10 Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide 2022

10 Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide 2022

Since long before Jack London coined the phrase “the call of the wild,” Alaska has captured the interest of travelers. While the state is indeed vast and untamed, it’s not inaccessible—the fact that you can bunk in incredible accommodations and enjoy creature comforts after a day of hiking, fishing, skiing, and plenty more adventurous excursions is part of the beauty of the state.

Whether you’re looking to stay at an in-town hotel and get a taste of the local culture or would rather immerse yourself in nature at a backcountry lodge, there are myriad options. Here are some of the best accommodations in Alaska state.

1. Alaska’s Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge

Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide

The Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge in Homer, Alaska, offers unique connections with nature daily. Ridgewood can provide the right services for its clients, from brown bear photography trips to salmon runs and halibut fishing trips. Homer boasts some of the finest halibut fishing anywhere in the world.

Although the Caribbean is home to all-inclusive, they are not the only ones. Three meals and all guided tours are included in the nightly rate. You can enjoy “flight-seeing,” guided kayaking, and many interactions with wildlife and glaciers.

The rustic lodge can be rented as a full-time exclusive rental or for double occupancy.

2. Hotel Captain Cook

Anchorage’s most prestigious institution, the Hotel Captain Cook, is one of Alaska’s most historic and iconic hotels. This three-story high-rise property offers luxurious accommodations for both business and leisure guests.

His son, originally built by the Governor of Alaskan, continues to run the family business. This property was selected for its luxury spa and fitness center, well-equipped rooms and suites, and an executive lounge on the second floor.

The Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage’s only member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels Program, is a top property for anyone visiting Anchorage.

The hotel’s Crow’s Nest suites offer a luxurious experience with views of the Chugach mountains and walk-out balconies.

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3. Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge

The Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge is Alaska’s most remote luxury lodge. It offers guests a unique opportunity to interact with Alaska’s wildlife. Only five cabins make up the lodge. The all-inclusive resort is located in a remote area and features the following:

Accommodation and all meals during the stay at the lodge
Guided lodge activities and lodge-based programs as listed
I booked from/to Homer: roundtrip water taxi
I booked from/to Anchorage: roundtrip float plane flight
All fees and taxes

Every guest will feel special with wraparound decks, private lodges, and waterfront property.

4. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, one of the most luxurious resorts right on Denali National Park’s doorstep, is a unique lodge experience for discerning travelers.

Princess Cruises is a luxury cruise line that offers a premium experience. This level of detail is evident in the 663-room property.

You can enjoy the beautiful Alaskan landscape from your backyard with hot tubs, indoor pools, rustic timber beams, and beautiful cathedral-glass windows.

The resort is just over 100 miles from Fairbanks and close to Denali Ski Resorts, some of the world’s most majestic mountains. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge was selected as one of our Top Luxury Hotels in Alaska because of its many restaurants and proximity to guests’ needs.

5. Alyeska Resort & Hotel Alyeska

The Alyeska Resort & Hotel Alyeska offers the most luxurious accommodations in the state. This high-end structure, located on the water’s edge, is close to the best skiing in the state.

A large swimming pool is available at the mountain lodge resort for families who want to unwind after a hard day on the slopes. You can purchase lift tickets in conjunction with your room reservation. The hotel also caters to passengers who have returned from a cruise. For those who want to see Alaska’s beauty, there are a variety of wildlife interactions on the ground.

Alyeska is a must-visit on any Alaskan traveler’s Alaska trip.

6. Waterfall Resort

Waterfall, Alaska’s largest fish cannery, was once a resort that was open to anyone who wanted to catch a salmon or halibut. In 1973, it became a remote fishing lodge. Now anglers have quick access to Alaska’s best fishing thanks to a team led by knowledgeable guides.

Each room has a unique history because of its unique location. The lodge rooms are located above the general store, and Boardwalk Cabins were where the cannery workers used to live. They are fully stocked with all the necessities without extras.

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7. Sheldon Chalet Hotel

Sheldon Chalet, located 10 miles from Denali’s summit and within the boundaries of America’s third-largest National Park, is one of the most remote accommodations on the planet.

You can only get there by climbing (which would take several weeks) and by small plane from Talkeetna. You can expect nothing less than the best: The Sheldon Chalet boasts a chef who can prepare anything from charcuterie plates and king crab feasts.

8. Captain Cook Hotel

Wally Hickel built this hotel in 1965. He was a politician and wildcard businessman. It has not lost its charm despite its age. Anchorage’s only luxury property, it is often called. It’s worth visiting Crow’s Nest Restaurant even if you don’t plan to stay the night.

The AAA Four-Diamond French/New American Restaurant is atop the hotel’s highest tower. It’s known for its 360-degree view of Anchorage and the mountains surrounding it, impeccable service, and a wine selection exceeding 10,000 bottles.

9. Chena Hot Springs Resort

A favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, this resort centers around a natural-rock lake where guests soak in the mineral-filled waters.

The actual hot springs were discovered in 1905 by brothers Robert and Thomas Swan, who had heard that a U.S. Geological Survey crew had seen steam rising from a valley near the upper Chena River but hadn’t found the source.

Long story short: The brothers found it and turned it into a commercial venture. Today there are 86 simple rooms, plus a year-round ice museum and heated yurts for Northern Lights–spotting.

10. Alyeska Resort

This resort, which is ski-in/ski-out, can be found at the base of its eponymously-named mountain, caters to skiers who want to enjoy 1,610 acres of skiable terrain, and seven chairlifts, 76 named trails, and more than 650 in snow per season.

These rooms have ski gear storage, plush bathrobes, and heated towel racks. They also come with coffee pots that are brewed with local java. Alyeska also has a large indoor saltwater swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna.

In summer 2022, the resort will open a 50,000-square foot Nordic-style indoor/outdoor Spa.

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Best Time to Visit Alaska

So, with all this information, How do you choose what time of year to travel to Alaska? There is neither a “right” answer for this question.

When is the best time to travel to Alaska? The most common time to travel to Alaska is during the summer months. Between May 10 and September 15 is considered summer for most hotels and operators. However, an ideal time to travel to Alaska is from June 10 until July 15.

If you go between June to August, you’ll get the chance to choose from various bucket-list activities to experience at night. During May and September, certain places might begin to end. In exchange, Alaska is more crowded and costly during summer as most people want to go during this period.

However, if you’re looking to go on a winter adventure (seeing northern lights, dogsledding, etc. ), You should consider planning an excursion in winter.

The real question is that the ideal time to visit Alaska occurs during the time of the year when you can enjoy what you like with the least amount of crowds (or absence of) which you’re prepared to bear and is within your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska

Does Alaska have hotels?

Join us for a stay at a “big city” hotel in Anchorage or Fairbanks or cozy lodge accommodations at Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward. If you want to head Off the Beaten Path, consider a night or two in Homer on the Kenai Peninsula or Valdez near Wrangell-St.

Is Alaska expensive to visit?

Alaska is an expensive destination, but you can travel there on a budget! It won’t be the cheapest trip you’ve ever taken, but it doesn’t have to destroy your budget either.

Why shouldn’t you go to Alaska?

The climate is harsh, and the rigors of daily life can extol a heavy price. For some residents, the stress of Alaskan living boils over into violent encounters. According to statistics from the FBI and the United States Census Bureau, Alaska is second to only Tennessee as the nation’s most violent state.

Can a U.S. citizen drive to Alaska without a passport?

U.S. citizens need a passport to drive to Alaska. Alaska is not part of the contiguous United States: you must go through Canada to get to Alaska. Land-based travelers cannot cross the Canadian border without a passport. If you fly or take a cruise, you don’t need a passport unless your voyage lands on Canadian soil.

When can you see the northern lights in Alaska?

The northern lights occur in all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April when less daylight leads to darker night skies.

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What months are best for Alaska?

The spring and fall months in Alaska offer unique opportunities and lower prices. In our opinion, the best time to travel to Alaska is in June, July, and August. The best month to visit Alaska is July when travelers will experience the best combination of weather and wildlife.

10 Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide 2022