Tusayan’s owes its existence entirely to the park, so the town is heavy on motels and restaurants, but not on charm. Hotels, motels, restaurants, shops, and other visitor services line Highway 64, 1–2 miles south of the South Entrance Station. Tusayan is convenient to Grand Canyon Airport and the IMAX theater, as well as numerous tour operators. Several Tusayan hotels offer the amenities of resort or business travel.

The 250-room Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn (100 Hwy. 64, 800/622-6966 or 928/638-2681) has tennis courts, a heated outdoor swimming pool, exercise room, spa, the South Rim’s only beauty salon, and a family activity room featuring everything from bowling to video games. The Squire Inn has two full-service restaurants, and the bowling alley lounge serves drinks and snacks. Traditional rooms ($160) have two queen beds or one king. Deluxe rooms ($176) and suites are also available. The inn offers promotional packages that include plane, helicopter, or raft tours. Meeting and banquet facilities are available.

Not sure you can live without your neighborhood Starbucks? There’s a Starbucks station in the lobby of the Grand Hotel (888/634-7263 or 928/638-3333). This 121-room place was built in 1998 in an old-fashioned lodge–style, including a piano lobby, fireplace, exposed timbers, and modern amenities, including an indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, lounge, sports bar, meeting rooms, and event-planning services. Rooms ($159–179) have two queen beds or one king. Deluxe rooms have patios or balconies. Some rooms allow pets. Lodging packages can be customized to include tours.

Canyon Plaza Quality Inn and Suites (928/638-2673, 928/638-9537, or 866/ 698-2012, $100–230) has one- and two-room suites with a king bed and sleeper sofa or two queen beds, as well as deluxe guestrooms. Amenities include continental breakfast, free Internet access, outdoor swimming pool, and hot tub. The property boasts two atriums, a dining room, a spa, and a lounge. Meeting and banquet facilities are available. Packages can include air, horse, and raft tours.

Grand Canyon Holiday Inn Express (928/638-3000, 888/473-2269) has 164 rooms ($135–153) plus 30 themed one- and two-bedroom suites ($169–300). Rates include breakfast. Special kids’ suites have bunk beds, TVs, stereos, and video games. To make the kids even happier, there’s an indoor pool and a spa.

The Red Feather Lodge (928/638-2414 or 800/538-2345) still welcomes guests with its original neon sign, dating back to the 1960s. Rooms in the original motor lodge ($120–123) can accommodate pets and smokers. The adjacent hotel, built in 1995, has larger rooms ($149, all nonsmoking) and interior hallways. Together, the buildings house a total of 231 rooms. The lodge has an outdoor pool and spa. Internet service is available.

Seven Mile Lodge (928/638-2291) is seven miles from Mather Point, the first canyon overlook past the park’s entrance. The motel’s 20 rooms ($68–80) have two queen beds, television, and air-conditioning, but no phones. The motel doesn’t take advance reservations, but you can stop and reserve a room on your way to the park. It’s located on the west side of Highway 64.