Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Recognizes the 100 Year Old El Tovar Hotel
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ, January 25, 2006. The Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association (AzHLA) presented Grand Canyon National Park's El Tovar Hotel with a special award for its centennial event held in April 2005. The award was presented at the AzHLA Stars of the Industry awards luncheon in December. The centennial event at the 78-room hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon marked the completion of a $4.6 million renovation as well as the 100th anniversary of the hotel.
A series of public exhibits and programs were held at the hotel along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Events included an "Arts for the Parks" exhibit, display of Fred Harvey Company and Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter memorabilia, a jewelry-making demonstration by Native American silversmiths, book-signings, lectures, guided walking tours and traditional Native American dance performances. The evening prior to the public event, hotel operator Xanterra South Rim L.L.C. hosted a private reception and dinner for various friends and supporters of the Grand Canyon and El Tovar. Most of the attendees wore period attire reflecting the dress of early park visitors.
Since its opening on January 14, 1905, El Tovar has been recognized as one of the original great lodges of the national park system. It was undeniably a key influence in opening the Southwest to tourism. Described as a cross between a Swiss Chalet and Norwegian Villa, the hotel originally had 95 rooms and cost $250,000 to build. The number of rooms was eventually reduced to 78 to allow for private bathrooms in all guest rooms.
The front door to El Tovar is just 30 yards from the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Visitors entering through this door pass through the lobby known historically as the Rendezvous Room. The interior features dark log/slab paneling and exposed log rafters.
The opening of El Tovar preceded Arizona's statehood by seven years and the Grand Canyon's designation as a national monument in 1908 and a national park in 1919. The hotel's presence is credited with helping to increase visitation and international awareness of the remote Grand Canyon region.
The Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Stars of the Industry award program recognized 13 individuals and properties in six categories.
Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. operates lodges, restaurants, gift shops tours and activities at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
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