El Tovar Hotel

The El Tovar at the Grand Canyon / If you’re looking for the ultimate in dining and innkeeping at the Grand Canyon, then of course you’re going to look to the El Tovar Hotel, the showpiece of the South Rim. I worked at the El Tovar, and it is still one of my very favorite classic National Park Lodges. It’s beautiful, elegant, and a little funky at the same time. It’s also a little pricey for national park fare, so I recommend experiencing the El Tovar dining room during breakfast, especially early in the morning, when it won’t be as crowded and you can enjoy the canyon views from some areas of the restaurant. You can enjoy a hearty, gourmet breakfast for a fraction of what you’d pay for dinner, and you’ll still be able to experience the ambiance of the room and its history. For a real treat, ask to sit in the “Canyon Room.” This special dining room off the main room is used for special events and during the busy season, but often, they’ll allow you to sit there if the rest of the dining room isn’t too busy. You’ll get the best views of the canyon from this room, and the tables are a bit more private and intimate, as well. After breakfast, enjoy a hot cup of coffee in front of the huge fireplace in the hotel lobby, while you read about the history of this beautiful old lodge. Built in 1905 of Oregon cedar logs shipped to the site, the lodge has been rennovated several times, but still enjoys its original charm and appeal. The lobby area, with its large stone fireplace, and two-story central area is much the same as it was when the lodge was first built. Take some time to enjoy the El Tovar hotel, it’s one Grand Canyon experience you shouldn’t pass up!