Handy Lodging
I have stayed in many of the lodges. Lately at the Kachina on the South Rim. The rooms are nice and have lovely views. Beds are comfortable. Unfortunaly, they are also so close to the rim that you are rarely in them. I was awakened one morning by a bull elk rubbing a tree outside the window. Deer are contant visitors at night and unafraid of you.
The rim hotels are often booked well in advance as much as a year, but worth working your travel around. Keep checking the booking site. I have found in the past, that the rooms in the parks are often cheaper than just outside the parks. They do charge your card for one night upon booking, but are very quick to refund if you have to cancel. I also recieved the view I ask for. Food is reasonable considering everything is trucked in.