The Squire at Grand Canyon

About the The Squire at Grand Canyon

The Squire at Grand Canyon is the largest and most full-featured hotel in Tusayan, the small gateway town on AZ-64 1.6 miles south of the Grand Canyon South Entrance Station. It is the clear first choice for outside-park lodging at the Grand Canyon — a step above the other Tusayan options in amenities, service, and overall quality.

Brand note: this property was Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn for years — Delaware North (the operator) moved it to the IHG family as The Squire at Grand Canyon, a Holiday Inn Resort, in January 2025. If you booked or read about it under the old Best Western name, that is this same hotel. Rooms are modern and spacious, the property is well-maintained, and the on-site amenities include two restaurants (the Coronado Room for fine dining and the Squire Pub for casual fare — names as of the last Best Western era; confirm current on-site dining names when booking), a bowling alley, outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, fitness center, game room, beauty salon, and gift shop. This is a genuine full-service resort, not a roadside stopgap.

The National Geographic Visitor Center, which screens the large-format canyon film "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets," is immediately adjacent — within walking distance of the hotel. If this is your first Grand Canyon visit, 34 minutes in the theater before entering the park orients the geology and scale in a way that makes your first rim view land harder.

The Tusayan Trade-Off: 7 Miles vs. In-Park

Every outside-park hotel decision at the Grand Canyon involves the same math. Here is the honest version:

On-Site Amenities

The Squire is the most amenity-complete hotel within 30 miles of the South Rim. What sets it apart from the other Tusayan options:

How to Book the The Squire at Grand Canyon

Unlike in-park lodges, The Squire does not require a 13-month window. It is available on standard hotel booking platforms and IHG's own site (as an IHG One Rewards property since the January 2025 rebrand). This is its primary structural advantage: if you are planning a summer Grand Canyon trip in March, April, or May, in-park lodges are already sold out — The Squire is almost certainly still available.

1. Book through IHG's site directly (ihg.com) or any major OTA (Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com)
2. Check rate parity across platforms — booking direct through IHG sometimes offers IHG One Rewards member discounts
3. Summer peak (July–August): book 60 to 90 days out for best room selection; rates climb as the date approaches
4. Spring and fall: 2 to 4 weeks lead time is typically sufficient
5. Request rooms with forest views if available — Tusayan is in the ponderosa pine forest at 6,600 ft elevation
6. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, note it at booking — the hotel can advise on morning entrance timing

For trip planning context, read the Tusayan basecamp guide and the full South Rim lodging comparison. The best time to visit guide covers seasonal conditions that affect both in-park and Tusayan stays.

Getting to the Grand Canyon from Tusayan

Tusayan sits on AZ-64, the direct route to the Grand Canyon South Entrance Station. The drive from The Squire to the entrance gate is approximately 1.6 miles — about 5 minutes off-peak (NPS: South Entrance Station is 1.6 miles north of Tusayan). Once inside the park, follow signs to Grand Canyon Village or park at the Visitor Center lot and use the free shuttle system.

Key timing to know for the daily drive:

There is no free shuttle service between Tusayan and the park. You need a vehicle. The in-park shuttle guide covers the free Village Route and Hermit Road routes once you are inside the entrance station.

The Squire vs. In-Park South Rim Lodges

The Squire at Grand Canyon FAQ

Plan Your Grand Canyon Visit