Skip to Content

Alyeska Resort Hotel: A Luxurious Stay In Girdwood, Alaska

Alyeska Resort Hotel is a premier year-round destination in Girdwood, Alaska, providing a quintessential mountainous getaway.

Surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, miles of hiking trails, and adjacent to the Alyeska Nordic Spa, it provides the perfect locale for relaxation and a gateway to outdoor adventures.

We stayed at the Alyeska Resort as part of our Holland America Noordam cruise and land tour. After seven days at sea, it allowed us to unwind and immerse ourselves in the peacefulness of the landscape, away from the city.

Alyeska Resort Hotel in Girdwood
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from an affiliate link, I may receive a very small commission, which does not result in additional charges to you. Full disclosure here.

Accommodations And Amenities

With its eight-story structure housing over 300 rooms, a plethora of fine dining options, a ski mountain, a saltwater pool, and a bike park, Alyeska Resort Hotel is a versatile base camp for both thrilling adventures and serene relaxation, regardless of the season.

While the hotel’s address is in Girdwood, it’s located away from downtown, which isn’t walkable. However, hotel guests can utilize a complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and Girdwood.

The resort’s shuttle service, operating daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, provides a hassle-free way to discover the town. Departing from the tram loop at 20 minutes past the hour, the shuttle makes 14 stops, including the train depot.

Luxury Rooms And Suites

The mountain getaway offers spacious guest rooms and suites with a charming chateau-style design. All rooms feature one king or two double beds with Serta® Presidential Pillow-Top Mattresses.

The rooms and suites have modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, safes, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffee makers.

Our king bed room
Our king bed room

We enjoyed spectacular views of the forest behind the hotel and the aerial tram to the top of the mountain from our room.

Guests staying two or more nights can opt for the Green Stay Program. By not having their room serviced, they can receive a USD 5 daily dining credit or make a daily donation of the same amount to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Pool And Gym

Alyeska Resort Hotel offers a wide range of amenities to keep guests relaxed and entertained during their stay. The hotel’s heated indoor saltwater pool and hot tub were particularly lovely. However, we found the closing time, 9 pm each evening, a bit limiting.

Alyeska Resort Hotel saltwater pool
The hotel’s saltwater pool

Adjacent to the pool area, a fully equipped fitness center has state-of-the-art equipment, including Peleton bikes.

In addition to the saltwater pool and fitness center, the hotel has a sauna for guests to unwind and relax. In winter, the pool, hot tub, and sauna are welcoming venues after a cold day on the slopes.

Dining And Shopping

Since the Alyeska property sits away from Girdwood’s downtown, it has its own restaurants and shops. On the second floor, various shops sold Alaska souvenirs and gifts. We found the restaurants very pricy and similar to what you’d find at most resorts.

For those seeking more budget-friendly options, the complimentary shuttle to downtown Girdwood gives access to a diverse range of dining options. The Girdwood Brewing Company, Double Musky, and Jack Sprat are just a few of the popular choices.

Gourmet Restaurants

Inside the hotel, we found several restaurants, each with its own unique atmosphere and cuisine. The renowned Sakura Restaurant, for example, offers hand-crafted specialty rolls and sushi pulled right from the water.

Tonkotsu Ramen from Sakura
Tonkotsu Ramen from Sakura

We dined at Sakura both nights at the resort. We liked the menu selection, reasonable pricing, and excellent service. The restaurant is small, but we could get a seat without waiting.

Seven Glaciers is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a fine dining experience. Located at the top of the tram, this venue offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and hanging glaciers. Be prepared to pay USD 120+ pp, not including drinks.

Forte is another excellent choice, and we enjoyed breakfast there. It offers a breakfast buffet and an a la carte menu. It’s the ideal place to dine with a view, as it overlooks the pond and forest.

Forte Restaurant
Forte Restaurant

Additionally, we could order room service with food delivered from the Forte Restaurant.

Casual Dining

If you’re looking for a more casual dining experience, the Girdwood hotel has you covered. The Bore Tide Deli & Bar is the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat. They offer a variety of deli sandwiches and salads, as well as a full bar.

The Tramway Café is another great option for casual dining. It is open daily for breakfast and lunch and offers a variety of salads, soups, and sandwiches.

Summer Activities

Alyeska Hotel offers various summer activities catering to guests of all ages and interests. From hiking and mountain biking to scenic cruises and tram rides, there are lots of activities in and near Girdwood.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is another popular summer activity. There are various trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. The hotel offers convenient bike rentals, so guests can explore the trails independently or join a guided tour to learn more about the area.

Alyeska Aerial Tram

Alyeska Aerial Tram car
Alyeska Aerial Tram

Ride on the Alyeska Aerial Tram and experience stunning views of the mountains and glaciers. The tram takes guests up to an elevation of 2300 feet to Mount Alyeska, where they can enjoy a meal at the Seven Glaciers restaurant or explore the observation deck.

Adult tickets cost USD 48, or you can pay USD 60 for a ride-and-dine option, which gives you a USD 25 food credit for the Bore Tide Deli & Bar.

Alyeska Aerial Tram pricing
Alyeska Aerial Tram pricing (June 2024)

The tram is open daily during the summer season. It is a must-ride attraction for anyone visiting the Alyeska area.

Hiking Trails

With over 2,000 acres of beautiful mountain terrain, guests can choose from a variety of trails, including the Winner Creek Trail and the North Face Trail, that range in difficulty and length.

The hotel offers guided hikes for those who want to learn more about the local flora and fauna, or guests can explore the trails independently. Remember to bring your camera to capture the stunning views of the mountains and glaciers.

🏠 Haven’t booked your stay yet?

Select from standard double rooms to Presidential Suites. Some can accommodate up to four, and upgraded rooms come with beautiful mountain views.

Book your room here

Portage Glacier Cruise

Half an hour south on the Seward Hwy, the Portage Glacier one-hour cruise makes a great half-day outing. The cruise on a small vessel allowed us to get close to the face of Portage Glacier.

We cruised in early June when the season had just opened, and the surrounding mountains still had plenty of snow. Be sure to stop at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center and enjoy the beautiful Chugach National Forest and views of Turnagain Arm along the way.

The cruise is a great way to learn more about the local history and geology of the area.

Visiting Portage Glacier
Visiting Portage Glacier

26 Glacier Cruise

For those who want to see more than just one glacier, the 26 Glacier Cruise is the perfect option. This full-day Prince William Sound cruise takes guests to see 26 different glaciers and various wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, and whales.

The cruise includes a delicious lunch and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that guests will never forget. We took this cruise from Alyeska, which included transportation to and from the cruise port in Whittier.

Although the cruise markets it as a glacier excursion, the wildlife sightings were the highlight for me. Imagine countless numbers of sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, porpoises, and marine birds. My favorite photo I captured is shown below.

Harbor seal and its pup in College Fjord
Harbor seal and pup in College Fjord

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Fifteen miles south of the resort, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center allows visitors to see the “Big Five” in a controlled environment. The sanctuary cares for orphaned and injured animals and educates the public on their breed.

The USD entrance fee gives access to extensive penned areas containing wolves, wood bison, elk, caribou, black and brown bears, muskox, foxes, moose, and even a lynx.

Alyeska Nordic Spa Experience

The Alyeska Resort is not only known for its luxurious accommodations and scenic views but also for its world-class spa experience at the Alyeska Nordic Spa. This venue is renowned for being Alaska’s first Nordic Spa.

This unique spa experience invites guests to enjoy hydrotherapy’s benefits as they take time to disconnect and reconnect with themselves.

One of the highlights of the Alyeska Nordic Spa is its hydrotherapy experience. Guests can move between hot and cold pools, saunas, and steam rooms to help stimulate circulation, soothe sore muscles, and promote relaxation.

Alyeska Nordic Spa entrance
Alyeska Nordic Spa entrance

The spa also offers a unique rainforest shower experience that uses water, sound, and light to create a refreshing and invigorating experience.

Winter Activities

While we stayed at the Alyeska Resort Hotel in summer, it attracts locals for its winter activities.

The hotel offers many winter activities to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders. From thrilling slopes to serene snow-covered landscapes, Alyeska Resort has something for everyone. The mountain provides a great location to see the aurora borealis in winter.

Ski And Snowboard Lessons

The resort offers ski or snowboard lessons for all ages and skill levels. Experienced instructors who are friendly and patient teach the classes.

Ski and snowboard lessons include both group and private lessons. Group lessons are a great way to meet new people and learn together, while private lessons offer personalized attention and faster progress.

Equipment Rentals

For those new to winter sports, the hotel has ski and snowboard equipment for rent. It offers various rental packages to suit different needs and budgets.

The rental packages include skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, and poles. The hotel also offers a complimentary pick-up service from the hotel to the ski lifts.

Getting To Alyeska Resort Hotel

The Girdwood Hotel is reachable by car, shuttle and train.

Directions From Anchorage

If you’re traveling to Girdwood from Anchorage, the most convenient way is to rent a car at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

The drive to Girdwood is approximately 40 miles south of Anchorage on the scenic Seward Highway. It is an easy one, and the views along the Turnagain Arm are breathtaking.

From mid-July to August, Beluga whales make their way up the arm to coincide with the salmon run. There are several viewpoints along the way to stop and see them.

Shuttle Services

If you want to avoid renting a car, several shuttle services are available from Anchorage to Girdwood. The most popular is Alaska Cruise Transportation, which offers daily service from the Anchorage airport to Girdwood hotels.

Another shuttle service is the Alaska Tour & Travel, which offers daily service from the Anchorage airport to Girdwood hotels. Reservations are required.

Alaska Railroad

The Glacier Discovery Train offers service between Anchorage and Whittier, with brief stops in Girdwood. The train leaves Anchorage at 9:45am and arrives in Girdwood at 10:55am, with the ride costing USD 78.

The train ride takes 55 minutes from Whittier since it must pass through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.

Alyeska Resort Hotel Conclusion

While we only spent two days at the Alyeska Resort, it was relaxing and the perfect setting to unwind. Our room was comfortable, quiet, and provided wonderful amenities for a summer vacation. We certainly wouldn’t hestite to stay there again.

Alyeska Resort Hotel, aerial tram and hotel statue

Sharing is caring!