A room with a view (and more)
Discover some of Alaska’s most romantic rooms for your first night as husband and wife
Story by Michelle Theriault
A sumptuous lodge with Denali views. A retro downtown gem that serves breakfast in bed. A far-north resort where you can watch the Northern Lights from geothermal outdoor pools and then retreat to a room stocked with champagne. In Alaska, you can spend your wedding night in a room that’s both romantic and unique. While options abound, we picked a few favorites:
Alyeska Resort
Take your love to new heights in one of Alyeska’s Summit Rooms, located on the top floor of the hotel and offering expansive mountain views. Or spread out in style in the 1275-sq. ft. Royal Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm, mountains and glaciers. Luxurious hotel amenities include a saltwater pool, whirlpool with mountain views and mountaintop dining at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. The next morning, mosey down to the Spa at Alyeska for relaxing treatments. If you wish, the staff can place fresh cut flowers, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries in a waiting suite. For current rates and packages, visit www.alyeskaresort.com or call 907-754-2111.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Summer or winter, the Chena Hot Springs Resort, east of Fairbanks, offers a unique away-from-it-all experience. Newlyweds can stay in the Moose Lodge with a package that includes unlimited swimming and soaking in natural mineral hot springs, a welcome champagne basket and a late 1 p.m. checkout, for a laid-back morning. Add watching the Northern Lights and you’ve got a truly Alaskan wedding night. A romantic package for two is $419. Visit www.chenahotsprings.com or call 907-451-8104 for more information.
Hotel Captain Cook
The posh Hotel Captain Cook in the heart of downtown Anchorage is a favorite for newlyweds. A romantic package includes a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, breakfast in bed, turn-down service and ice delivery on demand. Guests also receive a special gift from the hotel and access to the luxe on-site athletic club, which includes a pool and co-ed hot tub. Junior suite rooms include a king bed, extra living space and views of either the inlet or Chugach Mountains. For current rates and specials visit www.captaincook.com or call 907-276-6000.
North Country Castle
Nestled in the foothills of the Chugach Mountains, the North Country Castle is a small bed and breakfast with a talent for comforting details. They offer a special romantic package in their Turnagain View Suite that includes favors on your pillows, a fruit and sparkling cider basket and a photograph of the happy couple underneath the romantic arch entryway. A private vaulted suite includes a fireplace, double Jacuzzi (with a view) and ocean view sunsets from the deck. In the morning, there’s breakfast in a sunny gazebo breakfast nook to look forward to. A “totally pampered” package in the Turnagain Suite is $249 per night during the summer and $189 in the winter (from September 19 to May 15). For information, visit www.castlealaska.com or call 907-345-7296.
Inn at Tern Lake
Rooms at this Kenai Peninsula gem come equipped with private baths, queen-sized beds, fireplaces and private balconies. But aside from the comfortable interior, the location couldn’t be more quintessentially Alaskan: ringed by a panorama of mountains and seamless wilderness vistas, it’s a beautiful place to wake up for your first day as husband and wife. Summer rates start at $175. For information, visit www.ternlakeinn.com or call 907-288-3667.
Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge
If a spectacular location off the Glenn Highway isn’t enough, the Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge also offers some of the most comfortable wedding night accommodations around: down comforters, radiant heat flooring, a loveseat and a big bathtub, along with views of the Chugach Mountains. Another suite option includes the same creature comforts plus a view of Talkeetna Mountains. Wherever you sleep, wake up to a breakfast of fresh fruit, sticky buns and an omelet – all prepared from scratch. For information, visit www.majesticvalleylodge.com or call 907-746-2930.
Sunset View Resort
This resort on the shores of Big Lake in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley offers total privacy and stunning Denali views. An evening in the McKinley House’s master suite is $350 and includes a double Jacuzzi. For couples that really want to get away from it all, rent the entire architecturally distinct waterside Cedar House for $540 per night. Visit www.alaskasunsetviewresort.com or call 907-892-8885.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
The spacious suites at this plush mountain lodge include the King Suite, which faces north with views of Denali and the Alaska Range from both the living room and bedroom. Recently upgraded with new amenities, bedding, a flat screen television, DVD player and luxurious leather furniture, the suite features a see-through gas fireplace between the bedroom and the living room. Its bathroom is spacious and includes a Jacuzzi tub. Hotel staff can arrange deliveries of wine, champagne and pretty much anything else you can dream up. For rates and availability, visit www.talkeetnalodge.com or call 877-777-4067 or 907-777-2809.
Inn at Whittier
The timber-framed lodge includes suites (staff can arrange extras like champagne or chocolates) with Jacuzzi tubs and king beds. Soft terry-cloth robes, crisp linens and a high-end on site restaurant are other comforts at the inn, the only luxury accommodation in Whittier. The main attraction, though, is the view of the harbor and Prince William Sound visible from all suite-style rooms. Summer rates for suites start at $229, or $179 during the winter season. For information, visit www.innatwhittier.com or call 907-472-3200.