Looking for the best hotels in Fairbanks Alaska? Check out these 10!
Fairbanks is a lovely place, no matter which season you choose to travel to Alaska. Once you go outside, it is easy to see why anyone would want to visit the place, no matter how many layers of clothes you need to wear during the colder seasons. Each season in Alaska has its perks. During the colder seasons, you will get to see the famous northern lights. While during the summer, you will enjoy the rich wildlife and outdoor activities.
When traveling to such a beautiful place, your primary concern would be where you will sleep. It would be best not to worry about that since Fairbanks is known for its first-class accommodation and restaurants.
Fairbanks is the best place to be if you love the outdoors. During the summer, the temperatures are averagely between the 60s to the low 70s. There are many hiking trails, beautiful kayaking, and skiing spots, and you will also find somewhere to fish or hunt. There is something for everyone in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is also famous for its long summer days where the sun never seems to set. In June, Fairbanks experiences twenty-one hours of sunlight but in December, the town has only four hours of daylight. During winter, you will experience long and dark days.
The best-hidden Fairbanks secret is the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) mostly visible during winter. Such a spectacular sight is worth freezing for. If you don’t like summer outdoor activities travel to Fairbanks in the winter, where you can have your share of outdoor snow activity, and viewing the northern lights at night can never get old.
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Is it worth going to Fairbanks, Alaska?
Yes, it is worth it! If you are in Alaska, make it a point to visit Fairbanks. Most people go to Fairbanks, Alaska, because of the northern lights, but there are other major attractions and tourist points to see like;
- Riverboat discovery
- Pioneer park
- Gold Dredge 8
- Fountainhead antique auto museum
- The great Alaska bowl company
- Exploring the arctic with northern Alaska tour company
The Northern Lights are visible all year round, but the night sun will prevent you from seeing those beautiful yellow and green hovering lights during summer. You will have to go there at the end of August or early April for the best view of these lights.
Fairbanks looks like a tiny fairy town with a river running through the city. The Chena river welcomes a couple of fun outdoor activities like kayaking, jet skiing, or canoeing.
During winter there are lots of fun activities to do while in Fairbanks. These include:
- Ice fishing: You cant visit alaska and leave without gong ice fishing. Ice fishing is a northern living activity. You can go on a house fishing tour, catch your fish, and cook it on a stove and eat it right there and then. Companies offering ice fishing tours include; Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Ice Fishing and Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Aurora Ice Fishing.
- Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing doesn’t require any special skills and its a fun activity fit for the whole family.
- Ice skating: While in Fairbanks, you can go ice skating Hez Ray Sports Complex and Big Dipper Ice Arena.
- Dog sled rides: There are a majority of companies that offer dog sled rides to tourists during winter like; Trail Breaker Kennel, Black Spruce Dog Sledding, Paws dfor adventure and Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Dog Sledding. The locals also hold multiple dog races that you can witness.
- Snow mobiling tour: As Alaskans call it “snow mobiling” is a fun activity. You’ll find tour companies offering you this opportunity and as you race down the snowy mountains you will witness a large number of moose. Alaska Wildlife Guide and Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Snowmobiling Tours and Rentals are companies that offer snowmobiling tours.
- Riding a floatplane: You can take up a floatplane tour and go sightseeing. Everyone gets a window seat to see the most memorable scenes. Tour companies like; Juneau Glacier Flightseeing by Floatplane Tour offer this service.
- Soak in the Chena hotsprings: About half an hour drive from Fairbanks is Chena Hot Springs Resort where there is a large walk-in hot spring. The hot springs are not only for resort guests. You can drive up there and pay a small fee to soak up in the bubbling water while watching the Northern Lights.
- Find Northern Lights: A combination of green, red, purple, yellow, orange and pink is what you will witness when you get to see the aurora.
- Walk through an ice cave: Castner Glacier is found near Black Rapids AK. You can visiti the ice caves in agroup for safety reasons and great company as you get to see the wonderful blue hue the glacier gets.
During summer, you can enjoy hiking or biking through the trails, while during the winter, you could also go snowshoeing or cross country skiing through these trails. If you have kids and are afraid you might be at a loss as they wouldn’t enjoy the place at all, you are wrong.
Not only will they enjoy making snowmen in the winter, but they will also enjoy the Fairbanks Children’s Museum for immersive activities that your children will enjoy all day long. The activities offered by the museum are for kids of all ages.
They are fun and stimulating and provide camps and programs to help kids learn and connect with the world around them. The museum has a team of educators dedicated to helping your kids enjoy their time there.
Is it cheaper to fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks?
When it comes to flights, the earlier you book your flight, either months or weeks prior, could save you a lot of money. But generally, flying to Anchorage is way cheaper than Fairbanks.
Fairbanks experiences a great deal of demand compared to Anchorage hence the hiked-up airfare. Not only is the flight cost high, but even accommodation and food in Fairbanks are also more expensive than in Anchorage. So, when traveling to Fairbanks, be sure to keep an eye on your budget to prevent you from overspending.
The cheapest airline to Fairbanks is United flight (be sure to counter-check if there will be any future changes). The cheapest flights are one-way. Booking a two-way flight to Alaska tends to be pricier.
Also, most one-way tickets to Anchorage offer discounts, and since the flights connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks are cheap, you could still go to Fairbanks at a lower price then, from there, take another flight to Anchorage.
Can I see the northern lights from a hotel in Alaska?
Yes, you can. There are hotels in Alaska built purposefully for viewing the northern lights. You won’t have to spend your night in a fancy hotel to see the lights of the north; there are camps, cabins, and glamping areas where you can book a lodge and stay, watching the northern lights come to life.
Some of these hotels also offer tours to see the northern lights starting from 9 p.m to 4 a.m. The most original hotel explicitly built for viewing the lights of the north is the Tromso Ice Domes.
The hotel is an ice igloo with all the comforts to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night. You can also take a snowshoe Nothern Lights tour while watching the lights over a bonfire.
The Best Hotel in Fairbanks Alaska
There are many hotels that you could stay in during your visit to Fairbanks, Alaska. We have put together hotels that you would enjoy staying in during winter to watch the Nothern Lights and during summer for some fun outdoor activities.
1. Marriott Fairbanks SpringHill Suites
In the heart of Fairbanks, you will find this fine hotel by Marriott Fairbanks with compelling amenities and modern suites. The hotel provides you with a furnished room and a generous bathroom, making you feel right at home.
The hotel’s location is very accessible as it is in the middle of town. It also stands out from the rest as it is one of the few hotels with a pool in the city. They have a heated indoor pool, a hot whirlpool, and a 24-hour fitness facility.
They offer a buffet breakfast and international meals meant to suit your platter. You will also be able to see the Northern Lights from the hotel. You will get a free shuttle transfer from the airport to the hotel and back and a free parking space as a guest.
2. Candlewood Suites- Fairbanks
The hotel has modern designed accommodations that are sure to make you comfortable. There is also a fully equipped gym, and it is open twenty-four seven. The hotel’s rooms have a terrace where you can chill in the cold while making yourself and your friends a barbecue feast as you await the Northern Lights. In case you’re staying longer, they have a laundromat and offer laundry services.
3. Aurora Borealis Lodge
This hotel is twenty miles from Fairbanks, setting you aside from the city and its noise. Here, you will get a cozy two-bedroom log cabin to give you all the best views imaginable of the Northern Lights.Staying at this lodge will be worth your while.
4. Chena hot springs resort
The resort is out of town for those trying to escape modernization. The ambiance is beautiful, and it offers a great viewing point for the northern lights.
You can enjoy watching the lights from the hot springs or go on a snow coach tour to search for the aurora lights, which means you will have to travel to a higher point to increase the chances of viewing the lights. Also, the hotel sends out an alarm whenever the lights appear.
5. Pike's waterfront lodge
The hotel sits between Fairbanks international airport and the Chena River. Due to the lodge’s location, it sits in a perfect position for viewing the aurora lights. They have an observatory deck with a fire pit to view the nighttime light show.
Depending on the room you book, you can get one with a hot tub and a balcony facing the river. But whichever room you book comes with breakfast to start you off for the day. The hotel also has gift shops, a laundromat, and a gym.
6. Northern sky lodge
The hotel is located 50 kilometers from downtown Fairbanks. The lodge is away from civilization, and your only surrounding remains to be forests and grassland.
The rooms’ size fit two to four guests. It also has an observatory deck where you will get uninterrupted viewing of the beautiful night sky. If you want to go out into the snow for some fun, the hotel offers all the gear you will need for free.
7. Aurora villa
This villa is uniquely built like no other, with straight lines, massive floor-to-ceiling windows, and designer furniture. Every room comes with a bathroom and complimentary high-class toiletries. Due to the size of the windows, you can easily observe the aurora lights from the comfort of your room.
8. Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks
Among the many pleasures this hotel comes with, it also has a whirlpool, an indoor pool, and reclining chairs around the pool for extra comfort. You will get a free transfer from the airport to your hotel and back, a gym, and wifi.
Their guest rooms are fully functional with most of the electronics you might need, like a fridge and microwave.
9. A taste of Alaska lodge
This is a timber lodge away from the town’s center, giving you a taste of cabin life. If you visit during winter, the lodge organizes fun activities like snowshoeing and dog-sled rides.
They have a little lounge area fitted with a barbeque, table, and seats where you can comfortably watch the lights on cloudless nights. The price of the room comes with a complimentary breakfast.
10. Sophie station suites
This hotel is conveniently situated close to the airport. All rooms have a kitchen, ensuite bathroom, and lounge area. There are also rooms you can choose to stay in with a hot tub and a remaining private balcony for you to view the lights. The hotel has an outdoor terrace where you can sit and view the lights. You can also read books from their library or spend time in the gym getting fit.
Final words
Besides the aurora, the most beautiful thing in Alaska is the well-preserved nature and little to no pollution in the area. The rugged lifestyle in the area allows humans and wildlife to co-exist. If you love the outdoors, it would be perfect if you visited the city during winter or summer; it all depends on which season you prefer, but either way, you will have a lot of fun and sports.
The above hotels will offer you quality services making your stay in Fairbanks a memory you won’t forget. Make the best of your time in the beautiful town. If you travel during the summer, make sure you make the best of the warm weather by exploring those hiking trails.
Alternatively, if you go during winter, don’t miss out on watching the beautiful lights dance at night and also make the best use of the snow by partaking in some fun outdoor activities. Either way, make your stay memorable.