Places to Stay in SE Alaska

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20dauntless

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I'm taking the C-Dory to Alaska this summer and some family members are interested in flying up for a quick visit (~5 days) at some point. They'd be staying on land (or potentially a larger, chartered boat). Right now there could be anywhere between 2 and 5 people coming up.

Good day tripping by boat is a must. Ideally we'd go see a glacier one of the days. Nobody is much into fishing, but good restaurants (or a kitchen where they're staying) would be nice to have nearby. A dock, or one nearby, is needed for the C-Dory. They'd like to have hiking trails available and be in a nice, safe town that is not overrun by 2000 cruise ship passengers every day. Some of the visitors are used to very high end accommodations. They aren't picky about what type of place they stay; a house, B&B, lodge, or hotel would all be fine.

What towns do you all think might fit the bill? Any recommendations for specific places to stay?

Thanks!
 
Sam,

Some of the qualities you mentioned (good accommodations ashore, good restaurants, yet not overrun with cruise ship 'folk...) may be mutually exclusive.

Cruise ships tend to visit Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka heavily during "the season." At the same time, those towns are large enough to provide the amenities you seem to be looking-for. Smaller towns may not have the abundance of restaurants and accommodations.

It doesn't sound like cost is a major concern, so you might want to consider a slightly approach. There are a vast number of fishing lodges situated throughout Southeast, and many offer Very nice accommodations, great meals, and activities for their fishing and non-fishing guests. If you have guests staying at virtually any of these lodges, I'm sure you and your C-Dory would be very welcome, and you could day-trip from the lodge, and return at day's end. Likewise, the lodges can often arrange flightseeing trips, hiking, kayaking, and day fishing trips.

One of my favorite areas is Elfin Cove (about 65 airmiles WNW of Juneau). Elfin has several lodges that operate during the summer months, and it even has one of our very-own C-Brat's who captain's a vessel out of EC. Access to EC is via floatplane (from Juneau) which would add yet another dimension to your guest's Alaskan Adventure.

And EC is well situated. It's just off the Icy Straits (a great place for whale watching), across the Straits from Glacier Bay NP, and provides spectacular views "all around."

Lots of planning opportunities, and it'll be interesting to hear what other 'Brats come up with.

Casey
 
Sitka would be number one for location and access. Juneau is good for access and is a regular city. I would consider Hoonah for out of the way but a nice place. If you want to be able to get there direct on a jet out of Seattle, your list is Ketchikan, Petersberg, Wrangell, Sitka, or Juneau. If you want to transition over to Cessna 206/207 or Caravan, then the smaller towns come into play.
 
I am with Casey on Elfin cove as the ideal place. It has a lot of charm, and it close to Glacier Bay and Dundas cove--plus the "outside"--and is out of the way of cruise ships. Hoonah AK is another I would have recommended a few years back--but now they have a "Zip line"--plus a dock for cruise liners. It is basically a native town, where the tourist industry has come along to saddle with its ills. I would stay away from Juneau--a real zoo with all of the cruise liners. With the small boat you will be in Auke bay marina. There are some bed and breakfasts--some of the members who live up there can fill in more of the details.

Another place we like is Meyer's Chuck--but some distance from glaciers--and I think an occasional small cruise liner gets in there. There are a number of other small towns with lodges, which are great, but not too many year glaciers.
 
I'm with Casey & Bob on recommending Elfin Cove. We plan to be in that general area for several weeks in late May & early June & then again later in the season too. Many wonderful places to see & explore in Southeast Alaska with Elfin Cove & it's surroundings topping the list for us.

Jay
 
I can't offer up much advice on SE AK in general but if Elfin Cove sounds interesting to you, I can be of some help.

E. Cove is a special spot, Whales thick as deer on a country road, Brady Glacier visable from beautiful downtown Elfin Cove, many Nat Geo quality day trips available & 5 star food and lodging and it still has the rustic, unspoiled AK charm.

I believe Elfin Cove has the only airport left in the US that doesn't have a Starbucks :)

I might point out that if you all are not much interested in fishing, you've never fished for black rock fish....it's crazy fun for people of all ages, abilities and attention spans

wherever you end up, it sounds like you have a heck of great summer adventure in the works
 
I too like Elfin Cove. The halibut fishing was superb when I was there. The big sign out front reads "welcome to elfin cove a quaint drinking village with a fishing problem"

Hoona is a pit. The natives are not friendly but there is a good dock. One of my least favorite towns in Alaska.

If glacier travel is something you would like to try my son is a glacier guild in Juneau. He could probably set you up with a very special trip. This is the trip of a lifetime for most people. He is very experienced, smart and well educated.

Another town that I like second to Elfin is Tennake Hot springs. (I know that I spelled it wrong) Like Elfin cove there are no roads. The Hots springs have fond memories for me.

Skagway is a favorite, Built in 1898 durring the rush to the Klondike and the accomodations are reasonable. There is a nice road house but that may be a little rustic for you.

Also, If you like camping there are cabins set up for boating all over the South east. You'll want reservations.

Finnaly there is Glacier Bay. Permit required. The Glaiciers are superb and the Glacier Bay Lodge is cut above. There is an airport close by in Gustdavis. Cruising out of the lodge would be a blast. There is no town per se. Look for bears.

fun fun fun
Chris
 
Thanks for the great information! It sounds like Elfin Cove would be ideal, I'll check into it more. The Glacier Bay Lodge also sounds promising and I'll check into that. Any other opinions are welcomed as well.

Sam
 
Elfin Cove is wild but I have also seen big currents and waves. There is a wall of water that is best passed at slack tide on the way to Elfin Cove.

Glacier bay is very calm in general, no big swells and such. Cruising among the I bergs is interesting and you can surprise a seal once in a while sunning on the bergs.

The Ice forms very cool patterns and reflects blue light. Its like looking back a few thousand years when the first snowflakes stated the process.
Heads up. If the big boys calve you want to be bow into the oncoming wave. They can be real bouncers. Big wave. The big ones do not happen to often. The glaciers are most active at the end of summer
chris
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Haines Alaska. Nice little town with some good accommodation, access to Skagway or Juneau via fast water taxis or air taxis. Road access up into the Haines pass and some incredible hiking and there is excellent hiking right out of Haines as well. Fishing and wildlife viewing is good, newly renovated harbor and the weather can be a lot better than most of SE.
As much as I like Elfin Cove and the outside coastline, and I spend a lot of time out there. If the weather turns bad you can end up getting stuck there for a good period of time and if you have guests who are not much into boating or fishing I think they will find Elfin Cove a little trying.
 
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