14 Best Hotels in Mat-Su Valley and Beyond, The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska

Twenty miles outside of Palmer, this lodge has spectacular views and can serve as a base camp for hiking, berry picking, and—in fall and winter—skiing. The cabins, some with lofts, are carpeted and have large picture windows with views of Hatcher Pass Valley; most have a queen bed. The cabins' half baths have chemical toilets and water coolers; showers are in the lodge. The restaurant provides good eats, and the bar serves cappuccinos and makes hot buttered rum on chilly nights. In summer there's often live music.

This popular inn is set inside the converted old Fairview Dairy barn, and each of the spacious, log-partitioned rooms is decorated according to a theme. The Denali Room has posters of the mountain, snowshoes, crampons, and other climbing gear. A dogsled and other race paraphernalia mark the Iditarod Room. A rooftop common room has a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the mountains and river valleys. You can also sleep in the stand-alone log cabin—it has its own wood stove but no bathroom.

On the bank of the Susitna River and an easy half-mile walk from downtown Talkeetna, this year-round lodge is idyllic. All four of the two-story cabins have gorgeous river views, and three of the cabins face Denali. Gazebos and firepits are set between every other cabin and in front of the lodge, which holds four suites. One of the suites is handicap accessible and has a private entrance onto the deck. The cabins all have kitchenettes and coffee makers; small TVs and DVDs can be checked out at the office.

Four public-use cabins are in Denali State Park, along the shores of Byers Lake. One cabin is on a gravel road, a mile from the highway, and the other three are accessible by canoe or by a half- to 1-mile trail. Cabins are equipped with bunks that sleep six, a wood stove, a table, and benches. You can reserve up to seven months in advance online.

Two miles outside Palmer on 15 acres of wooded land, the Hand family's peaceful inn has tremendous views of snowcapped mountains from across a sheep pasture. There are walking trails on the property, and moose are often seen grazing along them. All rooms have a kitchenette that is fully stocked with breakfast foods.

This well-maintained resort on Lake Lucille provides easy access to several recreational activities, including boating in summer and ice-skating and snowmachining in winter. Half of the inn's bright and cheery rooms have private balconies overlooking the lake.

This super-convenient, easy-to-find, and modern hotel offers rooms and a few suites with Alaska decor and amenities like Wi-Fi, big-screen TVs, and queen beds in every room. Options include rooms with kitchenettes as well as pet-friendly rooms complete with small enclosures. The restaurant, The Caribou Grill, is one of the better options in the region.

All guest rooms in this lovingly restored historic building are tastefully decorated with antiques and quilts. The building was used as a women's dormitory during the farm colonization of the 1930s, and it still has a bit of a dorm vibe to it. Inn reservations and check-in are handled at the Valley Hotel, at 606 South Alaska Street.

A wall of windows two stories high provides dramatic views of the Wrangell–St Elias Range and the Copper and Klutina rivers at this lodge near the national park's main visitor center. Dark-wood accents and Alaskan wildlife and scenery prints adorn each well-appointed room.

This charming resort offers seven rooms and one cabin along with a shared kitchen and beautiful outdoor areas. It's ideal for folks who can stay awhile and enjoy some peace and quiet while still being a five-minute walk to downtown Glennallen.

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.

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.