One of the real attractions for me in Williams, AZ... was this stunningly cool hotel right on the main drag going thru town. Trusting my gut... I spontaneously booked us a room... and WOW ... I was not disappointed.

The Grand Canyon Hotel is a historic 2-story European Style Boutique Hotel that opened in 1891.... and is the OLDEST hotel in Arizona. The hotel boasts 25 uniquely decorated rooms... such as "the Paris room"... the "dorm" room... and the "Boudoir" room that features pin-up art and lush linens. There are also suites for couple and families... and even rooms set aside for hostel accommodations. There are no TVs in the rooms... (which is awesome)... however.. for those interested... there is a "library" room downstairs that has a usable computer with WiFi.. a TV.... a bookcase with tons of books... coffee and tea... aaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

This is a family owned place... and the service was extraordinary. Lena showed us a variety of the rooms... as well as the WC and shower rooms available. OH! And in the living room/ foyer of the hotel... along with all the Victorian furniture... tanks with fish, frogs and lizard!... was this HUGE printing chest.. with probably 100 drawers... all filled with vintage printing press stamps. So of course... after a glass of wine from the library... and a nice warm shower.... I snuck down to the front room and looked at all the stamps.

Next door... and offering a discount to hotel guests... was the Dara Thai Cafe. Also family owned... we were blessed to meet the chief cook and "mom" of the place. The food was awesome...BUT... go with the least spice!...because it is HOT.

As a surprise... as soon as it got dark all these fireworks started appearing just outside our hotel windows. Apparently... it was in celebration of the town train's 110th Anniversary. People were out at the cafe's... there was live music everywhere... there were horse-drawn carriages giving tours of the town... it was awesome.

Comfy sheets... open windows... warm comforters... all brought us THE best night's sleep...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell