Alaska Lodges, Alaska Bed and Breakfasts

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

In every village, town, and city, Alaskans are some of the most hospitable people in the world. So it should come as no surprise that Alaska has lodges and bed and breakfasts from one corner to the other. These inns offer delicious meals and comfortable rooms as a base from which to explore Alaska.
One-third of all rentable rooms in Alaska are B&Bs. With hundreds of bed and breakfasts across Alaska, finding a place to stay isn’t all that challenging. The Bed and Breakfast Association of Alaska (alaskabba.com) makes it even easier. The Association has 160 member B&Bs that are regularly inspected to make sure comfort and safety standards are upheld. Making a reservation with an Association member comes with a guarantee of a great room.

Stay in a renovated miner’s cabin in Talkeetna or in modern, upscale lodgings in Anchorage. Alaska’s B&Bs have a style for everyone’s taste, from rustic to luxury. Lodgings can be anything from a home stay to a guest apartment to a private cabin. Luxury rooms are generally more expensive than rustic rooms. Expect to pay $150+ for a luxury room during the summer. Homestays are generally are more of a “grandma’s house” feel and cost less than luxury accommodations.

Getting the most out of a stay at a bed and breakfast is easy to do. Remember, the word of the day is respect. It is someone’s home. And don’t forget to talk to the innkeeper. Not only will it make the stay friendlier and even more comfortable, they usually know about great events and places not publicized in brochures.

Lodges are nearly as numerous as bed and breakfasts. Finding a great one is a bit tougher than finding a B&B, but not much. Ask friends and relatives who have stayed at an Alaskan lodge for their recommendations. Alternatively, choosing a lodge by the packages they offer is a good way to go.
Enjoy Alaskan lodges in two ways: as only a place to stay or as part of an excursion package.

Most lodges offer guided trips into the Alaskan wilderness for fishing, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. These trips aren’t required to stay at the lodge, but are definitely worth looking at. Trained guides almost always enhance the experience above what a self-guided trip could. Many visitors use a lodge as a place to rest and relax after a long day of fishing, hunting, or other activities. With so many things to do in Alaska, members of a group often separate for activities the most interest them. A lodge offers a perfect place to regroup over dinner and recount the day’s events.

Like a bed and breakfast, the host at a lodge can suggest places to go that aren’t part of a package or listed on a brochure. Even for those who prefer unguided fishing, hunting, or hiking trips, a few quick questions can make the trip go from great to spectacular.