Highs and lows for July 2008
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 7/26/08
Two couples for our 25th and 30th anniverseries had adjoining Frontier cabins. Be careful on this, log walls are not soundproof and I got blamed for the other guys snoring!
The scenery is not to be missed and the hiking is great even in July since the temps on the north rim were around mid-70's and nights cooled to the 50's. (no AC in the cabins or lodge)
The guests we met and the service staff made it like a big family get-together with everyone just enjoying the location. Yes, rustic to a degree so go without high expectations for perfect rooms and level sidewalks but hey, it is the grand canyon!
Food was the low point for us. Seems like Forever Resorts is missing the boat on this and they are the only option for 45 miles so you can't just jump in the car and get something else. We did go to the Vermillion cliffs and a place called Cliff Dwellers on the advice of a waitress and it was really good food and a setting like an old western movie (they weren't trying, it just is) but an hour & 1/2 drive from the lodge. Cool scenery on the drive though and it is near Lees Ferry which is the headwater to the Colorado river. This is where rafting outfitters start out also.
Anyway the lodge food was okay at breakfast, buffet was good and I like the multi-grain pancakes on the menu. Also the cooks actually produced poached eggs nicely prepared!
Lunch buffet was salad and pasta bar that fell very flat and was the same for the three days we were there. Dinner was poor. Food was cold and very slow in arriving. Ordered grilled vegetables as an appetizer which seemed like a good idea since us 50 somethings are quasi-health concious and we had been hiking etc. Grill?? don't think so. Looked to be steamed and then drenched in garlic butter made with granulated garlic instead of even fresh garlic.
The deli is an option and the pizza is okay but the sandwiches are made with low-grade deli meats so take note. This could be so much more for the guests.
Would we go back? yes! for the canyon experience and we would plan our food from the general store at the campground where you can get some pretty good beer, wine, and stuff to cook with. Also the Jacob lake cafe at the intersection of Hwy 67 and 89a (45 miles from the lodge) has a great breakfast burrito and bakery case loaded with cookies etc.
We all in all had a superb time at the north rim but just wished the food matched the setting. (Doug - Birmingham AL)