McCarthy Lodge Resort

The staff were outstanding, the location was great, and the food across the street was very good. You can't drive into town, so there's a walk from the parking lot. We were lucky to find the shuttle bus when we carried our luggage over. The next day's arrivals weren't told what to do and had no shuttle waiting, so they hauled their bags up the road. We stayed in room 1, and I wouldn't recommend it, or even the upstairs rooms if those were an option. It had a full size bed and so little space that two people couldn't pass each other. Luggage had to go in the walkway to the bed. One upstairs bathroom was behind the head of the bed, and we could hear people peeing all night. The window faced the street, so we heard people leaving the bar and whispering on the porch at 3 am. There are three or four bathrooms down the halls. Downstairs rooms had sinks, with showers and toilets along the hall. I'd choose a twin bed room instead, since those have more space and feel less cramped. None of the bedrooms have electricity. There are charging ports in the lobby, so bring a portable battery.

Neil, the owner, called me before our trip and suggested itinerary changes that would give us more time in McCarthy. That was above and beyond, and the rest of the staff also exceeded our expectations. Ma Johnson's is right downtown. The rooms are charming and clean, if on the small side. Breakfast is free at the Salmon and Bear Restaurant across the street, and it was one of the best hotel breakfasts I've had. Everyone in town was so nice. I'd highly recommend staying at least two nights, and taking a glacier hike with St Alpine, which picks you up right outside the hotel. Hope to visit again.

People were very nice and accommodating, with plenty of grace for the quirks of this wonderful little town. The hotel is quaint and feels like a step back in history. For two people, I'd book one of the rooms with two beds. The single bed rooms we saw were tiny, barely giving one person room to move. I think only one room we saw had an outlet, but people make do by charging devices in the lobby or the common area in the next building. This is your best bet in town.

Our room was small but had enough space, and the sink in the room was handy because the bathrooms are shared. Ma J's, as the locals call it, was a great place to stay on our Wrangell-St. Elias trip. We loved the breakfast and the historic decorations in both the rooms and lobby.