5 Best Hotels in Cooper Landing, The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska

Cabins here come in three variations—regular, deluxe, and riverfront, all with private bath, heat, and kitchen. One cabin has a gourmet kitchen and a private hot tub. The resort can arrange remote guided or unguided fishing trips, a backpacking drop-off, or air transportation to one of the Forest Service cabins through the local guides in town. All cabins sleep four to six people, and one sleeps eight.

This lodge is conveniently located along the Sterling Highway, with quick and easy access to trailheads and fishing holes. It's the perfect place to kick off your wrangling boots and relax. All rooms include a bathroom, kitchen, Wi-Fi, television, and complimentary frozen storage for your fresh catch. Most rooms comfortably accommodate four to six people.

One of Alaska's oldest roadhouses, Gwin's is the epicenter of much activity on the peninsula and a one-stop shop providing food, lodging, and fishing tackle. The lodge becomes an anglers' headquarters during the annual salmon runs on the nearby Russian and Kenai rivers. Accommodations vary from dry fisherman's cabins to chalets with lofts, vaulted ceilings, and full kitchens. The restaurant serves fresh fish when available, sandwiches, steaks, and hearty breakfasts. Book directly with the lodge and they'll give you a $20 credit toward the restaurant.

"Elegantly rustic" might best describe this sprawling complex approximately 45 miles from Seward. Paths lead from the main lodge to charming bungalows, each containing four spacious units. Buildings higher on the bluff house eight units. Each unit has the look and feel of a mountain cabin and has a king or two double beds, a wood-burning fireplace, a comfortable sitting area, and a porch. Staffers can arrange for fishing, flightseeing, horseback riding, and river rafting. There's also a nature trail. The Eagle's Crest Restaurant serves Alaskan fare, including seafood, and the Rafter's Lounge offers a good menu of bar food and local beers that can be enjoyed on the spacious deck.

Run by Alaska Wildland Adventures, this collection of cabins on the bank of the Kenai River offers a "roughing it in authentic comfort" all-inclusive, two-night package, with cabins that have private baths. Whether you choose to hike, raft, attend a naturalist program, or stroll the nature trail, in the evening your most difficult decision is whether to venture into the wood-fired sauna or pour yourself into a rocking chair on the deck overlooking the Kenai River. Fishing excursions are offered for an additional fee.