Rail Freak
Engineer
I understand the Amtrak connection to the Grand Canyon has gone thru some changes! if coming westbound, what are my options? Thanx!
Jesus. I would have been absolutely livid at that point. You should have told that guy's manager about that.I inquired about it to the Matre-D who told me to make a reservation and request the "canyon view" table at the earliest possible time; (5:30p). I did so. The following day, I show up at 5:30p to an empty restaurant. The Rest. Mgr. meets me at the door and says, "Sorry I can't honor your request" and proceeds to seat me right back at the serving island table.When I inquire, he gets indignant and say, "i don't have time to argue with you... .I'll seat you here." I replied to him... "No you won't...." and I walked back to the Matre-D and cancelled the reservation for that night and the next two nights. Unfortunately, I had similar problems at other restaurants outside the hotel but inside the park. It was as if all of them feel that the $$$ of couples and families are much greener... Oh well.
I should have stayed at the Comfort in just outside the park entrance. Would have been much cheaper and I'd have gotten better treatment.
If I stayed there how would I get in & out of the park?I should have stayed at the Comfort in just outside the park entrance. Would have been much cheaper and I'd have gotten better treatment.
Jesus. I would have been absolutely livid at that point. You should have told that guy's manager about that.I inquired about it to the Matre-D who told me to make a reservation and request the "canyon view" table at the earliest possible time; (5:30p). I did so. The following day, I show up at 5:30p to an empty restaurant. The Rest. Mgr. meets me at the door and says, "Sorry I can't honor your request" and proceeds to seat me right back at the serving island table.When I inquire, he gets indignant and say, "i don't have time to argue with you... .I'll seat you here." I replied to him... "No you won't...." and I walked back to the Matre-D and cancelled the reservation for that night and the next two nights. Unfortunately, I had similar problems at other restaurants outside the hotel but inside the park. It was as if all of them feel that the $$$ of couples and families are much greener... Oh well.
I should have stayed at the Comfort in just outside the park entrance. Would have been much cheaper and I'd have gotten better treatment.
Perhaps not now, but this was 12 years ago, and there was definitely something on the order of a Quality/Comfort Inn category hotel within a couple of miles of the actual South Rim entrance. I saw it there as I was waiting in line to enter the park. I wondered why I hadn't stayed there. Anyway, again, if you are traveling as a couple, or family, or group, there shouldn't be a problem. It's only the solitary traveler that faces these issues.There is no Comfort Inn in Tusayan, the village outside the park entrance. There are six hotels there, and there is shuttle bus Service in the summer months from Tusayan to Grand Canyon, which will operate until Nov 30. I am sorry that our other poster had some disagreeable experiences, but I would not let that stop you from staying in the village. My friend and I had an excellent dinner at El Tovar last Christmas. I myself would not stay in Tusayan without a car.
Yes, loved the whole experience when we did it a few years ago from Los Angeles. We did it in January, and the GCRY hotel put us in a room (no extra charge) when we arrived in the early morning hours - "early check-in"! The GCRY shuttle was good, both arriving and departing and was no charge. We spent three nights at the rim in a Bright Angel Lodge Cabin. Sadly, the WMJ connection is no longer available.I miss the connection in Williams to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It was quite convenient for a railfan such as myself and im glad I used it while I could.
I would still recommend staying at the railway hotel, it's very nice. You can ride the train there and back, or use the train and stay in the village.
I enjoyed the food at the hotel restaurant (not sure which one) I dined in at the canyon. I was by myself and didn't feel like I was treated any different. Not something I really worry about.
It's often tough being a single, in a "couple's world".....I agree....Whatever you do, *avoid* staying inside the park, if you can, unless you are traveling as a "couple" or a family. I had one of my worst travel experiences, staying at the El Tovar Hotel, inside the park. The problem? I was a solitary traveler. I was assigned the lousiest choice of room (a really small eve room on the side opposite the canyon view), and I could never get a table with a canyon view at any of the restaurants. First, the only tables with a canyon view were tables for four. A solitary guest would never be seated there. I was always seated near the "serving island" or a huge pole or near the kitchen door. This, all because they feel that a solitary person doesn't earn therm enough $$$ per cover than a couple or a family member. They did that to me twice in the El-Tovar dining room. I came down the first night, and they put me at the single table near the serving island. I inquired about it to the Matre-D who told me to make a reservation and request the "canyon view" table at the earliest possible time; (5:30p). I did so. The following day, I show up at 5:30p to an empty restaurant. The Rest. Mgr. meets me at the door and says, "Sorry I can't honor your request" and proceeds to seat me right back at the serving island table.When I inquire, he gets indignant and says, "i don't have time to argue with you... .I'll seat you here." I replied to him... "No you won't...." and I walked back to the Matre-D and cancelled the reservation for that night and the next two nights. Unfortunately, I had similar problems at other restaurants outside the hotel but inside the park. It was as if all of them feel that the $$$ of couples and families are much greener... Oh well.
I should have stayed at the Comfort in just outside the park entrance. Would have been much cheaper and I'd have gotten better treatment.
I can't speak about the Holiday Inn but....Can anyone comment on the Holiday Inn attitude toward pax. using thier lobby as a " Amtrak waiting room. "
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