USA – Visit the Grand Canyon? Stay at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel

Holiday Inn Express hotels are normally my first choice if I do road trips, especially in the USA. They are convenient located, have comfortable rooms and breakfast is standard included. They are not luxury, but that’s also not the brands intention. I prefer them over luxury because they are efficient if the stays are just one or two nights. My latest road trip on the west coast of the USA included a visit to the Grand Canyon. The Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon was a logical choice. Let me show you the hotel in this review.

The hotel

The Holiday Inn Grand Canyon is located in Tusayan which is a 5-minute drive away from Grand Canyon Village. It’s a perfect location and there are many options for dining in the evening too. The hotel is a 3-story building and has an annex building with more rooms. Breakfast is served there too so do not worry to go up and down the buildings. I arrived by car very late afternoon and check-in was fast and efficient. My room was located towards the back were there was another convenient exit directly to the parking. Just next to the lobby is the breakfast room, the swimming pool just down the hall and the gym is located in the annex building. But who wants to go to the gym if you can go hiking in the Grand Canyon?

I think the hotel was fully booked due to high season and it was a bit crowded but not annoying. One thing I must note about the internet: this is VERY slow. However, this is NOT a problem of the hotel but of the Tusayan town. They simply do not have enough capacity for all the visitors. I hope this improves soon, but once again, the hotel cannot help this. If this is improved and you have stayed please leave a note in the comments so I can update this review.

The rooms at Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon

As I travelled with my daughter I booked a twin bedroom at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon. We could sleep in a king-size bed but she takes to many stuffed animals with her to put in her bed, plus the fact that she hits people in her sleep, made me decide to sleep separate 🙂 I know from my Indonesia trip with her recently that I got hit. The rooms are up to date with a flat screen TV, fridge, microwave and a good desk for working. Warm colors and a cool air-conditioning made the atmosphere perfect for me.

The bathroom has a bath to shower in and all the amenities you would need. If you forgot something a quick call to the front desk is enough to receive what you require. The floor has a typical Holiday Inn Express carpet which I personally do not like. I simply don’t like carpets, but that’s totally personal and I don’t mind it. I had two great nights of sleep due to the comfortable beds and the long hikes in the Grand Canyon.

Facilities

The Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon offers an indoor pool for its guests. I didn’t use it myself but my daughter went for an hour to cool down from the heat. In the annex building is a small gym. I think, however, with all the hiking trails you will probably want to go exploring the Grand Canyon. The front desk staff has great knowledge of the area and gave me some great tips of where to go for sunset and sunrise. I’ll share that information later with you in the articles I will write about the Grand Canyon.

Dining & Drinking

Breakfast is efficient and the same at all the Holiday Inn Expresses throughout the USA. There is of course some variety from day-to-day. I loved the omelets with cheese together with toast the most. The Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon serves fresh brewed coffee, juices, fresh fruit and the traditional American breakfast dishes. Pancakes are made fresh with a press of a button. I loved the cinnamon cakes too as dessert. If you like cereals you can have cereals as well; that was more my daughters thing. The breakfast is a good express start of the day!

The Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon doesn’t have a restaurant. The front desk staff suggested to go to the Yippe-Ei-O! Steakhouse. That was a golden tip! Their steaks are grilled above open flame giving them a great taste. I went twice, my daughter had twice the 350 grams Cowboy Steak and I had twice the 24 oz T-Bone (photo in gallery below). Delicious!

Conclusion

Are you planning to visit the Grand Canyon? Then I recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon. They offer comfortable spacious rooms and a delicious breakfast is always included. It’s just a 5-minute drive from the Grand Canyon and in Tusayan town there are a lot of restaurants. If you like meat, then go to Yippee-Ei-O! Steakhouse. They serve the best steaks grilled over open fire. I hope to return one day to the Grand Canyon to actually hike to the Colorado River. I’ll for sure stay at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon again.

If you would like to know what you can do in and around the Grand Canyon then see one of these options: my day trips in Arizona. I will add more destination information over time.

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For more hotel information and booking options please visit the website of the Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon.

Website: http://gcanyon.com

Gallery of Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **