Boring! We thought the train to the canyon would be scenic. It is not. Flat desert, some scrub bushes with a cow or two, a couple of prairie dogs and, lucky us, one mule deer. We paid for the dome car...total waste of money.
We stayed at the Railway hotel for two nights, took the train to the Grand Canyon and back and stayed at the Maswik lodge in the canyon. We also booked their bus tour.
The Railway hotel was nice, checking in was a bit hectic, the food (breakfast/dinner) was OK. Buffet with some decent choices including omelet and at dinner, pasta with lots of toppings. Even though the line was long, they moved it fast.
The train was clean and comfortable. But there was absolutely nothing to see. (See above.) The hostess was on the PA a lot with some corny jokes. There was a guitarist/singer both ways who stayed for two songs..nice. But then they had a whole skit about us being robbed and they asked us to hide money on ourselves..or else. We gave up $3. Very cheesy and uncomfortable.
Their bus tour had some nice narration but made only two stops. It would be much better to get on the free shuttles. No narration but stops at many locations along the rim and elsewhere (El Tovar, Maswik, etc.)
Overall a very poor and expensive experience. Better to drive to the park, book the Maswik or other lodging and have some flexibility.