Grand Canyon Motel, Kanab

We stumbled upon this motel during our road trip to the Grand Canyon. This motel is definitely not a polished hotel chain, but it has other charms. The motel maintains that old-fashioned mom-and-pop style and is really a step back to the past. Unlike other reviewers, I had no problems with cleanliness here, and it was perhaps too harsh for that other reviewer to say that these people live in filth. I went in a group of 3, and we were given a very large room with 2 queens and 1 twin for a very reasonable rate. The sheets and towels were clean, and we could tell that the managers try to maintain the rooms with modern furnishings that serve the purpose. There's free wifi, cable tv, microwave, fridge, working air conditioner, and heater. However, you must bring your own shampoo and instant coffee. Unlike other reviewers, I did not run into any problems with mold, bugs, or the cats running around. The cats are seriously not as filthy as what other reviewers have described. Just stay on the paved cement and don't approach the cats, and you'll be fine. The motel has good value but keep in mind that it's very basic yet satifactory given the price.

I like the small town and the friendliness of the old couple running it. The outside of the "cabins" are cute. The rooms are adequate size and I don't care that they are retro, it's pretty cool that they are. They have a tv in the room that has cable. You can park your car right by the room. The rooms were adjoining (2 to each building) so you could get adjoining rooms and open the door in the middle. They have a BBQ outside, so you can BBQ as long as you don't mind grass brushing your calf because the grass wasn't mowed and was unruly (not exaggerating). The bushes were growing on the path so walking on the brick path wasn't an option in most areas. The rooms were dirty. The sheets and bed linens were clean and the towels were clean, although if you have a sensitivity to bleach don't use them because they bleach the towels (I could smell it, but I'm sure they aren't the only hotel who does it). Bring your own shampoo and conditioner because all they have is a soap dispenser, but I have seen a couple hotels use them instead. There were dead roaches along the base boards. Moths flying everywhere. I opened a kitchen cupboard and a giant moth flew at my face. There were ants voyaging across the carpet. The shower head could be taken out of the wall, but worked fine. The water was nice and warm, but not if your neighbor flushes the toilet then it's ice cold for a few. There were 4 big spiders in the bathroom that I stepped on, but who knows how much more. The bathroom REEKED of cat urine. The room smelled like stale smoke and air freshener. There was no air conditioning. There is a window unit, but good luck with that. It's right by your head in the bed and it doesn't properly cool the room (I have a window unit in my den that does). I woke up freezing, turn it off, woke up sweating, turn it on, and the cycle continued. I had my 2 1/2 year old daughter and had her wear flip flops in the room because the floors were dirty and wouldn't let her go in the bathroom because of the spiders. I felt uneasy because 2 of the the window locks were broken. I know it's a safe small town (I live a few hours north of fredonia and a good friend of mine grew up here), but I grew up in a city and just felt uneasy about it. For the price, I didn't expect much but I did expect some basic cleanliness, which was not to be found. If you don't have an issue with bugs, cobwebs on some areas of the wall, dirt, and no a/c then you're good. I love the small town and the friendliness and I didn't mind the cats (but I am a cat person), but that doesn't excuse the lack of clean rooms and lack of a/c in such a hot desert area. In hindsight, I should've just brought a tent and camped, it would've been cleaner. I am a former military and have been through some dirty moments, but the fact is when you charge a customer you have to bring customer service which includes a clean room. My mom and dad were in a different room and also said the same thing.. and that there isn't a coffee maker. I wouldn't recommend this to a friend unless I know they don't really care about cleanliness. I would not recommend this to parents unless you are very responsible and watch your child around the dirty room and the feral cats. They are cute, but not to be played with, even the precious kittens. And watch out for cat poop in the grass. I was surprised someone recommended this for romantic. This is not romantic unless you find dirty rooms and cute buildings romantic.

THE UPSIDES: I much liked the Grand Canyon Motel, and found the staff courteous and helpful. I also liked the rate, the capacious room, and the grassy courtyard around which the rooms are arrayed. And there's a pretty good restaurant in easy walking distance. And the free WiFi (perhaps the most important amenity of all) was quick and easy to access. THE DOWNSIDES: Evidently there are no no-smoking rooms, at least the one in which I stayed smelled vaguely of cigarette smoke. I also wish the staff would discontinue the practice of leaving out food for the neighborhood's feral cats.

Considering cleanliness is one of my most important factors, I thought this place was terrible. The 20 cats in the courtyard make the place feel gross right away. The people that run this place live in filth so I can't imagine they have a very high standard of cleanliness. The value is alright if you need to just crash and go to sleep. The shower was so disgusting we didn't even use it. Kanab is probably a better option.

I like the small town feel, the laid back atomsphere, you can relax on the grounds after a long drive in a wooden swing or round table and chairs. You can borrow a grill and cook out, buy your food 5 min a way in Kanab.The best part are the Managers. Bob and Pat. also Pet friendly. Thank you Bob and Pat.

This motel is a wonderful place to stay and the Managers are so friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend this place.

Take my word for it, the other person below me is right. This place is a shizz-hole. And yes, the other reviews are fake. They are really advertisements, not reviews. Avoid this place and sleep in Kanab, 7 miles away! They have a much better selection, anyway.

Mold, filth, torn curtains, bugs, scores of cats, overgrown landscaping on the path to the rooms are just a few of the reasons you should avoid this place at all costs. The other posted reviews are obviously bogus.

It is a true taste - but very updated with Wi-Fi, kitchen, etc - of the wonderful old-fashioned motels we used to find on US road trips. Friendly and incredibly helpful proprieters, grassy open spaces, chairs tables and swings to relax in, windows that open, no pressure about check-out, and the opportunity to sit on the front steps of your cabin and look at the stars at night. All this for the best rate to be had most anywhere and especially in this somewhat overpriced area. Thank you Bob!

Grand Canyon Motel is a little family style motel, probably built in the 1940's, with cabins surrounding a grassy courtyard. Rooms are updated, clean and comfortable, some with kitchens. Grills and seating available in the courtyard area. Would especially recommend for families looking for a great value less than an hour away from the north rim of the Grand Canyon and other national parks.