Lynn View Lodge Suite 2

Lynn View Lodge Suite 2 is a self-contained suite at a lodge on a canal in Haines, the quiet Alaska town that sits across the water from Skagway and is linked to it by a fast ferry. The suite has a private entrance, one king bed and one single bed, a table with chairs and a large private bathroom with a separate shower and an oversized Jacuzzi tub. The lodge has a wrap-around covered porch and spacious common areas, and the canal setting gives it a peaceful, lodge-style feel that is a world away from the busy Skagway boardwalks. Guests can use a private canal beach with fire pits and seating, which is the highlight in the long evenings of summer. The rooms are equipped with satellite HD television, a DVD player, a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee maker, so you can handle breakfast and light meals yourself. Barbecue grills are available, and guests get free use of the lodge internet and phone. The lodge kitchen and laundry are not open to guests, and access to common areas is limited to the living room and dining room.

Why Haines. Skagway has a limited number of beds, and in high season they sell out. Haines is a realistic second base: the Haines-Skagway Fast Ferry runs between the two towns, so you can sleep in Haines and take a day trip to the railway, the Klondike park and the Chilkoot Trail, or the other way around. Check the ferry schedule and timing before you plan a tight day, since service varies by season.

Location and getting around. The lodge is a short drive from the center of Haines. The Hammer Museum, the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center, the American Bald Eagle Foundation museum and the Southeast Alaska State Fair grounds are all within about five minutes by car, Fort William H. Seward is a little farther, and the airport is roughly ten minutes away. You will want a car, a taxi or a pickup arrangement, because it is not a walk to town. Restaurants and a market are a few minutes away by car.

House notes. Check-in begins in the afternoon and check-out is at eleven. Pets are allowed, and onsite parking is available. Expect a homey suite rather than a hotel with a front desk, and ask the hosts about arrival times if you are coming off a late ferry or flight. The walls are decorated with photographs of Alaskan animals and scenery.

Who it suits. Couples, small families and travelers who like quiet and a soak in a big tub after a day of hiking will enjoy it. If you want a restaurant and a lobby on site, look at the Haines hotels elsewhere in this guide. Rates and availability vary with the season, so check when you book, and reserve early for summer.