Red Feather Lodge leads with an 8.9/10 rating and a spotless 9.2 cleanliness score. For the best blend of location and value, Holiday Inn Resort The Squire packs an 8.7 cleanliness score and a 9.3 location rating. Both put you minutes from the park entrance.
Six hotels, one mile from the South Rim. Here’s exactly where your money goes.
Why Trust This Guide
I analyzed 22,600+ verified guest reviews across these 6 hotels near the Grand Canyon entrance, ranking them by consistency with an average 8.4/10 guest score.
🎯 Quick Picks: Skip to What You Need
- Cleanest rooms: #5 Red Feather Lodge→ Rates
- Best for families: #6 Canyon Plaza Premier Studios→ Rates
- Budget pick: #1 Holiday Inn Resort→ Rates
- Top location score: #5 Red Feather Lodge→ Rates
#1 Holiday Inn Resort→ Rates - Pet-friendly: #1 Holiday Inn Resort→ Rates
- Best breakfast included: #2 Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites→ Rates
Editor’s Note on Booking: We use smart routing to find you the best available rates. Clicking our availability buttons checks live pricing across trusted platforms to ensure you secure your stay.
Quick Compare: Top Places To Stay
| Property | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Holiday Inn Resort The Squire at Grand Canyon by IHG | (8400+ Reviews) |
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| 2. Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites | (5150+ Reviews) |
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| 3. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon | (4800+ Reviews) |
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| 4. Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel-South Rim | (3400+ Reviews) |
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| 5. Red Feather Lodge/Hotel | (450+ Reviews) |
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| 6. Canyon Plaza Premier Studios and Apts-South Rim | (300+ Reviews) |
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Detailed Reviews: Top Affordable Stays in Tusayan
1. Holiday Inn Resort The Squire at Grand Canyon by IHG
The Vibe
This is the big one — a full resort complex with a 8.7 cleanliness score and 9.3 location rating. Guests consistently call out the spacious, clean rooms and the convenience of having multiple restaurants and a grocery store within a few minutes’ drive of the park entrance.
What You Actually Get
You get two pools (one indoor), a fitness center, free on-site parking, and a solid breakfast option. Pets are welcome for a $20+tax fee plus a $50 fully refundable deposit — request a pet-friendly room at booking. There’s also a pool table if you’re bringing kids. Self-service laundry is available on the property, a real plus for multi-day Canyon visits. The staff rating sits at 8.3 — friendly enough, but nothing exceptional compared to the top picks here.
Choose this if: You’re traveling with a dog and want multiple dining options without driving after dark.
Check Tonight’s Price for Holiday Inn Resort The Squire at Grand Canyon by IHG →
2. Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites
The Vibe
Staff scores 9.0 here — the highest of any property in this roundup, matched with a 8.8 cleanliness and comfort rating. Guests mention the smooth check-in process and the convenience of having restaurants nearby. The shuttle to the South Rim runs for much of the year, saving you the parking fee inside the park.
What You Actually Get
Every room comes with a microwave, mini-fridge, and single-cup coffee brewer. Breakfast runs 6:30-9:30 AM daily, included in many room rates. There’s an indoor swimming pool and free private parking. No pets allowed here. The value score sits at 8.0, which is solid but not the best in this list — the free breakfast helps offset that. The shuttle stops seasonally, so check before booking if you’re depending on it.
Choose this if: You want a personal check-in experience and free breakfast included in your cheap hotels in tusayan search.
3. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
The Vibe
Comfort 9.0 — the highest in the list for that category. Guests rave about the comfortable beds and modern furnishings, noting the hotel was recently updated. The location is right in Tusayan, just outside the park boundary, and a buffet breakfast is available. The 8.8 staff score keeps things running smoothly.
What You Actually Get
This 5-star rated property (by star system, not guest score) offers an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and free parking. A AAA discount is available if you ask. No pets allowed, but a rollaway bed can be added to accommodate a 5th guest in a double-bed room. The breakfast gets “Very Good” marks on Booking.com. Cleanliness is 8.9, value is 8.0 — you’re paying for comfort and location, not bargains.
Choose this if: A comfortable night’s sleep after a long day hiking the South Rim is your priority over saving a few dollars.
Check Tonight’s Price for The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon →
4. Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel-South Rim
The Vibe
This one wins on “soak after a long day.” Guests specifically love the pool and jacuzzi, noting it was quiet and not crowded even during busy times. Location scores 9.1 — 6.2 miles from the South Rim entrance. Staff is solid at 8.6, and the cleanliness hits 8.4. The value score of 7.5 is the lowest here, but the early 3 PM check-in helps.
What You Actually Get
Free Wi-Fi (7.8), an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and free parking. Pets are allowed on request with a $50 per stay fee, covering up to 2 pets. Cats and dogs are both accepted. There’s no free breakfast — the property offers a paid all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet instead. The on-site restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wi-Fi is the weakest in this list at 7.8, but that’s a minor trade-off for the jacuzzi.
Choose this if: You want an outdoor pool and jacuzzi to recover from hiking, and you don’t mind skipping a free breakfast.
Check Tonight’s Price for Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel-South Rim →
5. Red Feather Lodge/Hotel
The Vibe
Red Feather Lodge is the standout performer in this list with an 8.9/10 overall rating and a 9.5 location score — the highest in Tusayan. Cleanliness hits 9.2, comfort 9.3, and staff gets a 9.4. Guests specifically mention Marian at the front desk for exceptional service. The outdoor pool is temporarily closed, but the overall quality is undeniable.
What You Actually Get
Each room has a small, quiet refrigerator — a detail guests consistently appreciate. Free Wi-Fi scores 8.8, and there’s a fitness center and free private parking. No pets allowed, and no breakfast service mentioned in the data. Check-in runs until 11:30 PM, which is generous for late arrivals. The shuttle to the park starts in early summer if you don’t have a car, and 24/7 taxi service is available year-round.
Choose this if: You prioritize cleanliness above all else — Red Feather scores 9.2, the highest of any cheap hotels in tusayan.
6. Canyon Plaza Premier Studios and Apts-South Rim
The Vibe
This is the apartment option for Tusayan — 2-bedroom condos with full kitchens, balconies, and the ability to comfortably sleep up to 6 guests. Cleanliness scores 8.8, the same as the much larger Holiday Inn. Guests love the spacious living and dining areas and the location just a 5-minute drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance.
What You Actually Get
You get a full kitchen, balcony, and the space of a proper apartment. Pets are allowed — up to 2 pets per room for a $50 + tax fee per stay. The 2-bedroom apartments can accommodate 4 adults and 2 children (ages 11 and 14) comfortably. Free Wi-Fi scores 8.5, and there’s an outdoor swimming pool and free parking on site. No age restriction for check-in. The value score is 7.3, so you’re paying for space and kitchen access, not bargain rates.
Choose this if: You’re a family or group of 4-6 who wants to cook meals and have separate bedrooms instead of a single hotel room.
Check Tonight’s Price for Canyon Plaza Premier Studios and Apts-South Rim →
Final Verdict: Our Top 3 Picks
🏆 Best Overall
#5 Red Feather Lodge/Hotel
Highest guest score at 8.9, best location at 9.5, and the cleanest rooms in Tusayan at 9.2 — it’s not close.
💰 Best Value
#2 Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites
8.5 rating, free breakfast, indoor pool, and an 8.0 value score that beats most of this list’s higher-priced options.
🏠 Best for Long Stays
#6 Canyon Plaza Premier Studios
Full kitchen, 2-bedroom apartments, pet-friendly, and 8.8 cleanliness — ideal for families staying multiple days to explore the Canyon.
Check Tonight’s Price for Canyon Plaza Premier Studios and Apts-South Rim →
How We Ranked These Tusayan Hotels
I evaluated 6 properties within 7 miles of Grand Canyon South Rim, analyzing 22,600+ verified guest reviews from Booking.com. Hotels were ranked by consistency across all score categories, with extra weight on cleanliness and location — the two factors that drive repeat bookings in gateway towns.
- Guest score thresholds: Only properties with 8.0+ overall and 10+ verified reviews
- Score breakdown analysis: Prioritized cleanliness, location, and value — the categories that drive repeat bookings
- Amenity verification: Cross-referenced advertised amenities against guest review patterns
- Location signals: Proximity to Grand Canyon National Park South Rim entrance — under 7 miles preferred
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pets allowed at these Tusayan hotels?
Yes, three of the six properties on this list accept pets. Holiday Inn Resort The Squire charges $20+tax per night plus a $50 fully refundable deposit. Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel-South Rim accepts cats and dogs for a $50 per stay fee covering up to 2 pets. Canyon Plaza Premier Studios also allows pets at $50 + tax per stay. The other three properties — Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites, The Grand Hotel, and Red Feather Lodge — do not allow pets under any circumstances.
Which hotels offer free cancellation?
All six properties on this list have cancellation policies that vary by the specific room type you book. When you search for cheap hotels in tusayan and check individual rates, Booking.com displays the cancellation terms for each option. Some non-refundable rates are typically the cheapest, while flexible rates allow free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before check-in. Always verify the conditions before booking.
When’s the best time to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim?
The South Rim is open year-round, but the peak season runs May through September when all visitor services, shuttles, and the Tusayan park shuttle are fully operating. Spring (March-April) and fall (October-November) offer fewer crowds and milder hiking temperatures. Winter brings snow and some trail closures but the lowest hotel rates. The shuttle from Tusayan to the park is seasonal — it stops in fall, so you’ll need a car or taxi service during the off-season.
How far are these hotels from Grand Canyon Village?
All six properties are within a 10-minute drive of the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance. Red Feather Lodge sits closest at just 1 mile south of the park boundary, followed by Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites also at 1 mile. Holiday Inn Resort The Squire is about a 10-minute drive from the Visitor Center. The farthest property, Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel-South Rim and its adjoining Canyon Plaza Premier Studios, is 6.2 miles from the entrance but still a quick 5-10 minute drive.
Do any of these hotels have kitchens or kitchenettes?
Only one property offers a full kitchen: Canyon Plaza Premier Studios and Apts-South Rim features 2-bedroom apartments with complete kitchens, balconies, and dining areas. Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites provides a mini-fridge and microwave in every room — enough for light meal prep but not full cooking. Red Feather Lodge also includes a small refrigerator in each room. The other three properties do not list any kitchen or kitchenette amenities in their standard rooms.