We enjoyed the Thunderbird Lodge right on the South Rim. Easy walk to El Tovar, busses and eats and very comfortable. Check in is at the Bright Angel Lodge right next door, there is no check-in or lobby in the Thunderbird Lodge.

From the outside, this hotel looks pretty darn dated and ugly -- with only its Rim location going for it -- but the rooms were significantly nicer than I expected. Think high quality motel, with modern furnishings in good condition. Parking can be annoying, but you'll find a space with some effort. No reception desk, so you check in next door at the Bright Angel, which also offers a decent-value casual restaurant (try the trout -- about $14). Objectively, the hotel is significantly overpriced -- as is now the norm at all National Park lodges, which have seen skyrocketing prices in recent years -- but they do offer some occasional promotions on off-peak days. FWIW, I would suggest you only need two days and one night in the Park unless you're going to do an ambitious hike into the Canyon. The Rim Trail is a nice walk, but after that you may want to head for a more peaceful natural experience further from the tourist hordes. Also note that if you're travelling October through March, check the weather as Northern Arizona gets some significant snowstorms.

Obviously the franchise owner could care less about this place. Actually, it’s not only this hotel but that’s what the review is about. Bare minimum of a room severely overpriced for a start. Our key stopped working after day one of our scheduled three day stay. Knucklehead at the desk told me it was because our keys must have come into contact with a phone or credit card which somehow erased all the information on our room key. Nobody carries a phone or credit cards right. Uh huh, sure that must be it. Our room had an adjoining door. If you do decide to stay here do not allow yourself to be in a room with an adjoining door. I would have sworn our neighbors were in our room as we heard everything they said and all their phone calls as an extra special bonus. They will not make up your room unless you make a point to ask them to do it when you check in. Reason? They say valuable resources are being conserved. That’s funny as the Williams to Grand Canyon train sat idling for multiple hours opposite the hotel. Smelled great and I’m sure saved valuable resources. Had trouble with our heating unit. Two guys came up to look at the thermostat and exclaimed that they had never seen one of that type before. It was a baseboard heater. Well, it was one thing after another after another at the Thunderbird. You couldn’t pay me to stay in this dump again. I guess the Park Service doesn’t care what goes on or who runs the concessions as long as they get paid.

Stayed here mainly because of the location, which is on the rim. The property, as with others in the Park, is pricey. We saved a little by opting for the "street view" rooms. You're only steps away from the rim trail, and can walk easily to the Bright Angel lodge (where there's food and a gift shop). Rooms are clean and comfortable. WiFi didn't work at all, and was iffy in the lobby area. Not great value for the money, but was fine for a special trip.

Not much to add that hast been said already. This is a 60s hotel that has had a makeover. Clean, good location. Still a 60s shell, concrete walls, dark hallways. But we had a rim view from our room and were steps from the edge. Humble place, not the Hilton. Worked for us. Parking can be a challenge but we managed okay.