Discover the 10 Finest Hotels in Alaska

Boasting snow-capped mountains, sparkling glaciers, diverse wildlife, and a rich cultural tapestry, Alaska attracts countless adventurers from around the world each year. These captivating accommodations offer modern amenities set against breathtaking natural landscapes, making them perfect for exploring the state's wild beauty.

Many of these hotels serve as more than just places to sleep; they are portals to extraordinary experiences. Whether you choose to stay in urban centers or venture into Alaska's expansive wilderness, this latest edition of Dinogo’s Hotels We Love series highlights the top 10 hotels and resorts in the Last Frontier.

Alyeska Resort

Located only 40 miles from downtown Anchorage and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the year-round Alyeska Resort feels like a hidden paradise, nestled deep in a glacier-carved valley along the scenic Seward Highway. Boasting 304 guest rooms and an impressive array of amenities, it feels like its own distinct world.

With seven dining and bar options, a fitness center, and a heated saltwater lap pool offering stunning mountain views, Alyeska caters to every need. However, guests visit Alaska for its natural beauty, and Alyeska delivers exceptional outdoor experiences, including North America's longest continuous double-black-diamond ski run and over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain (now included on the IKON pass).

Recently, Alyeska Resort unveiled a Nordic Spa featuring a series of outdoor hot and cold Hydrotherapy pools, massage services, and wellness treatments. Guests can also brave the Veilbreaker Skybridges, an aerial 600-foot bridge suspended 2,500 feet above the valley floor. For a milder adventure, take the 60-passenger tram 2,300 feet up Mount Alyeska, where you can dine at Seven Glaciers, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant renowned for its seafood offerings. From $230

Borealis Basecamp

Nestled in a boreal forest in Interior Alaska, north of Fairbanks (the state's second-largest city with a population of 30,000), Borealis Basecamp feels remote yet provides all the luxury of a high-end lodge. Since its opening in 2017, this retreat has become a popular destination for those seeking the northern lights.

This collection of 28 geodesic igloos is constructed similarly to the accommodations used by Arctic scientists, but with added comforts. Each igloo features a ceiling made from repurposed 16-foot-wide helicopter windows, allowing guests to gaze at the vibrant chartreuse and magenta northern lights from the comfort of their beds. In winter 2022, Borealis Basecamp introduced modern cube-shaped cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows for effortless sky watching. Read Dinogo’s full review of Borealis Basecamp. Contact hotel for rates

Camp Denali

As one of the few lodgings within Denali National Park and Preserve, Camp Denali provides exceptional access to some of the most stunning landscapes in North America.

Situated in Kantishna, an old mining settlement 90 miles deep into the protected wilderness, each of Camp Denali’s 19 cabins offers an immersive, nature-focused experience. Guests enjoy propane lamps for light, a wooden stove for warmth, drinking water from an outdoor tap, and a short path leading to an outhouse. Each cabin features large picture windows with views of Denali, the highest peak in North America. Guests can embark on guided hikes through wildflower-strewn alpine meadows, across rushing streams, and up to scenic vistas for expansive views of the park. Wildlife encounters are frequent, with chances to see grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and other iconic Alaskan wildlife in their natural environment.

In typical years, busloads of tourists would traverse the park road daily. However, due to a rockslide that has closed the road at the midway point until at least 2027, access to the park's further reaches, including the renowned Wonder Lake—where Denali reflects perfectly in its still waters on clear days—is now limited to those who fly into Kantishna. From $1,325

Hotel Captain Cook

In 1964, a 9.2-magnitude earthquake—the second strongest ever recorded—shook Alaska's southern coast, wreaking havoc on much of downtown Anchorage. In the wake of the devastation, real estate developer Walter J. Hickel, who later became the state's governor, pledged to construct Alaska's largest and finest hotel. The outcome was Hotel Captain Cook, a sprawling 546-room hotel complex spread across three towers. Today, it remains the city's premier luxury accommodation, renowned for its exceptional concierge service, top-notch athletic club, and diverse dining choices.

The sophisticated Crow’s Nest restaurant serves dishes that blend French culinary techniques with local ingredients, such as king crab–infused bouillabaisse, and boasts a wine collection of 10,000 bottles; on clear days, guests enjoy 360-degree views that include the iconic peaks of Denali. Additionally, the property was honored with membership in the Historic Hotels of America in 2016. From $195

Orca Island Cabins

For those seeking an adventurous experience in some of Alaska's remote landscapes, Orca Island Cabins is an excellent choice. Here, accommodations consist solely of yurts, but don’t worry about roughing it. Each of the eight waterfront tents on this private island is outfitted with a queen bed, a futon, a fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom facilities with running water, and a spacious deck extending over the water, ideal for soaking in the midnight sun.

This charming retreat serves as a perfect launch point for exploring the wider Resurrection Bay—guests have access to sea kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, and fishing equipment to venture into serene coves, salmon-spawning streams, or to spot seals, otters, and whales. There are also immediate trails for forest hikes, an island art gallery featuring plein-air oil paintings, and a communal fire pit area to mingle with fellow travelers. From $425, inclusive of round-trip transport to the island from Seward

Salted Roots and Rustic Roots

Tucked away in a lush old-growth spruce forest and surrounded by fiddleheads and fireweed, Salted Roots offers a unique selection of 12 boutique luxury rentals. Initially launched in 2019 with just two glass-front A-frame cabins, each equipped with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a bathroom featuring a shower and a freestanding soaking tub, and a private deck, the property has since expanded. It now includes two additional cottages with similar layouts and a converted 1970s bus. In 2023, the owners took over a neighboring property with three seaside craftsman cabins and a lodge featuring four private rooms, rebranding it as Rustic Roots. Together, these lodgings represent some of the most innovative and modern accommodations in the state.

Sustainability is a priority, with practices like on-site composting, solar energy, recycling initiatives, and a garden where guests can pick fresh herbs and vegetables for their meals. Amenities include a sauna, a yoga studio, and several fire pits. The biggest draw, however, is the immediate access to Lowell Point beach and Kenai Fjords National Park. From $180

Sheldon Chalet

Few hotels can rival the remoteness of Sheldon Chalet, situated just ten miles from the summit of Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Nearly 80 years ago, Don Sheldon, a legendary Alaskan bush pilot who pioneered glacier landing techniques, staked a claim on a five-acre parcel overlooking Ruth Glacier under the Homestead Act. For many years, his property featured only a basic shelter for climbers, but it wasn’t until 2018 that his children transformed it into a luxurious lodge.

Accessible solely by helicopter, bush plane, or an arduous hike, Sheldon Chalet represents the pinnacle of exclusivity—no birds or moose can reach this secluded haven. The hexagonally-shaped lodge offers five lavish bedrooms, each equipped with king-size beds draped in faux furs, ensuite bathrooms, and breathtaking views of the granite peak. Guests can enjoy activities like snowshoeing on glaciers, exploring snow caves, or ice climbing, followed by a meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients that celebrate regional flavors. In winter, there's a good chance to witness the stunning aurora borealis dancing in the sky. Contact the hotel for rates

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Located just a 45-minute float plane ride from Anchorage along the scenic Talachulitna River and Judd Lake, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is a resort comprising a six-room main lodge, a private four-room lodge, and two cozy individual cabins, all offering stunning views of the Alaska and Tordrillo mountain ranges. Guests come not just to admire the majestic peaks, but to conquer them. The resort provides helicopter access, allowing visitors to seek out pristine powder for exceptional backcountry skiing in the winter, with some runs reaching altitudes of 7,500 feet.

In summer, the resort offers a range of flight-supported adventures, including glacier hiking, tackling the private via ferrata, and discovering hidden fly-fishing spots deep in the wilderness. After a day full of activities, guests can unwind in the lakeside hot tub or cedar sauna, utilize bikes, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, eFoils, and snowshoes, or select a bottle from the extensive 500-bottle wine cellar to enjoy alongside a multi-course dinner crafted from locally sourced ingredients in the main lodge. From $8,950 per person for a three-night stay with two complimentary helicopter excursions

Tutka Bay Lodge

At the entrance of a breathtaking seven-mile fjord in Kachemak Bay lies Tutka Bay Lodge, a 35-acre retreat that attracts both outdoor enthusiasts and culinary adventurers. The property features six unique oceanfront cabins, accommodating two to five guests each, with some offering lofts or private patios.

The rooms are seasonally adorned with fresh-cut peonies from the owner's farm, sea glass lamps, and artwork from local artists, along with a complimentary mini-bar stocked with locally crafted beers, sodas, and s'mores supplies. Guests can kayak in crystal-clear waters to discover hidden coves while spotting otters and porpoises, hike through alpine meadows, take a floatplane to Lake Clark National Park for grizzly bear sightings, or engage in deep-sea salmon fishing.

Tutka Bay distinguishes itself from other Alaskan accommodations with its exceptional culinary experiences, led by two of Alaska’s top chefs, Kirsten and Mandy Dixon. Guests can dig for steamer clams or visit a local oyster farm for their evening meal, continuing their hands-on food journey with daily classes at the lodge’s cooking school. The culinary approach fuses local seafood and vegetables with global flavors. Before departing, visitors can stop by the salt distilling station to take a piece of Alaska home. From $173

Ultima Thule Lodge

At Ultima Thule, guests can feel confident in their stay: the lodge is managed by the adventurous Claus family, particularly Paul Claus, a legendary bush pilot known for his remarkable glacier landings and mountaineering feats (having climbed as high as Everest and explored nearby Mount St. Elias).

The original cabin built by Paul’s father, John Claus, features hand-hewn logs that still form a part of the main lodge, though extensive additions have transformed it into a world-class resort. Now, there are five private cabins furnished with Craftsman-style furniture, luxurious featherbeds, and bearskin rugs, as well as a wood-fired sauna and a large vegetable garden. The garden's harvest, along with locally sourced game and fish, provides the foundation for many meals. However, the true allure of this place lies in the spontaneous adventure excursions, some led by Paul himself in a two-seat Super Cub light aircraft, taking guests from exploring an abandoned gold mine to witnessing herds of Dall sheep in the expansive Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. From $12,500 per person for four nights