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Lodging choices in the Bush are also limited. Some communities have a single hotel; the smallest have none. Others have a mix of hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. As a rule, rooms are very simply furnished and not always updated. You may have to share bathroom or kitchen facilities. Rooms go fast during the summer season, so book as far ahead as possible. And it never hurts to carry a tent as backup so you'll never be without a place to stay.
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.
Like all lodging in Prudhoe Bay, the Aurora focuses on what oil workers need when rotating in and out of the area, so most of the rooms have one twin bed, while some have queens. All rooms are clean and practical, with meals included in the price. Smoking, alcohol, and pets are prohibited, but there's a smoking lounge on-site, along with a commissary, gym, library, and coffee shop.
Close to shops, eateries, and local watering holes, this inn offers more than 50 modern rooms within easy walking distance of Nome's historic district. The staff is friendly, and there's even vehicles for rent if you want to explore the hundreds of miles of Far North roads.
This rustic space offers small rooms with two twin beds in a yellow industrial-looking building about 2 miles south of the Dalton Highway's northernmost point. All rooms share baths. Guests can pay extra for a third person, who must bring their own sleeping gear (rooms are tiny and have no space for cots or extra beds). Meals are available for reasonable fees. The shuttle to the Arctic Ocean in the morning costs $89 per person.
The airy, three-story atrium lobby with a large stone fireplace lends a European chalet sensibility to this hotel with brightly lit rooms and Alaska-themed artwork. Many of the rooms have wonderful views overlooking the water and come with either two queen beds or one king-sized bed, full bathrooms, and coffee makers. There are several eateries, including Margaret Bay Café, the Cape Cheerful Lounge, and evening-only dining at Harbor Sushi.
Close to birding spots and a mile from a seal rookery, the King Eider offers 40 rooms with basic amenities and meals, lodge-style common areas, and a simple gift shop with limited hours. The hotel caters to groups on bird and wildlife tours. Independent travelers can buy meal vouchers at the hotel to eat at the seafood processing cafeteria. The hotel is central to island services and activities, but remote from the rest of the world.
At the King Eider Inn near the airport, you'll find comfortable rooms with simple furnishings and decor, and it doesn't cost much more to select a unit with a kitchenette. Prices vary depending on the month, availability, and type of room. Ten of the rooms have kitchenettes and one is a suite. They also have a small selection of vehicles for guests to rent.
Within a three-story building about a half mile from the Bethel Airport, the Long House offers modest rooms with Wi-Fi, refrigerators, microwaves, and filtered water in every room. The Red Basket Restaurant is also on-site.
Typhoon Merbok significantly damaged this iconic inn in late 2022, but the new owners have steadily returned the Nugget to its former glory, with the same kitschy Victorian Gold Rush–era decor and engaging vibes. Outside, a signpost marks the mileage to various points, serious and silly, around the globe. Inside, frontier memorabilia abounds in the lobby and lounge. Rooms are small and clean, although not nearly as atmospheric as the public spaces. Many Arctic tour groups stay here.
Although it's been a Kotzebue fixture since 1975, the Nullagvik Hotel offers the most modern rooms in town, along with communal areas, like a meeting room for 100 and a third-floor observation lounge overlooking the Chukchi Sea. Amenities include Wi-Fi, televisions, microwaves, and mini-refrigerators, along with access to an exercise area and a restaurant on the first floor. The lobby coffee stand will satisfy those looking for lattes.
Hospitality is never in short supply at this simple two-story property in downtown Bethel with several rooms overlooking the Kuskokwim River. The main building has 11 rooms, the waterfront house has 10 rooms, and the river house has 4 rooms; there's also a private house. Guests can choose private or shared baths. New owners took over in 2024 and may make some changes. but the scenic location remains the same.
On the shores of the Arctic Ocean, this tiered and multicolored hotel is minimalist but comes with the modern conveniences expected by most travelers. A life-size stuffed polar bear and the mounted head of another greet visitors in the lobby. The community television is a great spot to mix and mingle with locals and guests alike. Modern, spacious rooms have sitting areas and some have kitchenettes; ask for a room with an ocean view.
