Denali hotel recommendation??
 

We will be spending three nights in Denali and are looking for lodging outside the park. We are a family of 5 w/ three children under the age of 11. We would like a hotel that has nice sized rooms, good hearty breakfasts, located close to the park, and a safe area for the children to play outside during our "down time".

Thanks for your suggestions.

any suggestions here?

Most loding near Denali based on what I saw last summer is not of the type you describe - it is cabins, cottages, low-amenities motel-type lodging. Most are close to the roadway that leads from Anchorage to Denali - and there really is wildlife around, so I am not sure about free-range kids roaming around. We did not find any lodging where breakfast was included - but there are several restaurants in the area - also on the non-fancy, low-amenity idea.

I am assuming you know that private vehicles are not allowed in Denali past the first 15 miles.

If you want to consider 2 rooms, the Denali Park Hotel, is a basic lower cost option to consider. Always clean in my experience and large rooms. Microwave and fridge included. No breakfast, but purchase stuff in a Wasilla grocery store. http://www.denaliparkhotel.com/

Denali Lakeview Inn is 11 miles up the road. Handy & easy location, quiet, large room, beautiful scenery on lake. We stayed 2 nights and loved it.

http://www.denalilakeviewinn.com/index.htm

We had a ground floor room that allows you to walk right out onto the lake. I recommend those rooms as we were able to take our breakfast out to our private patio, beautiful!

The rooms on the second floor of Denali Lakeview Inn have large balconies/decks that overlook the lake. A good choice with a decent restaurant within walking distance.

Gail's description of what is available at the entrance of Denali is accurate.

Denali Lakeview Inn was one of our favorite accomodations. The breakfast, though, is put in the room the night before. So may not fall in that hearty category.

I was wondering if anyone has stayed at Motel Nord Haven and how it was? I was debating between Denali Lakeview Inn and Motel Nord Haven.