Black Bear Inn

Black Bear Inn Review

This isn't a typical B&B; it is, within minutes, your new home. It's hard to imagine a better place to just simply relax than the Black Bear Inn. The inn's four individually decorated rooms feature plush furniture, comfortable beds, porches or balconies, and views of the Tongass Narrows; the waterfront backyard has plenty of seating, so guests can happily spend hours (and hours) watching ships go by; a guest-use outdoor cooking area with multiple grills and a hot tub offer the perfect way to cap a day exploring Ketchikan. Owners Nicole and Jim Church, who opened the Black Bear in 2007, are easygoing and offer up as much (or as little) conversation as you're comfortable with. This is the B&B for people who are normally hesitant about B&Bs. There are no group breakfasts here; the kitchen is stocked with everything from fruit to baked goods, so guests can eat at their leisure. Ask about the old photos in the rooms; there's a good chance you'll luck out and get to hear stories about Jim's great-grandparents, who moved to Ketchikan in 1900. The Black Bear also has a one-bedroom apartment for rent on the top floor, as well as a two-bedroom cabin.