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El Tovar Hotel
The El Tovar Hotel Grand Canyon opened on January 14, 1905, four years after construction started. It was named El Tovar in honor of Spanish explorer Pedro de Tobar, who had led the first expedition to Hopi Indian country in 1540. The Sante Fe Railroad reaching the Grand Canyon was the catalyst to building this great National park lodge.
Nothing was spared in making El Tovar one of the great hotels of its era. The building was completely equipped with electric lights powered by its own steam generator. Railroad tank cars brought fresh water for the hotel from Del Rio, 120 miles away.
Fresh fruit and vegetables were grown in greenhouses on the premises. The hotel even had its own dairy. The most important single consideration, however, was to extend genuine hospitality and the utmost courtesy to the new Hotel's guest. Xanterra Parks & Resorts purchased the Fred Harvey Company in 1968
The El Tovar Hotel opened its doors in 1905 as a former Harvey House. The hotel was constructed of native stone and Oregon pine. The hotel has hosted amazing dignitaries and celebrities including President Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and President Bill Clinton.
Accommodation Options
El Tovar offers 78 guest rooms, and due to the historic nature of the building, no two rooms are exactly alike. There are 12 named suites, each with its own unique identity and decor.
The Zane Grey Suite, for example, features an attached sitting area, a private balcony, and wall art specific to the famous Western author. Rooms are accessed by stairs only, as there is no elevator.
Standard rooms come with one double bed, one queen bed, two queen beds, or one king bed.
Deluxe Rooms come with one queen bed, one king bed, or two queen beds.
Suites have a bedroom with either one king bed or two queens, and a sitting room. Some of the suites have a porch or balcony.
El Tovar Hotel Amenities
- Hotel Concierge and Bell Service
- Satellite TV
- In-room Keurig coffee maker
- Safe
- Telephone
- Hair dryer
- Full bath
- Air-conditioning.
- Two robes in the closet
- An iron and ironing board.
- Free self-parking
- The parking lot is shared with the Hopi House and the Verkamp's visitor center. You may have to circle a few times to get a parking spot. There is a space to pull up in front of the El Tovar and drop your luggage so one person can stay with the luggage while the other person parks.
This made it a lot easier to get our luggage into the hotel and not have to drag it through the parking lot. There is also parking along the road but you will need to walk uphill to get to the hotel.
Room service is available for breakfast and dinner only. The current menu can be found in the visitor services binder in the room.
Wi-Fi is available in the room but may be spotty. Due to the remote location, the wi-fi may only support one device per room. We were able to connect to the internet but it was not fast. Definitely, don't plan to download any large files or even upload a ton of photos. We could get emails to load and check Facebook but it took a bit.
There is only a couple of easily accessible electrical plug-ins in the room. We had to unplug a lamp and the Keurig to charge our camera batteries and phones. You may want to pack an electrical bar or we use this electrical extension to have USB Plug-Ins.
Book Your Stay at The El Tovar
Room 6444 Tour/Review El Tovar Hotel - King Room
We stayed in room 6444, a one king bedroom located on the 1st floor near the rim of the Grand Canyon. Our room had a comfortable king-size bed, writing desk, television with a wide range of channels, two comfortable chairs and table along with the on-suite bathroom with a bathtub/shower, sink, and toilet.
The bathroom has Xanterra El Tovar bath products including soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner that are nicely scented.
The room also has a Keurig with two coffee cups and a variety of coffees available. There are also a few tea bags in case you are not a fan of coffee.
We really enjoyed our king room at the El Tovar. Our room was located on the first floor right near the canyon rim doorway.
We could see the Grand Canyon if we looked out the window and turned our heads a bit. It was not a straight-on view but it was still absolutely amazing.
The bed was really comfortable and there are a ton of pillows on it. Our favorite part was having the Keurig in the room and being able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while relaxing in the two chairs near the window. This was such a relaxing way to start the day and plan where we wanted to go and what we planned to do.
El Tovar Dining Room
The El Tovar Dining Room is considered the premier dining establishment at the Grand Canyon and is recognized as one of the finest dining experiences in the entire National Park System. Built perpendicular to the canyon rim using native stone and Oregon pine, the room seats up to 211 guests and features murals on the walls representing the cultures and traditions of four Native American tribes: the Hopi, the Apache, the Mojave, and the Navajo. A private dining room within the restaurant is said to have been created specifically for President Theodore Roosevelt, its walls banded with red stencils of deer painted in the style of pictographs found at the top of Bright Angel Trail. Ten tables face the canyon directly, and for the guests fortunate enough to sit there, the view competes with every dish on the menu.
The menu blends classic Continental cuisine with Southwestern influences, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. A handful of signature dishes have earned their place as true classics that have graced the menu for decades:
- Prime Rib Hash - a beloved breakfast staple that has been a guest favorite for years
- Salmon Tostada - a dinner signature that blends Southwestern flavors with fresh, carefully sourced fish
- Whittlesey Salad - a Mexican-inspired offering named for the hotel's original architect
- Navajo Tacos - a lunch favorite that gives a nod to the rich Native American heritage of the region
The service is on par with a five-star restaurant, and the kitchen delivers on every front. I ordered the 10 oz. bone-in pork chop served with a jalapeno cream sauce alongside carrots and sweet potatoes, and I have to say it may have been the best pork chop I have ever had.
Reservations are required for lunch and dinner and are strongly recommended for breakfast. Hotel guests can book up to 45 days in advance, and non-hotel guests up to 30 days out. Given how sought-after this dining room is, booking as early as possible is essential, particularly during summer.
El Tovar Cocktail Lounge
The El Tovar Lounge welcomes guests into a warm and relaxed setting decorated with paintings of the canyon by local artists. It seats up to 60 guests and offers a light menu alongside cocktails, beer, and wine. The small veranda directly outside the lounge is one of the most spectacular places at the Grand Canyon to enjoy a drink, with views that make any sunset unforgettable. The lounge is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, with food service until 9:30 pm.
Check El Tovar Availability
El Tovar Dining Room Murals
The murals on the El Tovar dining room walls reflect the customs of four Indian tribes:
Hopi-Praying to Hahay ' mana, Mother of all Kachina: the Central figure is beseeching Ha-hai-mana for a good harvest; Kachina on the left will carry the message to the gods. A girl offers Piki bread to Kachina and the boy is holding a melon, which symbolizes good crops. Water jug holds holy water to bless the people.
Apache-Sun Rise Dance: The two young girls have just reached puberty and will dance all night. During this puberty dance, the four mountain spirit dancers on the right will put scars on the wrists of the girls, showing that they are now mature and ready for marriage. Two figures on the left are a drummer and a singer.
Mohave-Bird Dance or Harvest Dance: Bird dancer and singer are shown on the right. The two girls on the left are giving thanks for a good harvest, while the birds clean the fields to show the gods that there has been no waste.
Navajo-Feather Dance: The Navajo Kachina 'Yah-bits-hi, is depicted as an old man in a mask on the right. The singer in the center of the picture has strings attached to his drumsticks so the feathers dance in time to his drumming. The two kneeling figures are making the offering while a spectator, on the left, looks on.
El Tovar Hotel Gift Shop
There are two gift shops in the main lobby of the El Tovar. The small gift shop has some snacks, a few books, newspapers, and a few souvenirs. Across the lobby, there is a larger gift shop that has Pendleton Products based on the Grand Canyon, jewelry, Grand Canyon Wine, the dishes used in the main dining room, and so much more!
Where is the El Tovar
The El Tovar Lodge is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The hotel offers great views of the canyon, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is must visit!
Parking - The parking lot is shared with the Hopi House and the Verkamp's Visitor Center/ Store! Be prepared and give yourself time to have to loop around the parking lot a few times to find a spot. There is parking along the road but you will need to walk up the hill to get to the El Tovar.
Planning Your Stay: Essential Information
Season - Year Round
Check-in Time - 4 pm
Check-out time - 11 am
El Tovar Address
1 El Tovar Rd
Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
GPS Coordinates
36.0574° N
112.1377° W
Pet Friendly? - Pets are not allowed in the El Tovar
Smoking - All rooms are non-smoking
WiFi Available? - Free WiFi is available in guest rooms. Due to the remote location, connectivity and speed cannot be guaranteed.
Cell Phone Service - There is cellular service available in the Grand Canyon, depending on your carrier. Generally Verizon offers the most reliable, followed by AT&T, then T-Mobile.
Time Zone: MST - Mountain Standard Time
Also, remember Arizona does not participate in daylight savings time, so calculate your travel time accordingly.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There are six EV charging stations are available for visitors to use at Maswik North, Canyon Village Market, and Yavapai Lodge.
Things To Do When Staying at El Tovar
🌅 Watch sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon from the hotel's rim-side porch
🍽️ Dine at the El Tovar Dining Room, one of the finest restaurants in any national park
🚶 Walk the Rim Trail directly from the hotel in either direction
🛍️ Browse the on-site gift shop and Hopi House next door for Native American art and crafts
🚌 Catch the free park shuttle from nearby stops to explore other rim viewpoints
🏜️ Hike the Bright Angel Trail, one of the canyon's most iconic routes, a short walk away
📸 Photograph the canyon at golden hour from multiple viewpoints along the rim
🎭 Attend ranger programs and talks offered near the historic district
🦅 Visit Kolb Studio and Lookout Studio, both historic landmarks just steps away
Tips
- Rooms book up a year or more in advance; reserve as early as possible
- Even if you are not staying here, the dining room accepts reservations for outside guests and is worth the splurge
- The porch facing the canyon is one of the best spots in the park for early morning coffee
Book The El Tovar Hotel Before It Fills
Grand Canyon National Park Guided Tours
45-Minute Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan, Arizona
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 45 Minutes | 🚁 Check Rates and Availability
Take an exhilarating helicopter flight that whisks you from the Grand Canyon's South Rim to the North Rim. Through the ECO-Star helicopter's panoramic windows, see the world's largest Ponderosa Pines in Kaibab National Forest and the Mighty Colorado River. Snap photos of the Painted Desert, Decert View Watchtower, Marble Canyon, and Point Imperial before your return flight takes you through the dramatic backdrop of the Dragon Corridor.
Grand Canyon South Rim Sunset Tour with Dinner Included
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Unleash your inner explorer with veteran local Eric Albanese. Immerse yourself in the Grand Canyon's majestic beauty, rich history, and fascinating geology. You will embark on a scenic 20-mile tour tracing the South Rim of the canyon, stopping at 4-5 locations.
You can relax in luxury with WI-FI, snacks, and hot or cold drinks while listening to the great detail that your guide has learned during the 10 years of living in the Grand Canyon area. Get up close to the canyon's stunning views with high-powered Celestron binoculars. You will also get to enjoy a delicious dinner at We Cook Pizza and Pasta.
Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour
⭐️ Rating: 3.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3-4 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Leave behind Grand Canyon National Park's hordes of tourists with this self-guided tour - all you need is your smartphone. You can explore exactly when you choose, you will be taken along 30+ stops, learning all about the UNESCO site's history, geology, flora, and fauna. Consider it to be like traveling with a pocket sized park expert.
Click Here for a complete list of tours offered at Grand Canyon National Park!
History of the El Tovar Hotel
El Tovar Hotel is located inside Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and is the oldest hotel located within the park that is still operating today. El Tovar sits directly on the rim of the canyon.
Even before the Grand Canyon was designated as a National Park in 1919, the site was visited by many hikers, nature lovers, and the curious.
At that time visitors arrived by wagon or stagecoach and stayed in their own tents. This all changed in 1901 when the Santa Fe Railway completed a spur line that was able to take travelers almost directly to the Grand Canyon.
Railway passengers at this time were comprised of mostly the wealthy. These visitors expected to travel in style and stay in style.
In 1902, the Santa Fe Railway, as many other railways had done and would do in the future, commissioned the construction of an elaborate hotel at the park.
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt made his famed trip to the Grand Canyon and garnered even more interest in the area after his satisfaction became public. He stated of the canyon:
"Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and for all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see."
This new hotel was to be as magnificent and as close to the canyon rim as possible. Chicago architect Charles Whittlesey was hired for the design and the end product had nearly 100 rooms and cost $250,000 to build.
It was considered the most luxurious hotel west of the Mississippi River. Whittlesey's design was categorized as a combination of Swiss Chalet and Mission-Revival style, constructed using native boulders and Oregon pine.
The Fred Harvey Company had been chosen to run the hotel when it was completed. Fred Harvey had become quite synonymous with luxury in America as his food chains and hotels were quite famous with travelers.
When the doors opened on January 14, 1905, the hotel was officially called the El Tovar Hotel, thanks to the suggestion of Fred Harvey himself.
The name was a nod to Pedro de Tovar, an explorer who was credited as being the first white man to meet the Hopi Indians in the southwest in the 1500s.
The Hopi tribe can trace their history back to nearly 2,000 years in Arizona. They are one of 11 tribes that can tie their roots directly back to inhabiting the Grand Canyon area.
Along with its grand stature overlooking the rim of the canyon, the inside also impressed all who entered. Decorated with hunting trophies, Native American crafts, and copper chandeliers, the rustic nature of the area tied in with some elaborate additions as well.
Guest rooms were complete with sleigh beds, showers and baths were hot as railroad cars brought freshwater from Del Rio, 120 miles away, and fresh fruits and vegetables were grown in greenhouses on the property.
The property also contained a chicken house with fresh eggs and a dairy to supply fresh milk. The hotel offered a billiard room, music room, and barbershop.
Harvey housed a collection of Navajo blankets on the second floor of the hotel. Architect Mary Colter was commissioned by Harvey in 1904 to build what is now called the Hopi House.
The building was modeled after centuries old Hopi dwellings and was an authentic experience for visitors to the hotel and the area. In the late 1920s, the Fred Harvey Company began allowing Hopi people to secure jobs and responsibilities in the business.
To keep up their reputation as one of the oldest yet most popular in the park service, the hotel was updated regularly.
More guest rooms were added, some with their own bathrooms as when the hotel was built, it was not seen for there to be more than one bathroom on each floor of a hotel. The El Tovar was one of the few spots in the Grand Canyon, and around the country for that matter, that remained open during World War II.
The renovations, updates, and changes seen at El Tovar over the years offered an obvious glimpse into history as popular building styles in America went from Victorian lodges to more rustic Western lodges.
By the 1920s, this style would become well-known to almost every lodge in the park service and is still very prevalent today.
El Tovar was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987, and has been a member of the Historic Hotels of America since 2012.
Other famous visitors to the hotel include Gerald Ford, Herbert Hoover, Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney, and many others.
In 1913, Teddy Roosevelt insisted on another visit to the Grand Canyon area and again commented on the importance of preserving the immense beauty seen there.
He complimented the hotel and the surrounding site the area. After nearly 117 years, visitors to the Grand Canyon and to the historic El Tovar Hotel appreciate the area and its rich beauty and history just as much as President Roosevelt did.
Some of the famous people who have stayed at hotels include Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Western author Zane Grey, President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others.
Where to Stay if the El Tovar is Already Booked
There are several national park lodges on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Here is additional options to choose from.
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Yavapai Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
It is one of the lodges in the Grand Canyon that looks unassuming but will surprise you in the best way possible.
You'll be accommodated with the best service, and if you get lucky (like we did), you might even spot an Elk on the grounds of the lodge itself.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Bright Angel Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
One of the top places to stay in the Grand Canyon National Park, the Bright Angel Lodge is home to the Arizona Room (a lovely fine-dining joint with a view) as well as an ice-cream parlor.
It is the closest lodging option close to the famous Bright Angel Trail, and here you can also rent one of the log cabins if you're looking for a fun romantic getaway.
⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - Kachina Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Thunderbird Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
If you're in search of accommodation for big groups and families, the Kachina and Thunderbird lodges are the ones for you.
They're located near the edge of the South Rim within proximity of the El Tovar Hotel. With their central location, you'll have easy access to trails restaurants and even have scenic vistas of the Canyon in all its splendor.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars -Maswik Lodge - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Located near the canyon edge in the Ponderosa Pine forest is a modern, motel-style cabin called Maswik Lodge.
With its rich history and culture, this lodge has in-house dining, a gift shop, and easy access to trails. Reservations are recommended to be made up to a year in advance.
Where to Stay if All The Grand Canyon Lodges are Already Booked
Lodging is extremely popular in the Grand Canyon, there are additional lodging options just outside the park's South Gate in Tusayan, Arizona.
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel - Click Here for Rates and Availability
Take advantage of a terrace, a garden, and a bar at Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Be sure to enjoy a meal at JJKs, the onsite family restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center are available to all guests.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - The Grand Hotel - Click Here for Rates and Availabity
At The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, you can look forward to shopping on site, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The onsite restaurant, Canyon Star Steakhouse, features American cuisine and happy hour. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center.
Click on this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Grand Canyon National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
$8.00 per person for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$8.00 per person for vehicles with a capacity of 1-25
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Grand Canyon National Park Resources
- Grand Canyon National Park - complete guide to planning your trip to Grand Canyon National Park
- Things to do in Grand Canyon - The top things to do in Grand Canyon that you don't want to miss during your trip!
- Grand Canyon Restaurants - South Rim - Check out all the delicious places to enjoy a meal during your trip.
- Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus - Find out what you need to know to plan your trip.
- Grand Canyon Winter - If you are heading to the park in the winter, make sure to plan ahead
Parks near Grand Canyon National Park
- Wupatki National Monument
- Navajo National Monument
- Pipe Springs National Monument
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Hubbel Trading Post National Historic Site
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Tuzigoot National Monument
Check out all of the Arizona National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Utah, National Parks in New Mexico, California National Parks, Colorado National Parks, and Nevada National Parks
Check out this list of US National Parks to count how many you have visited!
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