Lodging
The shortest possible shortlist. One strong stay from each of the trips Alaska does best.
Category
Updated at the start of every season
We publish one editor’s pick per major trip type: a city hotel, a Kenai fishing lodge, a Denali-area lodge, a Fairbanks aurora base, a Southeast inn, and a Bush Alaska fly-in camp when the weather cooperates. No affiliate pressure, no lodge can buy its way onto this list.
Editor’s Picks
12 stays we recommend
Top-rated matches from Google reviews.
Alaska
McKinley Creekside Cabins
Woodsy rooms and cabins with free Wi-Fi plus a bar/cafe, picnic area with BBQs and nearby hiking trails. 224 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve.
4.8 on Google (572)
Ketchikan
Waterfall Resort Alaska
Warmly decorated quarters in a secluded fishing resort with a restaurant, a bar and a general store. Waterfall Resort Alaska, 320 Dock St, Ketchikan.
4.8 on Google (506)
Kenai
Kenai River Drifters Lodge
Secluded lodge with simple rooms and cozy cabins, plus a river-view sauna and a deck with BBQ grills. 18404 Sterling Hwy, Cooper Landing.
4.9 on Google (368)
Denali
Denali Lakeview Inn
Classic lodging on a lake with floatplane access, plus free in-room breakfast, WiFi and satellite TV. mile 1.2 Otto Lake Rd, Healy.
4.7 on Google (257)
Anchorage
Snob Hollow Inn
Located on 135 Christensen Dr, Anchorage.
5 on Google (137)
Anchorage
Copper Whale Inn
A pair of quaint clapboard houses featuring Alaskan art, free WiFi and free continental breakfast. 440 L St, Anchorage.
4.7 on Google (175)
Fairbanks
A Taste of Alaska Lodge
280-acre property where rooms feature cabin-like decor and both wildlife and Denali can be spotted. 551 Eberhardt Rd, Fairbanks.
4.9 on Google (139)
Fairbanks
Alaska Grizzly Lodge
Cozy B&B offering down-to-earth rooms (some with decks) and featuring occasional moose sightings. 1470 Westmoreland Ave, Fairbanks.
4.9 on Google (129)
Kenai
Kenai Riverside Resort
Located on 33978 Johnsons Dr, Soldotna.
5 on Google (100)
Alaska
Alpine Creek Lodge
Located on Mile 68, Denali Hwy, Cantwell.
4.8 on Google (120)
Denali
Denali Dome Home Bed and Breakfast
Individually decorated rooms in a down-to-earth geodesic dome featuring free Wi-Fi and parking. 587 Healy Spur Rd, Healy.
4.8 on Google (115)
Denali
Denali Backcountry Lodge
Remote, all-inclusive rustic lodge offering woodsy cabins, plus outdoor activities. Denali Park Rd, Healy.
4.7 on Google (114)
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
How often do you update your Alaska picks?
At the start of every season. Early May for the summer list, late August for the shoulder and aurora list. Picks are chosen on merit, never sponsored.
Can a lodge buy a spot on your picks?
No. Editor’s Picks are never paid placements. Sponsored lodges appear in category round-ups but not in this list.
What makes a property an editor’s pick?
Operating history, consistent guest reviews, location that matches one specific trip type, and honest communication with travelers about season and access.
Do you visit every lodge before recommending it?
We visit or interview the operator for every pick. For longer-established properties on the list since the network was first built in 1996, ongoing guest feedback and annual refresh calls.
Need a steer?
Want a custom shortlist?
Tell us the dates and what you are after. We will reply with two or three stays that fit.