A room with a view
Goulding's has a long and interesting history as the original trading post for the valley. Harry and Leone ("Mike") Goulding built the post, and their home, here in the 1920's. During the depression of 1938, Harry and Mike went to Hollywood, looking for economic opportunities for their area. They convinced John Ford that Monument Valley would be the perfect place to shoot his new western ("Stagecoach") and the rest is movie history.
The trading post, with the Goulding's apartment upstairs, is now a museum and the site has grown to include a 62-unit motel, restaurant, gift shop, tour desk, campground, laundry, indoor pool, grocery store, food court and gas station. There's even a medical clinic and airstrip!
The motel is really two buildings, one built above-and-behind the other, and rooms come with either one or two double beds. They are comfortably appointed with coffeemakers, cable TV, VCRs (Westerns can be rented out at the desk) and each room has a balcony with a view of Monument Valley. There is a large flagstone terrace with a picnic table on the upper level and we had the great good fortune of landing the only room with direct access to it from our sliding door (otherwise it's reached from a short cut-through hallway).
The rates are much higher than your standard motel ($180 per double, May through Oct, 2010) but it's very close to the park entrance and the view is worth it. They also have a few 2-bedroom units for larger families, and 2 attractive cabins. Rates also change a great deal according to season so check their website for off-season bargains.
This is a very popular place so make your reservations EARLY - they fill up quickly during high season! If you can't get an opening here, the only other rooms are inside the park at The View Hotel but they're even more expensive.
The campground has a few cabins, hookups, tent sites, hot showers and is close to the grocery, laundry and pool. Also has a playground.
Unique Quality: The view, the view, the view!
Lots of useful facilites very close to the motel
Quiet and peaceful at night
Nice patio and balconies for star-gazing and sunrise- watching
Small rooms but clean and well-maintained
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Goulding's Lodge
