Historic El Tovar Hotel that got opened in 1905, is really quite a landmark at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The good thing with all of Xanterra's Lodges is, you can dine at any location you want. So we did walk from our Maswik Lodge to the El Tovar Hotel for dinner. We'd loved to stay here too but because of Labor Day weekend, they were fully booked!
This is the historic hotel from the outside, Nikon photo, taken around 18:00 o'clock in the evening.
THE ELEGANT EL TOVAR
Grand Canyon Lodges El Tovar ←click it.
With its mix of luxury and charm, it is widely considered a crown jewel among national park lodges...
With its mix of luxury and charm, it is widely considered a crown jewel among national park lodges...
Lovely veranda in the front and also to the side where you can sit and watch the Navajo Hoop dancers in the afternoon, at next door's Hopi House... seen to the right on the previous photo.
We also ate lunch on their back porch, overlooking the Grand Canyon.
A magical place...
At nearby Verkamp Visitor Center, they have the Grand Canyon history laid out on the floor...
With my iPad, I captured the all wooden structure as good as I could.
Do you see the wooden beams, to the right from Pieter?
Such unique atmosphere!
Even though we were dressed casual, we felt like making a trip back in time at the Elegant El Tovar!
We traveled light with only one carry on each!
Their Menu is excellent, also for lunch!
Nine years ago, El Tovar Hotel celebrated A Century On The Rim...
Pieter had taken already a few bites before I took my iPad out for capturing his selection of: Sautéed Rainbow Trout with Red Pepper Marmalade...
My choice of: Loch Duart Scottish Salmon Tostada on OrganicGreens was delicious as well!
A nice dinner and well deserved after having hiked for a part into the Grand Canyon that day.
To the right you can see the spectacular view over the rim, from the veranda...
Those are the combined restaurants at the Grand Canyon Rim.
The Story of El Tovar
When the Santa Fe railroad reached Grand Canyon, construction of this first class hotel began.
Built of native boulders and Oregon Pine, the majestic, 100-room hotel opened on January 14, 1905.
Named El Tovar in honor of the Spanisch explorer Pedro de Tobar who had led the first expedition to Hopi Indian country in 1540.
EL TOVAR | info from Arizona State University about the historic hotel
Grand Canyon Lodges | FB Page
Fine Dining at the Grand Canyon | Real Food Traveler
{Hiking Part of Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon} | previous post by me
{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway} | previous post by me
