The short version
Ketchikan is a small town with a short list of hotels, and the choice comes down to location. Stay downtown or near Creek Street if you want to walk to the docks, restaurants and tour pickups. Stay on the road system if you have a rental car or want lower prices. Stay at a lodge if fishing or quiet is the goal. Because the season is short, the best rooms are booked months ahead for summer.
Downtown and the waterfront
The Gilmore Hotel is a historic downtown hotel from the 1920s, close to Creek Street, the waterfront and the cruise docks. It suits travelers who want to walk everywhere and who like character over modern polish. Room sizes vary, as in any older building, so ask about quiet rooms. Downtown is lively in summer evenings, which is a plus for some and a drawback for light sleepers.
Creek Street and the hill above
The Inn at Creek Street is a small property near the boardwalk, ideal for those who want the old Ketchikan atmosphere on their doorstep. Above it, Cape Fox Lodge sits on a hill with views over the harbor and Alaska Native art in its public spaces. It is the most distinctive stay in town, and it suits couples and culture seekers. The hill means some uphill walking, so ask about the tram and about luggage help if you need it.
The road system
North of downtown, the Landing Hotel and Restaurant offers a practical stay near the ferry terminal with a restaurant on site. Super 8 by Wyndham provides a budget chain option, and My Place Hotel is an extended-stay style property with kitchen-friendly rooms. These suit drivers, ferry travelers, families and longer stays, but they are not walkable to Creek Street, so budget for taxis or a rental car.
Fishing lodges and quiet stays
Salmon Falls Resort sits on the water north of town and is oriented toward anglers and travelers who want space. It is more remote than the in-town hotels and likely seasonal, so confirm opening dates and transport. If fishing is the main goal, ask about charters, fish processing and packages when you book.
Across the border
Ketchikan has a limited number of bookable hotels, so some travelers extend their trip to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which is linked by ferry and air. Pacific Inn and Prestige Oceanview Hotel are two options there. They make sense only if your route passes through Canada, and you need valid border documents. Check ferry schedules before you reserve.
When to book
Summer rooms fill early, especially downtown, and rates follow the cruise calendar. Shoulder months bring lower prices and quieter streets, but fewer tours. In winter many services shut down, though the best-value stays appear. Whatever the season, book as soon as your dates are firm and read the cancellation terms, since weather can change travel plans on this coast.
Which to choose
For a first visit on foot, pick the Gilmore or the Inn at Creek Street. For atmosphere and views, pick Cape Fox Lodge. For a budget or family stay with a car, pick the Landing, Super 8 or My Place. For fishing, pick Salmon Falls. Match the hotel to the plan, and you will spend more of your time enjoying the town and less of it commuting.
Arriving and leaving
Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, by ferry or by air. The airport sits across the water on Gravina Island and is reached by a short ferry from town, so allow extra time and keep an eye on schedules, especially in poor weather. The Alaska Marine Highway terminal is north of downtown, near the Landing. If you arrive late, confirm check-in arrangements, because small inns may have limited front desk hours.
What to ask before you book
Ask about parking, breakfast, luggage storage, shuttle service and tour pickups, since these vary widely. Ask whether the room is on a quiet side, whether stairs are involved and whether there is a kitchen if you plan to cook. Confirm cancellation terms, especially for peak summer, and check whether a seasonal property is open for your dates. A few questions at booking save a lot of friction later.
A note on honesty about the options
Ketchikan does not have a large hotel market, and some choices here are on the road system or across the border rather than downtown. That is the reality of a small island town. If your dates are tight, widen your search, compare cancellation terms and consider the cost of taxis or a car when comparing nightly rates.