Hotel comparison
Grand Canyon Plaza vs Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon
These are the two Tusayan properties where a shuttle is confirmed, which makes them the natural pair for anyone who would rather not drive and park every day. Beyond that they differ more than the location suggests.
| Factor | Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel | Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon by IHG |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is | Tusayan | Tusayan |
| Inside the park | No | No |
| Drive to the South Entrance | About 2 miles, roughly 5 minutes | About 2 miles, roughly 5 minutes |
| Property type | Hotel | Hotel |
| Booking.com score | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| Reviews behind that score | 3,966 | 4,431 |
| Star classification | 3-star | 3-star |
| Indicative price band | Mid-range | Upscale |
| Pool | Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| On-site restaurant | Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Bar | Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Shuttle | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Pet friendly | Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Family rooms | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| EV charging | Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Free Wi-Fi | Confirmed | Confirmed |
Facilities against consistency
Grand Canyon Plaza has the fullest amenity list of any Tusayan property in our data: pool, shuttle, restaurant, bar, pets and EV charging all confirmed, and it sits a price band below the upscale hotels. It also carries the lowest review score of the four large Tusayan hotels, at 8.0.
Holiday Inn Express scores higher at 8.3 across more than 4,000 reviews, but confirms far less: a shuttle and family rooms, with no restaurant, bar or pool.
So the question is whether you want facilities or consistency. If you have children and want a pool and somewhere to eat, the Plaza is the only Tusayan property that delivers both. If you want a reliable room and will eat elsewhere, the Holiday Inn Express is the safer bet on the data.
The verdict
Choose Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel if
- You want a pool, which no other Tusayan hotel confirms
- You want a restaurant and bar on site
- You are travelling with a dog
- You want to stay in Tusayan without upscale rates
Choose Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon by IHG if
- Review consistency matters more than facilities
- You are happy to eat elsewhere in town
- You want a predictable chain product
Review scores, amenities and rates change. Everything on this page was checked in August 2026; confirm current details with the property before you book.
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Questions
Which Tusayan hotel has a pool?
Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel is the only Tusayan property in our data that confirms a pool.
Do Tusayan hotels run a shuttle to the Grand Canyon?
Two properties confirm a shuttle in our data. A seasonal park shuttle route has also operated between Tusayan and the park. Confirm both for your dates before relying on either.