We managed to get ourselves a last minute booking at the Lodge (we'd tried prior to leaving NZ, but full, so tried the night before our desired date and BINGO, we lucked in). Thank goodness we got to stay and experience what - we believe - is the most beautiful serene spot on the entire Grand Canyon. The Lodge accommodation was full, but you wouldn't know it as it wasn't crowded. Such a beautiful place to relax and take in the views or walk trails. We stayed in a motel room. It was comfortable, clean and certainly adequate. If you go in expecting modern furnishings, you will be disappointed. But if you go in knowing you are STAYING ON THE RIM, then you will love every minute of it. The cabin accommodation looked cool (though only saw through windows as walking past). Surprisingly, the food in the restaurant and food outlets is incredibly well priced. We were pleasantly surprised at the cost as everything has to be transported in (long distance), so we expected a bit of price gauging seeing you are "captured diners", but NO, all well priced. The service in the main restaurant was very friendly, efficient and staff keen to chat. Make the effort - you will be surprised at their back stories.

Purely existing on location because the views from the lodge building itself are spectacular. The rest is pretty poor. Arrive at the general car park, you aren't allowed to park close for check in. 400 yard walk, I wonder if I took my luggage by mistake how far it will be for a second or third walk. A line for check in, one of the two windows open, at what is probably the prime check in time around 3.00. Why not two people? Ten to 15 minutes wait. Try to book dinner. Full. Did you not book? Why? there's no advice that you run a hotel in an absolutely re-mote location which is unable to feed all your guests. Just no option, we're full. Eat where and what now? Deli choice of sad looking salad and not much else to be eaten in your room which has no table outside, just a small table in the dark room and one chair. Appalling service. Finally we decided to turn up at 6.45 pm and politely but firmly ask for a table within the next 30 minutes as we could see many spare places and more becoming available at 7.05 as people left. 7.10 we were seated at a great window table by the one sympathetic and helpful member of staff we encountered. The room is tiny, a small double bed with one side pushed up against the wall old blanket bedclothes. No fridge, no WiFi, obviously no room service. In fact no service at all. Want a coffee or a beer on the hotel verandas with canyon views? No, no service at all. Breakfast, we were told reservations not needed or conducted just arrive to be seated. So it was a surprise to be told 30 minutes wait !! Many unused tables but obviously not enough staff to cook, so the solution is let guests wait. More abysmal service, we left the hotel. A complete let down of an establishment run by people with no idea of service. It looks a good old place, its room charges are for an expected good hotel, it just isn't. And to add insult to everything else 10 days later I was emailing asking why they still hadn't refunded my $50 deposit. Sums up their service

Four couples stayed in the Pioneer cabins on 5/19 & 20, before the current week long power outage and closure. We were told these cabins were built in the 1930's. They are one step above staying in a tent, maybe, but nothing more. They are old, dirty, cramped and outdated. We stayed at the park lodges at Bryce and Zions which were delightful. These are awful in comparison. The walk to many of the cabins passed a persistent septic odor. Then our toilet backed up into our shower, though TRENTON from maintenance was terrific as was JULIE at the front desk who worked hard to help. The Lodge building itself was charming with great views. Dinners were good but they were out of nearly half the items on what already was a limited menu. ARAMARK, the management company, seemed to be cutting expenses on staff and many amenities. Unless you like very primitive, expensive accommodations, either camp, stay in the "hotel" building, or to be safe and go to the South Rim with many places to stay.

Booked to be close to North Kaibab to start on a solo hike early in the morning. Views and nearby trails/overlooks are spectacular. Check in line was long, having to park far away wouldn’t be a big deal if you were with 2+ people to check in but solo is not user friendly experience to get your stuff to a cabin far away. Non dining room food options very limited and not great. Biggest issue for me was no hot water. Got up at 3am, waited over 2 minutes and didn’t even start to get warm so I felt like I was wasting water and took a sponge bath. Very disappointed since I can get a hot shower at Phantom Ranch but not on North rim?! Bed was ok but way too expensive for what you get. Would not recommend.

Very long lines at check in, rodents and large bugs in the room, lumpy beds, and a heater that kept tripping off all night. Forget about getting a dinner reservation in the restaurant, pretty easy to get in for breakfast though, but don’t do the buffet - cold food and warm orange juice. All of that for the low, low price of $450 per night! Thank goodness we only booked one night! Only reason for 2 stars instead of one is the views, the grounds, and the friendly staff.