Last updated on March 12th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Considering a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel? I’ve got all the details on this family resort right here!
A ride on the Grand Canyon Railway is more than just a cool way to get to the South Rim of this landmark attraction. Itās a trip back in time and a remarkable adventure that your whole family will enjoy. And when you stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, Arizona, the experience becomes all-encompassing.
We’ve stayed at the hotel a number of times, and I am excited to share this Grand Canyon Railway Hotel review to help you plan your trip.
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel At-A-Glance
- Adjacent to the railroad depot
- On-site restaurant
- Newly refurbished guest rooms
- Indoor pool and spa
- Kid-friendly entertainment and activities
- Game room for children
- A large courtyard with barbecue
- Outdoor playground, horseshoe pit, basketball and volleyball courts
- Pet-friendly resort
- Free W-Fi
- Free parking
Family-Friendly Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is the ideal home base for visiting the Grand Canyon National Park in the Western United States. The hotel has an ideal location – adjacent to the train station – and just a block away from downtown Williams and historic Route 66.
Designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Old West train depot, this Grand Canyon hotel is relaxing while still offering the modern amenities families look for in a vacation destination, including free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, and lots of fun recreational activities
The first thing you’ll see when entering the lobby is the giant fireplace. It adds a cozy feel during the wintertime with a roaring fire. Lots of dark wood and furnishings give the space a Victorian vibe.
The hotel has 298 rooms, including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, suites, and of course, the Rail Baron Suite. All have been recently refurbished. We stayed in a standard room and it was very comfortable, and plenty spacious at 300 square feet with two queen beds. Suites add more amenities and space, at 550 square feet.
All rooms feature two queen beds, a coffee maker, and full bathroom with bathtub and shower. Suites have a bedroom with two queen beds and a separate living area with a pullout sofa. The living area has a microwave, refrigerator, wet bar and coffee maker.
Dining at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
Spenserās Pub, located adjacent to the hotel lobby, serves beer, wine and mixed drinks as well as appetizers and meals. The centerpiece of Spenserās Pub is an antique bar that was hand crafted in the 19th century.
The Fred Harvey Restaurant (formerly Grand Depot Cafe) is located across from the hotel and serves lunch and dinner. The restaurant features an expansive selection of meals inspired by the railroad cuisine of years gone by.
We had the breakfast buffet and enjoyed it a lot! There is a great variety of hearty dishes such as eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, meats, and fresh fruit. And at well under $20, it is the perfect way to start your day and fill up before visiting the Grand Canyon.
āŗ Travel Insight
If you are planning to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant, time your arrival so that you are not there right before the morning train departs, as that is the busiest time.
Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant is served daily from 6:30 to 10:00 am (6:30 to 10:30am the mornings after Polar Express). The dinner buffet is available daily from 4 to 9 pm (3:30 to 9:30 pm during Polar Express).
The Train
We didnāt realize what an adventure we were in for until we boarded the meticulously restored 1920s Pullman car.
Like most people riding the Grand Canyon Railway, my family was prepared for the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, but the grandeur of the train took us by surprise. The Club Class car featured a beautiful mahogany bar and original upholstered bench-style seats.
After loading the train and departing the Williams Depot, the train travels across 65 miles of classic Old West terrain, including high desert plains and portions of the worldās largest ponderosa pine forest. Trip highlights include a daily Wild West shootout at the Williams Depot prior to departure, and roaming entertainment aboard the train. The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way.
Visiting the Grand Canyon
While the journey is an adventure in itself, it was the destination we were there to see.
President Theodore Roosevelt once called the Grand Canyon āthe one great sight which every American should see.ā He made this proclamation on May 6, 1903, after traveling to the South Rim aboard Grand Canyon Railway.
After about a two-hour ride, the train arrives at the Grand Canyon Depot, which is located in the heart of the Grand Canyon Village and just a short walk away from the incredible vistas of the South Rim. Constructed in 1909, Grand Canyon Depot is part of the Grand Canyon National Park Historic District and is a National Historic Landmark.
There are numerous shops and restaurants to explore in the Grand Canyon Village, and the Bright Angel History Room is an educational spot not to be missed. There is also an easy walking path to enjoy the views and see a little more of the canyon.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Back in Williams, take some time to explore this sleepy and historic Old West town.
Stirring up images from the Disney movie Cars (you can almost hear James Taylor singing in the background), Williams was the last town in America on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by the freeway. Interstate 40 replaced the last surviving segment on Oct. 13, 1984.
The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks including the Williams Depot and Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Visitors can take a self-guided historic walking tour of this Historic District and famed Route 66 with the help of a brochure available at the Visitorās Center.
When to Visit the Grand Canyon
When is the best time of year to visit? We were there on a weekend in the winter; the hotel itself was sold out but the Grand Canyon was delightfully uncrowded. A summertime visit would of course be a likely choice, especially if you have school-aged children.
Your best bet, if you can, is to visit in the spring or fall. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy all the outdoor activities, but hotel rates are typically lower and you wonāt have to deal with summer crowds.
If you have little kids, consider visiting in December or early January to experience the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express excursion! The Polar Express is a 90-minute nighttime holiday train ride, bringing the classic childrenās book by Chris Van Allsburg to life.
No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and ride the rails, you are guaranteed a memorable experience aboard this Old West gem.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd in Williams, Arizona
- Phone number: 1-800-THE-TRAIN
- Website: thetrain.com
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Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad says
This looks absolutely amazing! I’d never even heard of it before!