Last weekend my boyfriend and I took a one night trip to Seward for a quick getaway from Anchorage and to see the Kenai Fjords National Park. We decided to get to Seward by driving the scenic route from Anchorage, since it’s an easy 2 ½ hour drive through the mountains and along the coast. We didn’t leave Anchorage until 6:00 pm since we both had to work that day but we had daylight the whole way down. When we got to Seward we had a very quick and easy check in at the Seward Windsong Lodge, and even though we were booked in a deluxe category room, they upgraded us to a suite category room (the suites are bigger and have a Jacuzzi bathtub). (more…)

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The Crow’s Nest Cabins are a great place to stay at Denali National Park. Working long summer hours in tourism my husband and I rarely get a quiet moment to relax together, but the Crow’s Nest Cabins allowed us to do so. For travelers it is a great property to visit as a quiet get away with beautiful views.  the Crow’s Nest is located just outside the entrance to the Park. (more…)

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For a real Alaskan lodge experience while in Seward stay at the Seward Windsong Lodge.  The Seward Windsong Lodge is located just outside the city limits enroute to Exit Glacier. The lodge is set in a wooded setting near the Resurrection River with scenic views.  If you have stayed at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge then you will be delighted to know the lodge is operated by the same company and you will experience the same high quality of service and experience in Seward as well. (more…)

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We live a good distance away from downtown Anchorage so when we have evening functions on weekends we like to stay in town at an Anchorage hotel.  One of our most favorite hotels and probably the one we stay at the most is the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa.  The Sheraton is 16 stories tall, making it one of the taller buildings in downtown.  The hotel is located at 401 E. 6th Avenue, which is towards the east side of downtown.  (more…)

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When I have family come visit me in Alaska I try to take them to my favorite places in Alaska. A few summer’s ago my aunt came to visit, and I had the opportunity to do a tour I had never done before. My family traveled to Girdwood, Alaska for a day trip from Anchorage.  Girdwood is located about 30 minutes south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway.  The drive is beautiful because the highway follows the Turnagain Arm which is part of the Cook Inlet and is surrounded by the Chugach and Kenai Mountain Ranges.  Girdwood is home to the Alyeska Resort. Our first order of business was to take the Alyeska Tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for some breathtaking views.  (more…)

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On a short trip to Seward to visit with relatives last summer, my family and I stayed at The Holiday Inn Express. We arrived late in the afternoon, after a hike at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward. Our harbor view room was ready upon arrival and the kids were anxious to go swimming in the hotel’s pool.  Our room had views of the small boat harbor, but the hotel had a comfortable lobby with large two story windows looking out over the bay so we spent more time there visiting with our relatives then in our room. Our hotel room had two very comfortable queen beds, along with many other amenities.  Before having dinner at a nice seafood restaurant called Rays located next door, we stopped and watched the charter fishing boat captains come into the harbor and display their clients’ catch of the day – large halibut, fresh silver salmon, and ling cod prevailed as the primary fish caught.  (more…)

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The Grande Denali Lodge is one of Denali’s premium hotels and presides over the Denali Canyon area just north of Denali National Park’s entrance.  The hotel is located high on the hillside and has impressive views of the valley and the front country of Denali National Park.  The hotel has a main lodge with the restaurant, lounge, and gift shop in it in addition to the the front desk.  The 166 guest rooms are in separate buildings next to the main lodge.  The interior of the main lodge has high log ceilings and large windows to enjoy the views. (more…)

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What a true delight on a busy scheduled trip to stop at such a small quaint Alaskan town. Talkeetna Alaska is probably one of our family favorites along the Parks Highway. Just turning off the Parks Highway and beginning your journey along the Talkeetna Spur Road you just hope that your one of the lucky whom get to see Mt. McKinley. There are several opportunities to see the Alaska Range from the 12 miles you drive to get to the lodge. The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is very well kept up and its presentation at the entrance entices you to think of an expensive summer resort destination located in the hearty woods of Alaska. I recommend staying in one of their mountain-view rooms since they are located facing the Alaska Range. Even if the weather is not the best it is still a nice view overlooking the Talkeetna valley. My youngest son (age 12) also liked the mountain-view room since he can watch all of the small bush planes flying around during various flight-seeing tours offered in Talkeetna. The front desk staff is friendly and before we know it the luggage crew is offering to assist with our bags. The rooms are spacious and I like the subtle touch of having the small vanity with fresh cotton balls or q-tips on the counter. It just adds to the somewhat personal touch you can feel among the lodge. (more…)

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