The Hotel Alyeska is the flagship of Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, a small mountain town in a rainforest valley at the head of Turnagain Arm. It is the splurge pick of this market and sits at the foot of the ski mountain, which means winter skiing and summer hiking are on the doorstep. Several restaurants and a bar, 24-hour room service, a full-service spa, a pool and whirlpool, and a fitness center are listed among its amenities, and the mountaintop Seven Glaciers restaurant is reached by tram. Rooms include a mini refrigerator, in-room safe and complimentary wireless internet. Girdwood is the natural overnight between Anchorage and Seward, or a base for Portage Glacier, and in November it is a ski and aurora hideaway rather than a summer crowd destination. It suits couples and active travelers who want comfort in the mountains.
Location and getting around. Girdwood is about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage along the Seward Highway, a drive that follows Turnagain Arm and is among the most scenic in Alaska. You will want a car or a transfer, and the hotel is the center of the resort village, with the tram station and the ski base nearby. The turn for Portage Glacier is a short drive further on, and Seward is about two hours farther, which makes Girdwood a smart night between the two.
Rooms and facilities. The hotel offers mountain-view rooms and suites in a resort building, with a full-service spa, a pool and whirlpool, and a fitness center. Dining includes several restaurants and a bar, and 24-hour room service is listed. The Seven Glaciers restaurant is at the top of the tram and is a special-occasion dinner with views of the surrounding glaciers, though meals are not included in the room rate.
Who it suits. Couples, skiers, and travelers who like comfort after a day outdoors. In winter you can ski, ride the tram and watch for aurora on clear nights, and in summer you can hike and combine the stay with glacier cruises. Good to know: tram and spa operating hours vary by season, so check before you plan your day; rates are highest in the summer peak and ski holidays, and the hotel is a distance from Anchorage, so allow drive time on winter roads and check conditions on the Seward Highway.
Why stay here
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Pool and whirlpool
- ✓Fitness center
- ✓Several restaurants and a bar
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Aerial tram to the mountaintop
- ✓In-room safe and mini fridge
- ✓Complimentary wireless internet
Good questions
Is the Hotel Alyeska open in winter?+
Yes. It is a ski resort hotel, and winter is a main season. Check resort and tram operating hours for your dates.
How far is it from Anchorage?+
About 40 miles southeast of Anchorage via the Seward Highway, around 45 minutes by car in good conditions.
Does the hotel have a spa and pool?+
Yes. A full-service spa, a pool and whirlpool, and a fitness center are listed amenities.