This accommodation could not be better placed (in the national park), and it’s reasonably priced. Bright Angel Lodge was originally designed in 1935 to provide affordable lodging for the host of visitors to the Canyon and was built around some of the existing buildings, including the post office and "Bucky O’Neil’s" log cabin. Although motel-type accommodations, the log cabins have a real rustic feel and charm to them.
Reception was a grand affair with a large, roaring log fire—very welcoming on an icy February night. The staff was extremely pleasant, and on our arrival, they suggested that we view the sunset before registering—we were grateful for that advice—and return to warm up round that fire before signing in.
Access to the cabins was via the great outdoors, and there were several rooms per cabin. This did give the impression of hostel-type accommodation, but as our cabin room was only a few paces away from the canyon view, we could forgive that. The availability of the view was their real raison d’être.
The room was not lavish, but I guess you could describe it as "adequate". There was a standard double bed which took up most of the room, TV, and tea/coffee-making facilities. What more did we need? We were here for a single night and had brought minimal luggage with us. There was a real country feel to the room, which was decorated like your grandmother might have done. Canyon photographs on the wall served as a reminder of your environment—not that we really needed it! Perhaps it was intentional to keep a 1930s feel to the place. The shower room "did its job", although I do have a dim memory of the water taking a considerable amount of time to warm up in the morning.
The restaurant, with its heavily wooded interior, serves "good basic fare" in a no- nonsense American manner. The menu is fairly comprehensive, consisting mainly of "fast-food", much of which is heavily spiced. The range of puddings was extensive.
After watching the sunrise, we took breakfast in the restaurant. We had a fantastic view overlooking the canyon, and it was just great to be warm and cosy, being plied with fresh coffee and plentiful fresh food, whilst looking at the crisp snow on the canyon’s edge.
After breakfast, we took a gentle stroll in the "grounds" of the lodge. We checked out the rim-side view from the original cabin (apparently, this is the oldest structure that has continually been in existence) and were delighted to see the gigantic icicles hanging from the roof’s edge.
Before leaving, we checked out the extensive souvenir shop in the lodge. Prices didn’t seem too expensive; we bought a "dreamcatcher", and my cousin bought a "soundtrack" of original native Indian music. That gave us atmospheric music as we toured the canyon and is featured in many of our video shots!