Grand Canyon Marriott?
Jan 3, 2011, 4:39 pm
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DFW,TX USA
Programs: Lifetime Platinum Marriott
Posts: 1,568
Grand Canyon Marriott?
Staying in Scottsdale, but want to Visit Grand Canyon.
Figured will stay a night near.
Post seem to indicate Flagstaff SHS is best bet, is that still true?
Also, anyone done the trip?
How far to Grand Canyon and how long did it take.
Trying to decide if I will get up early in Scottsdale, drive to Canyon and spend night in Flagstaff or if I have to divide it up into two days.
Thanks
Figured will stay a night near.
Post seem to indicate Flagstaff SHS is best bet, is that still true?
Also, anyone done the trip?
How far to Grand Canyon and how long did it take.
Trying to decide if I will get up early in Scottsdale, drive to Canyon and spend night in Flagstaff or if I have to divide it up into two days.
Thanks
Jan 3, 2011, 5:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
Staying in Scottsdale, but want to Visit Grand Canyon.
Figured will stay a night near.
Post seem to indicate Flagstaff SHS is best bet, is that still true?
Also, anyone done the trip?
How far to Grand Canyon and how long did it take.
Trying to decide if I will get up early in Scottsdale, drive to Canyon and spend night in Flagstaff or if I have to divide it up into two days.
Thanks
Figured will stay a night near.
Post seem to indicate Flagstaff SHS is best bet, is that still true?
Also, anyone done the trip?
How far to Grand Canyon and how long did it take.
Trying to decide if I will get up early in Scottsdale, drive to Canyon and spend night in Flagstaff or if I have to divide it up into two days.
Thanks
Jan 3, 2011, 7:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: Marriott, Southwest, American, Delta, Amtrak,Multiple others
Posts: 564
If you have the time, I suggest staying two nights in Flagstaff. Drive up the first evening to Flagstaff the night before visiting the Grand Canyon. This will give you more time to see it. Go back to Flagstaff that night. Spend some time in Sedona the next day on your way back to Phoenix. It is only about 45 minutes from Flagstaff.
We stayed in the Fairfield Inn for a short stay. Rooms are small, but the hotel is clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. The third floor is best because the other floors have outside entrances. I have heard that the Springhill is nice but haven't stayed there. The Drury Inn also has good reviews.
We stayed in the Fairfield Inn for a short stay. Rooms are small, but the hotel is clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. The third floor is best because the other floors have outside entrances. I have heard that the Springhill is nice but haven't stayed there. The Drury Inn also has good reviews.
Jan 3, 2011, 8:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier, Starwood Platinum, Hertz Pres. Circle, WN CP, CO Onepass, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 66
Stayed in Flagstaff SHS a few nights ago... It was pretty snowy, but the hotel did a good job.
Lots of families staying at the hotel to go skiiing at nearby Snowbowl Ski area. (who knew you could ski in Arizona?)
Reason I stayed at SHS was it was less points than the Residence Inn and there was free breakfast. Breakfast was fine - a little crowded - but did the job.
The room was clean and comfortable and was exactly what I expected from a SHS property. There was also a refridgerator and microwave in the room.
Sometimes that's all I ask of Marriott - a consistant experience.
Lots of families staying at the hotel to go skiiing at nearby Snowbowl Ski area. (who knew you could ski in Arizona?)
Reason I stayed at SHS was it was less points than the Residence Inn and there was free breakfast. Breakfast was fine - a little crowded - but did the job.
The room was clean and comfortable and was exactly what I expected from a SHS property. There was also a refridgerator and microwave in the room.
Sometimes that's all I ask of Marriott - a consistant experience.
Jan 3, 2011, 8:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier, Starwood Platinum, Hertz Pres. Circle, WN CP, CO Onepass, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 66
I also second the "stay two nights in Flagstaff". You don't want to be rushed at the Grand Canyon. There's lots to do at the South Rim and if you take a hike - the day goes quickly. Also, if you stay - I recommend seeing sunset at the west end of the South Rim. Take the free shuttle bus.
Jan 4, 2011, 9:50 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Southwest
Posts: 24
If you must stay at Marriott, then Flagstaff (NOT WILLIAMS). If you're thinking of other properties then I'd suggest you consider the B&B at Wild West Junction
http://wildwestjunction.com/ From there to the GC is only an hour.
Another alternative might be to stay in Sedona and get a guided tour up to the GC. Someone mentioned that when we were in Sedona. Unfortunately, no Marriott properties are in Sedona.
http://wildwestjunction.com/ From there to the GC is only an hour.
Another alternative might be to stay in Sedona and get a guided tour up to the GC. Someone mentioned that when we were in Sedona. Unfortunately, no Marriott properties are in Sedona.
Jan 4, 2011, 11:48 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: SPEBSQSA
Posts: 3,489
Jan 4, 2011, 12:06 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, Penalty Box 2K, PWP Posting Unit 9
Posts: 13,514
Also consider the Courtyard in Flagstaff. I've stayed at both the Courtyard and the SHS and while I'm usually loathe to recommend a Courtyard, this one is brand new and quite lovely. The SHS is a refurb property that used to be something else, but it is also up to the new brand standard.
Jan 4, 2011, 12:14 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Phoenix
Programs: UA1k;HH Gold;MR Gold
Posts: 6,112
Did this with my daughter a few years ago. I live in Phoenix and we drove up and spent the night before at the Fairfield Inn in WILLIAMS. Just a boring hotel but from there you can go over and get the first train up to the Grand Canyon. Not much to see there.
Be ssure and get a heated car on the train.
Be ssure and get a heated car on the train.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: SPEBSQSA
Posts: 3,489
We really enjoyed the train from Williams to GC several years ago. I've recommended it to anyone making the trip... don't know why I didn't suggest it here.
The trip from Flagstaff to Williams is < 1hr, IIRC, so you could still use the train for your up and back. Check http://www.thetrain.com/ for timing and availability.
The trip from Flagstaff to Williams is < 1hr, IIRC, so you could still use the train for your up and back. Check http://www.thetrain.com/ for timing and availability.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:11 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Southwest
Posts: 24
Just so I am clear, DO NOT stay at the Fairfield in Williams. The property is just not up to snuff.
Jan 13 Edit: I found out today the Williams property is no longer a Marriott property.
Jan 13 Edit: I found out today the Williams property is no longer a Marriott property.
Last edited by MDixon; Jan 13, 2011 at 6:52 pm