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After having the opportunity to stay at The Hotel Alyeska for the first time last August, I thought what a better time to do review then now! If you want the overall review without all the reading, I would definitely recommend staying at The Hotel Alyeska at least one in your lifetime. If you want the whole scoop on my reasoning for this, continue reading.
The Hotel Alyeska
The Hotel Alyeska is the beautiful lodging located at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. The hotel is popular for tourists and locals alike. It’s hopping with skiers and snowboarders in winter, and bustling with bikers and tourists in summer. It’s location, being less than an hour from Anchorage, makes it a convenient place for a weekend getaway, a day trip to enjoy some fresh winter powder, or even a wedding location, which is what we were there for.
I can’t say I ever thought I would be comfortable at a resort. To be honest, cabins are more my thing, but The Hotel Alyeska was very comfortable and inviting. The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the amazing scent. It smelled like a beautifully scented spruce Christmas candle, and really gave off a comforting and relaxing vibe. The second thing was the polite and friendly staff. The concierge was so helpful, and our waitress at one of the resort restaurants was very fun and informative. Since I had never been to a resort, I assumed it would feel stuffy and uninviting. I was quite wrong as the atmosphere and employees made me feel right at home.
Rooms and Accommodations
Since we were staying there for a wedding, I got to see few different types rooms offered at the hotel. Some of the rooms were huge and multi leveled, so you can really get whatever type of room you please depending on your budget. We got a good deal on a room due to being part of a block of rooms for the wedding, otherwise the rooms tend to be a little pricey, but worth the splurge.
Our room was not huge but had two queen beds, was clean, comfortable, and had a fantastic view. It faced the mountain and the tram so we really lucked out and had the perfect view of the resort. If you do end up staying there, I would suggest asking if it would be possible to have a room facing the direction of the tram, otherwise you may end up with a less desirable parking lot view. Not that you will be in your room much with all the activities there are to do, but a nice view is a great bonus.
Activities
There is no shortage of things to do at The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort. The resort is best known for skiing and snowboarding, and it’s quite popular due to being so close to Anchorage, but no matter what season, there is always something there to enjoy outdoors and indoors as well.
Biking, hiking, and sightseeing in general are great ways to explore the area. It’s also a very convenient starting point to go on cruises, see glaciers on foot, by cruise, or even by jet ski, and visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. (Check out my detailed post on the conservation center here.) You can also take the previously mentioned tram for a bird’s eye view of the resort and surrounding area.
There is a lot to see and do inside as well. You’ll be able to check out shops, and even visit their Nordic Spa, which I can’t wait to see sometime! They also have a variety of art and taxidermy throughout the resort that is interesting to see. Don’t forget to check out Girdwood, too, to get a taste of the quirky and fun surroundings of Alyeska.
Dining
You can grab a bite to eat as well. As far as food goes, I would suggest trying some of the restaurants at Alyeska and then explore what is available in Girdwood as well. We only had breakfast at the resort since we were having food at the wedding. It was quite pricey for what it we got, but the service was great, and the view was picturesque.
Since we were just there for the wedding I didn’t get much time to check everything out, but I did throughly enjoy our visit and can’t wait to go back. The hotel and resort are absolutely beautiful, and the land that surrounds it is even prettier. The top-notch staff, stunning views, and variety of activities really make The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort a must-see place. I would highly suggest if it is within your budget to check out The Hotel Alyeska, Alyeska Resort, and the surrounding area.
Do you have questions about an upcoming trip to Alaska? Ask them in the comments! Have you visited The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort before? Tell me about your experience, and share any of your tips and advice regarding your visit in the comments!
