51 Best Hotels in Juneau, the Inside Passage, and Southeast Alaska, Alaska

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This quiet two-story lodge, one of the few Gustavus places open year-round, faces the Good River, has beautiful grounds, and is a five-minute walk from the beach. Seven quiet guest rooms have outside entrances, refrigerators, microwaves, and private baths. The whole lodge with full kitchen can also be rented out for weddings and other events.

A standard all-suites hotel near the airport, the Aspen is well suited to everyone from business travelers to families. Though in an industrial area, it's within walking distance of one of Juneau's easiest and most popular trails, the Mendenhall Wetlands Trail, on the far side of the airport.

This midrange, all-suites hotel, which is among the town's more modern properties, offers spacious, comfortable rooms with kitchenettes. It's an easy stroll down Main Street to several local restaurants and attractions.

Built in 1902 by Lee Guthrie, a gambler and owner of one of the town's most profitable gold-rush saloons, the white-clapboard two-story inn—about two blocks from downtown Skagway—is furnished with original Skagway antiques and handcrafted quilts. Every guest room has a private bathroom. 

A stay at this lakeside B&B about 4½ miles northwest of Juneau's airport provides a glimpse into local living—you can explore small, quiet Auke Lake by paddleboat, canoe, or kayak; enjoy it from the shoreside hot tub; or walk the 3-mile trail that circles it. The owners can provide personal recommendations for investigations farther afield. Room choices include four themed suites and one standard room; all have a private bath and refrigerator.

Once Juneau's most prestigious hotel, the Baranof Hotel has begun to show its age, although it does retain some of its old glamour. The ground floor offers the property's most inviting spaces; the dark art-deco lobby creates an old-money atmosphere reminiscent of 1939, when the hotel first opened, and a small lounge, the Bubble Room, is a popular spot for legislators when they're in town. Rooms on the front side have the best views, but street noise may keep you awake at the lower levels.

A quick floatplane ride from Sitka, this cozy fishing lodge is on Baranof Island, a remote and magnificent location from which to explore the surrounding landscape and view wildlife that includes bears, whales, and eagles. Fishing packages that start at $6,550 per person for five nights include transportation from Sitka, boats and guide service, lodging in cabins with private baths, and gourmet food and wine served at communal meals. Special wildlife photography seminars and fly-fishing classes are offered throughout the summer. The lodge has two wood-fired hot tubs, and nearby is a natural hot spring.

This property 1½ miles southeast of town has three cozy cabins with views of the Lynn Canal, two rooms in the main house, and a stand-alone yurt, all with easy access to nearby nature trails, Each room has a kitchenette and a private bath; the cabins have fully stocked kitchens, loft bedrooms, sofa beds, and private baths. The yurt has a kitchenette but no shower (available in the main lodge). Discounted rates are offered for weekly stays.

Built of spruce logs on a 97-acre property facing the Icy Strait, this inn's strengths include an inviting lobby with a central fireplace and moose antler chandeliers and spacious and luxuriously furnished guest rooms. A full-service restaurant (open to the public for dinner) specializes in seafood but also serves steak, vegetarian entrées, and wild game. Room rates start at $520 per person per night; the price includes meals and ground transport around Gustavus for activities booked through the inn.

The views of the Tongass Narrows from inside this waterfront B&B are remarkable, and the three suites all have plush furniture, comfortable beds, and porches or balconies. In lieu of group breakfasts, the kitchen is stocked with fruit, baked goods, and other items, and guests can eat at their leisure. The easygoing owners, Nicole and Jim Church, offer as much (or as little) conversation as you're comfortable with. The Black Bear also has a top-floor one-bedroom apartment for rent, as well as a two-bedroom cabin.

With scenic views of the town and Thomas Basin from 135 feet above Creek Street, Cape Fox Lodge is cozy yet luxurious, and offers spacious rooms with traditional tribal colors and watercolors of Alaska birds. A towering, log-framed lobby has Tlingit and Haida artwork and an interesting collection of museum-quality artifacts, and there's often a roaring fire. All rooms have views of either Tongass Narrows or Deer Mountain. The busy Heen Kahidi Dining Room serves three meals a day, and a separate pizza restaurant, the Eagle's Nest, is located right next door.

In the summer, overflowing flower boxes surround this Haines motel, where the accommodations are plain and somewhat dated, but most rooms have great views. The second floor opens onto a deck with tables and chairs, and the patio down below serves as a nightly meeting place for guests. Car rentals are available and the hotel offers shuttle service to the ferry and airport. The honeymoon suite has a hot tub.

A great choice for visitors planning to make the famous 33-mile Chilkoot Trail hike, this lodging is a half mile from the trailhead and offers special packages for hikers that include pre- and posttrail lodging, train transportation from the trail's end at Lake Bennett, and several meals. Even if your plans call for less adventurous activities, the Outpost is a comfortable, quiet retreat. The property consists of eight cabins, three constructed as suites with sitting rooms and private baths. All stays include breakfast.

On the outskirts of Haines, straddling Mt. Ripinski, the Cliffhanger makes the most of its spectacular surroundings, providing unrestricted views of the Chilkat Range and Lynn Canal from the wraparound deck and from the giant windows of the two suites. Guests can also relax in a deck-side hot tub (clothing optional) and explore the mountain trails accessible from the property. This remote and private home is up a steep dirt road; a ride from the ferry terminal or airport can be arranged.

This Best Western property in Mendenhall Valley is one of the more reliable options in a city where lodging can be a bit of a gamble. Rooms are clean and comfortable, staff are friendly, and—given the distance from town—rates are more reasonable than other hotels. If you have a access to a car, want to be close to the airport, or prefer a quieter neighborhood, this is a solid choice. 

Within walking distance of downtown Craig, the Dreamcatcher has three rooms with outside entrances and private baths. Guests can enjoy morning breakfast and coffee on the back patio, which overlooks Port Bagial; whale sightings are not unusual.

This workaday downtown motel is a good option for guests on a budget who are interested in preparing their own meals and exploring downtown Juneau on foot. Many rooms include kitchenettes stocked with dishes, pots, and pans, and several are big enough to accommodate groups of up to six people. In the Willoughby District, about a five-minute walk from the center of town, the lodge is adjacent to the Sandpiper Café, a popular breakfast spot, and is a half block from a supermarket. 

A high-rise by Juneau standards, the seven-story Four Points by Sheraton is one of the city's better lodgings, with decent, if somewhat overpriced, rooms. Fans of Northwest Coast art will appreciate the authentic Alaska Native carvings on display in the lobby, as well as the contemporary panels in the rooms. McGivney's Sports Bar & Grill, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a lounge area. Waterside rooms on the upper level have views across the Gastineau Channel, and some rooms have king-size beds.

Crammed between the large buildings along Front Street, the Gilmore—which is part of Wyndham's Trademark Collection—is a rustic historic property best suited for travelers who value character over modern amenities. Thanks to its small dimensions, the late-1920s-era lobby has a European feel, and the front desk is staffed by friendly locals. All rooms are on the second or third floors, with no elevator. Downstairs, Annabelle's Famous Keg and Chowder House serves seafood, pasta, and prime rib. Upgrade to one of the marina-view rooms; otherwise, you will be facing the wall of the building next door.

Choose your own adventure at the Glacier Bay Country Inn, from basic rates (one-night stay plus meals) to extensive (four nights, all meals, a two-day fishing excursion, and a one-day Glacier Bay cruise). Other add-on options include bear watching, kayaking, and chartered flightseeing tours over the park. Surrounded by 160 acres of meadows and forest, the Inn also boasts one of region's best restaurants—and you need not be a guest to dine.