A small, independently run motor lodge on Route 66 two blocks from downtown Williams, with remodeled rooms and suites and an outdoor fireplace cabana; a quieter, more personal base for the South Rim or the train.
The Lodge on Route 66 is the opposite of a big gateway hotel. It is a small, independent motor lodge at 200 East Route 66 in Williams, just off I-40 and about two blocks east of downtown, with nine rooms and nine suites set around a central cabana. The building has been remodeled, and the lodge pitches itself on comfort: spacious, quiet suites, good linens and an outdoor cabana with gas fireplaces where you can sit out on cool evenings, which in Williams is most of the year.
Williams is one of the best-value places to base a South Rim trip, and a small property like this is a pleasant change from the chain hotels.
Location is the strong point. You can walk to downtown Williams for dinner, the Route 66 souvenir shops and the evening atmosphere, and the Williams Depot for the Grand Canyon Railway is within an easy walk or a very short drive. The South Rim is about an hour's drive north on State Route 64. The suites suit families or couples who want room to spread out, and with only 18 units the lodge tends to be calmer than the big hotels on the edge of town.
Be realistic about what a small lodge offers. Do not expect a restaurant, pool or round-the-clock front desk, and confirm details such as breakfast, pet policy, parking and check-in hours directly with the lodge before you book, because they are not clearly published. Rooms are limited, so book early for summer and holiday weekends, especially during the railway's Polar Express season in late autumn and winter.
Williams sits at high elevation and gets snow in winter; check road conditions on Route 64 before an early drive to the rim, and allow extra time when roads are icy.
Why stay here
- ✓Small property: nine rooms and nine suites around a central cabana
- ✓On Historic Route 66, about two blocks east of downtown Williams
- ✓Outdoor cabana with gas fireplaces for evenings
- ✓Remodeled rooms and spacious suites with quality linens
- ✓Walk to downtown restaurants and the Grand Canyon Railway depot area
- ✓Just off I-40, so it also works as an overnight stop on a Las Vegas to Sedona or Flagstaff road trip
- ✓Suites suit families and small groups
- ✓About an hour's drive to the South Rim
Good questions
How big is The Lodge on Route 66?+
It is small, with nine rooms and nine suites around a central cabana. That makes it quieter and more personal than the large hotels in Williams, but it also books up quickly in peak season, so reserve early for summer and the holidays.
Can I walk to downtown Williams and the train?+
Yes. The lodge is about two blocks east of downtown on Route 66, so restaurants and shops are an easy walk, and the Williams Depot is close by on foot or a very short drive away.
Does it have a pool or restaurant?+
Neither is advertised. Plan to eat in downtown Williams, which is a short walk away. If a pool matters, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and the Best Western Plus in Williams both have one.
