A dependable value base on Historic Route 66 at the west end of Williams, with free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool and an on-site steakhouse, about an hour from the South Rim.
Williams is the classic budget alternative to Tusayan: about an hour's drive south of the South Rim on State Route 64, with more hotels, more restaurants and usually lower rates. When Tusayan is full or in-park lodging is unavailable, Williams is worth a serious look. The Best Western Plus Inn of Williams sits at 2600 W Route 66 on the west side of town, a few minutes' drive from downtown and about 1.8 miles from the Williams Depot, where the Grand Canyon Railway departs each morning.
The main draw is that the basics are covered. A full breakfast is included every day, so you can eat and leave early for sunrise or the train. There is a heated outdoor pool and hot tub for the evenings, and the on-site Western View Steakhouse and Kachina Lounge open from 4 to 9 p.m., which saves a trip back into town after a long day at the canyon.
Up to two dogs are allowed in a limited number of rooms, with an 80-pound limit per dog and a daily fee, which makes this one of the easier pet-friendly choices in the area; other pets need approval before arrival. Check-in is from 3 p.m. and check-out is at noon, later than many hotels nearby.
The trade-offs are distance and setting. You are not within walking distance of downtown's Route 66 bars and diners, so plan to drive or take a taxi in the evening, and you face an hour's drive each way to the rim, about two hours round trip, on top of the park entrance fee.
Williams sits at high elevation and gets snow in winter, so check conditions on Route 64 before an early start. In return you get more space and amenities for the money than most Tusayan hotels offer, and an easy run onto I-40 if you are continuing to Flagstaff, Sedona or Las Vegas.
Why stay here
- ✓Free full breakfast every morning
- ✓Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- ✓Western View Steakhouse and Kachina Lounge on site, evenings only
- ✓About 1.8 miles from the Williams Depot for the Grand Canyon Railway
- ✓Up to two dogs allowed in a limited number of rooms, for a daily fee
- ✓Roughly an hour's drive to Grand Canyon National Park
- ✓On Route 66 in Williams, with easy I-40 access
- ✓Book early for summer and railway holiday weekends
Good questions
Is breakfast included?+
Yes. The hotel serves a free full breakfast daily. The Western View Steakhouse and Kachina Lounge on site cover dinner from 4 to 9 p.m.
Can I walk to the Grand Canyon Railway?+
Not easily. The depot is about 1.8 miles away, so most guests drive and park there. If walking to the train matters, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel sits beside the depot.
Are dogs allowed?+
Yes, up to two dogs in a limited number of rooms, with an 80-pound limit per dog and a daily fee. Book a pet room in advance, as they are limited, and ask the hotel about other pets, which need approval before arrival.
