We review the top 10 best luxury hotels in Alaska. We have already reviewed the best Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton hotels in Anchorage. Now we review the best luxury hotels throughout Alaska, including wilderness retreats for pre-cruise accommodation or for a luxury destination.
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city. It’s a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains, including the Chugach, Kenai, and Talkeetna. In terms of the best luxury hotels, Anchorage offers a rather sparse selection of good hotels, the best being The Lakefront Anchorage, Marriott Downtown, and Sheraton Hotel & Spa. beyond Anchorage, there’s no Four Seasons in Alaska at all but there are some amazing wilderness hotels.
1. Winterlake Lodge
Situated on the western edge of the Alaska Range, Winterlake Lodge is a luxury wilderness lodge located between rugged mountains and glaciers. Nestled on 15 acres along Mile 198 of the Historic Iditarod Trail, the lodge overlooks peaceful Finger Lake, where you land by floatplane in the summer and ski plane in the winter. Fly-fish or raft remote rivers; heli to dramatic active glaciers for summer dog sledding or hike historic trails with access to Mount Denali viewpoints.
2. Tutka Bay Lodge
Tutka Bay Lodge sits at the entrance to a spectacular, rugged, nine-mile fjord at the southern end of Kachemak Bay, near Homer, Alaska. Watch the whales and otters from the main lodge, where guests gather for award-winning cuisine. Try sea kayaking or hiking through an old-growth forest before settling into wine tasting or a cooking class in the evening. They offer guided deep-sea fishing or bear viewing on the Katmai Coast and evening wildlife tours in the bay. Six cozy cabins offer sweeping views and rustic seaside luxury. We invite you to visit our peaceful cove and experience the beauty of Alaska.
3. Stillpoint Lodge
Stillpoint Lodge, is just a short boat or floatplane trip across the towering mountain fjord of Kachemak Bay. This exclusive luxury resort lodge is nestled on the edge of the wilderness.
The fairytale-like village of Halibut Cove is Alaska’s premier destination for the conscious traveler. Inside this beautiful, secluded Alaskan resort, you’ll find the perfect balance of grand architecture, Alaskan artistry, Scandinavian styling, simple, nature-inspired design, and a hint of Zen, but with upscale luxuries and eco-friendly amenities, one may not expect to find at such an outpost.
Step outside our Alaskan luxury resort into the pristine, glorious wilderness of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay for a wide range of tailor-made adventures. This critical habitat area is home to a remarkably high level of biological activity.
You’ll have the opportunity to witness playful sea otters up-close as you launch an ocean kayak or stand-up paddleboard right from our dock. Experience epic opportunities for watching whales and birds, bear viewing, tide pooling, and world-class fishing, as well as exploring glaciers and mountains.
The seaside village of Halibut Cove is rich with history. Many residents are hardworking fishermen or artists (or both!) who exhibit their work seasonally at the local fine art galleries along the boardwalk. Halibut Cove is Alaskan coastal living at its finest.
4. The Lakefront Anchorage
Set on the shore of Lake Spenard next to Lake Hood, The Lakefront Anchorage is the only hotel in Anchorage that is located on a lake.
This scenic hotel near Lake Hood has daily flightseeing and fishing pickups from its own dock, from which you can also gaze at floatplanes with the majestic Chugach Mountains behind. Getting here is easy as the hotel is conveniently located near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, with downtown Anchorage just four miles away. So this hotel is ideal for something different but not so good if you need to be based in the center.
The Flying Machine Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner with a distinct Alaskan twist. Don’t forget to try the Fancy Moose Lounge or The Deck at Lake Hood, both local favorites serving great food and drink with great views of the lake. Make us your first stop in the Last Frontier.
At The Lakefront, you’ll be at the center of all the action, right next to Lake Hood, the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world, with some 250 planes landing each day. There’s plenty to see and do, including exploring Earthquake Park, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Kincaid Park, or the Aviation Museum. Book your stay to coincide with some of the great events happening right on the doorstep, such as the Alaska Aviation Festival or Anchorage International Film Festival.
The Flying Machine Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner with a distinct Alaskan twist. Don’t forget to try the Fancy Moose Lounge or The Deck at Lake Hood, both local favorites serving great food and drink with great views of the lake. Make us your first stop in the Last Frontier.
5. Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Marriott Anchorage Downtown is a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Category 5 hotel in downtown Anchorage and just 5 miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
Whether awaiting your cruise ship to arrive at the nearby port, attending a conference in downtown Anchorage, or taking a day trip to explore the Alaskan countryside, their spacious rooms provide plush beds for a great night’s sleep. Picturesque city and mountain views will greet you when you rise.
Jumpstart your morning with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a buffet breakfast at Cafe Promenade, also open for dinner. Take advantage of free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel’s public spaces, and enjoy the fitness center and an indoor pool. The hotel’s location is within walking distance of the bus and train station, which makes getting around the city a breeze.
Marriott Anchorage Downtown has an executive club lounge with a view north across the downtown. This lounge also has a good view of the military planes that arrive and depart JB Elmendorf. While the rooms here are better than the Sheraton in town, being larger and better furnished, the lounge offering here is worse.
The morning breakfast is fairly basic, and the light snacks in the evening are just that, snacks rather than a full meal, with cold cuts, crisps, salsa, and one hot dish plus desserts. This lounge is also closed on weekends, so Gold and Platinum Marriott Bonvoy members get breakfast vouchers instead of free lounge access on weekends.
6. Hilton Anchorage
This Hilton Anchorage is fairly generic and average but is well located. You can pay to upgrade to an executive room with lounge access, but the breakfast is not extensive, and there are no alcoholic free drinks to go with the light bites in the evening. You can order alcohol in the lounge for a fee, but you would do better heading to the bar and ordering drinks there because the bar is fairly good.
7. Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa hotel is a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Category 5 hotel in downtown Anchorage. It offers signature beds and recently remodeled rooms and suites. You can walk to your conference at Egan Convention Center, or stroll to the Anchorage Museum, both only a 10-minute walk away.
After a day of sightseeing or business, enjoy fresh seafood and perfectly-seared steaks at JADE Restaurant, Steak & Seafood, or visit the 24-hour fitness center or Ice Spa.
There is a club lounge here with a decent espresso machine along with a full breakfast in the morning, which includes hot dishes. Evening light bites are also served in this executive club lounge, but they don’t serve alcoholic drinks. Instead, Gold and Platinum Marriott Bonvoy members get a coupon for 1 drink at the hotel bar. Overall, the Marriott is the better choice in Anchorage.
8. Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown
Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown is only 1.9 miles from Anchorage International Airport and near Dena’ina Convention Center. This Alaska hotel offers free airport shuttle service, comfortable guestrooms, and an on-site restaurant.
Guestrooms have free wireless internet access, microwaves, and mini-refrigerators. After a restful night of sleep, guests can go for a swim in the indoor pool or run on the treadmill in the fitness center.
Juno’s restaurant at the Midtown Anchorage Crowne Plaza serves traditional American and Alaskan menu items for breakfast and dinner. Guests can order lunch through room service, then have a drink in the bar. This hotel has a fairly generic club lounge which offers a basic breakfast and evening light bites.
9. Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort is a ski resort in Girdwood, Alaska, approximately 27 miles (44 km) from the city of Anchorage. The Hotel Alyeska, an award-winning 304 room full-service property. The resort is within close proximity of three national parks and the Kenai Peninsula and is home to the northernmost coastal temperate rainforest, part of the Chugach Mountain Range. Alyeska Resort stands out during ski season with 650” of average snowfall annually, and the longest continuous double black diamond ski run in North America.
10. Comfort Inn Ship Creek
Comfort Inn Ship Creek Comfort Inn® Downtown is located within steps of the downtown business hub and Anchorage’s most popular tourist attractions. Stay here, and you are a 15-minute walk to the Performing Arts Center, 1 mile from Dena’ina Convention Ctr and 6 miles from Anchorage Int’l Airport.
They have a pet-friendly policy, and if you like animals, you can spend time watching fishermen try their luck catching kings in Ship Creek. No other city has a king salmon fishery within city limits. And, just blocks away, the popular Anchorage Market & Festival serves up food, music, and plenty of Alaska-perfect souvenirs on both Saturdays and Sundays.
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