Nothing conjures the past like a train, with echoes of steam engines, Pullman cars and Harvey girls in crisp uniforms. However distant, those memories linger at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Once a stop on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Williams boasted a Harvey House with a formal dining room, café, newsroom and “Indian building” gift shop. Today, Grand Canyon Railway passengers seek shelter inside the former hotel’s lobby.
The Indian building still sells souvenirs. A larger, modern hotel blends elements of the original with contemporary tastes: furniture resembling steamer trunks, Keurig coffeemakers and two dining options. Gleaming with brushed metal, Grand Depot Café reflects a bygone era, with old photos and upscale buffet offerings based on dishes once served at railway stations. Spenser’s pub, built around a storied 19th century bar, feels clubby and dark — just the ticket for a trip back through time.
235 N. Grand Canyon Boulevard
Williams, AZ
United States