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Writer's pictureHelen Avaient

Check into the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

When visiting the Grand Canyon near Williams, Arizona USA ensure you stay at least one night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Stepping into the spacious two storey lobby, you start to experience the grandeur and space that, I am sure, was inspired by the geography of the area. Paintings decorate the walls, giving you a foresight into the glorious views you will experience when you visit the Canyon. The hotel is just metres away from the train depot, for those taking the Grand Canyon train. Staying here is a wonderful way to begin and end your relaxing and enjoyable train trip. Click here to read more about the train

the spacious two storey lobby is painted in creams with chocolate coloured accents. Pictures of the grand canyon hang on the walls and the whole lobby is decorated in a bygone day with inviting leather couches, large open wood fireplace and soft muted brown carpets

With 298 rooms, an indoor heated salt-water pool, hot tub, exercise room, Spenser’s Pub and the nearby Fred Harvey Restaurant it would be easy to just stay in the hotel and enjoy all the amenities. Yet, the downtown area of Williams is only a block away, with a variety of places to eat and shop.


My room was spacious, over 300 square feet with two queen sized beds. The mattress was delightfully comfortable, ensuring a great night's sleep.


My room had a TV with movie channel, wifi, mini-fridge, microwave oven and a coffee maker, which was very welcome. To sit in the armchairs sipping on a coffee in the morning, looking out the large glass windows onto the snow laden courtyard was a lovely way to greet the day. My bathroom was also spacious, and the bath was full length, just the perfect size for tall people to stretch out (or possibly two people if you aren’t travelling solo!).


There are also suites available and for those wanting to indulge, there is one special room – the Rail Baron suite with over 1000 square feet of luxury.


The lobby is large with a welcoming floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. That was a popular spot on a chilly winter evening when I stayed, with many guests warming themselves by the welcoming flames.


The mahogany bar in Spenser’s pub was built in Europe and brought over in the late 1800s. Drinks and light snacks such as sandwiches and pizza can be purchased here, all without needing to leave the hotel.


A short walk across the driveway brings guests to the Fred Harvey restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed, choosing from an expansive and fresh selection of traditional fare.

tables and chairs invite hungry guests to eat at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. white christmas lights hang from the walls and paintings of the canyon show guests the delighful views. Old photos also adorn the walls.lls
the buffet at the Fred Harvey restaurant entices hungry guests with a variety of good hearty food

The current hotel was built in 1995, to resemble the historic Fray Marcus hotel. That first hotel, not open to the public now, and located in the Williams depot, was first opened in 1908. It was one of the original Harvey houses – where railway passengers could disembark on their journey for meals and lodgings.


More information on the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is available on their website www.thetrain.com



Happy Travels!


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9 comentários


Neil Spurgeon
Neil Spurgeon
28 de jan. de 2023

Railway hotels were, historically, the most luxurious and well run spots because the wealthy and well connected needed a spot right on the arrival platform that they would get proper facilities. this looks an exceptionally fine example of the genre

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zzzenzational
27 de jan. de 2023

What a lovely place!

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jillkenny100
26 de jan. de 2023

Love to visit someday. Sounds wonderful

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Megs Meyers
Megs Meyers
24 de jan. de 2023

That floor to ceiling fireplace sounds amazing! Not something we get to see or experience very often here in Australia.

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lucymumford
24 de jan. de 2023

The orient express style travel and stay in Arizona! Amazing and they have designed the accommodation for tall people, or the bath anyway. Hurrah!

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