Fodor's Expert Review Goulding's Lodge

With spectacular views of Monument Valley from each room's private balcony, this historic lodge often serves as a base for film crews in the area—and has for years, as cinema greats John Wayne and John Ford used to stay here. It has handsome stucco buildings and simple rooms decorated with Native American art. The best lodging deals here are the houses and suites, which offer full kitchens and much more space than the hotel rooms for not much more money. For a true sense of Goulding's beginnings and history, spend some time at the on-site museum. Also on the grounds, the Stagecoach restaurant serves the area favorite, a Navajo taco, along with many traditional American entrées. Goulding's offers custom-guided tours of Monument Valley and provides Navajo guides into the backcountry, where you're not allowed to venture on your own. The lodge is 2 miles off U.S. 163, at the Monument Valley Tribal Park turnoff, about 25 miles southwest of Mexican Hat.