A bed and breakfast tour of Alaska will offer you as many diverse adventures as the state itself.
In a state as large as Alaska, it is difficult to narrow down the selections of bed and breakfast accommodations or homestays as they like to call them. BnB's here are as diverse as I have ever found.
The innkeepers are anyone from native Alaskan, or long-time Alaskans, to new folks from Texas and New Jersey. This adds to the wide-variety of options in the BnB's available. Many historical homes in the larger towns of Alaska have been converted to BnB's while many new constructions have been dedicated to offering homestays.
Owning and operating a BnB allows the innkeeper the flexibility to try out as many tricks of interior decorating, food preparation and hospitality as their creative minds can imagine. In most cases, Martha Stewart would be proud.
Since Alaska is so large, it encompasses one-fifth the size of the Lower 48, I've decided to approach this tour of exceptional BnB's from the Southeast, or Banana Belt as it is called, to the bone-chilling Frozen North.
Let's begin in the capitol city of Juneau. This is one capitol that can hold you captive for longer than your airplane ticket says it should. Many times the clouds and fog will descend on Juneau and close the airport. That's when you hope you have a cozy room as the Alaska Wolf House. This BnB is located a mile from downtown and overlooks the Gastineau Channel. This cedar log home has four rooms, one of them is a jacuzzi suite. In the morning, breakfast is served in the Glass Dining Room, where you can taste some Alaska specialities like Alaskan King crab quiche and pancakes with homemade berry toppings. The inn is close to the city bus line for trips to downtown where you can explore the State Capitol, the Alaska State Museum, and take the Mount Roberts Tramway for a view from the top.
In historic downtown Ketchikan, you will find the Blueberry Hill Bed and Breakfast. This BnB is housed in a historic home and offers peace and quiet with exceptional hospitality within walking distance of the area's attractions. This home is restored from the Gold Rush era and offers four spacious rooms, each with its own theme and named for one of the area's famous people. From here you can explore the historic district, totem parks, or take off on a fishing or float plane trip.
Moving north, to the top of the Inside Passage, finds you in Skagway, the "Garden City of Alaska." It began as a jumping off place for the Klondike gold seekers and has retained its 1898 historic roots as a tourist town. The Mile Zero Bed and Breakfast was named for the fact that Skagway is considered Mile Zero for the Whitepass railroad and the Klondike highway. This BnB was planned, designed and built to take in guests in 1995. It took the best of both motels and BnB's to offer seven soundproof and handicap-friendly rooms, with private entrances, bath, phone, and lots of room to move around. It is located in a residential district yet is walking distance to all the downtown attractions. They serve a delightful continental buffet breakfast and encourage their guests to share their sightseeing and trail adventures.
In the Gulf of Alaska coastal town of Seward, I found a wonderful BnB called Alaska'a Treehouse Bed and Breakfast. It offers a quiet, forest-setting retreat only minutes from the activities of Seward. The accommodations include a two-room suite and another room that has a loft. There is a hot tub on site as well as skiing, snowshoeing and hiking trails. A gourmet breakfast is served each morning and the inn's claim to fame is sourdough pancakes with wild berry sauces.
Onward to Anchorage finds us in Alaska's largest city. And with a larger area you will find many more BnB options. I chose my two favorites. First is the Loon's Nest Bed and Breakfast. It overlooks Westchester Lagoon and at night you can see the skyline of Anchorage, plus Mt. McKinley to the north. There are two rooms to choose from, each is wheelchair accessible. Even with its out-of-city ambiance this inn is easy access to the airport and railway station, plus all the area's attractions. Either a continental or full breakfast is offered to guests.
Next up is the Big Bear Bed and Breakfast, located two miles from downtown. Four guest rooms are available, each with their own theme revolving around the innkeeper's vast collection of Alaskan art and collectibles. Their full breakfast include such treats as reindeer sausage, salmon quiche, sourdough pancakes and wild berry sauces.
Moving north towards Denali, or Mt. McKinley as some know it, finds us in the frontier town of Talkeetna. Here is where you will find the Fireweed Station Inn. It is actually located on seventeen acres just a few minutes from downtown and was once a hunting lodge. It has three rooms in the lodge itself and, for those wanting real seclusion, there is a cozy little cabin in the woods nearby. This inn comes with a fabulous view of Denali, amazingly, sixty miles away. The property was originally built in 1946, was the jumping off place for visitors to Denali and was only accessible by railroad.. Along with the lovely rooms comes gourmet dining, great stories of the area, and even high speed internet available in the lodge rooms.
Heading further north, looking for the Aurora Borealis, brings us to Fairbanks. And fifteen minutes from Fairbanks finds you at the Taste of Alaska Lodge. It is situated on 280-acres, that originally was a farm, and features views of Denali, in the Alaska Range mountains, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. There are a variety of rooms in the three buildings that make up this lodge. Gourmet breakfast is served each morning in the lodge and the facility also has a hot tub and exercise room.
Working our way north we come to North Pole. Yes, you heard that right, North Pole. This town even has a Santa Claus House, world renowned for its visits with old elf and unique gift shopping. For your overnight visit here, the North Pole Cabins are a good choice. It features a private, wooded, waterfront setting with all the comforts of home including indoor plumbing and hot water, which is something of a rarity in the northern tundra towns. Continental breakfast is served daily and the cabins are located only five minutes from restaurants and other conveniences in town.
Upon arrival in the Frozen North town of Barrow, the King Eider Inn is a welcome sight. It is located in town and features nineteen guest rooms all with private bath. It has a guest sauna, kitchenette rooms, and all are furnished with Eskimo crafts that can be bought from the gift store. A complimentary muffin continental breakfast is served. The knowledgeable staff can help make your stay in Barrow a pleasant one and offer information on walking tours, vehicle rentals, restaurant suggestions and other tour options.
