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El Tovar Hotel

El Tovar Hotel

Grand Canyon National Park, The US

Located just 20 feet (six meters) from the canyon rim, the historic El Tovar Hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1905 and has hosted many great names in its time, including Theodore Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. The hotel is a Registered National Historic Landmark and has retained an elegant, century-old charm while providing up-to-date facilities and smart, clean accommodation.

The fine-dining cuisine offered in the restaurant is very popular and requires advance booking, while the Market Plaza Store is just a few minutes’ drive away, where you can purchase food for a scenic picnic in the national park.

OUR OPINION:

The El Tovar is a characterful hotel that we found is full of charm and ideally located to fully absorb the vastness of the canyon.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Rooms

The rooms each have their own distinct style and layout, adding to the hotel’s charm. The entry-level Standard rooms have one queen sized or double bed, while the more spacious Deluxe rooms offer a king sized bed or two queen sized beds. For further space and comfort, the Suites are individually named and offer a sitting room, with a few also boasting a balcony or porch, some of which offer views over the canyon. Amenities in each room include air conditioning, satellite TVs, safes, hair dryers, coffee makers and en suite bathrooms.

Location

El Tovar Hotel is situated within Grand Canyon National Park, just a stone’s throw from the edge of the canyon, ensuring some spectacular views from its rooms and restaurant. Set at the beginning of Hermit Road, it’s conveniently placed for driving the scenic route to Hermits Rest, which offers lots of viewpoints en route, or for following the popular Bright Angel Trail inside the canyon.

Food and drink

The El Tovar dining room is one of the most popular restaurants within the Grand Canyon. Offering fine-dining, it’s set perpendicular to the rim and offers spectacular views of the canyon. Window tables are sought after and may require a short wait, but the views make it well worth it. Alternatively, the nearby town of Tusayan, just outside the park, has more restaurants to choose from.

Families

While none of the rooms are interconnecting, some of them feature two queen sized beds for up to four guests, and rollaway beds are available to accommodate children.

Facilities and activities

The relaxing open fires and cozy seating in the lobby area is a welcome resting place after a long day exploring the park. Alternatively, you can settle up on the balcony area with a game or puzzle before heading down to the restaurant. The El Tovar also has its own gift shop for those wanting to take home some Grand Canyon souvenirs.

Accessibility

ADA-compliant accessible rooms are available, including some with roll-in showers.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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