Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

The rooms made this feel like a real Alaskan retreat, with lots of space and a cozy, upscale cabin design. We especially liked the wood burning fireplace and private porch, a lovely spot for the crisp air and views. Everything about the accommodations exceeded our expectations. The lodge also made a long trip easier. There’s a well-stocked shop on the property for necessities, souvenirs, and snacks, and having laundry facilities on site was a big help halfway through the trip. The staff were consistently friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, whether we needed local excursion suggestions or help with something in the room. They made the stay feel seamless and relaxing. We highly recommend the Kenai Fjords Princess Lodge for a visit to the Seward area.

My wife has leukemia, and during the nationwide Alaska Airlines shutdown in July we were stranded at the airport. We spent the night on the floor with nowhere to sit or rest and no way to reach Cooper Landing. It was one of the worst travel experiences we’ve had. In the chaos of trying to care for her and deal with the airline meltdown, I didn’t call Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge to cancel. It was an honest mistake during a documented national crisis. After we finally got home, I started contacting the lodge. For several weeks I mailed handwritten letters to the corporate office and the general manager at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge front desk in Cooper Landing, with copies of my correspondence with Alaska Airlines explaining why we couldn’t arrive. I also sent emails and left voicemails with details. I got no response at all, no call, email, or letter. I wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable for the $500 room we couldn’t physically reach during a national airline collapse, just understanding, compassion, or basic communication. The silence from every level of the organization was deeply disappointing for a property associated with Princess. If this is how Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge treats guests caught in a crisis beyond their control, travelers should think carefully before booking. I hope your families receive the compassion we were denied. What a shame.

There are two dining spots, one with a bar and grill feel and another that’s casual but a bit nicer. We had breakfast at the second one, with the choice of buffet or ordering from the menu, which was flexible. The food was pretty good and there was a nice variety. The rooms are large and set in little rows around the property, with an individual cabin feel. Ours had two queens, a pullout coach, and a porch. The ceiling windows were really annoying in summer, though, because light poured in all night when we were trying to sleep.

The riverfront trail was lovely, scenic, and peaceful. Our room was excellent, roomy and comfortable, with a shower that felt especially good after seven days using a cruise ship shower. We didn’t use the wood burning stove. Still, I struggled with this review because there really isn’t much to do at the lodge. There are two restaurants with the same menu, a gift shop, and two short hiking trails that each take about 15 minutes. We’re active hikers and expected more trails on site, so we mostly sat in the room. We stayed two nights and had a full day with little to do. Our room didn’t have much of a view, so the deck wasn’t very appealing, though I’m sure some rooms have nice views. The breakfast buffet was okay, and lunch was typical comfort food, fine but nothing special. Everything in Alaska is overpriced, which is expected. We chose not to take an excursion, so that part was on us. If you’re looking for a relaxing night, the lodge is great.