188 Best Hotels in Alaska, USA

The legendary family-owned and -operated Camp Denali and North Face Lodge both offer stunning views of Denali and active learning experiences deep within Denali National Park, at Mile 89 on the park road. Guests can book three-night (that's the minimum), four-night, and one-week stays, which include round-trip transportation, meals, and activities. At Camp Denali, guests stay in one of 18 cabins that include a small wood-burning stove, wall-mounted propane lights, and Alaskan artwork. Guests share bathing facilities, although each cabin has its own outhouse. North Face Lodge is built on a tundra meadow with 15 rooms, each with a private bath. The knowledgeable naturalists on staff offer guided outings while evening programs focus on the natural and cultural history of Denali. Each lodge has its own kitchen and dining room featuring local and organic food, and fresh-baked goods. The lodge can also arrange flightseeing.

On a small pond near Mendenhall Glacier, this large, jaw-droppingly landscaped home may be Alaska's finest B&B. Owner Maryann Ray pulls out all the stops for guests, with two outdoor hot tubs; ambient fireplaces; jetted bathtubs; a library full of books and DVDs; four-poster beds with high-end mattresses; private balconies; a Skype account for free calls home; hot breakfasts; and a well-stocked breakfast nook. Maryann and her daughter Rachael are skilled itinerary planners, and Rachael is even licensed to plan and perform weddings.

In a small cove 9 nautical miles from Homer Spit (boat transportation is included in the room rates), this resort co-owned by renowned chef Kirsten Dixon offers the incredible luxury, amazing food, and utter relaxation—albeit at a steep price. Deluxe modern cabins adjacent to Kachemak Bay State Park have private baths, comfortable beds, and amenities that include a cozy main lodge, beachfront outdoor hot tub, steam room, yoga classes, complimentary massage, daily wine tasting, and daily adventure activities. Dixon, who also conducts cooking classes for locals and guests, handpicks her award-winning culinary team to ensure that all three daily meals are divine. Guests can hike into the park from the lodge for day trips, kayak in the bay, and watch eagles and otters just offshore. Fly-out bear-viewing and glacier exploration trips, and deep-sea fishing are included in the five-day stays.

Gold-rush pioneer John Olds built this American foursquare home in 1906, and a major restoration transformed it into downtown Juneau's most elegant B&B. Owners Linda Wendeborn and Mark Thorson are laid-back and accommodating, and guests can expect lively conversation with their gourmet breakfasts and afternoon wine and treats. Rooms are tastefully decorated with handcrafted antiques. The fourth-floor Governor's Suite has a fireplace, a hot tub, and a 180-degree view of downtown Juneau. Two rooms on the bottom level have private entrances and look out on a lush garden, where the hot tub sits under a gazebo.

Most rooms have stunning views of the Chugach Mountains and the lush forests surrounding this large and luxurious hotel at the base of Alyeska Ski Resort. Guests can relax in front of the big lobby fireplace, with tall windows facing the mountains. The large heated saltwater pool is a major attraction for families, and the recently added Nordic Spa lets guests unwind with hot pools, saunas, massages, and salt scrubs. Dining choices include aBar, featuring casual dining and bar seating, and Sakura Asian Bistro, known for fresh seafood and a sushi bar. A spectacular aerial tram (free if you have dinner reservations) transports diners to Seven Glaciers Restaurant at the 2,300-foot level on the mountain. Alaska's largest ski area is right out the back door, but the adventures continue in summer. After the snow melts, a lift-supported downhill mountain bike park opens, and so does Veilbreaker Skybridges, where guests clip in and walk 2,500 feet above the valley floor. 

This fantastic lodge comprising eight standalone cabins either situated creekside or around a pond feels serene, even when there's live music at the restaurant or a loud concert down the road. Each cabin has a wood stove and an electric heater. Interior walls are chinked logs, beds have colorful quilts, and the lighting fixtures are modeled after gold rush–era styles. The cabins vary in size, but the largest sleeps up to six and has its own bath. A central bathhouse has hot showers and toilets, and all guests have access to the sauna. The excellent Dirty Skillet restaurant offers great food and live music on the weekends.

At the nexus of multiple lakes, rivers, and streams, this lodge makes a good base from which to fish—for rainbow or lake trout, arctic grayling, and, of course, salmon—and to visit the bear-viewing areas and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Its 16 detached, modern cabins accommodate four people and have heat, electricity, and private bathrooms. The cabins surround the main lodge, which has a spectacular view of aquamarine Naknek Lake and a circular stone fireplace. The dining room serves three meals a day to nonguests as well as guests, who can prepay for meals when setting up lodging or packaged trips.

Above the tree line at the edge of Denali National Park, EarthSong has 14 cabins of five different sizes, all with views of open tundra backed by peaks of the Alaska Range. Each of the hand-built cabins has a theme (Denali, Sled Dog, Mountaineering) and private bath, a rarity in cabins in remote settings. Cabin sizes range from super cozy (perfect for one or two people) to queen suites with separate sitting rooms and decks. A public kiosk with a communal fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker is available to guests 24 hours a day.

This high-end sportfishing lodge—often cited among the top three luxury lodges in Alaska—offers guests an opportunity to fish in both the saltwater and freshwater areas of Admiralty Island with local guides. Rates include round-trip transportation from Juneau, all meals, guided activities, and up to 100 pounds of fish processing and freight to Juneau.

Twenty miles outside of Palmer, this lodge has spectacular views and can serve as a base camp for hiking, berry picking, and—in fall and winter—skiing. The cabins, some with lofts, are carpeted and have large picture windows with views of Hatcher Pass Valley; most have a queen bed. The cabins' half baths have chemical toilets and water coolers; showers are in the lodge. The restaurant provides good eats, and the bar serves cappuccinos and makes hot buttered rum on chilly nights. In summer there's often live music.

Recalling Captain Cook's voyages to Alaska and the South Pacific, dark teak paneling lines the hotel's interior, and a nautical theme continues into the guest rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning, and guests can use the separate men's and women's athletic clubs with shared indoor heated pool. The hotel occupies an entire city block with three towers, the tallest of which is capped by the Crow's Nest Restaurant, one of five eateries on-site. The most luxurious accommodation is found on the 19th floor of Tower III—a sprawling, 1,600-square-foot two-bedroom suite, which costs a mere $1,500 per night and come with perks galore.

Made up of of seven properties on and around this historic street, this is one of Ketchikan's best downtown lodging options, offering a variety of accommodations, including delightfully old-school rooms with water views in the historic New York Hotel. Though a bit the small side, they have character in spades, honoring the building's 100-year history: one-of-a-kind antique furnishings, cozy quilts on the queen beds, and tile floors with pedestal sinks in the bathrooms. The popular New York Café is right downstairs. Just over the bridge is the Bayside Hotel, a more upscale property with 10 rooms, some with kitchenettes and views of the creek. The Inn at Creek Street's other properties include three two-level suites along Creek Street that feature kitchenettes, jetted tubs, loft bedrooms with spiral staircases, and decks overlooking the water. The main lobby for all seven buildings is in the Bayside; the friendly staff will also drive you to the airport or ferry.

In a valley of spruce trees between the jagged peaks of the Kenai Mountains, this B&B inn offers a stunning backdrop—and bounty of experiences—in every season. Walk (or, in winter, cross-country ski) through the woods to the shore of Tern Lake, soak in the hot tub, practice your tennis or putting (on the landing strip), or just scan the mountainsides for Dall sheep, moose, mountain goats, or bears. The rooms and common areas have antiques and Alaskan artifacts, and the owners will help you book any other adventures.

On a private parcel of land on Resurrection Bay's Fox Island, this beautiful retreat with expansive bay and mountain views is only a 45-minute boat ride from Seward and consists of cabins constructed of local wood and outfitted with two beds and private baths. Some rooms have additional views of the small lake right behind them. Meals are served in the lodge, which has a vaulted ceiling and two-story windows that overlook Halibut Cove. The rate includes meals, use of a wood-fired sauna, transportation, and a tour of Resurrection Bay. Kayaks are available for rent.

On an intimate beach on the Chukchi Sea five miles outside Kotzebue, Iñupiat families and locals come to fish, and visitors can spend time here in one of the four simple cabins, joining fish camp activities, sharing meals, and browsing locally made art and craft pieces and meeting the people who create them. The price includes activities and payments to Kotzebue elders who share their Iñupiat way of life with guests. The cabins can accommodate two people, with bedding, continental breakfast, and dinner included. There's a shared shower in the main building and an outhouse on the beach.

This converted cannery at the end of the road offers a peek into what life in the region must have been like in the 1880s. Whitewashed boarding rooms overlook the bay where otters and waterfowl abound. In addition to beautiful lodgings and a café that serves excellent freshly caught seafood, Orca offers a long list of adventures, among them fishing, kayaking, river rafting, hiking, bear viewing, and flightseeing. There's also the opportunity to fly out to one of Orca's remote wilderness camps for fishing or just relaxing. An additional perk to staying at this end-of-the-road getaway is the fantastic dining at their on-site restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.

Log columns and beams support the high ceiling in the lobby of this hotel and conference center designed to remind guests of the city's gold-rush past. More than 20,000 flowering plants grace the grounds, a ½-mile walk along the Chena River borders the property, and kids enjoy visiting the resident ducks at the Lucky Duck Hotel out back. Green touches include solar panels, carpets made from recycled materials, and a greenhouse that university students tend. The lodge contains several warm and cozy common areas, including a piano room and a fireplace lounge, as well as wet and dry saunas. There's a 24/7 shuttle for the airport and train station, a nightly ice cream social, a northern lights viewing area, and a small movie theater. Riverfront rooms cost a bit more but offer scenic views. If you're looking for a more Alaska experience, try one of the 28 rustic log cabins.

This popular inn is set inside the converted old Fairview Dairy barn, and each of the spacious, log-partitioned rooms is decorated according to a theme. The Denali Room has posters of the mountain, snowshoes, crampons, and other climbing gear. A dogsled and other race paraphernalia mark the Iditarod Room. A rooftop common room has a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the mountains and river valleys. You can also sleep in the stand-alone log cabin—it has its own wood stove but no bathroom.

Conveniently located in Juneau's historic downtown, the Silverbow has contemporary, charming hotel rooms on two upper levels. Four rooms are tiny, but they're comfortable, and all rooms have flat-screen televisions and homey touches such as rubber duckies for the tubs. Guests stroll downstairs each morning for a filling breakfast, and there's a delightful Italian restaurant, In Bocca Al Lupo, within the same building.

This small, centrally located property offers tastefully appointed suites with kitchens and work spaces, private baths, washers and dryers, and Internet. Choose one- or two-bedroom suites, and ask for long-term pricing if settling in for an extended stay.

On the bank of the Susitna River and an easy half-mile walk from downtown Talkeetna, this year-round lodge is idyllic. All four of the two-story cabins have gorgeous river views, and three of the cabins face Denali. Gazebos and firepits are set between every other cabin and in front of the lodge, which holds four suites. One of the suites is handicap accessible and has a private entrance onto the deck. The cabins all have kitchenettes and coffee makers; small TVs and DVDs can be checked out at the office.

A sole, beautifully decorated cabin nestled in the woods across from Kenai Lake, Teddy's is surrounded by mountains and hiking trails. The cabin sleeps up to four comfortably. The grounds are superbly manicured and convey a sense of a magical forest. The inn is 6 miles from Moose Pass and 23 miles from Seward.

This remote, waterfront lodge in Wood-Tikchik State Park caters to anyone seeking great fishing accompanied by comfortable housing and delicious gourmet-style meals. All-inclusive packages start at $12,000 and include guided fishing trips to some of the best fishing spots in the world. The lodge is owned by Bud Hodson, a guide in the region for decades, who also rents kayaks and rafts, and provides an air-taxi service into the park's more remote and remarkable places. Vacation packages are also available for families.

Tucked away from the bustling highway in a community of about 150 residents, Tonglen Lake Lodge provides a unique, community-oriented environment for those who desire a deeper and more intimate Alaskan experience. The owner has foregone any advertising visible from the Parks Highway (detailed directions are provided), and the road to the property is a bumpy one, but fear not, this place is well worth the potholes. The individual cabins are tucked into the spruce and tundra, and each has a king-size bed, futon, and full bathroom. Great effort has been made to make them as private as possible. Virtually everything was designed and made locally, from the tables to the glassware to the artwork. In addition to the 11 cabins, one of which is wheelchair-accessible, there are five "guest rooms" in the main house that are available year-round with both shared and private baths.

Scattered throughout the Tongass National Forest, these rustic cabins—some of which are reached by floatplane or boat—offer a cheap and charming escape. Most contain bunks for six to eight occupants, along with tables, stoves, and outdoor privies. There's no electricity or running water, and you provide your own sleeping bag, food, and cooking utensils. Book six months in advance if possible, especially for summer stays.

Guests at this upscale fishing lodge a 45-minute floatplane ride from Ketchikan can choose from several accommodation styles, eat bountiful meals with all the trimmings, and fish from custom-built 25-foot cabin cruisers under the care of expert fishing guides. Rooms have good views, and area wildlife includes whales, sea lions, bears, and eagles. Fish processing and packaging is included in the package pricing. Nightly rates including all meals start at $1,475 per person.

Wild and cultivated flowers adorn the landscaped grounds of this 105-acre resort bordering the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Trails at the 75-acre Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary connect with ones at the waterfowl refuge, which is a great option for northern lights viewing in the winter (the resort provides northern lights wakeup calls). Most accommodations are suites with full kitchens, and the Bear Lodge Hotel—also part of the resort—has 157 large rooms available in summer. The Fountainhead Antique Automobile Museum, one of the world's finest car museums, is also on the property. 

At this fishing lodge with waterfront cabins, you'll gather for home-cooked meals after a long day of fishing to socialize and scheme for the next day's adventure; all-inclusive two-day, three-night packages start at $2,395 per person. There's a main lodge, a two-bedroom cabin, a three-bedroom house, and an outbuilding with five suites—room for up to 40 guests at any given time. Guests who don't want to fish can stay with fishing guests at a special rate of $395 per person, per day, including meals.

Bird and wildlife watchers can get a singular experience at St. George's only hotel, a small, rustic building with a dark-wood interior and a mix of modern and vintage furniture. The government built the place in 1930 to house visiting officials and transient workers, and it's now a National Historic Landmark. It can accommodate up to 18 guests in 10 sparsely furnished rooms with shared bathrooms. There is also a communal kitchen and living space. Guests should bring food to cook in the communal kitchen because there are no restaurants on the island and only one small store with limited hours. The hotel is run by the St. George Tanaq Corporation.

Near Ketchikan and Juneau, the park system has a small number of cabins for which reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Sleeping capacity ranges from 4 to 10 people.