We've stayed at Denali National Park a few times now and while we do have a favorite spot, I took the opportunity last weekend to stay overnight at one of the famous, high-end, touristy hotels, the Grande Denali Lodge. There are a few well-known places to stay at Denali National Park. The Grande Denali Lodge is one of the most well-known because it sits up on a cliff and looks over the entrance to the park. Drivers can see it from many vantage points in the valley and it just seems so *fancy* to be hanging up there, looking down on everyone else ;) All kidding aside, I was interested in seeing what this place is all about. Living in Alaska the past few years, we've really embraced the adventure that Alaska has to offer. We're not exactly known for luxury travel but with my background in hospitality management, I'm always critiquing restaurants and hotels on what they do right or wrong and I was interested in what a "bougie-r" side of Alaska would look like. I booked the cheapest room they had and it cost over $400 a night, which is the most I've ever paid for a stay in Alaska, and this is how it went: First impressions, Grande Denali Lodge has it's own private road off of Parks Highway. It's a windy, dirt road that leads to the top of the cliff that the lodge sits on. I have to preface this by saying that I understand and accept humor but there is a time and place. If I'm expecting a nice stay at the most expensive place in the area, I do expect some class, and these signs gave me the wrong vibe, for sure. Once at the lodge, it wasn't entirely clear as to where to go to check in. I realized the check in was not in the actual lodge but in the restaurant. Exploring the property a little, the grounds were pretty and had gorgeous views, but I would say that they weren't "unrivaled". Alaska has epic views everywhere and, especially when you're about to explore Denali National Park, I wouldn't say the price tag for staying here is worth the view alone. I was actually staying here for a wedding and while the lodge boasts epic views, the views from the event room were the parking lot (sad face). Speaking of the parking lot, there is *very* little parking at the lodge, so if you are driving yourself, this is something to be aware of. I think most guests actually arrive by cruise coach or even the train, which is where the lodge does have it's perks. The lodge has a free shuttle service from the lodge to the train station and a few places in between, including the little "downtown" area of Denali National Park where there are shopping areas and restaurants. That being said, other resorts offer different shuttle services when needed so that would be something to look into if you are traveling to Denali National Park without a car. The next impression was the room itself. It was nice enough and I have no complaints. Actually the beds were very comfortable and the pillows...I kinda wanted to bring one home with me haha. But I will say, the inside of the the lodge could do with a real good upgrade. The main carpets were really grungy and dirty and the hallways were a little dark. I also want to add that the only reason my view had a room was because it was only a few doors down from being across from their other building which made me realize that, even though the lodge boasts epic views, more than half of the rooms on the property don't have a great view at all! So again, if you're looking for a room to stay in and want to wake up a fantastic view, this one is not worth the price tag. The last area of critique is the food! And I'm sorry to say, but I didn't even try it. I'll be honest, all the reviews I read about the on-site restaurant were probably the lowest in the area and even after talking with the one of the bartenders about where he would recommend to eat, not one of his recommendations included their restaurant. I did check out the menu and having felt like I spent too much money for just a stay, I wasn't about to spend more on sub-par, overpriced food. So I ventured out and tried some places I hadn't yet and found some really great (and cheaper!!) options instead! All in all, would I recommend staying at Grande Denali Lodge? No, I would not. I think it's an okay place but there are some much nicer, much less expensive places to stay, including some great views! So I won't leave you hanging...one might be surprised at all the different places you can stay near Denali National Park, but I daresay, one of the best places we've ever stayed in the entire state of Alaska is at Mckinley Creekside Cabins. We've been back multiple times, have enjoyed our own private cabins, the friendly staff, the incredible views, and the BEST food. They also offer a shuttle you can book ahead of time if traveling without a car, just fyi. Mckinley Creekside Cabins also includes a delicious cafe with crave-able breakfasts. They are also right next door to Panorama Pizza Pub, with delicious pizza and their beer mac and cheese is so good! Closer to the park entrance, you'll find Prospector's Historic Pizzeria and Alehouse and it's so good! We would highly recommend grabbing a bite there as well. Another place to grab some breakfast or an early lunch closer to the park entrance is The Black Bear. A great little local coffee shop that offers delicious baked goods and breakfast items (the banana bread, blueberry muffins, and breakfast burritos are *chef's kiss*). They also provide prepackaged items that you can "grab and go" on your way to your adventure.
Questions, comments, previous experiences at Grande Denali Lodge? We want to hear them in the comments!! If you have any favorite spots in Denali that we missed, let us know! 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 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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