One thing you should know about visiting Alaska is that finding a place to stay is a little different than in other parts of the world. If you’re looking for a luxury vacation, there are exactly 0 5-star hotels, even in Anchorage, which is the biggest city in Alaska. Sure, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts that will fly you out to there properties in remote locations but if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay that acts as a good hub for all those Alaskan adventures you have on your bucket list, you’ll want to read this post. We’ve been exploring Alaska for 4 years and we’ve learned that the best places to stay when you truly want an Alaskan experience are those places away from the bustling “big cities”. Okay, I don’t know if any city in Alaska really qualifies as a “big city” that most people think of, haha. But if you’re coming to Alaska, wouldn’t you agree that you want the full, well-rounded experience? If you’ve been around for a minute, you know how much we rave about the Palmer/Wasilla area of Alaska. It was love at first sight when we first visited this little heaven on earth and out of all the places we’ve visited in Alaska, this area is one that we’ve frequented much more than any other. This part of the Mat Su Valley is under an hour from Anchorage and is the perfect jumping off point for some of our favorite Alaskan bucket list adventures. The mountain views, the cozy neighborhoods, and the community feel just has us continually coming back. We’ve stayed in many different places in the area and on our most recent little vacation down south, we were invited to spend some time at the Meier Lake Resort. We wound through little neighborhood streets to get to Meier Lake, but the property is nestled into 120 acres of secluded wilderness. With just 12 rooms, visitors feel as if they are "off-the-grid" without having to go far from the amenities of comfort (like shopping and restaurants) or go out of the way from planned adventures. The grounds are quiet and calming and there's a sense of intimacy that comes with the natural surroundings. The beauty of Meier Lake Resort is that the current owners purchased the property that had been run as a summer camp for youth since the 70s. After a few years of extensive remodeling, they have done a remarkable job with keeping the nostalgic summer camp atmosphere but mixing it with upscale and luxurious details and theming. First, we’ll start with the rooms. Going to summer camp as a kid, I know exactly what to expect when I think of summer camp cabins full of bunks of young kids whispering and playing games into the night. But walking into the cabins at Meier Lake make you feel like you’re staying at an upscale resort. The comfortable beds with the thoughtful details of fresh flowers and clean robes will have you feeling refreshed and ready for the day’s adventures. Each room is it’s own Alaskan experience decorated with different maps of the beautiful state. But waking up to the view of green trees and a pristine lake is just what the doctor ordered. The no phone/no TV policy of the property is welcome with the theming of serenity and unplugging from the bustle of everyday life, though wifi is available for those who choose to use it. Second, the location is a great hub for adventures in the area. Meier Lake Resort sits just at the base of the stunning Hatcher Pass, a little over an hour away from our favorite Matanuska Glacier Recreation Site, or even just 30 minutes from our favorite beloved Reindeer Farm experience. This is such a good area to look into when looking for a good hub. Boasting a private lake complete with a sandy beach, Meier Lake Resort offers a calming start or end to a fun adventure-filled day. But beyond that, staying at Meier Lake is an adventure all on it’s own. Every guest on the property has full use of all the water amenities including kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, or paddle boards. But nothing can compare to enjoying the wood fire heated sauna right there on the shore after taking a dip in the lake. Take advantage of the provided hammam towels and pour some water over the coals to get some steam for a relaxing end of your day. Spa packages are even available with prior notice. Other outdoor amenities on property include a PDGA championship disc golf course, which is the only tier A disc golf course in Alaska. The course boasts a 3.5 mile loop around the lake and through the woods with 18 holes and 36 baskets. Grab a frisbee from the main lodge and try your hand at this popular sport. In keeping with the summer camp feel, all the cabins on property are dry, which means no running water inside the individual cabins. However, the shower house at Meier Lake leaves nothing to be desired with larger private bathrooms and showers. It is kept clean and fully stocked of fresh fluffy towels throughout the day. At the time of our visit, Meier Lake was working on getting a liquor license and as well as getting their kitchen up and running so they can operate at restaurant there at the property in the near future. The main lodge was already inviting but we’re excited to go back and see how this addition adds to the property. Though there was no dining on site while we were there, breakfast is included in every stay and we had it delivered to our door every morning, complete with a thermos of fresh coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt and muffins. We loved waking up to breakfast with a view. If you’re looking for a place of gathering for a group of people, look no further because this resort would be the perfect place for such an occasion. There’s even a cabin with strictly bunk beds specifically for families with children. Individual families could enjoy the privacy of their own cabin while still enjoying the space as a larger group. This really would be a wonderful place to host a wedding or family event. One of my favorite things about Meier Lake Resort are the events that they host themselves. If you follow their instagram, you’ll be up-to-date on all things Meier Lake, including disc golf championships and clinics, beach club days, wellness retreats, yoga classes, cooking classes, self care retreats…the possibilities of activities to enjoy on the property are endless. We loved our stay at Meier Lake Resort and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to people looking for somewhere to stay to complete that Alaskan aesthetic when visiting this great state. What do you look for when looking for a place to stay? If you’re interested in a one-on-one chat to help plan a custom trip to Alaska, check out our options here! Make sure to pin so you can come back to this post! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram or TikTok for some of our day-to-day adventures and until next time, get out and explore where you live!
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AuthorWe're just a military family enjoying where we live, one PCS at a time. Follow us as we explore our current home, South Carolina, and beyond. The world is our backyard. Archives
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