The best places to stay in the Grand Canyon

Best for: Romantic getaway

Willing to splash out? Stay right inside the park on the South Rim – literally. The clifftop El Tovar Hotel provides breathtaking views over the canyon. Inside ain’t too shabby either, with a homely log cabin feels throughout. Rooms are perhaps a little dated, but when you have a restaurant, bar and free parking onsite – plus a free shuttle bus up to 25 miles to explore Grand Canyon Village – you’re unlikely to spend too much time in there. Alternative methods of transport include the Grand Canyon Railway, horse and by foot on numerous trails that start at the South Rim.

Best for: Families

Save half the price of the El Tovar by staying 12 minutes outside Grand Canyon Village and just four minutes from the National Park sign, where you’ll want to stop to get a photo. The characterful Grand Hotel offers free parking, a restaurant and a bar, but also has a pool, fitness centre and nightly live entertainment. Rooms come with all the essentials, like AC, minifridge, iron/ironing board and hairdryer, but also convenient extras like a microwave, MP3 player and HBO. It’s also within walking distance of more restaurants and shops in the local Tusayan area.

Best for: Romantic getaway

Glamp out in the Arizona wilderness just 25 miles from Grand Canyon Village. These beautifully dressed bell tents recall the colonial era (without all the enslaving and pillaging) and have all the mod cons. High thread-count sheets? Check! Flushing toilets? Check! Campfire breakfast and dinner? Check, check! Well, that last one is at an additional cost, but so worth it. The tents sleep three max and are relatively close quarters, so are best suited to couples or (very) good pals.

Best for: Families

Keep it cheap at Motel 6 on your next visit to Grand Canyon. This Williams branch is an hour from the South Rim, where the village and a whole number of activities await. Williams itself is small, but pretty and has restaurants, shops and a rustic old railway that’s worth a look. The motel is basic, with minimal décor – we’re talking bare white walls everywhere – but you get what you pay for. It is at least clean and comfortable. It also has an indoor pool and hot tub, open all year round, vending machines, an ATM and plenty of parking.

Best for: Families

Fancy a quirky stay with your own barbecue spot and a mountain view? Book RV Glamping. This is next-level motorhome living. For starters, there are actual bedrooms (one- and two-bed available), plus the separate seating areas turn into an extra double bed. The largest RV even comes with bunk beds in one of the rooms. Elsewhere, you have use of a private decked outdoor seating area, a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge, oven and an island, TV, AC and a fireplace. Linen and towels are provided, too, and South Rim is only an hour’s drive.

Best for: Families/big groups

Looking for the wow factor? You’ve found it. This three-bed Mountain Home is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to stream in from all sides and provide unbeatable views of the Kachina Village pine forest. Décor is earthy and ’70s. You’ll find everything you need here, from the usual – fully equipped kitchen, TV/lounge area, and linens – to the special – electric barbecue grill with rotisserie smoke oven. Downtown Flagstaff is just 15 minutes away, where you’ll find all conveniences and things to do, while Walnut Canyon is only 20 minutes, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon is just under two hours.

Best for: Romantic getaway

If you’re after character, you’ll get heaps of it at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Located off the I-40 in 500 acres of pine forest, this three-star stay sprawls through the woods with its earthy tones and log cabin aesthetic. There’s a kidney-shaped outdoor pool banked by trees, a restaurant and bar open daily, serving American fare, a play area, a fitness center, and a gift shop. Grand Canyon South Rim is doable on a day trip, at one and a half hours drive, but Flagstaff itself has numerous shops, eateries, museums, galleries, and more to explore.

Best for: Families

Situated at the base of Red Cayon’s rust-colored mesas, these cute red-topped cabins make for the perfect spot from which to explore Grand Canyon’s North Rim. After all, they’re only a ten-minute drive from Fredonia, aka 'gateway to the North Rim'. Despite being on the doorstep of Kanab City – there’s a Wendy’s a five-minute walk away – it’s super quiet at the cabins, each of which variously sleeps two to six people. Onsite conveniences include laundry and barbecue facilities, plus you can park right in front of your cabin.

Best for: Romantic getaway

Lovers of all things retro will adore this retro Safari Airstream camper. Perfect for two, it contains a double bed, dining area (which folds into a second double bed), shower room, and kitchen, with a full-size cooker. It’s located within the stunning Paria River Ranch, which is home to rescue horses and is about an hour from Marble Canyon on the East Rim. The best things to do here are to explore the likes of Buckskin Gulch, Moon Canyon, and Toad Stool, or simply relax and stare at the stars.

Best for: Big groups

New home built in the Pueblo style that sits overlooking the canyon at Lake Powell in Page. There’s plenty of space for big groups of up to nine, with one king, two queens, a double, and a single bed split over four rooms. Guests can enjoy the entire property, which includes a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, two bathrooms, and lounge area with a flatscreen smart TV. Huge sliding doors provide uninterrupted desert views – perfect for watching the sunset – or step out onto the porch, where there’s patio furniture and a barbecue. When you’re ready to explore the National park, Marble Canyon is only a 40-minute drive.

Best for: Big groups

If you’re heading out to the East and North Rims of the Grand Canyon, then you’re probably the kind of person who likes a spot of tranquil isolation. This remote spot in the Vermilion Cliffs National Wilderness Area is perfect for that. Not only is the view spectacular (watch the cliffs change color as the light changes), but there’s no TV or wifi, so you can properly switch off and be at one with nature. The property is a super cute, split-level wooden cabin with a veranda and balcony. Five beds are spread over three rooms, sleeping up to seven guests. Hiking trails start from the backyard, and you can also easily access the Colorado River for kayaking and canoeing.