My father told me a dubious story about the previous administration giving the green light to limited hotels in the grand canyon itself. Sounds like an internet rumour to me, but has anyone else heard this?
Like many of the national parks, there is a variety of lodging within Grand Canyon National Park.
However, what your father may be thinking of is the Phantom Ranch (mentioned on the linked page), a lodge located at the bottom of the Canyon itself, that is only accessable on foot or by mule.
Of course there is camping in the Park, which requires a permit.