Set your expectations appropriately before considering this hotel...it's all about your proximity to stunning canyon views. The front door to the canyon edge is no more than 50 yards. Watch the sunrise or sunset and be back in your room in 5 minutes. As for the hotel itself, it is an iconic property but it is far past its prime. You'll find it to be an adequate sleeping experience but don't expect much more. You should treat yourself to a meal at the restaurant as it was a very pleasant surprise. You'll pay a premium for the location, but one night at this hotel is not a bad decision for your canyon journey.

El Tovar sits right next to the Grand Canyon and perfectly placed for those looking to either admire the canyon or to hike. The main entrance is extremely inviting and the staff are very, very accommodating and welcoming. The hotel rooms could use an update, they are extremely dated. For the price, I did expect something more comfortable and not so soiled. Our pillows for example were each like a half of an average pillow and the bed, my back still hurts. But you can't beat the location!

The place is magic, it takes you back in the history: all details are superb! However, it is so busy that the staff gets mixed up. We were with 3 adults and got a room that did not fit. It was too late to change ...hence we had to sleep 3 in one bed. The reception was not pro-active to find a solution. In the opposite, tried to pretend that nothing is wrong...probably a lot of mistakes like this happen that they really think it is nothing wrong.... it costs a lot and services are not at the same level...Change the staff, motivate them, make them create magic...

Do not accept a room facing the delivery parking lot! The delivery trucks with their loud backup beepers start at 5:30 AM. Otherwise the room is small but comfortable and the restaurant is very good. Historic lodge.

Is it worth being on the rim of the canyon for the price? That's what you have to ask yourself. Ultimately, I think we decided yes, but this hotel could really use some renovations. After arriving to our $250/night room, we were put in the basement. It was beastly hot and the air conditioner was not working. The first person came and told us nothing was wrong. After 20 minutes, we called again and the next person told us we were right, but couldn't fix it. They brought in a portable air conditioner, but it didn't fit in our basement window. They slapped the first air conditioner like Fonzie on a juke box and said it was fixed, but it wasn't. Finally, after more than two hours of first getting there, another guy came, diagnosed the problem in about 3 minutes and fixed the thing. The room was very, very basic and old feeling. It didn't feel like luxury at all. There were things like wooden rocking chairs on the porch that gave it a quaintness, and the dining room was decent, but I really felt like I'd walked back in time as I have a feeling this was like Catskills resorts were like in the 1950s. The location is unmatched. You're on the rim. You're just a one-minute walk to a shuttle stop. For convenience sake, this is the place to stay. You just have to put a price on it and determine if it's worth it.