The Best Honeymoon Hotels in Alaska

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Homes on Island in Halibut Cove, Alaska — Gemma Winston / Getty Images

Alaska, the Final Frontier, is a bucket-list destination for a reason. For one thing, it’s out there—as in not exactly easy to get to. It’s also not as much of a year-round destination as many other locales, and many properties close for a period in the winter. Since it’s a far-flung destination for so many, a trip to the Northwest extremity of North America can be expensive, but unlike other honeymoon spots like Hawaii or the Caribbean, its less-trodden existence means it never really feels overcrowded with tourists (outside of cruise ports), even in high season.

Alaska is mysterious, romantic, and ethereal. It’s hardly shocking then that the rugged state’s honeymoon hotels attract travel-savvy couples looking to relax, explore, and edify. Whether you and your honey are big outdoor enthusiasts or simply enjoy exploring extraordinary, less-traveled terrain, Alaska has more than enough to offer. From intimate, charming lodges to upscale hotels with all the amenities of the country’s big-city hotels, these are Alaska’s best honeymoon hotels.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Best Luxury: Sheldon Chalet
Best Budget: Chena Hot Springs
Best Full Service: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Best Access to Nature: Tutka Bay Lodge
Best Boutique: Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa
Best Remote: Ultima Thule Lodge

Best Overall: Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Why We Chose It

Its remote location—a 40-minute flight from Anchorage—dedication to luxury, and endless array of activities has Tordrillo rising to the top of our picks for Alaska’s best honeymoon hotels.

Notable Amenities

In-room blackout curtains, fireplaces in cabins, cedar sauna

Pros

New hot tub comes with stellar lake views
Private cabins available
Gourmet breakfast buffet

Cons

May feel too family-friendly for some
Few lodging options mean private cabins book up fast

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge attracts sports enthusiasts year round. During winter, it’s a popular destination among adventurous skiers who want to try heli-skiing, and in the summer, there’s fishing, rafting, hiking, and climbing to enjoy (during the 22 hours of sunlight in June and July). Daily yoga classes are offered throughout the year.

A team of skilled guides are all too happy to take guests out on the various excursions, while on-site staff help ensure guests’ needs are taken care of. The property is beloved by honeymooners who relish its remote, off-the-beaten path location, which does require a short flight via seaplane. Since happening upon a general store to stock up on provisions at this far-flung location isn’t possible, Tordrillo invites guests to help themselves to anything in the common fridge or pantry—this is in addition to the three gourmet squares per day including a lavish breakfast buffet. Wine pairings elevate the evening meal experience.

Best Luxury: Sheldon Chalet

Why We Chose It

A stay at the exquisite, all-inclusive Sheldon Chalet means getting up close and personal with the wild beauty of Denali in the most exclusive setting imaginable.

Notable Amenities

Plush bedding, sauna access, complimentary use of adventure apparel and gear

Pros

Fine dining on-site
Glacier School teaches safety, rope team etiquette, and more
Fire pits

Cons

Very pricey

Three generations of the Sheldon Family are behind the ultra-exclusive, all-inclusive Sheldon Chalet experience, whose origins lie in the 1966 Mountain House, a basecamp for adventurers. It wasn’t until 2018 that the Sheldon Chalet’s current iteration debuted, and with it the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime experience for discerning travelers. Its incredible location on the ridge of the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali's renowned Ruth Glacier is a part of its exclusivity as is its high price tag: A three night-minimum cost starts at $35,500 per couple. But for honeymooners looking to splurge, there’s practically zero chance of being disappointed.

Accommodations are luxurious; every view is more jaw-dropping than the next; and there’s a stellar food and beverage program—these are just a few of Sheldon’s noteworthy traits and that’s before factoring in the bevy of outdoor adventure that awaits.

Before there was the Sheldon Chalet, offering visitors to this unparalleled part of the world a full-service, upscale stay, the only option for accessing this part of Denali was to climb and set up camp. Book a honeymoon at Sheldon, however, and rest assured that all outdoor apparel gear will be provided as will world-class meals throughout the duration of your stay. It’s open year-round, and well-versed guides will see to it that no matter what time of year you visit, the experience is unmatched.

Best Budget: Chena Hot Springs

Why We Chose It

This comfortable resort hotel in Pleasant Valley cares about delivering both a hospitable and sustainable experience, evident in its devotion to its natural hot springs.

Notable Amenities

Indoor pool, full-service spa, on-site ice museum

Pros

Natural hot springs
Geothermal powered facilities
Airport shuttle

Cons

Bike rental costs extra
Rooms feel a bit dated

Chena Hot Springs Resort capitalizes on the natural wonder of its surroundings: natural hot springs. For most guests, this is the hotel’s top attraction, though an indoor pool and hot tub add to the water activity options, and other extracurricular activities include hiking, cycling, or kicking back with one of the board games available for guest use.

Guests rave about the food and the Ice museum, the latter which may especially appeal to history buffs. Rooms are spacious with a table and chairs providing a space to work or enjoy a snack, and the generous layout may help make up for some wear and tear. Spa services, such as the 30-, 60-, or 90-minute massage, are reasonably priced, and a slate of year-round activities which may be added on to your booking ensure that there’s something to do in all the seasons.

Best Full Service: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Why We Chose It

Peaceful and quiet, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge really does feel like a home away from home—well, if your home had a bistro, oyster bar, coffee shop, and full bar.

Notable Amenities

Suites outfitted with jacuzzis, complimentary shuttle to town

Pros

Mt. Denali views in abundance
Multiple, on-site dining options
Convenient, accessible location

Cons

Rooms are a bit dated

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is a terrific full service enterprise (though it’s not all-inclusive). Located 115 miles from Anchorage, guests can fly into Alaska’s largest city and take a scenic drive to the property (as opposed to an arrival requiring a seaplane or helicopter) where they’ll be welcomed by warm staff. At night, the Great Room comes alive thanks to friendly travelers mingling by the magnificent fireplace. More magnificent, however, are the views afforded by the hotel. The imposing Denali makes a case for nature watching and achieving a totally zen state of mind.

But views like these beg for closer inspection, and Talkeetna’s location is an ideal base for hiking and biking, though there are walking trails right on the property if you wish to stay close to home. Free shuttles transport guests to downtown Talkeetna, where restaurants, coffee shops, and stores selling local art await.

Best Access to Nature: Tutka Bay Lodge

Why We Chose It

Private and pristine, Tutka Bay Lodge’s attention to details means superb food and drink and an abundance of options for outdoor exploration across a range of interests.

Notable Amenities

Unique complimentary spa offerings like forest bathing and sound baths, in-room blackout curtains, free WiFi (in main lodge only)

Pros

Wellness offerings
Stellar food and beverage program
Helpful, gracious staff

Cons

On the pricey side
Lodging is on the rustic side

Essentially all of the accommodations in Alaska provide excellent access to nature; after all, it’s intrinsic to travel in the state. But Tutka Bay, a part of the adventure company Within the Wild, deserves special recognition in this arena, since its entire ethos is based on natural exploration. The beautiful lodge resides on a private cove within an ancient glacial fjord (9 miles of it) at the edge of the Kachemak Bay State Park. Staying here is an intimate affair, where guests enjoy gourmet cuisine, beer and wine tastings, and outdoor yoga classes during warm-weather months.

The inviting property features a National Geographic library, games, and the option to take a cooking class with one of the skilled lodge chefs, but there’s a plethora of activities beyond the premises. From bear viewing to glacier trekking to bird watching, Tutka Bay is all about the great outdoors.

Best Boutique: Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa

Pearsonâs Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa

Why We Chose It

For unpretentious luxury with a truly intimate feel, you can’t do better than the veteran Pearson’s (30 years and counting) in beautiful Juneau.

Notable Amenities

Sleep Number beds, in-room massage chairs and fireplaces, private balconies with hot tub

Pros

Rainforest garden includes sauna and two hot tubs
Secluded location
Hospitable staff

Cons

Books up quickly
Rooms are cozy but small

Pearson’s is a glorious, intimate inn (10 rooms in total) run by the affable Maryann Ray, whom guests consistently praise as a highlight of a stay at this charming boutique property in Juneau. Just don’t judge the inn by its website, which isn’t up to par.

It’s a favorite among honeymooners for a number of reasons, including incredibly comfortable beds in well-appointed rooms, spa offerings, many of which can be experienced outdoors with nature front and center, and delicious, homemade breakfasts. Spring for the spacious two-bedroom Eagle’s Nest suite if a relaxation nook, full body massage chair, and inviting balcony appeal. Beyond the property’s warm embrace, guests can hike, kayak, or get tips for sightseeing on your own.

Best Remote: Ultima Thule Lodge

Why We Chose It

Ultima Thule Lodge’s mission is to reveal Alaska’s raw beauty and authentic, rugged self, and thanks to a magical setting in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and an anti-itinerary stance, it’s succeeded with the highest marks.

Notable Amenities

Access to yoga yurt, firepits on-site, massage and meditation house

Pros

Beautiful design
Off-the-grid but with electricity and hot water
Tailored experiences

Cons

Hard to get to
Not recommended for unadventurous types

In Alaska, there are degrees of remote. Since the state is so sparsely populated, it’s almost easier to find a remote lodging than big-city lodging surrounded by the usual urban suspects, but Ultima Thule Lodge, set on the Chitina River and accessed by a small plane chartered by the lodge itself, truly deserves this designation. In fact, its Latin name means “distant or unknown region.”

Off-the-grid Ultima Thule is all about customizing experiences for every individual guest, so you won’t find any cookie-cutter itineraries here; what you will discover, however, via the watchful care of a savvy nature guide, are unnamed mountains, untrodden treks, abandoned gold mines, and Dall sheep. These journeys are punctuated by lunch alfresco and largely determined by the weather.

Back at the camp, more delectable food (think freshly-caught salmon and wild game) awaits guests hungry after a day exploring Alaska’s rugged frontier. Arrange for a Private Chef's Table Dining experience if you really want to indulge, and soothe tired muscles in the wood-fired cedar sauna.

Final Verdict

Alaska travel is in a class of its own. In many ways (and in spite of all of the Alaskan cruises), it’s still very much an unexplored frontier. The state’s best properties understand this and do their best to help travelers obtain the best, wildest experience of their lives.

For honeymooners, selecting a hotel in Alaska is about comfort level, sense of adventure, and finding that sweet balance between edifying relaxation and invigorating exploration. Of course, cost generally is a factor too, and very good value can be had with a stay at Chena Hot Springs. Most Alaska lodges and hotels have dedicated staff to assist with planning outdoor adventures from fishing to hiking to heli-skiing along with knowledgeable guides. Our top pick, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, will see to it that your honeymoon in Alaska is the best travel decision you’ve ever made.

Methodology

Alaska has long been considered a bucket-list destination, and unsurprisingly, there were many lodgings to evaluate and assess in compiling this list, but we focused on honeymoon trips. Since food and drink have only risen in importance among travelers’ priorities, we not only reviewed guest room accommodations and the location of Alaska’s hotels, but we also considered all property restaurants. Accessibility and special amenities (like romantic experiences) were also a consideration.