A ‘get-away-from-it-all’ retreat, Goulding’s Lodge is seriously secluded. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be short of things to do. Its central spot in America’s ‘Grand Circle’ of national parks and monuments makes it an ideal motel-style base, with freebies like parking and WiFi. Opened as a lodge in the 1920s, movie crews soon flocked here to make Westerns in the surrounding Monument Valley, inspired by owner Harry Goulding: in fact, the likes of John Ford and John Wayne slept and ate here. Today, its museum’s filled with movie mementos, alongside reminders of its trading post and Navajo heritage. For a true taste of Navajo culture, there’s the gift shop’s rug room, and the Stagecoach Dining Room, where local Navajos rustle up home-style dishes – served with Monument Valley views.
Amenities
Swimming Pool
Families
Fitness Centre/Gym
Internet Access
Near National Park
Restaurant
Where is it
In a central spot in the Grand Circle, which is filled with many of America’s most spectacular national parks and monuments, the hotel is 6 miles from Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It’s also just a short walk from Goulding’s Grocery Store with DVD and game rentals*; and a laundry service*. Nearby is Goulding’s Gas Station, which has a food court and convenience store.
Hotel information
88 rooms and suites. All with individual climate control, flat screen TV with satellite channels, DVD player (Western-themed DVD rental available*), mini-fridge, coffee maker, hairdryer, safe available at front desk, iron and board. Run of House Room features private balcony with a spectacular view of Monument Valley. They offer 1 king-size bed or 2 double/queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.
Hillside Suite are stand alone, located half a mile from the front desk with great panoramic views of Monument Valley. The master bedroom has 1 queen-size bed with an additional queen-size bed in the main living area. There's also a bathroom, kitchen, and a queen-size hide a bed, sleeping maximum 6 adults.
Stage Coach Dining Room (Navajo and American Southwestern menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner; due to Navajo Nation law, alcohol is not served). Heated indoor swimming pool. Outdoor sundeck (seasonal). Fitness room. Goulding’s Trading Post Museum (donations). Earth Spirit Theater. Tours of Monument Valley*. Western-themed selection DVD rental*. Complimentary WiFi and computer station with internet (accessibility variable due to remote location). Yellow Ribbon gift shop (authentic local arts and crafts). Coin laundry. Complimentary self-parking.
*Denotes local charge
Based on 4059 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (1611)
Very good (1546)
Average (588)
Poor (184)
Terrible (120)
Quirky but pleasant
Nov 22, 2024DavidA825La Follette, Tennessee
Very quirky “tourist court type” motel with a very rich history in Monument Valley.
Very old; nothing fancy; rooms are well worn but clean.
The restaurant was good (not great); no alcohol served there.
They have a great museum (lots of old westerns filmed there).
Great views
Excellent Stay @gouldings
Nov 1, 2024Conrad N
Great experience here. We stayed in the cabins which are about 3/4 of a mile. Our cabin #403 was fantastic. It’s was like a one bedroom apartment. Kitchen, small dining area, and a patio with chairs and a table to soak in the stunning scenery right in front of you. The staff were polite and courteous, they even sent someone over to help us with…
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Great experience here. We stayed in the cabins which are about 3/4 of a mile. Our cabin #403 was fantastic. It’s was like a one bedroom apartment. Kitchen, small dining area, and a patio with chairs and a table to soak in the stunning scenery right in front of you. The staff were polite and courteous, they even sent someone over to help us with the tv that was acting up but it was really our fault. I really recommend the cabins above all. The food was incredible and the best cheese sticks in the country. You can’t go wrong here and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
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SKIP this tour
Oct 28, 2024bob n
VERY BAD TOUR. Guide told us almost nothing. The guides from other companies are much better. Drive around and look at rock formations and maybe see a few places where scenes from movies were shot. Learn more at the Goulding's free museum than the tour. Food was good at the restaurant.
Very beautiful but not disabled friendly
Oct 18, 2024preach7Greenbrier, Arkansas
We were looking for a room for the night so I called to book a room. I am disabled so I was looking for a disabled room. I was surprised they had one available. We drove in and checked in. There were two queen beds but they were very tall. I am under 5 feet so it was difficult to get in. The bath was very small with a big shower but I doubt the…
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We were looking for a room for the night so I called to book a room. I am disabled so I was looking for a disabled room. I was surprised they had one available. We drove in and checked in. There were two queen beds but they were very tall. I am under 5 feet so it was difficult to get in. The bath was very small with a big shower but I doubt the bath was big enough for a wheelchair. The shower had a raised bar across the front which would be hard for a wheelchair. I use a cane but a shower chair would be handy. The motel really needs to get one. We had a patio so the view was pretty. The restaurant is on the side of a mountain with steep stairs. There is disabled parking but it is steep. The ramp into the restaurant is very steep. The wait to eat in the restaurant was an hour. They seem short of staff. When we did get seated it took another hour to eat and get our food. Our Server was nice but it took too long. I suggest you eat before you come or purchase food from their store. This resort is beautiful but an older property. If you are disabled I would caution you about coming since the area is very hilly. The food in the restaurant is ok but nothing special and pricey. Also the parking for the rooms is very crowded.
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Wild West Adventure!!!
Oct 15, 2024SheilaThomasCollierville, Tennessee
We have been planning this trip for over a year and it did not disappoint. We rented a 3 bedroom 'luxury guest house' just up the road/hill from the Goulding's Lodge. We ate at the Stagecoach restaurant the first night, the food was decent - I am vegetarian so not many options, I had the Navajo Taco/vegetarian...it was fine and everyone else was…
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We have been planning this trip for over a year and it did not disappoint. We rented a 3 bedroom 'luxury guest house' just up the road/hill from the Goulding's Lodge. We ate at the Stagecoach restaurant the first night, the food was decent - I am vegetarian so not many options, I had the Navajo Taco/vegetarian...it was fine and everyone else was happy with their meals. The service was slow and the staff not so nice or helpful which was a surprise because everyone else we encountered during our time there were super nice and helpful.
Our home had a lovely view of Monument Valley, was clean and well stocked and very comfortable. Great for a group of friends or larger family.
We enjoyed the Museum and learning all about the Goulding's - what visionaries they were!
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