I am planning a trip to Alaska and will be in Seward, Homer, Talkeetna, Anchorage and the Wrangell Mtns. Have any ideas where to stay inexpensively? Must be clean & no smoking.

Lodging in Alaska is not inexpensive, unfortunately. Near Talkeetna we stayed at the Talkeetna Lodge, which was very pleasant. In Seward, there were more options so you may want to web-surf a bit. We stayed at the lodge/restaurant on the outskirts of town, but the name escapes me. The food was great there. For Anchorage lodging, we did a home exchange.

We found a great place in Homer..very clean and on a bluff with a path down to the beach. Some rooms have kitchens. I sent them a thank you letter and you can read it at:

http://www.akoceanshores.com/testimonials.htm
In seward, the Van gilder hotel sounded and looked in the ads as if it was really quaint...it wasn't...the lobby is quaint, but the rooms have paper thin walls, and the common bathroom was only cleaned out once a day. Yuk! We stayed next time at the Windsong Lodge right outside of Seward next to Exit glacier park. (it may be the same place kalena stayed). The rooms were bright and clean with mountain views, VCRs and tapes at the front desk, and the restaraunt was wonderful. www.sewardwindsong.com is their site. . The prices were very reasonable (by Alaska standards) at both these hotels

In Talkeetna I stayed at the Talkeetna Lodge. It was truly Alaskan. In Seward I stayed at the Windsong Lodge. Also very nice. Have fun

in anchorage, i stayed at the caribou inn. perfect location!! a 5 minute walk to the center of the town, which is very small and quaint.

igloo.

i also agree that lodging in alaska isn't cheap, probably due to their short tourism season. we tried to save some money by staying at b&bs. in anchorage, we stayed at a place called arctic fox b&b (close to center of town and railroad station) and in seward, we stayed at the harborview b&b, close to the harbor. while in seward, don't forget to go to ray's. best food while we were in alaska!

Lucy. It WAS the Windsong, thank you. Yes, excellent restaurant.

Just back from a fabulous trip to Alaska, it was so beautiful!

Don't know when you're planning to go - they have such a short season that inevitably prices are not cheap. We tried to save costs by staying at B&B's and small places. Can recommend the following - all clean and no smoking.

Seward - Ballaine House www.superpage.com/ballaine.

Homer - Magic Canyon Ranch
www.magiccanyonranch.com

Talkeetna - Swiss Alaska Inn
www.swissalaska.com

Anchorage - Oscar Gill House
www.oscargill.com

Don't know if private bathrooms are important to you - Ballaine House in Seward has shared bathrooms only but is a lovely clean friendly place.

Swiss Alaska has private bathrooms (ask for rooms in the new block). The only one of the 4 where breakfast isn't included but they have a restaurant where you can get both breakfast and dinner).

Magic Canyon Ranch and Oscar Gill House have at least one room with private bath.

Magic Canyon is 5 miles out of Homer but worth it for excellent breakfast and fabulous view across Kachemak Bay to glacier.

Oscar Gill is convenient for downtown Anchorage and they lend you bikes to cycle the nearby Tony Knowles Trail.

Can't help with Wrangell I'm afraid.

Anchorage: I stayed at the Robin's Nest
B and B and it was wonderful. Also
stayed at Leopold David and was not
impressed.

Here's some feedback from our recent trip--ranged from $55 to $95 per night.

Anchorage—Teddy Bear House—South Anchorage in middle class residential neighborhood, modest home with clean rooms that have shades to block the sunlight, comfortable beds, shared living area, access to e-mail, full breakfast, hosts retired--a good bargain, like staying at a relative’s or friend’s house

Anchorage—Your Home Away from Home—near university in working class residential neighborhood, separate entry up outside wooden stairs to guest living area and clean rooms with comfortable beds, but skylights let in light and thin walls so can hear other guests, access to e-mail, fruit and muffins for breakfast, busy but friendly host

Gakona—Riverview—on river in rural setting, stayed in separate building with 3 units that felt like cabin (avoid room in main house next to common area--too public) with comfortable bed and window shades, common area and breakfast in the main house, breakfast of waffles and fruit, hosts retired bush teachers, one restaurant open for dinner in Gakona else on to Glennallen for food—felt like staying in a park

Valdez—Eagle—in working class residential neighborhood with lots of trailers 6 miles from town, separate entry with full kitchen and living area, comfortable beds, blinds, but could hear hosts’ squeaking floor above front bedroom, serve yourself breakfast of cereal, muffins, fruit, and yogurt, hosts retired Coast Guard.

Near Palmer--Majestic Valley Lodge—on highway in the country with only 2 restaurants nearby, stayed in 8-unit motel (has newer cabins), large common area with refrigerator and microwave, tiny room, no keyed lock on room, view of mountains, breakfast by reservation for additional fee.

Paxson—Paxon Inn/Lodge—what a dive! Sign on back of room door “No cleaning game in room” made us wonder about the stains in the shower. Cracked linoleum, frayed (but clean) towels, dripping faucet, paint on the carpet. Avoid this place unless you are desperate and exhausted.

If you are planning on heading toward McCarthy/Kennicott area, stay at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. It is a trek to get there but well worth it with great views of the glacier and friendly people.

Had some good stays --

Wrangell/St Elias -- Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a terrific place overlooking the Kennicott Glacier. Nice folks in a pristine location. The artifacts adorning the rooms and public spaces are wonderful to read and look at.

Anchorage -- stayed at the Copper Whale Inn. On the edge of downtown with nice views of Cook Inlet. Nice owner and pleasant accommodations.

Seward -- convenience was put me at the Breeze Inn which is at the small boat harbor where the boats for Kenai Fjords National Park depart. OK, but other places seemed nicer -- Windsong or Edgewater.