Denali Crow's Nest

We came at the very end of August, late in the season, and stayed two nights. The cabin was clean and fairly spacious. It had in-room coffee, plus a cooler outside with free ice instead of a fridge. Staff were friendly and brought extra pillows and coffee pods when we asked. The shower was good and had plenty of hot water, and the restaurant was good and easy to reach. The floor slanted enough that you noticed it and wanted to be careful, though it wasn't really a problem. The staff were young, so you might wonder who's in charge, but they all seemed ready to help. At check-in they clearly explained things like shampoo, the off-hours phone, and the golf cart, including a few issues I'd seen mentioned in other reviews. It seems expensive compared with places in the lower 48, but around Denali the price seemed about right for what it is. A solid three stars, and I'd stay again.

The staff seemed poorly trained, there was no signage for the property, and the restaurant that looked interesting was closed. On our last night, a party three doors down kept us awake from 11 PM until 4 AM, with staff helping out. The hot water could scald you if you weren't careful, the carpet was filthy, and the recent work in our two rooms looked shoddy and unprofessional. The floor sloped down the hillside enough to make me wonder about the foundation. The website photos make this place look much nicer than it is. I know people don't come here for the hotel itself, but at these prices I'd expect something a bit better.

We had trouble getting clear information from the Staff, especially about the shuttle to the park. The daily happy hour with complementary wine was a nice touch, and the restaurant was good. There are LOTS of stairs. We stayed in cabin 410. The cabins are rustic and seem to be slowly sliding down the mountainside. Our floors sloped heavily, and the tiny bathroom looked like it could detach and fall off. The beam that used to support it is missing, and random piles of scrap wood seem to be holding the place up (see photos). The mattress was worn out, so we both rolled into each other in the middle. There was a cooler, but no fridge or microwave. The tap water tasted salty, like a malfunctioning water softener, and wasn't drinkable. Bottled water was available in the lobby, but nobody told us, so we didn't know.

The service was unbeatable, everyone was so helpful, and the spa and sauna were 10/10. Golf carts were available to take you around the steep hillside. The Alaska resident price made it very worth it. We had hot water and clean beds, and you're paying for the view and the historical site. I'd rather support this local business than other commercial hotels. The place wasn't as rustic as some other reviews made it sound. If you've been around Alaska, especially rural Alaska, you know older buildings often aren't level. There is some water damage in the all-wood bathrooms. The resort deserves five stars for its location and service.