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We are taking a road trip next year that will include some of the National Parks. Even though the trip is a year away, I think I've decided to go ahead and book the lodging for the national parks only as apparently they book up really quickly to stay inside the park.
I have some concerns w/staying at the Grand Canyon (South Rim)
I'm specifically looking at the Maswick Lodge & Cabins. My concern is that they have no air conditioning. The rooms have isolating fans and the cabins (that I'm hoping to get) have ceiling fans. There are several options, and all resorts at the south rim except 1 have no air conditioning. The only one that does have a/c is not only the most expensive, but would require us to get 2 rooms. (the cabins also have a daybed, so we could only 1- a tremendous savings). I really want to stay inside the park.... but, will we miserable w/out a/c?? The dates I'm looking at right now would have us arriving at the Grand Canyon May 30th. I'm worried about being miserable hot and would love to hear from people who have stayed inside the Grand Canyon during the summer....
TIA!
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Last edited by B.M.; 06-29-2011 at 09:25 AM..
Reason: accidentally put June 30th, meant May 30th
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We stayed at Thunderbird Lodge on the South Rim in July. I don't remember whether or not we had a/c in the room. I do remember that when we traveled from Sedona to the Grand Canyon the temperature dropped about 20 degrees. We were only in our room at night, and we were never hot or uncomfortable.
Was Thunderbird Lodge the one you found that does have a/c? I would think El Tovar would have a/c, too.
The location of Thunderbird Lodge couldn't be beat! We would open up the curtains and have an incredible view!
We stayed at Thunderbird Lodge on the South Rim in July. I don't remember whether or not we had a/c in the room. I do remember that when we traveled from Sedona to the Grand Canyon the temperature dropped about 20 degrees. We were only in our room at night, and we were never hot or uncomfortable.
Was Thunderbird Lodge the one you found that does have a/c? I would think El Tovar would have a/c, too.
The location of Thunderbird Lodge couldn't be beat! We would open up the curtains and have an incredible view!
Happy planning your SW Road Trip vacation!
The Thunderbird Lodge is also listed as having no a/c. El Tovar is the only one I see having a/c on the south rim.
Thanks for the input! That definately makes me feel more comfortable with the idea of no a/c- hearing from someone who stayed there and didn't find it hot..... Thanks!
Funny, I just mentioned the Grand Canyon to my hubs this a.m. for a trip .... where are you grabbing your info from? Please do share ... I haven't the foggiest of where to even begin planning this trip.
Thanks for any help you can give. (Sorry to invade your post!!)
Funny, I just mentioned the Grand Canyon to my hubs this a.m. for a trip .... where are you grabbing your info from? Please do share ... I haven't the foggiest of where to even begin planning this trip.
Thanks for any help you can give. (Sorry to invade your post!!)
I am still in the beginning planning stages as well!
My original plan was to "plan, plan, plan" between now and January. And once to January I was going to start booking everything. But in the planning stages, I realized that the National Parks that we are planning to visit (including/especially the Grand Canyon) have very limited lodging and it seems to book up quickly. So, I've decided to go ahead and try to tackle down our exact dates and book the National Park lodging now (within the next few weeks). They have a very flexible cancellation policy- you can get 100% refund as long as you cancel 2 days before your trip. So, if I do find I need to change the dates- I don't have to worry about loosing money.... but I hope to get the dates right the first time, because of the limited availability down the line they will likely be booked....
My original plan was to "plan, plan, plan" between now and January. And once to January I was going to start booking everything. But in the planning stages, I realized that the National Parks that we are planning to visit (including/especially the Grand Canyon) have very limited lodging and it seems to book up quickly. So, I've decided to go ahead and try to tackle down our exact dates and book the National Park lodging now (within the next few weeks). They have a very flexible cancellation policy- you can get 100% refund as long as you cancel 2 days before your trip. So, if I do find I need to change the dates- I don't have to worry about loosing money.... but I hope to get the dates right the first time, because of the limited availability down the line they will likely be booked....
Wow - thanks a million!! I appreciate the help and wish you luck with planning your trip!!!
We stayed in the park at the North Rim in August and were quite comfortable without AC. My imppression is all the national park lodgings are on the rustic sidde, but from those I've seen, it's part of the charm.
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Last edited by Huntermom; 06-29-2011 at 04:02 PM..
We stayed at the Grand Hotel (I think that was it) just outside the park gates on the South Rim. I would definitely not be concerned about no a/c in May or June. We were there over the 4th of July, and even then I would have been more concerned about not having a heater! (Although I am always cold) But the warmest it got while we were there - on the rim of course....it was warmer as we hiked down - was about 80. It was dry and very comfortable, not hot at all. There can be snow there as late as May so I wouldn't worry about a/c LOL!
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We stayed at the El Tovar back in January - so I can't speak to a/c vs n a/c - but it was a BEAUTIFUL hotel and we really enjoyed ourselves!! We did a Trip Report about Sedona and the Grant Canyon in the Globetrotting trip reports if you want more details.
We stayed at the El Tovar back in January - so I can't speak to a/c vs n a/c - but it was a BEAUTIFUL hotel and we really enjoyed ourselves!! We did a Trip Report about Sedona and the Grant Canyon in the Globetrotting trip reports if you want more details.
Thanks Terri! I had actually just read the majority of that TR earlier today. I did a search on grand canyon and it pulled up your TR.... It was through your TR that I learned I will not be able to drive to the scenic points from the south rim without taking a tram or tour(as were going during the summer), too bad we can't go in the winter like yall did and enjoy it less crowded... Were also going to the Petrified Forest National Park; so I especially enjoyed that portion of your TR as well. And I love that you guys took a hot air balloon ride- I want to do that so badly; I had actually originally looked to do it when we go through Alburquerque, but the places I looked at had age limits and my youngest wasn't old enough- it was bittersweet because I wanted to do it, but it was going to be very co$tly for the 6 of us.
I think I've decided to go with the Mastwich Lodge Cabin- it is the best deal $$ wise and it sounds like the heat won't be an issue.....
We stayed at the Grand Hotel (I think that was it) just outside the park gates on the South Rim. I would definitely not be concerned about no a/c in May or June. We were there over the 4th of July, and even then I would have been more concerned about not having a heater! (Although I am always cold) But the warmest it got while we were there - on the rim of course....it was warmer as we hiked down - was about 80. It was dry and very comfortable, not hot at all. There can be snow there as late as May so I wouldn't worry about a/c LOL!
Thanks for the input; I'm glad to hear first hand experiences that it wasn't too hot. I'm from N.GA (looks like your from GA also)- so I'm use to May/June being HOT.
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We used the tram at Zion and actually really preferred it to driving around the park-you don't waste a lot of time getting in and out of your car, parking, and walking to rim, trailhead, etc.
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). I really want to stay inside the park.... but, will we miserable w/out a/c?? The dates I'm looking at right now would have us arriving at the Grand Canyon May 30th. I'm worried about being miserable hot and would love to hear from people who have stayed inside the Grand Canyon during the summer....
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. I did a search on grand canyon and it pulled up your TR.... It was through your TR that I learned I will not be able to drive to the scenic points from the south rim without taking a tram or tour(as were going during the summer), too bad we can't go in the winter like yall did and enjoy it less crowded... Were also going to the Petrified Forest National Park; so I especially enjoyed that portion of your TR as well
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