Choosing where to stay in Alaska during the Alaska trip planning process isn’t always easy. This is because the state is large, seasonal, and regionally diverse, with many different types of possible experiences to enjoy and places to see.
When deciding the best places to stay in Alaska for you and your group, you need to consider your route through the state, transportation plans, interests, preferred activities, and must-see destinations. The best towns to stay in Alaska for you may be vastly different from the best places for someone else.
To help make your Alaska vacation planning easier, this Alaska lodging guide includes recommendations by both region and trip style, and highlights some of the most popular lodging bases, such as Denali and Skagway.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Alaska for Your Trip
When choosing where to stay in Alaska, there are a few considerations to make as you select one of the many Alaska travel bases to call home for your trip. For example, during your Alaska lodging planning efforts, you need to take into account:
- Geography
- Transportation, whether cruise, rail, or road
- Trip length
- Activities
- Sights you want to see
For example, if coastal views and adventures are a major part of your Alaska itinerary planning, you may not want to stay somewhere within the interior of the state. Also, during your Alaska trip planning, it’s important to keep the massive scale of the state in mind.
Best Regions in Alaska for Trip Stays
Alaska is home to five major travel regions, and the best one for you depends on the trip you want to take and what you’re looking to do.
Inside Passage
Also known as the Southeast, the Inside Passage region of Alaska is the best for coastal views and scenery, Gold Rush history, and is full of cruise ports. Many parts are only accessible by ferries or cruise ships, and the region is full of picturesque islands and fjords.
Southcentral Alaska
This area is the most accessible in Alaska and is home to Anchorage, the most populous city in the state. It’s great for road trips, has plenty of rail connections, and offers beautiful views of glaciers. The area is also quite versatile, both in terms of things to do and Alaska lodging, as you can enjoy upscale city hotels, as well as more remote cabins and lodges.
Interior Alaska
This is one of the best places to stay in Alaska if you want to encounter wildlife. It’s home to the famous Denali National Park and offers vast and unexplored terrain to view and explore, plus plenty of gorgeous mountains in the distance. This area is also the place to go if you want to see the Northern Lights.
Arctic Alaska
If you seek remote Alaskan adventures and aren’t afraid of cool temperatures, the Arctic is one of the best regions in Alaska. It’s full of beautiful landscapes and is great for exploring untouched wilderness.
This part of Alaska also features unique Arctic wildlife such as caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and you may even be able to spot polar bears. You can also enjoy the unique experience of 24 hours of sun during the summer solstice, or weeks of the sun not rising in the winter.
Southwest Alaska
Finally, Southwest Alaska is the place to go for fly-in experiences and remote, wilderness-heavy trips, where you feel like you’re truly one with nature among the many trees and rivers. Because the area is often only accessible by bush plane or boat, you may want to consider working with an Alaska travel guide or other expert to organize the trip.
Once you’re there, you’ll enjoy world-class fishing, one of the world’s highest concentrations of brown bears, and amazing views everywhere you look.
Also, keep in mind that your trip length may also influence which of the many Alaska vacation regions is best for you.
For example, those taking short trips may want to stick to Southcentral Alaska, due to its ease of travel, accessibility, and shorter travel times. However, people going on longer trips may want to explore the remote adventures of Arctic Alaska, take a long cruise originating in the Inside Passage, or even combine multiple Alaska regions into one adventure-filled vacation.
Where to Stay for a Denali National Park Trip
The Denali National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Alaska. When deciding where to stay near Denali National Park, you’ll often benefit from choosing Denali lodging that’s near the entrance to the park.
Staying in one of the hotels near the Denali National Park entrance keeps your travel times low, ensures you’re close to transportation options, and puts you near the Denali National Park Visitor Center for tours, guided hikes, and permits.
Also, when you stay near the Denali entrance, you’re also staying in proximity to the many dining options, gift shops, and excursion providers that are situated near the entrance.
If you’re searching for a Denali hotel near the entrance, consider the Holland America Denali Lodge. It’s located less than two miles from the entrance and even includes a shuttle service to the park for easy access.
In addition to simply being a Denali National Park hotel with hundreds of rooms to choose from, the Holland America Denali Lodge also offers a tour desk, dining options, a coffee shop, and live entertainment.
Where to Stay in Alaska’s Inside Passage
If you’re more interested in coastal and historic towns and deep Gold Rush history, the Inside Passage may be more your style. As far as where to stay in Southeast Alaska, you’ve got many Alaska hotels to choose from.
There are several Inside Passage lodging options near cruise ports, and many that are close to towns rich in history that are worth visiting. However, if you’re particularly interested in Gold Rush history, a hotel in Skagway would make for a great home base.
Skagway is known for its proximity to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, the Skagway Museum, and the many rail excursions and walkable attractions nearby.
A particularly good option for Skagway lodging is the Holland America Skagway Inn. It’s one of the best hotels in proximity to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, as it’s only a short walk away from the cruise ship pier. In addition to an amazing location, the hotel also offers dining options, free parking, and a complimentary ferry and airport shuttle service.
Where to Stay for an Alaska Road Trip or Rail Trip
If you’re traveling through Alaska on land, either via a road trip or a rail trip, your lodging decision is a very important and often underrated part of Alaska vacation planning.
You need to carefully select either Alaska road trip lodging or Alaska rail trip lodging that supports your travel and activity timing. Timing is key when road tripping throughout Alaska, so make sure to choose lodging that’s fairly close to any excursions you’re doing or places you want to visit.
If you stay too far away and/or don’t consider travel time when booking sightseeing tours, you may end up missing departure times or spending most of your day in transit.
As far as where to stay on an Alaska road trip, regional hubs like Anchorage or Fairbanks may have the most lodging options and serve as practical starting or ending points along your journey. Of course, there are also plenty of wilderness lodges off the beaten path if you want your trip to take the scenic route.
Also, if your Alaska itinerary includes traveling along the Alaska Highway or Denali Highway, there are plenty of roadside lodges you can stop and stay at, as well.
If you’re specifically traveling in and around Denali, which is one of the most popular road trip destinations in the state, consider adding a stop in places like Talkeetna or south Denali to your itinerary. This is a very practical overnight stop if you’re heading north from Anchorage; it’s only a few hours from Denali, and lodges in the area offer some of the best views of Denali.
Where to Stay for Wildlife, National Parks, and Outdoor Adventure
While choosing where to stay on your Alaska vacation by region makes sense, sometimes it’s a better idea to choose your Alaska lodging according to your travel style. While there are many potential reasons people come to Alaska, some of the most common include seeing the wildlife, visiting the stunning Alaska National Parks, and experiencing various action-packed outdoor adventures.
If these are your reasons for coming to Alaska, make sure you stay somewhere close to the tours and excursions you want to go on, near state or national park infrastructure, and right by transportation hubs, so you can quickly and easily get to your activities.
As far as where to stay in Alaska for wildlife, parks, and outdoor adventure, choosing a Denali adventure base is the most important part of vacation planning for most travelers.. Denali is home to many Alaska lodging destinations, which are very close to wildlife and wilderness, as well as plenty of activities like river rafting, ATV adventures, and more.
Another benefit of opting for lodging near Alaska’s National Parks is that these lodges may have a tour desk to help you learn more about the variety of activities you can do nearby, and may even help with the planning and booking of small-group guided hikes, large group bus tours, and other wildlife encounter excursions.
Where to Stay for History, Culture, and Small-Town Alaska
While the outdoors certainly attracts plenty of people to Alaska, so does the history. Alaska has a rich Gold Rush history, and there are many historic towns in Alaska, as well. These feature charming Alaska small-town hotels, unique architecture, and many look more like living museums than modern towns.
Skagway is arguably the best place to stay in Alaska if you like history, want to relax in Gold Rush-era lodging, and are traveling by air or cruise ship. The area is known for its Gold Rush history, museum, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, historic buildings, and walking tours.
As far as where to stay in Skagway, you could opt for a modern Skagway hotel, a historic inn, cabins in the wilderness, or a variety of other options to suit almost any preference.
If you want to follow Gold Rush history beyond Alaska, Holland America Hotels also has a location in Dawson City in the Yukon. Dawson City is where one of the greatest gold rushes in history began in 1897. It offers small-town character along the Yukon River, gold mining history, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.
What Type of Lodging Should You Choose in Alaska?
Whether you choose to visit Alaska for the history or for the wilderness, you have many lodging options to choose from. You can go for the standard hotels in Alaska, but you can also stay in Alaska lodges, inns, cruise-adjacent hotels, and even wilderness lodges and remote cabins.
When choosing your Alaska lodging, make sure to consider things like comfort at the end of a busy day, dining and entertainment options, convenience and distance from tour activities, transportation access, and even parking.
For example, in the Alaska hotel vs lodge debate, a remote wilderness lodge may be comfortable and offer plenty of parking, but it may not be conveniently located or have as many dining options as Alaska hotels that are closer to a city or the center of town.
Suggested Alaska Lodging Bases by Trip Style
One way to decide on where to stay in Alaska is to base it on your trip style. The kind of trip you’re taking and the Alaska itinerary you’re creating can help you choose which Alaska travel bases to prioritize. Here’s a brief look at some of the best places to stay in Alaska, based on your trip style.
First-Time Alaska Trip
First-time travelers to Alaska may want to keep things simple by choosing an accessible base, such as Anchorage or Fairbanks. These are relatively central locations with many amenities nearby, but still give you plenty of outdoor recreational activities to participate in.
Denali National Park Trip
If you’re heading to Alaska to visit Denali National Park, choose a hotel or lodge located within a few miles of the entrance to the park as your base for optimal convenience and lower transit times.
Cruise or Inside Passage Trip
If a cruise or trip to the Inside Passage is a major part of your Alaska vacation planning efforts, some potential lodging bases are Juneau, the capital of Alaska and one of its largest communities, and Ketchikan, which is known as the salmon capital of the world.
Road Trip or Rail Trip
While road trippers or those exploring Alaska by rail could essentially go and stay anywhere in the state, some of the best bases include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Talkeetna, or near Denali. This is because these destinations are seamlessly connected by rail and road, and offer many modes of transportation between them and various parts of Alaska.
History-Focused Trip
If you want to explore the history of Alaska, one of the most convenient lodging bases is Skagway, as it was the epicenter of the Gold Rush and has a variety of historic buildings, landmarks, parks, and a museum to visit.
If you are looking for something even more remote, consider Dawson City, where the Gold Rush began. Gold mining is still heavily active in the area today, with plenty of fun and informative tourist opportunities.
Many of the best Alaska towns to stay in, such as Sitka, McCarthy, and Wrangell, also have plenty of history that is worth checking out and learning more about.
Wildlife and Adventure Trip
If your goal is seeing wildlife and going on adventures, choose Denali for its incredible variety of wildlife and excursions, step off the beaten path in Kenai for fishing and water activities, or escape to remote fly-in bases like Wrangell or Katmai National Park for their deep-wilderness feel.
Plan Your Stay With Holland America Hotels
Successfully planning your next Alaska stay involves choosing your region based on your interests, matching the Alaska lodging to your trip style, and taking time to book an Alaska hotel that supports your itinerary and doesn’t hold you back from doing the things you want.
There are a variety of Alaska hotels and other Alaska vacation accommodations to choose from, and there’s certainly something for everyone.
If you’re looking for Alaska lodging that offers full-service near some of the state’s most compelling destinations, like Denali or Skagway, consider Holland America Hotels Alaska. It offers both Denali and Skagway hotels, and these locations are open from May through September; both provide a variety of amenities and features.
The Holland America Denali Lodge provides nearly 600 guest rooms, live entertainment, multiple dining options, a shuttle to the National Park, a tour desk, and even a gathering place called Denali Square with fire pits and daily entertainment.
The Holland America Skagway Inn is a cozier and more compact destination with just under 100 rooms, and provides complimentary airport and ferry shuttles, dining, and plenty of historic and rustic charm, all while in a busy port city.
Also, if you want to explore beyond Alaska hotels and go into the Yukon, Holland America Hotels also offers a location in Dawson City.
Whether you’re looking for comfortable Denali lodging near the wilderness or want to stay in a charming Skagway hotel or Dawson City Inn surrounded by history, make sure to explore Holland America Hotels’ Alaska and Yukon destinations.
