The View Hotel

The View occupies a long, sandstone-hued three-story building surrounded by desert landscape, with a large outdoor patio and an airy two-story lobby. A huge cylindrical fireplace stretches to the ceiling and dominates the center of the space, and there are several kachina dolls perched on platforms. Lots of Southwestern rugs and Navajo items grace the lobby, and there's an impressive brass sculpture of a cowboy and his horse, one of an eagle, and another of a Native American warrior. Lots of big black leather chairs provide comfy places to sit and take it all in. The View gets lots of international guests and stays busy year-round, but it bustles with activity in the summer months, when droves of tour buses and RVs arrive at the adjacent Visitors Center. Things quiet down at night, when the day-tripping tourists leave.

The View Hotel is located in an isolated area in the heart of Monument Valley and the surrounding Navajo Reservation. It’s adjacent to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitors Center, and about nine minutes by car from Goulding’s Lodge, where there's a grocery store, a restaurant, a gas station, and self-service laundry facilities. It’s also a nine-minute drive to the Monument Valley Airport. Flagstaff and its airport are a little under three hours away by car, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are approximately four hours away.

This hotel opened in 2008, and its rooms remain clean, fresh, and well maintained. Most rooms have two queen beds and private balconies or patios with stunning views of Monument Valley, although a few rooms have double beds and no views. Rooms on the top (third) floor feature unobstructed views of the spectacular stars at night. Private cabins also have been added to the inventory since the hotel opened and feature well-equipped kitchenettes, queen beds, and bunk beds.

Cream walls with sliding-glass doors set an airy backdrop for brightly colored Navajo blankets and Southwestern elements, including framed photographs and artwork and traditional pottery lamps. Padded brown-leather headboards and armchairs add a rustic-lodge feel, while crimson drapes and carpet enhance the vibrant motif. The matching wood furniture is of the generic variety typical to mid-range chain hotels. Standard amenities include Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, flat screen TVs, and microwaves. Bathrooms feature striking, rust-colored granite vanities and sandstone-hued floor tiles plus shower/tub combos. 

This isolated hotel provides a reasonable amount of on-site amenities, but there's no pool. The hotel does, however, have a small fitness center with a few pieces of cardio equipment. The full-service View Restaurant serves meals all day, including a breakfast buffet. The hotel also has a coffee shop that sells to-go items including sandwiches, drinks, and ice cream. Visitors should note that due to Navajo regulations, no alcohol is served or sold inside the reservation. 

The expansive gift shop focuses on Native American jewelry, rugs, and pottery, along with basic sundries and souvenirs. Parking is free, and tours of Monument Valley depart from the complex. There are also free movie nights on the outdoor patio overlooking the valley. A guest computer is on hand, and Wi-Fi is free and accessible in the lobby (but the signal only reaches some rooms). Note that Wi-Fi and cell phone service can be spotty due to the remote location.