El Tavor Hotel: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

The hotel is a registered national historic landmark located on the South rim. When we arrived we could not wait to look out over the magnificent canyon.

El Tavor Hotel Photo by Nicki Hurd

I’ve read it is generally fully booked, even during off season. We were very happy to be able to reserve a room in this alluring place that has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Nicki Hurd and Andrew Leggett. :- ) I imagined them gasping and admiring the landscape.

It was January and nice to be there during the season that it is not its busiest. The cool air in the day was agreeable for hiking. At night there was a myriad of stars but it dropped below freezing. We enjoyed returning to the hotel in the evening, to this warm and cozy structure of native stone and Oregon pine. The Architect was Charles Whittlesey, who was the chief Architect for the Santa Fe Railway. It is an early example of the style that evolve into National Park Service Rustic architecture.

We had dinner and a breakfast in the Dining Room, a gourmet restaurant that is pricey but delicious with some seats that have a great view of the canyon. The Dinning Room is considered the “premier dining establishment at the Grand Canyon”. The meals, presentation, and the staff were exceptional, and really made it feel like a special occasion. The lounge was not as grand or as exorbitant, but the food was good.

Our room was located on the floor just above the mezzanine, which has an octagon shape, a sitting area with desks and tables and overlooks the entrance, which had a large lodge comfortable lounging area. Outdoors it has a lovely veranda, a front porch with rocking chairs, and around back there are porch swings. I could spend a lot of time relaxing there. January, 2011

Watchtower: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

There is much to behold here within the interior, and focusing out over the majestic vista. From the tower is a panoramic view for well over 100 miles, including the Painted Desert to the east, and to the San Fransico Peaks south.

Grand Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Designed to blend into the environment, inspired by architecture of the ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau, it is a replica of a prehistoric Indian Tower, and stands 70 feet (21 m) high.

In the 16th century the Spanish called the native people of the southwest that were living in villages the Pueblo. The Hopis were believed to have descended from the ancient Pueblo cultures. The tower has rock art paintings throughout that tell stories. The gallery on the first landing represents the physical and spiritual origins of Hopi life, painted by a Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie.

On the ceiling are paintings by Fred Geary, which are recreations of images from Abo Rockshelter that are now part of Salinas National Monument in New Mexico. It all enhanced the pondering of earlier cultures living here, and those far into the future that will travel to gaze at the wonder. The highest floor is left with just the beautiful panoramic views of the Grand Canyon.

In January there were many viewers all with various devices from smart phones to master lenses snapping pictures, but it was also possible to catch some quiet moments alone on each level.

There is a small gift shop selling local artist’s crafts for those of us that like to take something home to savor the experience. January, 2011

South Rim: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

It was a long drive from Austin, but well worth it to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. With wide eyes we approached the chasm and did not know where to look, but wanted to linger and look everywhere.

Grand Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett

Taking it all in is impossible as it is immense in size. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 meters . It is a collection of erosion forms and geological colors. I imagined traveling into the canyon to hear echos and the sounds of whatever might be lurking. Recent evidence suggests the canyon was formed at least 17 million years ago. Standing near it was like being ingested into history. January, 2011

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Tag Archives: Grand Canyon

El Tavor Hotel: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The hotel is a registered national historic landmark located on the South rim. When we arrived we could not wait to look out over the magnificent canyon.

Watchtower: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

There is much to behold here within the interior, and focusing out over the majestic vista. From the tower is a panoramic view for well over 100 miles, including the Painted Desert to the east, and to the San Fransico Peaks south.

South Rim: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

It was a long drive from Austin, but well worth it to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. With wide eyes we approached the chasm and did not know where to look, but wanted to linger and look everywhere.