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Photo: Grand Canyon South Rim
Where to stay for the Grand Canyon, Zion & Route 66
An independent guide to the motels, lodges and towns around the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce, and along Route 66 from California to Missouri, with the scores of thousands of guests, honest pros and cons, and practical guides to plan the trip.
Williams, Route 66
Then Route 66: motels, diners and the canyon train
Williams and Seligman keep the old road alive, an hour from the rim, with lower prices and the Grand Canyon Railway.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff: a real mountain town as your base
A historic downtown, pine forest and the widest choice of places to stay and eat, about 90 minutes from the canyon.
Sedona
Sedona: red rock trails south of Flagstaff
Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Oak Creek Canyon, an easy day trip or a few nights of its own.
Page and Monument Valley
And out to Page and Monument Valley
Leave by the East Entrance for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and the buttes of the Navajo Nation.
- Scores from thousands of guest reviews
- Pros and cons in our own words
- No hotel can pay for a review
- data checked 17 Oct 2026
Where to base yourself
Twenty areas: nine around the Grand Canyon, eight more Route 66 stops from the California desert to Missouri, and three bases for Zion and Bryce. Here is what each one is like.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0Tusayan (South Rim gateway)Grand Canyon
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0Williams (Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway)Grand Canyon
Photo: Martin Ely, CC BY 2.0FlagstaffGrand Canyon
Photo: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0Western Route 66: Seligman and KingmanGrand Canyon
Photo: Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0Eastern Route 66: Winslow and HolbrookGrand Canyon
Photo: Adam Baker from Houston / Moscow / Toulouse (travel a lot), CC BY 2.0Sedona and the Village of Oak CreekGrand Canyon
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0Cameron and Tuba City (near the East Entrance)Grand Canyon
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0Page and Lake PowellGrand Canyon
Photo: MARELBU, CC BY 3.0Monument Valley: Kayenta and Mexican Hat (Utah)Grand Canyon
Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Victorville and Apple Valley (High Desert)More Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Barstow, California (Mojave Desert)More Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Needles, California (Colorado River)More Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Amarillo and Vega, TexasMore Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Elk City, OklahomaMore Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Stroud, OklahomaMore Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Tulsa, OklahomaMore Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Joplin and Carthage, MissouriMore Route 66Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Bourbon, MissouriMore Route 66
Red Canyon Cabins · Photo: Booking.comKanab (between Zion, Bryce and the North Rim)Zion & Bryce
Bryce Gateway Inn & Cabins · Photo: Booking.comPanguitch and Red Canyon (for Bryce Canyon)Zion & Bryce
Hotel Zion Inn · Photo: Booking.comHurricane (below Zion's south entrance)Zion & Bryce
Bryce Canyon Country Inn · Photo: Booking.comTropic (Bryce Canyon, east side)Zion & Bryce
Green River Inn · Photo: Booking.comGreen River (for Arches, Canyonlands and Goblin Valley)Zion & BryceExplore Grand Canyon & Route 66 Explore Route 66 from California to Missouri Explore Zion, Bryce & southern Utah
Top-rated places to stay
The best guest scores in the guide, from Route 66 motels to historic railway hotels.
Photo: Booking.comAmarillo and Vega, Texas9.5The Relic
Guest house (cottage)The Relic suits couples and small families who want a private, unusual place to stay in Amarillo, with its own kitchen and entrance, rather than a highway motel. It suits less travellers who want a pool or a front desk, and those who need a cot.9.5on Booking.com · 163 reviewsfrom €102
Photo: Booking.comFlagstaff9.4Little America Hotel Flagstaff
HotelLittle America suits travellers who want a large, quiet, consistently rated hotel as a base for the Grand Canyon, Sedona and northern Arizona, and who have a car. It suits less those who want to walk to downtown Flagstaff in the evening, or who want to be at the rim for sunrise.9.4on Booking.com · 4,063 reviewsfrom €118
Photo: Booking.comEastern Route 66: Winslow and Holbrook9.3La Posada Hotel and Gardens
Historic hotelLa Posada suits travellers who want the landmark night of eastern Arizona's Route 66: a restored 1930s railway hotel with gardens and a restaurant, a short walk from Standin' on the Corner. It suits less those on a budget, or anyone who wants a base close to the Grand Canyon.9.3on Booking.com · 513 reviewsfrom €216
Photo: Booking.comWestern Route 66: Seligman and Kingman9.2The Aztec Motel & Creative Space
MotelThe Aztec Motel suits Route 66 travellers who want the best-rated night in Seligman, a short walk from the main street, in a small motel with shared spaces to sit in the evening. It suits less travellers with pets, families who need a cot, and anyone who wants a firm price months ahead: it had no rooms on sale for our January dates.9.2on Booking.com · 626 reviews
Photo: Booking.comWilliams (Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway)9.0El Rancho Motel
MotelEl Rancho suits road-trippers and couples who want a clean, well-run Route 66 motel at a fair price, with the Grand Canyon train within walking distance. It suits less families with older children, who are charged as adults from age 9, and travellers who want a pool or breakfast.9.0on Booking.com · 1,943 reviewsfrom €95
Photo: Booking.comFlagstaff8.9Americana Motor Hotel
Motor hotelThe Americana suits road-trippers, couples and dog owners who want a restyled Route 66 motor hotel with a pool and plenty on site, at a mid-range price. It suits less those who want to walk to downtown Flagstaff, or anyone under 21 checking in.8.9on Booking.com · 2,534 reviewsfrom €109
Photo: Booking.comWilliams (Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway)8.9The Historic Grand Canyon Hotel
Historic hotelThe Historic Grand Canyon Hotel suits travellers who want to sleep in an 1890s building on Route 66, a short walk from the Grand Canyon Railway, at a mid-range price. It suits less those who want a pool, a gym or a late arrival, since check-in closes at 20:00.8.9on Booking.com · 779 reviewsfrom €103
Photo: Booking.comTusayan (South Rim gateway)8.8Red Feather Lodge
Hotel and motelRed Feather Lodge suits couples and families who want to sleep at the Grand Canyon gate for a little less than the big hotel next door, with scores that beat it on almost every count. It suits less those who want a pool in winter or a hotel with more than the basics.8.8on Booking.com · 837 reviewsfrom €150Photo: Booking.comTropic (Bryce Canyon, east side)8.8Bryce Canyon Country Inn
Small innBryce Canyon Country Inn suits couples and small groups who want a quiet, well-kept room in Tropic, on the east side of Bryce Canyon, rather than at the busy park gate. It suits less travellers who arrive late, as the check-in window is short, and those with pets, which are not allowed.8.8on Booking.com · 35 reviews
Photo: Booking.comWilliams (Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway)8.7Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
HotelThe Grand Canyon Railway Hotel suits families and anyone taking the train to the South Rim, who can walk from the room to the platform and come back to an indoor pool. It suits less couples on a budget, who will find cheaper and better-scored rooms a few minutes away in Williams.8.7on Booking.com · 981 reviewsfrom €122
Photo: Booking.comWestern Route 66: Seligman and Kingman8.6Best Western Plus A Wayfarer's Inn & Suites
HotelThe Wayfarer's Inn suits families, travellers with a dog and anyone who wants a predictable chain hotel with breakfast, a pool and strong Wi-Fi on their way along Route 66. It suits less those who want to walk to downtown Kingman or pay motel prices.8.6on Booking.com · 1,754 reviewsfrom €130
Photo: Booking.comTusayan (South Rim gateway)8.6The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
HotelThe Grand Hotel suits travellers who want the most complete hotel at the park gate, with an indoor pool and hot tub that earn their keep on cold canyon nights. It suits less those on a budget or anyone who mainly cares about value, which is its weakest score.8.6on Booking.com · 5,051 reviewsfrom €171All 14 hotels in Grand Canyon & Route 66 All 15 hotels in Route 66 from California to Missouri All 6 hotels in Zion, Bryce & southern Utah
What you will see
The canyon rims, the old road and the desert parks: the reasons to make the trip.
Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0South Rim viewpoints and the Rim TrailGrand Canyon
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0Hermit Road and Hermits RestGrand CanyonPhoto: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0Grand Canyon RailwayGrand CanyonPhoto: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0Seligman's Route 66 stripGrand Canyon
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0Kingman and the Arizona Route 66 MuseumGrand Canyon
Photo: TimothyMN, CC BY-SA 4.0Standin' on the Corner and La Posada, WinslowGrand CanyonPhoto: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0Wigwam Motel, HolbrookGrand CanyonPhoto: Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0Petrified Forest National ParkGrand CanyonPlan the trip
Practical guides, with sources, to decide how long to stay, how to travel and when to go.
Photo: Steven C. Price, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanningWhere to stay for the Grand Canyon: Tusayan, Williams or Flagstaff?
Tusayan is at the park gate, Williams an hour away with the railway, Flagstaff an hour and a half away with the most to do. Here is how they compare on time to …
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0PlanningThe Grand Canyon in one day: a South Rim plan from Mather Point to Hermits Rest
One day at the South Rim works well if you park early, use the free shuttles and end at a west-facing viewpoint for sunset. This plan covers Mather Point, the R…
Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0PlanningBest time to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim: month by month
The South Rim is open all year, but each month brings a different mix of heat, snow, storms and crowds. Here is what to expect month by month, from quiet snowy …
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0ItineraryLas Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim: routes, Hoover Dam and where to stop
The South Rim is about four and a half hours from Las Vegas by car, via Hoover Dam, Kingman and Williams. Here is the route, the stops worth making, why Grand C…
Photo: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0ItineraryA Route 66 road trip across Arizona: Kingman to Holbrook in five days
Route 66 turns 100 on 11 November 2026, and northern Arizona keeps some of its longest original stretches. This five-day plan runs from Kingman to Holbrook, wit…
Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0Practical tipsGrand Canyon entrance fees in 2026: the $100 nonresident fee and when a pass pays off
Since January 2026, foreign visitors to the Grand Canyon pay a $100 nonresident fee per person on top of the entrance fee. Here is what it costs at the South Ri…
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0SightsThe Grand Canyon Railway from Williams: timetable, classes and whether it is worth it
A daily train runs 65 miles (105 km) from Williams to Grand Canyon Village and back, with just over three hours at the rim. Here is the timetable, the classes, …
Photo: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0ItineraryPhoenix to the Grand Canyon: I-17 via Flagstaff or the Sedona route
The South Rim is about four hours from Phoenix by car, straight up I-17 through Flagstaff or more slowly through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. Here is how the ro…
Photo: Uploaded by Meckimac, CC BY-SA 3.0ItineraryPage, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from the Grand Canyon: route, tours and fees in 2026
Page is about two and a half hours from the South Rim through Desert View, and it is the base for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. Here is the r…
Photo: Adam Baker from Houston / Moscow / Toulouse (travel a lot), CC BY 2.0ItinerarySedona as a day trip from Flagstaff or Williams: Oak Creek Canyon, passes and the shuttle in 2026
Sedona is about an hour from Flagstaff down Oak Creek Canyon, which makes it an easy day out from a Grand Canyon base. Here is the route, which passes you need,…
Photo: MARELBU, CC BY 3.0ItineraryMonument Valley from the Grand Canyon: route, 2026 fees, Valley Drive and tours
Monument Valley is about 3 hours 20 minutes east of the South Rim, on Navajo land with its own fee, hours and clock. Here is the route, what entry costs in 2026…
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0SightsGrand Canyon South Rim viewpoints compared: Village, Hermit Road and Desert View Drive
The South Rim's viewpoints fall into three groups: the Village area, Hermit Road by shuttle and Desert View Drive by car. Here is how they differ, which to choo…
Red Canyon Cabins · Photo: Booking.comPlanningWhere to stay for Zion and Bryce Canyon: Springdale, Hurricane, Kanab or Panguitch?
Zion and Bryce Canyon are about two hours apart by road, so most trips need either one central base or two short stays. Springdale is at Zion's gate, Hurricane …
Flamingo Inn · Photo: Booking.comItineraryRoute 66 through Oklahoma and Missouri: where to stop and sleep
Oklahoma has more drivable miles of Route 66 than any other state, and Missouri adds 317 more between Joplin and St. Louis. This guide picks five overnight stop…
Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0PlanningBest motels on Route 66, state by state
Twenty-two motels, historic hotels and one cottage in Route 66 towns from Needles to Bourbon, compared by guest score, price and how close they are to the old r…
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanningWhere to stay in Williams, AZ: hotels near the train
Williams is an hour from the Grand Canyon's South Entrance, with the railway depot and a walkable Route 66 centre. Here is which part of town suits your trip, a…
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0ItineraryGrand Canyon to Zion: the drive and where to stop
From the South Rim to Zion is about 249 miles (401 km) and four and a half hours without stops; from the North Rim, about three hours. Here are both routes, the…
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanningWhere to stay in Kingman, AZ: Route 66 motels and hotels
Kingman is the natural overnight stop between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, and the gateway to Route 66's Oatman and Hackberry stretches. Here is which of its…
Photo: Scottb211 from Gaylord, Michigan, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0ItineraryRoute 66 in Texas: Amarillo, Vega and the Panhandle
Route 66 crosses the Texas Panhandle in about 178 miles, from the Oklahoma line near Shamrock to the ghost town of Glenrio on the New Mexico border. This guide …
Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0PlanningCheap places to stay near the Grand Canyon South Rim
The cheapest rooms are two to three hours from the South Rim, and the drive eats much of the saving. We rank every Arizona hotel in our guide by price and time …
How this guide works
We compare public data (guest scores from Booking.com and Google Maps, location, distances, policies) and official sources, and write every page in our own words. No hotel can pay to change a review. How we choose and review.
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