Dunraven and Cascade lodges are listed under Canyon Lodge Standard Hotel Room 2 doubles. One cannot reserve the Dunraven lodge specifically. I put an e-mail request for a room at Dunraven at a higher floor facing the woods ( not the parking lot) and the request was honoured. But apart from the presence of a lift at Dunraven lodge the two are almost identical and situated next to each other.
In August 2012 the main Canyon area was a construction site as the whole roof of the dining area was getting replaced. You have to check in first at the main reception (next to the canyon cafeteria ), collect keys and then travel to Dunraven lodge. The young man at desk was efficient & courteous. Explained the map with the lay out of the Canyon area.
You come out of the village, turn right, turn right again at the No Entry for the North Rim drive ,then go beyond the loops of cabins and the lodges are the last accommodation at the end of the road.
I believe there is a short cut from the back of the reception but that road was closed because of construction.
The lodges are just few minutes drive from the main area but miles away in terms of hustle & bustle of the canyon village with all its stores, cafeteria, Visitors Centres etc. Plenty of parking right in front of the lodges and a decent size lift to save your back from carrying bags to third floor. There are no facilities in the lodge other than Ice Vending machine so you have to travel to the main Canyon area for the services.
Would take about 10-15 minutes by foot but we always used the car as I saw a big bull elk several times near the parking lot and people reported bison sighting as well. Please carry a torch as it is pitch dark in the night and the road was full of large craters.
The room was of decent size for 2 adults and 2 kids, brightly coloured walls with a small round table and couple of chairs, Keurig coffee maker , a smallish bathroom and a separate basin area. No fridge. Storage area was a bit tight but we were living out of the suitcases and it wasn't too bad.
I loved those cute little teddy bear soaps.
Just like Old Faithful Inn the shower pressure was not brilliant. Unlike some other reviewers I had absolutely no problem with the bed or the pillows.
No laundromat in the lodge and the nearest one is in the Canyon Camp ground public shower complex on the other side of the road. Closes at 8 PM.
The cleaning ladies first service the rooms which have been vacated and our room was not serviced till 2 pm on couple of days.
No A/C but in late August we were fine with a portable fan in the afternoon with windows opened and the nights and the morning was quite cold, needing a fleece. Windows have fine mesh insect guards.

Our third floor room had the view of back of the lodge with the forest and I could hear the stream faintly in the night. I did not have any problem with noisy neighbours in the night. But remember a lot of people wake up early for wildlife viewing and some of them are not very considerate when coming to closing the doors. If your room is next to the main exit or the stairways you may get disturbed from the closing of the doors in early morning.

There are some chairs in the porch to enjoy a morning coffee and a lounge area at the ground floor to relax and share stories with fellow travellers. Obviously no TV.

Location wise I feel the Canyon area is perfect. Originally I wanted to stay at Roosevelt Lodge to enjoy the isolation and rustic charm. But had to drop that idea as I was late in booking the cabins with attached baths,which can't be booked on line.
One day while returning from Lamar valley I had lunch at Roosevelt lodge and had a good look at the area including the inside of a Roughrider cabin which was being cleaned. I didn't like what I saw and was glad that we stayed at Dunraven which has the modern facilities, the services of the canyon area but still away from the crowd.

Hayden valley is just a few miles and the majestic canyon is literally at the doorstep. Staying so close gives you the chance to see the canyon at different times of the day with changing colours of the canyon wall. Try to be at the Artist's point between 0940-10 am on a sunny day and you'll be rewarded with the most glorious rainbow over the lower falls. Plenty of hiking trails in this area including the North Rim trail which starts from just behind the cabins.
As mentioned I saw the big bull elk on two occasions just next to the parking lot.

Xanterra staff would leave a stuffed animal on the bed but you are under no obligation to buy that. Saying so my little one ended up with 6 soft toys!!
Agreed it's basic but who spends time inside hotel room when travelling to YNP?
Overall a very satisfying experience and I'd strongly recommend Dunraven to anyone visiting YNP.