7 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.

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 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.

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.