SEWARD Lodging Faves...?
 

We're looking forward to our Kenai Fjords tour. Hope to spot some puffins! Since it takes 5 hours to get to Seward from Anchorage, it makes sense to spend the night at Seward before and/or after the fjords tour. Any hotel/B&B recommendations? In the alternative, do you recommend any B&B's or hotels midway from Seward to Anchorage? <BR>Has anyone done the overnighter at Fox Island? <BR>Many Mahalos, <BR>k

We stayed at the Sauerdough Suites right on the main drag in Seward. It is beautiful. Large rooms, comfortable beds. I think it was once a brothel. They have a web site. Tel: 1-877-224-8946

Forgot to give you the web address <BR>http://www.sauerdoughlodging.com/

This past May I stayed at the Breeze Inn in Seward and would recommend it. It is right across from the harbor. <BR> <BR>If you drive Anchorage-Seward without stopping, may only take 3hours, but there are plenty of places you will want to stop, so make at least one way of the drive more leisurely. <BR> <BR>You might also considering staying at the Aleyska Resort in Girdwood, at the ski resort. <BR> <BR>On our Kenai Fjords Trip we saw plenty of Puffins, especially near Chiswell Islands, so no worries there.

It takes nowhere near 5 hours to get to Seward from Anchorage unless you go on a Friday afternoon during summer, or holiday weekend, etc. In fact you could go roundtrip from Anchorage to Seward in 5 hours at most times. <BR>We stayed at the Alyeska hotel in Girdwood (just less than an hour east of Anchorage) and did the drive to Seward, boat trip, drive back to Girdwood, with stops on the way for pictures, etc. without any time trouble (summertime). <BR>Alyeska is decent (highest rated hotel in AK in last Zagat book) but not really what I'd call a destination hotel.

Thank you, friends. I'm relieved that the drive is much shorter than anticipated...and, soo cool about the puffins! We will be doing a home exchange after all, with a family in Anchorage. So, while we might do an overnighter in Seward (or perhaps Fox Island), we'll most likely just visit the Alyeska. Karl, did you try their restaurant up on the slopes? <BR>Aloha, <BR>k

Aleyska is good choice. Beautiful place, loads of walks, Retaurant on top of mountain is very good. <BR>There is a Brewery Pub or restaurant in Anchorage. Best muscles I have every had. <BR>Good luck

Kalena: <BR>I did not have the good fortune (or time, as I recall) to eat atop the mountain. I did, however, run up the slopes to the top and can vouch for the view. A starlight dinner would be worth the $$ I'd bet. You can't go wrong with fish in Alaska, after all. <BR>Hope you have a great time.

3 hours is about right from Anchorage to Seward - but keep in mind, it is SUCH A BESUTIFUL DRIVE, you have to stop a lot for pictures!! We just got back from Alaska, was gone the month of June. We stayed at Murphy's in Seward (make sure you ask for one of the new rooms. They had just completed them, very nice with balcony. They were very helpful and gave us several drives that we took in and around Seward. Also, we ate at Ray's on the waterfront. WONDERFUL halibut there, I think it was the best seafood in havae ever eaten. Also, one night we stayed at Summit Lake Lodge, it's about 45 miles from Seward on the Seward Highway. Lodge was o.k., rooms kind of old, but clean, but the food was great, we ate dinner and breakfast there and I was amazed at the food!! Be sure to see Exit Glaicer there - you can walk almost to it and also, there is dog sled riding there - that was pretty neat - rough ride though, since it wasn't over snow!!

We just returned from a 7-day land tour of Alaska.- Stayed at the Seward Windsong Lodge, which is located approx. 5 minutes out of town. They have a shuttle for those without a car. It offers a rustic, woodsy setting that you don't get staying in town. We enjoyed it!

Thank you very much Carole, Jean, Karl and friends above. I have just printed your valuable suggestions. I am sure we will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of Alaska. And, I'm always glad to have those restaurant recommendations! Great to know you enjoyed yourselves as well. <BR>I also wondered if it is true that the pesky august gnats are more annoying than mosquitoes in july? Did you happen to hear from the locals? And, did any of you take train trips out of Anchorage? Aloha, and many mahalos. <BR>k

Didn't hear anything about the gnats. We took a train ride, but it was at Skagway. It was great.

Last 4th of July, our family of three stayed at Teddy's Inn the Woods (www.seward.net/teddys/). This b&b cost about $100 a night and is located just off the Seward Highway near Moose Pass (27 miles north of Seward). <BR> <BR>We were greeted with smoked salmon, bagels and cream cheese, and home made chocolate chip cookies. Breakfast the next morning consisted of muffins, fruit, and other yummies. <BR> <BR>The chalet is separate from the main house and sleeps six adults. There is a bedroom with a queen bed and four other sleeping areas in the living room. The bathroom is really nice with a large tub. There was not a tv but books and games were available. <BR> <BR>The chalet has two balconies with totally incredible views of the mountains. <BR> <BR>

Thank you very much Sherri for your timely message (we are leaving tonight!) and jean for your reassurance on the gnat issue (my husband came home with head nets today as part of our back-country equipment!). This could be quite an adventure! <BR>We are looking forward to train travel in Alaska. Thanks too for your lodging recommendations, it seems there are some nice options near Seward. Glad you all enjoyed yourselves...happy travels! <BR>:-) <BR>k