Yavapai Lodge

The world renowned Grand Canyon attracts visitors from around the world, so it follows that the Yavapai Lodge -- located inside the national park -- hosts all kinds of tourists. Expect to hear many languages spoken at this rustic property, which offers a simple motel-style stay. The lobby and registration area reflect the rugged surroundings, with natural stone floors and a wall framing a gas fireplace. Clusters of brown-leather sofas and circular armchairs sit in front of the cozy fireplace and areas adjacent to it. Redwood beams frame the ceiling, and photos and artwork depicting spectacular canyon scenes decorate the walls. The expansive, cafeteria-style restaurant is a busy place, especially during peak breakfast hours when visitors fuel up on the continental and hot buffets before a day of exploring the canyon. It includes a conservatory-like seating area with glass walls and ceiling with views of the surrounding wooded areas. The lodge comprises several one-story (West) and two-story (East) buildings that border a wooded area. Some of the buildings in the East complex are several minutes away on foot from the lobby, restaurants, and marketplace.

The Yavapai Lodge is located inside Grand Canyon National Park, about a three-minute walk from park headquarters and an 11-minute walk to the Visitors Center. The Mather Point canyon overlook is a 15-minute walk. The other hotels located in the busy Grand Canyon Village near the Bright Angel trail head at the South Rim are about a five-minute drive away; they're also accessible via a free shuttle bus that stops in front of the lodge. The Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan is a 15-minute drive, while the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 90 minutes away by car.

Rooms at the Yavapai Lodge are divided into two sections -- those in the East Buildings and those in the West Buildings. All come in a variety of options, including King, Double Queen, and Family Rooms with twin bunk beds and king or double queen beds. Both East and West rooms have open closet spaces. East rooms have spacious, white acrylic vanities placed outside the bathrooms, while West rooms have small white ceramic sinks inside the bathrooms. While decor in the (newer) East Building and (mid-century) West Building rooms have similarities, including brown patterned carpeting and painted walls in soft earth tones of white, yellow, or light-green (some walls in the West Building rooms are concrete cinder blocks). Drapes and bed throws also are in various shades of brown, and bedding is bright white. Framed photos of the Grand Canyon decorate the walls. Matching wood furniture includes nightstands, dressers, desks, desk chairs, and headboards (East unit headboards are padded with wood frames). But, the East furniture is darker than the reddish brown furniture in West Building rooms, and the furniture in all rooms we saw is showing signs of wear. Past guests report the modest, motel-style rooms to be clean, quiet, and comfortably sized, with cozy beds.
All rooms have standard shower/tub combos and light cream-colored walls. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and hairdryers. East Building rooms also have safes and air-conditioning, whereas rooms in the West Building do not. Views are of parking lots or wooded areas. Note that only second-story rooms in East Buildings have no elevator access (West Buildings are all single story). There is no Wi-Fi in any of the rooms.

The amenities at this large national park lodge are focused on food, shopping, and transportation. The lodge complex offers several dining options, including a large, cafeteria-style restaurant that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The remodeled tavern (opened mid-2015) and the coffee shop offer food as well. The marketplace features a deli, a grocery store, a bank, a post office, and a gift shop that sells various souvenirs, Southwest jewelry, and clothing. The gift shop adjacent to the lobby sells similar items. A free shuttle service that takes visitors to the South Rim and other landmarks in the park stops just outside the main lodge building. Ample free parking is on site and near the rooms. The lobby business center has one computer station with Internet access and a printer. Concierge service is also available, and free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and other public areas, but not in rooms. Be aware that pets are only allowed in select West rooms as part of a special package.