell service was excellent. They added sprinkles atop a perfect vacation. Book at least a year in advance, go in the off season if you want to save significant dollars. I'm retired living on SS plus a small pension. We saved our pennies a long time for this once-a-year splurge vacation. But it was definitely worth it! I can't recommend it highly enough. So, here's the dealio.. I think the vast majority of reviews are quite accurate. El Tovar can be glorious, and/or it can be extremely disappointing. It has antiquated charm, and it IS expensive. If bang for the buck is important, stay elsewhere and enjoy the hotel as a guest. Everything is open to the public except the rooms. Enjoy the restaurant, the lounge, the beer garden and the rocking chairs on the porch. Carry over a bucket with ice and beer then camp out on the porch. If you want AC, you either suffer with the loud El Tovar units (even in our El Tovar Suite) or stay outside the park. But if you can fit it in your budget, stay in one of the (four?) great view suites if you can. Our stay was an epic one our family will be reminiscing about for a very long time. You book it early and have a year to anticipate, plan and save up a wad of money. We plan to do this again a few winters from now, where the room rates are about half. Four us, it was an absolutely perfect 3-night stay.

I stay in the Lodge was very sad. My sister got rash in the back and legs. We were treated terrible, discriminated against, the room was not ready and they didn't care. It smells like mold, horrible beds and furniture. People not very nice. It was extremely expensive. Please don't waste your money and time. I will never stay there. The canyon was nice.

Disappointing Stay -- Not Worth the Price or Location We were really looking forward to staying at the El Tovar, but it ended up being a letdown. We were on the ground floor, so instead of the "stunning views" we were promised, we looked out at brush and passing foot traffic. Nothing special. The room itself lacked basic conveniences. The bathroom had a pedestal sink with no counter space--not even a spot to rest a toothbrush. The room felt dated and in need of an update. For the premium price, we expected much more comfort and functionality. There are also no elevators, and long, long hallways. Adding to the inconvenience: the bellman doesn't come on duty until 7 AM. We had to leave by 6:30 to catch a flight and had to manage our own luggage. Bottom line: there's really no advantage to staying inside the park. The Grand Canyon is spectacular, but you can easily visit without staying at El Tovar. Save your money and stay just outside the park--better value, more comfort, and less hassle. The staff was neither wonderful nor horrible. They did not go out of their way for you. They just weren't invested in their job. There was no joy, no love.

Overall good stay. Great location. Super friendly staff. Rooms were clean; ready as expected. Opportunities exist in the HVAC - it works but wow is it noisy. Fortunately the weather cooperated and we didn't need to really use it.

This a bucket list place to stay in the U.S. - it was a Harvey House hotel, and right on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This fact is what insures they have three stars. I will be reviewing the Dining Room separately (which for us was 4 stars) Without the historical ambience and "right on the rim" location, I would probably have given it 2 stars... 1) Check in went horribly. Given when this was built, the only way to get from floor to floor is by stairs, and they are fairly steep. I knew this, and made sure to book a main floor room because my spouse has trouble negotiating stairs. When we got there, we were given a third floor room, and was told that we "did not book a main floor room".... I mentioned my wife's issue, and said I had called the hotel directly to make this known. When asked "who did you talk to?" and I told them I didn't know specifically (I had made it 2-3 months in advance), they "politely" told me I was making this all up. I asked how my spouse would get to the room and they basically shrugged - not their issue. I finally got someone who said they would get the luggage to the room, and help her negotiate the stairs (which of course still didn't solve the "ever leaving the room bit"). Luckily she still can climb stairs (what if she had been in a wheelchair?), and I walked with her each time we went upstairs or back down. 2) The rooms were about what I expected, small... of course you aren't going to stay there - it's the Grand Canyon! But it would have been nice to have enough hot water for a shower. 3) The front desk remembered us, and were reluctant to help us on where to go and what to do, with snide remarks of "but of course your wife can't do that" (when I'd made it clear it was just stairs, or large inclines that were a problem). Overall, the hotel was nice, but let's say not conducive to anyone with mobility issues. Still - bucket list item, and we did enjoy the stay overall. Just quite a few things brought the experience downward.

The El Tovar is filled with history. Once a Harvey Hotel of the Harvey House restaurants and the well-known Harvey Girls. If only the walls could talk. Presidents and celebrities have stayed and the history around every corner and in every wooden beam can be felt throughout the hotel. We have always wanted to stay at the El Tovar and surprisingly when planning a last minute trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, I was shocked to find one room left, yes it was a suite and very pricey, but for a bucket list item, it was well worth it. We arrived for lunch in the dining room, and after lunch were very surprised to find our room was available for check-in a few hours before check-in time. We grabbed our small bags and walked up 3 flights of stairs to the El Tovar Suite. The suite wasn't huge, but more than enough. We had a nice sized bedroom with a TV and one chair, walking from the bedroom into a small hallway, there was a coffee bar on one side and the door to a small but beautiful and clean bathroom. On into the living room, there was a desk, two chairs and a TV. Stepping out through the sliding glass doors, we were stunned speechless at the size of the balcony and the breathtaking view. The balcony was absolutely huge, with plenty of walking room, a table with 4 chairs, 3 side chairs, lounges and a tall bar top table with 3 chairs at the edge of the balcony with unending views of the canyon. We never wanted to leave the balcony and we nearly didn't. After dining in the historic and stunning El Tovar dining room for lunch we immediately made the decision to have room service dinner on the balcony and again room service for breakfast to enjoy the views. Parking for the hotel can be difficult and is limited. Keep driving in circles and you are sure to be lucky to catch someone leaving the visitors center. The hotel is historic and filled with dark woods, beams and the lobby smells like a campfire from the large fireplaces, which is just perfect for the location of the hotel. The dining room is also historic, beautiful and the food delicious. Well worth the money spent, and an experience we will never forget. You must put this on your list of things to do, even if you just go for lunch.

-Amazing location -Great overall hotel ambiance -Rooms were outdated and gross Rooms were definitely not nice at all (loud, outdated, gross bathroom), but would stay here again purely due to location

Was really looking forward to this classic lodge as a splurge $500 for the night. No fire in the beautiful fireplace. ("we have nobody to man it.") Barstool folded up against the bar and unavailable because" there is only one bartender" Had to drive around parking lot and wait for somebody to pull out after a half an hour Finally get into restaurant and credit card machine isn't working Maybe they were having a bad day, but I expect more for $500 a night I will say the staff and people working there where friendly and nice but just kind of embarrassed that nothing was working. I think the management could use improvement and the mega corporation that manages the place could use a human touch. Fortunately it is in an epic and beautiful location, but it feels like the management company is taking advantage of that and not offering the service that was one traditionally here. Better to stay outside the park.

Room was expensive , excellent location but room not comfortable marginal mattress and furniture worn out. Noisy heater. High step into bathroom not good for accessibility, no elevator yet 3 floors. Other lodging on the rim nearby just as convenient but less convenient censure. El Tovar Restaurant food fair , Lounge was nice very comfortable. All staff very helpful and friendly. A mixed experience. Late October not too crowded, no waiting.

We had a wonderful stay at this lovely, historic, and iconic hotel. It is situated right on the south rim of the Grand Canyon with trails going along the rim and down into the canyon right at the hotel complex, which includes not only this hotel but other less informal places to stay and eat. Buses along the canyon also go here. The location is stunning and convenient. The otel itself is a characterful, historic building with nice lobby, lovely dining room, and nice rooms. The food, though not outstanding, is also good. There is a small but attractive bar. We had two nice rooms. It is pricey but if you can swing it, it's worth it.

This hotel has a great location next to the Grand Canyon. This hotel has many good spots to take pictures and also many gift shops nearby. The heater inside the room is very loud. It woke me up many times when it automatically turned on at night. Keep in mind that this hotel is located on the south side of the Grand Canyon, which is very far away from activities that are located on other parts of the Grand Canyon. There is a convenient shuttle near this hotel to take you to several places.

The hotel staff were rude. The location is fantastic. The rooms are just fine and not bad for a historic building. The restaurant staff were great. The hotelstaff nearly ruined our stay. Too bad.

El Tovar is a historic hotel. It's over 100 years old & is charming. Our room is a reasonable size to accommodate 2 queen beds. Our bathroom is very large. There is no elevator but bellmen will carry your bags if you need the help. Everyone on staff was lovely. This hotel is pricy & staying on the rim was fabulous. We went out around 8pm just to look @ the stars. What a treat to have a night here.

El Tovar is considered the nicest hotel at the Grand Canyon, which is why we booked our room their. We knew it was an old hotel and our expectations were with that in mind. The room was small but adequate. However, the in-wall a/c was incredibly loud. So loud in fact we couldn't run it at night, so at night we were hot. Bath towels were ripped. But the real issue was the mouse in our room. I could hear a mouse going through our bags on the table in the middle of the night. I ended up having to move all our items into the bathroom. I found a half eaten chip in a corner where the mouse came from. Upon checkout I brought the mouse concern to the front desk clerk who didn't seem at all surprised and never even offered any sort of discount. I doubt we'd ever stay there again nor recommend the hotel to anyone.

The hotel itself is nice, older with character and several dead (black dead) poinsettias around restaurant entry. Would be nice if they invested in Tesla charging ports instead of making guests drive a some miles to charge at a different hotel in 20 degree weather. Frustrating front desk experience, most of the time if we had a question, there was no one at front desk (sounded like they were in the back room, talking). Our room was really tiny for $421/ night, we heard vacuuming at 10:00 at night, sounded like a man peeing above us (water leak?) for most of the night and a fan sound (not a heater/ac fan). We mentioned to the front desk lady on checkout on 1/5/25, believe her name was Taylor, she appeared to care less and wouldn't do anything to compensate for the less than decent El Tovar experience. The restaurant staff was great.

During our recent thanksgiving trip to the south rim - we decided to try out the dining experience at El Tovar. Being vegetarians we were a bit apprehensive of what to expect, but delightfully surprised to find a few options - the stuffed portobello mushroom was very flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The tofu on the Caesar salad was one of the best fried tofus I've ever had - crisp on the outside and yet perfect soft texture on the inside. The place is stepped in history and we are informed by the server the Apple streusel was a 118 year old recipe - and a must try dessert - this recommendation did not disappoint -- this dessert was a bit sweet for our taste but nonetheless delicious. The flourless chocolate cake paired well with the raspberry sorbet. The ambience and service was top notch. Getting a reservation is hard - so plan ahead... but highly recommended as a dinner go to place if you visit the south rim.

My wife and I stayed here just after July 4th. The earth must have been closer to the sun because it was blazing hot. Here is my review of the historic El Tovar: Pros: Don't expect an early check in. Even if they have signs that read, "Vacancies! Come in." I prefer waiting to get my room until the very last second, so it's almost like Christmas. Check in is officially 4pm and we checked in at 358pm and were reminded that we were being allowed to check in early. We had a queen sized bedroom and boy was it cozy. I could sit in the middle of the bed and reach or grab anything in the room. Talk about convenience. Speaking of beds, the one at the El Tovar reminded me of my college days. So uncomfortable but it sure did bring back fond memories and you can't put a price on memories. The bathroom was surprisingly large and had a cool 1930's "asylum" look to it. Floor to ceiling white tile. The shower had the pressure of pouring water through a straw and letting it drip on you. It sure hit the spot after being out in the heat all day. Even though we were situated near the front desk and a public restroom, we could not hear any of the clamor outside, as we were lulled by the incredibly loud jet engine/air conditioning unit in our room. Don't bother bringing a white noise maker folks, because you won't hear anything with the AC doing its thing. You may not be able to hear the tv, but it's well worth it. Especially since the tv is about the size of an iPad. The lunch restaurant was very accommodating. We sauntered in 6 minutes before they closed and they sat us immediately and were very attentive. Sarcasm aside, the place is very old and needs a makeover but the staff were polite and friendly and went out of their way to make our stay comfortable.

We stayed here 3 nights. Room was on first floor and steps away from lobby dining etc. Room was small with outdated, beat up furniture and musty. Eating is reservation only. Food was average and service was good and wait staff affable. While sitting on porch directly accessible to our hall we noticed vermin scampering about and couldn't help but wonder whether they were wandering the halls and even our room. Parking was a blessed free for all. No guest designated parking, so day visitors filled the spots day and night. Impossible to park on property and the village parking is scant to say the least. Bus tours also come in during the day to see El Tovar and take in the view and other shopping attractions and their occupants fill the porch and lobby areas diminishing the paying guests experience. El Tovar is historic and its setting is undeniably perfect, but honestly for the price our experience was less than lackluster and I'd pass for another option next time.

The views are fabulous in December from the Colter suite but the interior is shabby . The $700.00 a nite is a shocker for a suite that needs upgrading . Additionally, we were looking forward to sitting in front of the fire in the expansive lobby last evening at 9:00 pm but were told it was " not cold enough " ...last night's temperature was 26 degrees and tonight's forecast is 16 degrees

I didn't stay here, but I did stop here on our visit to the Grand Canyon. The staff were a little...I don't know stand offish I guess but they probably figured out I wasn't a guest. It looked like a huge mountain cabin. Nice on the inside looks like it might be a nice place to stay but I'm not sure if I would pay the prices....looked at the rates and they were a bit high.

We stayed at this hotel 3 days 2 nights a number of years ago prior to the pandemic in early December. That is the main reason I gave it 4 star is the location. You are right on the South rim of the Grand Canyon. Unbelievable ! In general , the stay was comfortable and cozy and we enjoyed the restaurant. The quaint lodge like feeling with the fireplace in the lobby was really nice. Especially watching the early morning sunlight hitting the Grand Canyon. Beautiful. This hotel is definitely a bucket lister but I noticed it is now running $500 to $600 a night. I think our stay was under $200 a night. That is quite an increase l.

We visited here twice during our stay down the road. We stopped in here for drinks at about 930pm after a long day of hiking on July 4th. The bar service started out a little clunky, but it ended up great. The scratch whiskey sours (i.e. not made with a mix) were superb - The best I've had at a bar in a while. We also ordered the Navjo nachos which were VERY good. The next morning we dropped by for breakfast before more hiking. We both had coffee and the Prim Rib Hash. The hash was excellent. The meat was tender, the ratio of one ingredient to the other was perfect, and the chipotle Hollandaise sauce was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!! The service at the bar and the restaurant was exemplary.

Location! Location! Location! It is beautiful! Let's start with the positive. There were two staff members who made this stay a bit less painful. The first was the bartender who closed the night of the 17th of February. She had salt & pepper hair and wore a mask. She made one of the best Old Fashioned(s) I have ever had and she was friendly. The second was a lady working at the news stand on the morning of the 18th of February. The rest of the staff we encountered were less than friendly and not very helpful. While grabbing a bite and a few drinks at the bar the night we arrived, there were a group of wait staff openly complaining about the customers at their prospective tables. That was so rude. The next morning, my husband had a work emergency he had to take care of so we ordered room service, after almost an hour and a half, no food arrived. It was 30 minutes before checkout before we were finally served. I won't even go into the shortcomings of the room for the price. We were so excited for this stay and left almost entirely disappointed.

Quaint old hotel in the best location only a stone's throw to the canyon. The remodeled rooms had everything we needed. If you can't splurge for this, go to the Kachina Lodge next door.

Years, decades, after my first visit as a child to see the Grand Canyon I was able to return and spend a night at this historic property. I question why it took so long !! Being right at the rim provides views like nowhere else. The hotel is a step back to different times. We were able to get a reservation for dinner and nontechnical a great meal. The room was very nice, and comfortable. The only problem that we encountered was that there is almost no table space to set you belongings on. Breakfast was very good as well and our window seat let us take in the view. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. My wife and I would highly recommend staying here if you have the chance to do so.

El Tovar is a historic hotel, located in a prime location on the Grand Canyon rim. Yes, it is older with some quirks. Yes, it is expensive. If you can look beyond those things - it is a charming look back to an earlier time. Stayed here with our two college-age sons during the hot summer. We enjoyed being right at the canyon rim, soaking in the views. There were several restaurants in walking distance. Our 2 queen bed room was surprisingly large, and well-appointed. It was very clean and comfortable. The A/C worked fine, and was surprisingly quiet for an older building. The bathroom was small and compact, but also spotless. There were plenty of towels. Shower water pressure kind of meh, but in a 120 year old hotel, I'll take working A/C and a meh shower as a trade off. Wifi was fast and plentiful, the staff were all kind and accommodating. Check in was fast and simple. If you are coming to the Grand Canyon to see an amazing natural creation, and to get a sense of what vacations were like in a previous era, then the El Tovar could be for you.

Situated right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, is the iconic El Tovar hotel. We stayed at the El Tovar Hotel for two nights in July and it was definitely worth the money we paid. It's a beautiful hotel. Walking into the main lobby you immediately know you are someplace special with pine logs and stone, comfortably decorated, lamps and a fireplace. Plus, amazing art of the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas. There is no elevator, but the hotel is only 3 stories tall and we traveled light. Our room was very nice for a National Parks Lodge. However, the bathroom didn't have any counter space; yet I loved what I think was the original tiles. But I didn't stay here to sit in our room. El Tovar is within maybe 100 feet or so separating the edge of the hotel from the edge of the Grand Canyon. You couldn't ask for anything better to sit and watch the sunsets, have your coffee in the morning, and just let mother nature do its job. It is a short distance to catch the buses that take you to other locations in the Grand Canyon. And the South Rim Trail runs along the front of the hotel so you can take a leisurely walk on a paved trail. We ate our breakfasts and dinners at El Tovar and had no complaints. Everything was delicious and the staff is wonderful. Be aware you do need reservations for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is first come/first served. We also enjoyed cocktails in the lounge. Even though we probably will not be back to the Grand Canyon, our time at El Tovar made it a once in-a-lifetime experience that we will cherish.

The good- sits right at the South Rim, free parking, best restaurant for the area. The bad- really dated and small rooms considering that the cheapest off season cost nearly $400 a night. The threshold is elevated at the entry to the bathroom and one tends to trip over it. There is no countertop space in the bathroom. There was no elevator and the lobby/ bar area is too small and uncomfortable . It just seems that the hotel is still living off of its reputation since I saw no effort by the management to accommodate the comfort of its guests. Not worth it since there are more modern accommodation next door.

Stayed here in mid January, it was surprisingly still quite busy. Checkin was friendly and quick, they were expecting us. The room was tight but had everything you could need. The bathroom was absolutely adorable with lots of subway tiling and sustainable toiletries. The water does take a while to get warm in the winter but it was perfect once it did. The restaurant is lovely and you do need reservations. Loved the French onion soup! It's a great place to get up early and watch the sunrise over the canyon, there are lots of different nooks and seating Around the property.

We stayed here for my husband's birthday weekend end. It is an old hotel and it shows in many areas. But it's historical and quaint. We stayed in the Santa Fe suite. It's very large and comfortable. Bed and linens were comfy. This is not a 4-star hotel, but the best hotel at the rim.

Dining at the Tovar hotel was a treat. I was worried we wouldn't get a reservation the day before, but there were plenty after 8:00 pm which worked out perfectly as that is sunset. When going, ask for the room with the large window wall which is to the left of the restaurant. We dined in both rooms and the one to the left is definitely the better view; however, if that room is full, the other main room is great too just ask for a window seat. As for the food, which is the reason I gave it 5 stars; I ordered the bone-in blackened beef ribeye (16 oz), medium rare of course with the mashed potatoes and broccolini (skinny broccoli) and it was delicious. I had to take half of mine to go mostly because everyone else didn't finish theirs and I didn't want to look like a pig. I don't recommend taking anything to go that needs to be reheated as you will have a hell of a time finding a microwave so finish that baby right then and there. The steak was done perfectly so it will not be difficult to do. The broccolini had a nice charred taste from being broiled and the potatoes were very creamy. Do not fill up on bread. As for the dress code, it's outdoor fancy. I was lucky to get in with shorts but I had to dress it up with jewelry, a fancy top and I curled my hair to seal the deal. It helped that everyone else was dressed very nicely so I was able to slide by but I felt a bit ashamed and would have felt better being dressed up.

Want to ruin a special trip? Book here. We booked one of the four canyon view suites on the phone with a gentleman who assured us it was canyon view, and when we arrived, it was not. The front desk was entirely unapologetic and failed to offer any compensation, not so much as late checkout. We had planned our entire trip around the date that we had been told the room was available. It was a hard reservation too - they had a credit card info on file. Without the canyon view, you are paying $450+ for a tiny Motel 6 level room furnished from a garage sale with parking lot views. And the service - at $750 a night or more for a suite, you expect more than a "too bad" when the hotel made a reservation error. Other guests had reservation issues as well, in particular one gentlemen who they had accidentally split his booking so his family had to pack up and move rooms halfway through his stay. Bottom line, you can book here, but you will have no idea what you're getting until you arrive, regardless of any reassurances over the phone. Stay outside the park in any of the hotels that will give you an exceptionally better experience. There is not bellhop, no valet, or elevator, so you are paying $750+ a night to lug your bags up three flights of stairs.

A visit to this historic hotel is a must, however an overnight stay here is not. The lobby is absolutely beautiful, especially during the holidays! The outside is lovely as well. I was able to snag a one night reservation at El Tovar. The actual room was nice (upscale compared to Bright Angel), but we must have been in the gallows of the hotel or something. The hallways were old, bleak and uninviting. Maybe if we were placed somewhere more central, it would have been a better experience? For the 300 bones a night, I was expecting more. The hotel itself is not located smack in the middle with the *cherry* views, but the views, nonetheless are still good. We had dinner at El Tovar restaurant, which was a disappointment. Our drinks and snacks at The Cocktail Lounge were decent though. We stayed at Bright Angel as well, and preferred that due to location (and it was almost 60% less per night)!

This is a mixed review. The good: the building is incredible and the location even more incredible. If you want the ultimate experience, stay here. You walk outside a few yards and are at the rim. Doesn't get any better than that. The not-so-good: hot water supply to distant rooms. We had a suite in the farthest southern room. Hot water should not be assumed. On our first morning, it took 8 minutes for hot water to show up for my shower. I reported it to a maintenance crew working elsewhere. The next morning, we had hot water is a reasonable period of time. Next day - worse. It took 18 minutes for hot water to arrive. Reported to the front desk. By the time we left, hot water was arriving in a reasonable time frame. But it was inconsistent. Even after hot water arrived, if we shut it off and then tried to get hot water again within even fifteen minutes, we had to wait again. We worked around this because we really wanted the room we were in. I almost left a note asking the next guests if they could beat my 18-minute record. A ranger told us El Tovar is scheduled to be closed for two years for major renovations. Like the water system. I would stay there again but ask next time for a room that is closer to hot water.

READ OTHER RECENT REVIEWS!!!!! FRONT DESK IS HORRIBLE I understand Location Location Location BUT REALLY? $368 per night for the cheapest room and the furniture is worn out, no space, no view, no counter space in the bathroom? Room was clean but furniture warn and broken FRONT DESK IS HORRIBLE Food service is not able to handle the demand for food, drinks, snacks, anything... The whole thing needs to be rethought.

Stayed here May 2023. The hotel lobby and dining areas are quaintly decorated and the exterior is definitely beautiful, especially for the period in which it was built. Guest rooms left a lot to be desired. Decor was exceptionally dated, but not to the hotel's original theme. Like something out of a 1980s barracks room. Not a single comfortable place to sit in the room/lobby. Give 2 stars because of proximity to the canyon, but otherwise set worth the $.