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Going Wild in Gustavus (Our Alaska Adventure Part 1)

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know that I just returned from a 2 week trip to Alaska.  Glacier Bay was the starting point for our adventure, my kids’ first trip to the 49th state.  Most people visit Glacier Bay by cruise ship, but I wanted to spend several days there, to have more time to enjoy the unique beauty of southeast Alaska.  Few visitors actually stay overnight, so this would give my kids an authentic experience in a small Alaskan town.

The “Gateway to Glacier National Park” is the tiny town of Gustavus, home to no more than 500 year-round residents.  The airport in Gustavus is an interesting sight, as the tiny terminal stays empty all day until the sole Alaska Airline flight arrives (the TSA agents are flown in to meet the jets by a small local air service.)  But that doesn’t mean it’s not busy, small private planes and charters constantly fly in and out.  We were told that just a few weeks earlier, the airport was shut down because a bear ambled onto the runway, and it had to be shoo’ed away by a fire truck!
 



Gustavus airport
Arriving in Gustavus

 


Alaska Airlines terminal
The quiet Alaska Airlines terminal

Gustavus is the kind of town where the lone gas station has old fashioned pumps that you only see in museums these days, and everyone knows to watch out for moose #1 who’s really ornery.  There are no rental cars, so lodges transport their guests wherever they need to go.  We became quite familiar with one main intersection in the middle of town:  one road led to the ferry, one to the airport, one to Bartlett Cove, and the last to our lodge.  Nothing is more than 10 miles away.

Our wonderful home for 3 nights was the beautiful, and thoroughly Alaskan, Bear Track Inn.  Meals and transportation are included. and we ate like kings.  A chef and his assistant worked diligently in the kitchen adjacent to the dining room each evening, serving up 4 gourmet choices each evening. 
 
Bear Track Inn, Gustavus
Surf & turf night!
 
Breakfast was cooked to order every day, including amazing muffins made with wild blueberries, and the best pancakes my kids ever tasted.  On the rare chance you were at the lodge for lunch, you got gourmet sandwiches, and if lucky, some leftover chowder from the previous evening.  The owner, Janie, who opened the lodge in 1997, told me about some of the amazing experiences she can arrange for my clients, to create the trip of a lifetime.
 
Glacier Bay's Bear Track Inn
The cozy lodge




Glacier Bay's Bear Track Inn
Relaxing in the evening (yes, evening)

What to do in Glacier Bay?  Enjoy the scenery – by kayak, boat, foot, or air.  A must do, of course, is a full day glacier tour out of Bartlett Cove.  On the small boats, you travel close to the shoreline so you can see the scenery up close, and also get a good view of the glacial silt and ice bergs.  If there’s something interesting to see, such as a calving glacier, a bird rookery or wildlife, they have the luxury of stopping for a short while so everyone can get a good view.



Glacier Bay cruise
Entering Glacier Bay

 
Glacier Bay
A brown bear on shore!

 


Glacier Bay
The scenery never ends

 
Then if you want more time on the water, I’d suggest a kayak tour.  If you are experienced you can rent kayaks yourself, but you can’t get very far in a few hours.  I’d suggest going with a tour operator who will take you by boat to more scenic location for kayaking, where you might even see whales.  For the more adventurous, there are overnight trips kayaking & camping next to glaciers. You can also go whale watching, or go on a fishing charter.   And then there’s hiking, either in the gorgeous rainforest along the waterfront, or up into the hills for panoramic views.




Kayaking in Glacier Bay
Paddling through a kelp field in Bartlett Cove
 
Whale watch boats in Gustavus
Boats ready for fishing & whale watching
 
Glacier Bay
Rainforest walk

We left via a slightly different mode of transportation.  I originally planned to take the ferry to Juneau, but found it did not run on our departure day (oops).  Instead we booked a flight with a local air service, which was actually cheaper than Alaska Airlines.  Our family was the only passenger in the 6-seater plane, so hubby got to fly shotgun, while the rest of us took pictures. 
 
Glacier Bay
Our plane has arrived
 
 
Glacier Bay flight
A happy husband!
 
It was a clear day with no turbulence, so our pilot took us right over the mountains, which was thrilling.  Now THAT is the way to travel in Alaska!



Alaska flightseeing
On the way to Juneau
 
Alaska flightseeing
Glacial lake
 
Alaska is one of my favorite destinations.  I’ve traveled all over the state, including above the Arctic Circle, and I’ve even driven all the way from California, returning via the Inside Passage ferry!  So if you’d like to plan your own adventure in Alaska, just contact me at suzette@family-treks.com
 
Glacier Bay cruise


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A Guide to Tour Guides

The adage “You get what you pay for” is very true when it comes to booking sightseeing tours and guides.  Not that it means the best guides are the most expensive.  But in general, paying extra for a private guide ensures you’ll have a more enriching experience.  A good guide is not only an expert in their field, they are better trained at customer service, they can personalize a tour to match your interests, and can even make adjustments on the fly based on the weather, the crowds, or even your kids’ mood!  And private means all their attention is focused on you, no waving your hand amidst a crowd, trying to get your question answered.

Many times a run of the mill group tour is really all you need for a particular attraction. Want to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower without waiting in line, then sure, book the relatively cheap Skip The Line tour. But planning to visit the Louvre, Vatican, or Pompeii?  Look at these quotes from  tour guides in a recent article on Conde Naste Traveler:
 
“We can do the job in our sleep.  What sounds spontaneous on a tour is completely rehearsed.”
 
“Americans are probably the kindest and most generous people we work with.  They’re happy with everything we show them.  But because of that, some guides take them for granted, treat them with laxity, and don’t give them the fullest experience.”
 

Now, compare this with testimonials from my clients for whom I arranged private tours:

“Our guide for the Louvre in Paris, Robin, was absolutely fabulous and made the tour so interesting and memorable for the kids.  She was incredibly passionate about her work and knew so much about absolutely everything at the Louvre as well as Versailles.  It was an unbelievably rewarding experience and my kids still ask if we can see Robin again after two years.”
 
 

“The tour you booked for us was an unforgettable experience.  Our driver was also the owner and he has a zoologist/botanist background, so he was able to fully entertain the kids on the long drives with lots of facts about Australia and its flora & fauna…Thank you so much for everything you did to help us with this vacation.  It was such a great experience!”

And from a colleague’s client:

“From the minute we arrived in Istanbul we were in the safe hands of our fabulous guide. The days in Istanbul were planned perfectly and his knowledge of all the sights we visited was over the top.  We learned so much from him, and also went to the most delicious restaurants where he knew the clientele and we were treated like royalty!   Our visit there was so enriched by [his] knowledge and connections…  I actually cried when I had to see him go, and our four daughters wanted him to join us for the remainder of the trip on our gullet!  We had not only had the best Turkish tour guide in the world, but we had gained a friend.”
 

A guide book, a group tour, or even a free walking tour* are often perfectly fine.  But for sights that are crowded, historically or culturally significant, or are of high interest to you, definitely consider splurging on a private tour.  Do your research or work with a travel professional to find a guide that is the best match for you.  If you have young children, you’ll appreciate a guide who is good at engaging and entertaining kids, it’s worth every penny in a hot & crowded museum!  Hotel concierges can help for last minute plans.  But I have heard of not so great experiences with some of their recommendations.  I will only book my clients with companies I know will offer outstanding & reliable service.
 
* A word of caution:We booked a free tour of a residential neighborhood in Paris, just to try it out and get some insider tips from a local. Two days before we arrived, she emailed to say she had broken her collarbone and had to cancel.  She offered to set us up with another guide in a different location, with another family, but we declined.  We couldn’t complain, it was free after all, but we were disappointed.  I was glad this wasn’t a “must do” item on our list.

No matter where you plan to travel, consider adding a few hours with a private guide to your itinerary.  Just give me a call and I can help you sort out the options, so you can have a memorable family vacation.

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My Secrets for Getting Connecting Rooms

One of the most common requests from families when planning their vacation is connecting rooms.  It’s often because they are a family of 5 or more that can’t be accommodated in a standard hotel room.  But sometimes even smaller families just want extra space and privacy.  And suites with a separate bedroom are often more expensive than two standard rooms.

Most hotels and resorts will not guarantee connecting rooms, they will simply note it as a request.  They do give preference to families with young children.  But it’s still stressful for parentsif they won’t know until check-in if they will even have adjacent, much less connecting, rooms.  (Important note:  “Adjoining” does not necessarily mean connecting.)

Here’s what I do when connecting rooms are a “must have” for a client.

Recommend a hotel that offers connecting rooms as a specific room category.  Several all-inclusive brands, such Karisma, AMResorts, and Club Med actually list connecting rooms as an option to book (may be referred to as a 2 room suite), and often for less than the cost of 2 rooms.  These are usually located in the “family section”  of a resort, so it’s not recommended as a way for 2 couples to shave costs while traveling together.
 

Azul Sensatori, Riviera Maya


Recommend a hotel that will block connecting rooms for families at the time the reservation is made.  In Hawaii, the Grand Wailea will guarantee connecting rooms for a $50 per night fee.  Hyatt Resorts worldwide has a policy of blocking connecting rooms for families with children age 12 and under for no fee, if they are available.  If kids are older, then connecting rooms are “on request” only. 



Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa, Kauai

Reach out to a supplier who has personal contacts in my client’s destination.  This might be an independent sales rep, a wholesaler, a tour operator,  maybe a small local company with whom my agency has developed a strong relationship. (Some are so small they don’t even show up on TripAdvisor, so you have to be “in the know.”  And some only work with travel agencies.)  I network at trade shows with sales reps and hotel managers, and some offer to personally block rooms for my clients.




Hotel Hassler Roma
This route works particularly well when booking hotels outside the US.  I actually find it easier to book rooms for large families in Europe than in the States!  And I have learned that some hotels don’t even show “family rooms” on their websites, you have to contact the hotel directly.  And that assumes you even know this particular room type exists.



Rubens at the Palace, London

Recommend a Virtuoso property or other luxury brand where we have preferred agency status. Nothing beats the relationships we have with Virtuoso properties, or brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, etc.   If connecting rooms are available, they almost always block them for my clients.  And as a bonus, my clients  receive extra amenities such as complimentary breakfast and resort, dining, or spa credits.

Four Seasons Costa Rica
The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe – All 1 bedroom suites
connect to a double queen room

Sometimes despite my best efforts, a hotel will not confirm connecting rooms in advance.  In that case, I offer a different guarantee to my clients.  I will leave no stone unturned in finding the most influential person at the hotel who can personally review my client’s reservation, and do everything possible to honor their request.  And I also guarantee no travel website will make that offer.

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai – 95% of the rooms are connecting
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Seven Super Things at the Aquarium of the Pacifc

I am an aquarium snob.  But who wouldn’t be if  you have the Monterey Bay Aquarium in your backyard?  This means I rarely visit aquariums while traveling, because I worry they will fall short in comparison

But last fall we found ourselves with a full day free in Anaheim with our 12 year old daughter.  Our teen son was hanging out in Disneyland with his hockey team, but my daughter really isn’t into theme parks.  So we decided to check out the aquarium in nearby Long Beach, whose waterfront location was very appealing on this sunny day.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is much smaller than Monterey’s, but that was a good thing, as we only had a few hours.   And I quickly found that though smaller, there were actually many things that Monterey doesn’t have.  You see, the Monterey Bay Aquarium features local marine life, where the Long Beach aquarium has exhibits showcasing the entire Pacific Ocean, from Baja to Australia to The Bering Sea.
Here were our seven favorite exhibits:

The Lorikeet Forest, where you can offer a cup of nectar to the brightly colored birds

The Blue Cavern, where divers hand fed giant fish including sea bass

 

The touch pond were we could pet jellyfish

The comb jellyfish with their beautiful “Christmas lights”

The shark lagoon, home to a freshwater sawfish

Exotic-looking sea dragons camouflaged as leaves

Cute, though sometimes deadly, frogs including the infamous poison dart variety

 
(I don’t recall if this guy was poisonous, but he had the best smile.)


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Enchantment Resort– The Perfect Place to Gather the Family

On our way back from the Grand Canyon last February, we spent a night at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, a place that has been on my bucket list for a while.  And I was not disappointed, except that we could only stay 24 hours.
There are so many things to love about Enchantment:
* The stunning location, tucked into a red rock canyon, with its own private and direct access to hiking trails.  It’s just a short walk among cacti & red rock to a pretty spire.
* The destination spa offering everything from traditional skin care & massage treatments to health & wellness consultations. Their menu is fun to read with entries likeFlower Essence Bath, Blue Corn Body Polish, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation, and Astrology with Crystals.
* Free onsite activities including pitch & putt golf, tennis, cycling and bocce ball.  
* Organized adult & family activities from yoga and nature walks to stargazing and watercolor painting.  (Check out the calendar!)
 * Camp Coyote to entertain and educate kids age 4-12, with theme days like Earth Friendly Tuesdays and Solar System Saturdays.  
* The cool architecture and authentic Native American decor – terra cotta tiles, adobe style structures, exposed wood beams, woven blankets and pottery.  
This is a fantastic, destination resort for any family, but it’s especially perfect for multi-generational reunions, or families traveling together.  The casitas are a great value, offering plenty of space & privacy, and all the comforts of home.  Ours had a small but fully equipped kitchen with dining table, and a large living room with a fireplace.   The patio had a gas grill, fireplace, and another large table, so guests can enjoy the wonderful mild weather year round.
A 3 bedroom casita can sleep up to 8, with a king bed, 2 queen beds, and a Murphy bed in the living room.  (Casitas can also be locked off to form separate 1 and 2 bedroom units.) And no worries about having enough bathrooms. There’s one for each bedroom and another off the living, room, each with a shower & 2 sinks.  
If you are looking for a place to travel with your family, that has spacious accommodations for a group, offers activities for all ages, and is in a beautiful setting, then I highly recommend Enchantment Resort. 
And because they are a Virtuoso partner, my clients receive:
– Upgrade at time of check-in, subject to availability
– Continental breakfast for two daily
– $100 credit for spa services
Combine this with a great deal through April 30, your fourth night free!
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The Most Important Question to Ask When Booking a Vacation Rental

Having rented private vacation homes for over 20 years, and having owned our own for the last five, I offer one piece of advice for families looking for a vacation rental.

Ask this question:  How often do the owners use the property themselves?

Whenever possible, I only book a property that is used frequently by the owners, or is checked upon regularly by them.   That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a property manager, but they should not rely on a third party to be the sole eyes and ears on their home.

These are some of the benefits to the renter:

 – You’ll likely find a fully equipped kitchen, including appliances in good condition, lots of utensils, matching dishes.   Because we frequently spend holidays at our cabin, our renters will find everything they need to prepare a complete holiday feast. 
 

(And hands on owners are also more likely to decorate their homes.  Even if we won’t be using our cabin over Christmas, we’ll make a special trip to decorate it for our renters.)

 
– There will probably be a well-stocked  pantry including a good variety of seasonings and staples like sugar, cooking oil, etc.

 

– There are often extras like coffee grinders, good bar ware, a mixer, toaster oven, etc.  You don’t realize how useful cheese graters are until you’re missing one when you need it!

 

–  Better chance of having comfortable furniture and plenty of pillows and blankets, plus nicer home décor overall and relatively new electronics.  Good quality patio furniture (including sufficient chairs)  and a working grill are a must for warm weather destinations. 



–  Better maintenance overall, which means less chance of an unexpected problem. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a broken dishwasher or wonky TV or DVD player.  Property managers only fix things if they are told they are broken, and renters often don’t speak up.  A hands-on owner is going to notice the little problems and fix them before they become big ones.

 –  In ski cabins, owners often have plenty of racks for hanging up wet clothes and mittens by the fire, trays for collecting snow melt off boots, and a supply of good quality firewood.  Especially important when traveling during winter is an adequate emergency supplies including batteries, lantern, and candles.

 

If the owners have kids you will probably also find plenty of games, toys, puzzles, books, and family movies.


Remember, nobody will take as good of care of a home as its owner.  So that’s a good reason to book through a property management company or a professional travel advisor, so you can ask very specific questions about the care and upkeep of the property, including how often the owners are on site.  

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Family Vacation Photo Album: Denmark

One of my clients shared these pictures of her family’s trip to Denmark this summer.

Really great trip!    It is truly a great family-friendly destination…   Museums have kid areas with dress up, Legos, coloring, etc.   Parks everywhere.   Really felt easy to travel.



Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen



Guarding the castle.



Helsingor, with Kronberg Castle in the background.



The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.



Climbing the 400+ stairs of Old Saviors Church tower.



Climbing the anchor by the canals in Nyhavn.



Legoland!
Bumper boats at Tivoli Gardens.



Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde.
Kids had a ball dressing up as vikings,
making their own boats, & learning to write their name in Rune.
Many thanks to my client for sharing these wonderful photos!
 
Let me help you plan a memorable family vacation, too.  Just send an email to suzette@family-treks.com.

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Disney’s Aulani Resort – I Tried Not to Like It

I know this sounds bad coming from a family travel specialist, but I have to confess that spending a week at Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu was not my idea of the perfect Hawaiian vacation. I do love Disney, I think have fantastic cruises and resorts. But having been to most of the Hawaiian islands, I have become a bit of snob about this destination, and had trouble wrapping my brain around a Disney-themed resort in my beloved tropical paradise.
So when our in-laws suggested we vacation there together, I had mixed feelings. But I quietly reprimanded myself as I would one of my children, saying I should be very thankful that we even get to vacation in Hawaii.

Disney must put something in the lemon & lime-infused water that they hand you on arrival, because I wasn’t in the lobby more than 10 minutes before I knew I was going to love the place. The décor was stunning, an elegant nod to Hawaiian culture. And the service was one would expect at a luxury hotel. When the greeter noticed the front desk was busy, he commandeered a concierge desk so that we did not have to wait to check in, then apologized that he was not as fast & efficient on the computer as the regular front desk staff.

Disney excels at attention to detail. Every single day I discovered something new, and it’s impressive that many of the details are not there to wow the guests, but to pay tribute to Hawaiian culture. I highly recommend every guest take one of the hotel tours so they can also appreciate these details, from the clever use of coconuts in the Makahiki dining room, to the symbolism of the artwork in the lobby.

I could write pages about all the fun things at Aulani, but since blogs are supposed to be short & concise (not my specialty), I will summarize my favorite things:

The lazy river – It was reasonably long & interesting with caves, fountains, and a fun waterslide. The pool area is undergoing expansion this fall, so there will be even more places to play next year.

The room – Nice details including under bed storage for suitcases and loose items, good shelf space in the bathroom, a balcony with 2 chairs & side table, and beautiful Hawaiian décor (with tasteful Disney touches including a vintage Mickey Mouse lamp).

The beach – Complimentary umbrellas and boogie boards, and a pretty & safe lagoon.


The activities – Each evening a resort guide was placed in our room, much like the activity guide you find on a cruise. There were a variety activities for all ages (most complimentary), including arts & crafts, cultural tours, and evening storytelling & movies. My daughter got to make a woven bracelet, a feather flower and turtle necklace.


The food – Every venue, from poolside dining to the signature oceanfront restaurant, was very good. A nice souvenir is an insulated travel mug, which can be refilled with soda or coffee at stations around the property.


Menehune Adventure Trail – Kids and adults can enjoy a high tech scavenger hunt with a specially programmed iPod that interacts with various features at the resort. There are multiple “trails” so there’s always something new to try. We made fire shoot out of a rock, sunk an island in the koi pond, and made musical instruments play on their own.


An oceanfront, two level, infinity hot tub – Need I say more?

And one other feature I have to mention, though my kids were too old for it, is Aunty’s Beach House. This is the complimentary kids’ club for ages 3-12, and I have never seen anything like it. It is actually a full size house (over 5000 sq ft), with kitchen, playroom, computers, movie room, backyard, even a garage with workshop!

There is so much more I could tell about Disney’s Aulani Resort, and the island of Oahu. If you’d like more information or assistance with planning your own family vacation to Hawaii, just send a note to suzette@family-treks.com.
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A Memorable Family Visit to Pearl Harbor

I can’t think of a better topic to blog about on the Fourth of July than our recent visit to Pearl Harbor (which is officially known as the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument). It was a moving experience, and I felt so proud to be an American. Hopefully reading about our visit will help you know what to expect, especially if you plan to go with kids. In our group we had an 11 yr old, 12 yr old, and two 14 year olds, and they all really enjoyed it, despite some of them not really knowing what it was about before we arrived.


The first thing you should know is that very recently the National Park Service started offering advance tickets for visiting the USS Arizona. This is a HUGE deal! Previously, the tickets (which are free) were only issued on a first come, first served basis. So even if you booked a “tour,” the buses had to arrive very early to ensure everyone could get tickets for one of the morning departures. It’s kind of like the Disney FastPass system. Tickets are issued for a specific tour time, and the later you arrive, the later your tour starts, and they can run out early in the day. When we picked up our tickets at 10 am, the people next to us who didn’t have advance reservations were told their tour was not for 3 more hours!

However, note that the minimum recommended time for a visit is 3 hours in order to see all the displays, and in face we spent 5 hours there ourselves. The USS Arizona tour takes about 90 min, but the grounds are fairly large and filled with many displays and artifacts, a gift shop, and a museum. On arrival you can also buy tickets to tour the USS Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, and visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial. They even offer a 2 day pass which I’d advise for WWII buffs who want to see everything.

Our day started out a little rocky, as it was hot and the kids were hungry. Our tour was at 11 so we wanted to eat lunch afterwards. My daughter was getting grumpy, so I was worried that she was not going to appreciate the experience. Finally our group was called into the theater, where we watched a movie recounting the events of 12/7/41 and explaining what we would see and memorial protocol. Then we headed to the boat, where we noticed an man wearing a ribbon & medals, and a Pearl Harbor Survivor hat. The entire boat applauded as he & his family were saluted and escorted to the memorial first. I was surprised when the youngest in our group insisted on getting a picture with him, and he was very happy to oblige. And I felt a little sorry for the NPS ranger who had the job of explaining what happened at Pearl Harbor with an eyewitness standing right next to him!
After returning to shore, I braced for complaints from hot, hungry kids that they wanted to leave. But to my shock, my 12 year daughter wanted to make sure we were going in the museum. (That is the first time either of my kids have ever asked to put off a meal for sightseeing!) She was fascinated and wanted to learn more. My second surprise was when we gave them the choice of going back to the hotel to swim or doing another tour, and they chose the submarine.



I was thrilled that my kids enjoyed & appreciated the experience, and I know that one day they will bring their own kids back because of their wonderful memories.
Here are some tips if you plan to visit Pearl Harbor with your family:


1) Read about the memorial so you know the rules and what to expect at the NPS website.
2) Book advance tickets here. (Note crowds are worse on the days when cruise ships are in port.)
3) Any type of bag (purses, backpacks, diaper bags, etc.) is prohibited on the entire site. You will have to leave them in your car or use their baggage storage. Strollers are allowed as long as the bags are removed, so you can leave diapers, bottles, etc. loose in the bottom. Parking is very close so it’s easy to run out to your car to get something.
4) Bring lots of water; you will do a fair amount of walking outside to see all the displays. There is a snack stand with drinks and grab & go items, and a hot dog stand which only accepted cash.
5) Go early to avoid the worst heat of the day, and plan to spend at least 3 hours, though you can easily spend much more if you want to see all the displays and go on other tours.



Stay tuned for more information on our trip to Oahu, including a review of Disney’s new Aulani Resort!
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El Tovar, a Grand Canyon Gem

What’s better than a visit to the Grand Canyon? Spending the night there in the El Tovar Hotel.


Though it’s >100 years old, I walked into the hotel with the same anticipation as if entering the latest & greatest modern luxury hotel. I had heard about it for years & knew it was a ‘must do’ which actually made me worry that I had overly high expectations. But I was not to be disappointed.

I have to admit I am biased. I LOVE the historic grande dames of the National Park system. Exposed knotty beams, taxidermy on the walls, Native American prints…I just eat it up. And the employees are always so happy to be there (who wouldn’t be??), so service is always good.  And the location? Getting any closer to the rim would be downright dangerous!

Booking a room at El Tovar can be tricky business. As is common with older properties, rooms are smaller than in modern hotels, they are inconsistent in size, layout, amenities, and bathrooms & closet space tend to be modest. We spent a little more for an oversize room, which in fact turned out to be about the size of a standard hotel room. There were 2 queen beds, a single chair, an armoire, and a small closet. Cozy for a family of four, but clean and comfortable with modern bedding. The bathroom was relatively spacious, and fixtures were new.

We did luck out in a couple ways: we had a large balcony (shared with another room), and we were on the second floor. The latter had two benefits: fewer stairs to navigate in a hotel with no elevator, and a common area just down the hall with a TV, piano, fireplace, and tables and chairs that overlooked the lobby. At the end of a full day of hiking & sightseeing, it was nice to have a place to read a book, play cards and games, and even enjoy a meal delivered by room service.

The hotel also has many suites, each with different bedding and amenities, and some that sleep 5 or 6.  I obtained the suite information with all the details so that I can help my clients pick the best one for their family. 

 

You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy one of its finest features: the beautiful dining room which features a private room built just for President Roosevelt. A casually elegant setting, guests can feel comfortable in dress clothes or jeans, and enjoy fantastic food and friendly service. (Insider tip: Don’t bother to ask about corkage fees, as you can’t bring your own wine to restaurants in Arizona.)

As is true for accomodations in most National Parks, El Tovar books up very far in advance, especially for peak vacation periods, so it is imperative to plan ahead.
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