63 Best Hotels in The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska, Alaska

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.

Along with a fabulous view of the ocean, this waterfront boutique inn offers six guest rooms, all decorated with local art and character. All rooms have ocean views, private decks, adjustable king beds, spa showers, and personal hot tubs. Pamper yourself further in the day spa with massage and stress therapy, or in the Relax Massage Center with its fully customizable 4D-Massage-Chair and heated Zero-Gravity-Chair with Air-Compression-Massage and Revitalize O2 Therapy.

Rooms here at this hotel just a couple of blocks from the Alaska SeaLife Center and close to the hiking at Mount Marathon overlook Resurrection Bay, and on clear days you can take in the panorama of mountains and glaciers. Continental breakfast is served in the lobby, with a three-story atrium complete with a small waterfall, many plants, a baby grand piano, and plush seating. A side room has a fireplace, and works by local artists hang on the walls. Rooms are decorated with warm colors, artwork, and wooden crown moldings that complement the cabinetry. 

Originally built in the 1940s and billed then as the "best and most beautiful hotel in town," Hotel Seward is conveniently located downtown near a number of eateries, shopping, and the Alaska SeaLife Center. All of the historic wing rooms are on the second floor—11 of those rooms have four shared bathrooms, and they cost less than those in the newer wing. There's also a high-end restaurant, Fifth Ave. Bistro & Bar.

With its lighthouse-tower design and weathered-looking gray slats, this freshly renovated hotel set among shanties and harbor boats blends in well with its surroundings. The 26,000-square-foot, three-story building sits right on the water, overlooking the harbor. About half the rooms have stunning views of the water and the mountains across the bay. The junior suites and the bi-level town houses also look out onto the bay; the latter have fireplaces on both floors. The restaurant and bar also has great water views.

A former military housing tower that is now home to most of the town's residents, June's also offers bed-and-breakfast condos, half with million-dollar bay views and half with gorgeous mountain and glacier views. All the condos have full kitchens and one, two, or three bedrooms. The outside and the entryway of this monolithic unit are hardly outstanding, but June, the owner, keeps the quirky condos clean and comfortable. They provide an excellent place to roost after spending your days hiking around and fishing in the sound, and are a great bargain if you've got a family or a group of friends.

At the top of the historic Begich Towers, June Miller rents out five attractively renovated condo suites that offer fantastic views of either the mountains and waterfalls or the bay (and more mountains). Each one or two-bedroom suite sleeps six and has a full kitchen and good Wi-Fi. At the ground level is a laundry room and a market. June is the consummate host, and is happy to help you find everything you need to ensure you (and your entire family) have a fantastic stay in Whittier. 

Across Kachemak Bay from Homer, this family-run lodge provides five-night stays with wildlife-viewing opportunities and panoramic mountain and bay vistas in an intimate setting for up to 12 guests. The main lodge has a piano and a big stone fireplace to warm you after a day of hiking, fishing, kayaking, or touring in one of the five guided boats (some of the guided fly-out trips may cost extra). Scattered through the woods, the rustic cabins—all with electricity, full baths, and decks—are decorated with antiques, original artwork, and homemade quilts. Cabin layouts differ slightly; some are best suited for couples, others for groups or families. Included are use of the sauna, hot tub, transportation from Homer, and three gourmet meals per day. Dinners focus on seafood—clams, mussels, and fish—caught in the bay. Shorter stays of two to four nights are available at in spring, at the very start of the season.

Getting off the road and the beaten track is the most authentic way to experience Alaska, and Kenai Backcountry Lodge is about as true as it gets, with access only by boat across Skilak Lake. Once there, you will stay in a log cabin, taking all your meals (included in the price) at the main lodge. All cabins are equipped with running water, bathrooms, and electricity. The company stresses a low-impact, environmentally friendly ethos, and is fully run off solar and hydropower. The trip cost includes two nights at Backcountry, one night at the Riverside Lodge in Cooper Landing, transportation, and all guided activities such as hiking, kayaking, a Kenai River canyon raft trip, motorboat tours, and wildlife viewing. With all the moose, caribou, wolves, bears, eagles, and spawning salmon, chances are you'll see more animals than people during your stay.

Located in Aialik Bay, this is the only wilderness lodge within the 700,000 acres of Kenai Fjords National Park. To get to this all-inclusive lodge within the Alaska Native-owned wildlife sanctuary, you will depart via water taxi from Seward. Set against the backdrop of the Pederson Glacier, you can enjoy a number of activities here, including kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, or just plain relaxation on the lodge's large deck or in their cedar sauna.

"Elegantly rustic" might best describe this sprawling complex approximately 45 miles from Seward. Paths lead from the main lodge to 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 Rod & Reel Restaurant serves Alaskan fare, including seafood, and the Rafter's Lounge offers a menu of bar food and Alaska 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.

One of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge's lesser-known wonders is its collection of nine fantastic cabins scattered throughout the refuge. If you've ever wanted to be off alone in the Bush but still have a roof over your head, this is the way to go. The cabins are accessible by floatplane or boat, and available for up to seven days in summer and for longer the rest of the year. Set along the coast and on inland lakes, the cabins are bare-bones but do include bunks (which do not come with mattresses), kerosene heaters (you bring in your own kerosene), tables, and benches. Most cabins hold six or eight people. Although they usually book up six months in advance, if you get a sudden impulse, it's always worth checking to see if one is available. The cabins on inland lakes are usually not accessible in winter, and it's important to remember that any time you fly into remote Alaska you should come prepared for delays getting back out. Pack extra food and supplies, just in case.

Spread across the best real estate on the Spit, Land's End offers splendid bay views from variously styled rooms and suites. The resort also has three-bedroom condos—a good deal groups of up to 10 people—that come with full kitchens, balconies, and access to a private beach. The Chart Room Restaurant specializes in seafood but also serves burgers and steaks. Call in advance to reserve a table with a window view of Kachemak Bay—or on a sunny day, dine on an enormous deck that perches over the water. In winter, when the deck is closed, guests can partake of the chef's monthly wine-paired, themed dinner.

This hotel is within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the small boat harbor, the center of summertime activity in Valdez. Nothing about it screams personality, but the service is consistent, and the on-site restaurant is convenient.

When the sky is clear and Denali is visible, this lodge has excellent views of North America's highest peak, especially from the lobby, which has two-story windows. On private land inside Denali State Park, this hillside lodge overlooks the Chulitna River. The bungalow-style accommodations have bedrooms and separate sitting rooms. The tour desk can arrange a variety of tours.

Commanding a dramatic view of Orca Inlet a few blocks from downtown Cordova, this turn-of-the-20th-century inn has three roomy suites and one "sleeping room" furnished with antiques. Owner Becky Chapek transports guests to and from the airport, where she operates Chinook Auto Rentals. If she doesn't have room for you, she'll suggest other places to stay.

In the oldest commercial building in Homer, this bright and cozy B&B offers peace, convenience, and sweeping views of the bay and mountains. It's in an excellent location, and not just because it's in Old Town—it's also above the Bunnell Street Art Gallery and Wild Honey Bistro—a fine cheese shop and deli. The stairs up have shifted with time and now have a slight lean, giving visitors the sense that they've had far too much to drink. In contrast though, the rooms are beautifully decorated with art and elegantly appointed with period furnishings and fixtures. The art gallery hosts occasional evening music, poetry, or arts programs.

This chain property is a five-minute walk from the main terminal at the airport, about 4½ miles from downtown (free airport transportation is provided).

At this waterfront fisherman's hotel you can watch the commercial-fishing fleet and other maritime traffic sail by. Be sure to ask for a harbor-view room to watch for otters and waterfowl at play. Many of the nautical-theme rooms overlook the harbor, as does the large, south-facing deck of the Reluctant Fisherman Restaurant. Microwaves and refrigerators are available for a small charge, and two of the suites offer a kitchenette.

Immerse yourself in the world of angling at this upscale lodge that delivers both tranquil beauty and a flurry of fishing activity. Amid 4 acres of forest, the handcrafted spruce lodge's compound includes cabins that can sleep from 4 to 12 people. Some accommodations have Jacuzzis and fireplaces, and all have private bathrooms and full kitchens. There’s a full-service restaurant serving all three meals, as well as a 20-person sauna, gym, and massage chairs. "Build your own adventure" packages range from five to seven nights of lodging with four to six full days of fishing.

In view of the harbor and just a short walk away, the Sea Parrot Inn is hard to miss. The proprietors, Tim and Mary, have painted the rooms in comforting colors such as blueberry, pine, cranberry, and cappuccino. All rooms have private bathrooms, and one room was designed specifically for guests with limited mobility while the Sea Otter Room is for travelers with dogs. The daily rate includes a selection of complimentary breakfast items from Perry's Cafe, which serves food all day.

With fabulous views of the harbor and tastefully decorated rooms, the Boardwalk has many of the simple amenities found in an urban hotel, but with a cozy B&B feel. The hotel houses the Pub & Grill, a great eatery with a terrific outdoor deck on the water. The grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there's a full-service pub serving craft beer and fine wine. On the weekend, they feature live music, too.

In a thickly forested setting near the bank of the Resurrection River, this lodging 2 miles north of Seward has the feel of a mountain upscale cabin. The rooms and balcony suites are decorated in warm plaids, pine furniture, and Alaskan prints. The lodge has hiking trails and offers hourly shuttle rides to the train and walking tours of Exit Glacier.

Six miles out of Seward, sandwiched between two streams—one glacial, the other salmon-spawning—this tranquil inn offers respite from the summer buzz. Detox in the sauna or soak in the wooded streamside hot tub and watch the salmon migrate. An indoor common area has games and books, and there's an outdoor picnic pavilion with a fireplace. Groups can rent the three-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house next door that comes with a fully equipped kitchen, living room, and deck with a gas grill.

Family-run since 1976, this rustic-style property is well-known among those who come to fish in the Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna rivers. All rooms have private baths (tub-shower combo) and TVs, and the property has Wi-Fi. Two rooms have whirlpool tubs. The café offers breakfast, which includes the owner's secret-recipe Swiss-style French toast.

This expansive modern hotel sits on a choice spot with great hiking trails, and it affords splendid views of Denali from the enormous outdoor dining deck, the café, and the fine-dining restaurant as well as the large lobby, mountainside rooms in the main lodge, and third-story suites. Other rooms in the main building and neighboring units are modern and simple, if a bit cookie-cutter. The lobby has comfortable seating, a huge river-rock fireplace, and an espresso bar. The tour desk can arrange flightseeing, river trips, or any other Alaskan adventure you can imagine.

This circa-1917 log roadhouse has a common sitting area and rooms of varying sizes. The accommodations include bunks, private rooms, a rustic cabin, a suite, and an apartment over the museum. Expect just the basics—bed, table, and window—and all the personality in the way the space creates a community centered on mountain life. Sizable breakfasts featuring sourdough pancakes from a 1902 starter and famous cinnamon rolls are served at the communal-seating restaurant. This is a popular place with locals and with climbers who use Talkeetna's air taxis to reach Denali. In winter, the café is open only on weekends and evenings.

This hotel is one of the newer lodgings in Valdez and looks the part, with its sleek corrugated metal siding and slick rectangular lines. The lodge boasts a heated pool and exercise room while rooms are spacious, comfortable, and include microwaves and mini-fridges. There are also 10 small cabins on the property that include full kitchens, bathrooms, and both a queen and sofa bed. The location offers views of the mountains and the harbor, has a small market on-site, and is within easy walking distance to the town's main drag where you'll find a number of eateries and shops.

Along trails, near wilderness alpine lakes, in coastal forests, and on saltwater beaches, these rustic cabins offer retreats for solo hikers or groups. Some cabins are built of logs, and some are A-frames. Most have tables, chairs, woodburning stoves, and bunks, but no electricity, running water, or bedding. Many require a fly-in or boat ride, although some can be reached by car and then on foot. If you're suitably equipped and sufficiently adventurous, these cabins are Alaska's best bargain for getting away from town and enjoying backcountry wilderness with a roof over your head.