Best Hotels in Alaska: A Complete Guide 2026

Alaska's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Anchorage and Girdwood, home to Hotel Captain Cook and Alyeska Resort; Fairbanks and the interior, home to Chena Hot Springs Resort and Aurora Villa; and remote wilderness lodges, home to Sheldon Chalet and Orca Island Cabins. Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage holds a 4.5 rating across roughly 4,900 reviews, one of the highest review volumes in the state.

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Explore Alaska's Top-Rated Hotels

Anchorage sits as Alaska's largest city and the entry point for most visitors, a working port town ringed by mountains and inlet views. Fairbanks anchors the interior further north, known for its long winter nights and aurora viewing, while Girdwood carries an alpine resort character built into the Chugach Mountains just south of Anchorage. Beyond these hubs, the state's coastline and backcountry hold some of the most remote lodges in the country.

Within that spread, Anchorage and Girdwood's hotels lean family-friendly and resort-style, Fairbanks and the interior favor lodges built around wilderness and aurora access, and the state's remote coastal lodges reach places no road connects to. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional based on current listed rates, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Alaska's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Anchorage And Girdwood

Hotel Captain Cook

• Address: Anchorage, AK
• Category: 4-star downtown flagship hotel
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5 across roughly 4,900 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: one guest specifically says their "family had a blast" here, and it remains Anchorage's most recognized flagship hotel
• Best for: families and business travelers wanting Anchorage's highest-rated downtown stay

Alyeska Resort

• Address: Girdwood, AK
• Category: 4-star alpine ski and spa resort
• Rating: 4.4 out of 5 across roughly 4,800 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: a guest describes it as having "good atmosphere, even with kids," combining a slopeside tram with a full-service spa
• Best for: families and skiers wanting Alaska's premier alpine resort near Anchorage

Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage

• Address: Anchorage, AK
• Category: 4-star all-suite hotel
• Rating: 4.3 out of 5 across roughly 1,200 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: guests specifically call it "family kid friendly," with one- and two-bedroom suites sleeping up to 7 people
• Best for: larger families wanting suite-style space in central Anchorage

Staybridge Suites Anchorage by IHG

• Address: Anchorage, AK
• Category: 3-star extended-stay suite hotel
• Rating: 4.6 out of 5 across roughly 376 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this property holds one of the highest ratings among Anchorage's extended-stay hotels
• Best for: families and business travelers needing a longer Anchorage stay with full kitchens

Hyatt House Anchorage

• Address: Anchorage, AK
• Category: 3-star all-suite hotel
• Rating: 4.4 out of 5 across roughly 728 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this all-suite hotel is highly rated among Anchorage's midtown options
• Best for: business travelers wanting suite-style space in Anchorage's midtown district

The Lakefront Anchorage

• Address: Anchorage, AK
• Category: 3-star lakeside airport hotel
• Rating: 3.9 out of 5 across roughly 3,400 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this hotel sits beside Lake Hood, the world's busiest floatplane base, close to the airport
• Best for: travelers wanting a scenic, convenient base near Anchorage's airport

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Fairbanks And The Interior

Chena Hot Springs Resort

• Address: Fairbanks area, AK
• Category: 3-star remote hot springs lodge
• Rating: 4.2 out of 5 across roughly 5,900 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: guests specifically call out its dining, saying it has "some of the best food around," alongside natural hot springs
• Best for: travelers wanting a remote hot-springs lodge with strong aurora-viewing odds

Aurora Villa

• Address: Fairbanks, AK
• Category: 3-star aurora-viewing hotel
• Rating: 4.0 out of 5 across roughly 80 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this property is built specifically around aurora viewing in Alaska's interior
• Best for: couples wanting a dedicated northern lights viewing stay near Fairbanks

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Remote Wilderness Lodges

Sheldon Chalet

• Address: Denali National Park, AK
• Category: Remote glacier-side chalet
• Rating: widely regarded as one of the most exclusive lodges in the country
• Standout feature: this chalet is perched directly on the Ruth Glacier inside Denali National Park, reachable only by helicopter
• Best for: travelers wanting Alaska's single most exclusive, bucket-list wilderness stay

Orca Island Cabins

• Address: Seward area, AK
• Category: Remote private-island cabins
• Rating: highly rated among Alaska's remote wilderness lodges
• Standout feature: these cabins sit on a private island reachable only by boat, surrounded by Resurrection Bay's wildlife
• Best for: couples wanting a secluded, boat-access coastal wilderness escape

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Alaska Hotel Taxes And Fees

Alaska has no statewide sales tax or hotel tax, but individual boroughs and cities levy their own local bed taxes that vary widely. Anchorage charges a combined bed tax close to 12 percent, while smaller towns like Girdwood and Fairbanks set their own local rates that can differ significantly. Remote wilderness lodges often fall outside standard municipal tax structures entirely, so confirm the exact combined rate directly with each property before booking. Resort fees are less common at Alaska's wilderness lodges since most operate on all-inclusive pricing that bundles meals and transport.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Families wanting Anchorage's highest-rated downtown stay should choose Hotel Captain Cook or Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage. Skiers should pick Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, while travelers wanting a bucket-list wilderness experience should choose Sheldon Chalet near Denali. Aurora-focused travelers should pick Chena Hot Springs Resort or Aurora Villa near Fairbanks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the nicest hotel in Alaska?

Alyeska Resort in Girdwood and Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage are widely considered Alaska's nicest hotels, both holding ratings above 4.4 with thousands of reviews. Sheldon Chalet is a strong alternative for travelers wanting the state's single most exclusive stay.

2. Which city in Alaska is considered the best to stay in?

Anchorage is widely considered the best base, offering the state's largest concentration of highly rated hotels like Hotel Captain Cook and Embassy Suites. Girdwood is a strong alternative for travelers centered on Alyeska Resort's alpine setting.

3. What are the top 10 best hotels in Alaska?

Hotel Captain Cook, Alyeska Resort, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage lead Alaska's top-rated list in and around Anchorage. Chena Hot Springs Resort and Sheldon Chalet round out the list for travelers wanting the interior and remote wilderness.

4. Are there any 5-star hotels in Anchorage, Alaska?

Anchorage's hotel scene leans toward highly rated 3- and 4-star properties rather than formal 5-star listings, led by Hotel Captain Cook at 4.5 and Alyeska Resort at 4.4. Sheldon Chalet near Denali is the closest Alaska comes to a 5-star-caliber luxury experience statewide.

5. What is the best area to stay in Anchorage, Alaska?

Downtown Anchorage suits travelers wanting Hotel Captain Cook's central location, while midtown suits those wanting Hyatt House Anchorage's suite-style rooms. The Lake Hood area near the airport is a strong alternative for travelers connecting to floatplane tours.

6. Is Anchorage good for families?

Anchorage is widely considered Alaska's best family base, with Hotel Captain Cook and Embassy Suites both drawing specific praise for being kid-friendly. Alyeska Resort in nearby Girdwood is a strong alternative for families wanting resort-style pools and activities.

7. Where should families stay in Alaska outside Anchorage?

Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks is a strong family pick outside Anchorage, combining natural hot springs with a highly rated dining program. Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is a close alternative for families wanting alpine scenery within an hour of the city.