Ocean View Inn Kenai

The ocean was in clear view when we woke up and when we went to bed. Carma also shared ideas for making the most of our Kenai Peninsula trip. We were amazed when we opened the fridge and found breakfast foods, drinks, and even homemade smoked salmon waiting for us. We had an amazing stay and would recommend this Inn in a heartbeat.

We didn’t know what to expect since the place had only just opened, so the luxury was a lovely surprise. It was clean and charming, spread over several levels, and somehow felt both roomy and cozy. My teenager had a private loft with a bird’s-eye view over us, and my husband, who dislikes closed-in spaces, loved the high ceilings. I enjoyed the fresh fruit, continental breakfast, and little private balcony, where I had coffee and read my guides while my family slept in. The owner gave us great recommendations, and we didn’t have to share any hallways or entrances. One of the nicer places we’ve stayed.

Every morning we gathered fresh eggs from the “ladies” in the hen house, something we all looked forward to and will miss. We spent some of our favorite moments on the huge, beautiful deck, enjoying the view and each other, playing games by the fire, and watching a moose wander slowly through the green belt with eagles constantly overhead. Carma made every corner feel like home. Her spotless, warm, cozy house welcomed our family like it was our own. Our first stay in Kenai couldn’t have been lovelier. This place has taken a gentle hold on us, and we’ll carry it with us forever. Thank you!

I had a very hard time reaching the Inn by phone to check availability or book several stays. They never returned my calls or messages. Months later, when I spoke with the proprietor, I was blamed for calling instead of using Airbnb or VRBO. We wound up staying at Cannery Lodge and Aspen Suites. I want to be clear that I’ve never stayed at Ocean View Lodge. This is only about the booking difficulty, no follow-up, and poor customer service. Update: We weren’t upset that we couldn’t stay at Ocean View. We were upset that nobody called back to say it was unavailable or that the stay was too short. Things worked out anyway, since the customer service was so bad.