Grand Canyon Motel

Grand Canyon Motel sits right off Highway 89A in Fredonia, a roadside motel with roots close to a century old and the character to prove it. The property is built around a tree-lined courtyard with BBQ grills, and rooms are split across a handful of older units — some with kitchenettes, most with the quirks you'd expect from a building this age. It's not a polished chain property, and reviewers are upfront about that: expect worn furniture and doors, and the occasional maintenance issue, alongside clean sheets, hot showers, and rooms that have been genuinely cared for room to room.

What guests say

• A budget-friendly, no-frills stay with old-highway charm rather than modern polish
• Several guests single out the manager, Chuck, for going out of his way with scheduling and local trip advice
• Best suited to travelers who want character and a low price over a resort experience

Fredonia sits on the Arizona-Utah line, close to Kanab and roughly 80 miles from the North Rim entrance — a workable base if you're stringing together stops rather than beelining straight to the canyon. With 167 Google reviews and a 3.2 rating, this is a place with a wide range of experiences behind it; go in expecting a rustic, old-school motel rather than a boutique stay and you're more likely to leave happy. Call ahead for rates and availability at (928) 643-6107.