We spent 4 nights at El Tovar, and we enjoyed every minute of it. The main plus here is the location, but we found our room (bellboy's suite) to be spacious and comfortable. It was a little pricey, but prices are not going be any cheaper in the future. Nearby parking can be a problem, but there is plenty of additional spaces down by the rail station. We had dinner at the dining room once during our stay, and it was the best food we had inside the park.

We basically planned our week-long vacation on the availability of two rooms at the El Tovar. I had read that you needed to book a year in advance and that is pretty close to the truth. We booked in early October for an early June stay and there was only one night available, so we took it!

The hotel is 103 years old and is gracious in the way only an old park lodge can be. The rooms are lovely (and updated); the people at the reception desk helpful and welcoming. We lucked out and got one of the three rooms (as far as I could tell) with a balcony.

It was such a treat to be able to walk right out the front of the hotel and go peek over the canyon rim.

Stay here - but remember to book EARLY.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful this hotel was!! Granted it is an older hotel but the rooms were completely updated and comfy! My kids (14 and 10) loved it and since it was right on the rim, you couldn't get any better scenery! Parking can be a challenge and make sure you save your National Park receipt so you don't have to pay to get back in but I would go back in a heartbeat!

My wife and I stayed here during the last week in May when we came to the Grand Canyon for the first time. The hotel was very nice, and we felt lived up to it's history/reputation. We had a so-so experience staying years ago in a "historical hotel" in Charlottetown, PEI but thankfully the El Tovar was nothing like that.

The bed (single queen) was nice and comfortable and the room was fine for the one night we were there. There was ample closet storage, along with a small refridgerator; as well as a coffee machine in the room.

We didn't get to try it (because we were going on the mule ride and had to get there early) but the hotel offered coffee and tea on the 2nd floor interior balcony that we were told is "the best". Maybe next time!

The staff were excellent, even helped us get a room for a 2nd night (unfortunately in a diiferent property on the Park grounds as the Tovar was full) and gave some nice suggestions on things to do while there.