The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Alaska, USA

Not a bad place to take in the view at the Resurrection Lodge on the Bay
Not a bad place to take in the view at the Resurrection Lodge on the Bay | Courtesy of Resurrection Lodge on the Bay / Expedia
Nick Dauk

Cheap hotels in Alaska? They do exist – and they’re easier to find than bears, moose and whales. The 49th State may be rugged and even inhospitable in places, but these hotels and cabins are crammed with creature comforts to make your stay as cushy as can be. Soft beds, hot showers and warm welcomes are mixed with priceless Alaskan views – bookable with Culture Trip.

Denali Tri-Valley Cabins

Hotel

Two wood cabins at Denali Tri-Valley Cabins either side of track in forest
Courtesy of Denali Tri-Valley Cabins / Expedia

A private cabin for the same price as a highway motel? Denali Tri-Valley Cabins will immediately redefine your standard for “cheap” hotels. Surrounded by trees, the porches of these cabins are great for star- and even northern lights-spotting on a cloudless night. Best of all, the Alaskan Coffee Bean and 49th State Brewing brewery are at hand for when you need a sip of something to pep you back up after a day’s hiking in Denali National Park.

Bridgewater Hotel

Hotel

Basic room at Bridgewater Hotel with en suite, TV, microwave and an iron
Courtesy of Bridgewater Hotel / Expedia

Picture the scene: you’ve just stepped off the train in Fairbanks. The Bridgewater Hotel shuttle sweeps you through a world of ice-blue skies, snow-heaped pines and distant mountains, and – despite your tiredness – the landscape is calling you to explore it. Back at the hotel, inspired by the framed historic photos and Native American-inspired artwork, you make a pot of coffee in your homely room and begin planning your trip – to the Gates of the Arctic National Park, say, or Denali National Park. Adventure awaits.

Sheep Mountain Lodge

Inn

Large open plan room at Sheep Mountain Lodge with two double beds, wooden kitchen, sofa and table and chairs
Courtesy of Sheep Mountain Lodge / Expedia

Handcrafted cabins, amazing views of the Matanuska River Valley and a restaurant full of fresh, home-cooked Alaskan food; all this and then some is waiting for you at Sheep Mountain Lodge. The rugged, forest-clad views are particularly ravishing from the hot tub, but the only way you’ll catch a glimpse of the Dall Sheep that roam the mountain slopes is through the lodge’s telescope. It’s harder to miss the hotel’s owner and his bush plane; he tends to fly it as low to the lodge as possible.

The Vue Seward

Apartment

Two wood cabins with slanted roofs at The Vue Seward with mountains in background
Courtesy of The Vue Seward / Booking.com

“How’s the view from the Vue?” you ask. We suppose “absolutely incredible” would suffice. Even if you’re an introvert, you’ll want to sip coffee in the communal kitchen or grill out on the patio with new friends, going on and on about how remarkable the mountains in the distance are. Although, it sounds like you’ll also appreciate the Full Vue suite: four queen beds and four pull-out couches for your closest family and friends, along with a fully equipped kitchen and barbecue area on the patio.

Hotel Seward

Hotel

Classic room at Hotel Seward with two dark wooden double beds, green striped wallpaper, red carpet and a bay window
Courtesy of Hotel Seward / Expedia

Start and end your adventures in Alaska at Hotel Seward. Downtown in the city of the same name, this near-century-old hotel and restaurant has rates so affordable, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were fixed in time. If you’re not pushy about tighter quarters and stair-only access, why not book a room in the historic wing for the full flavour of the place? Imagine staying in these exact rooms in the 1940s, years before statehood, enjoying the serenity of the bay.

Dimond Center Hotel

Hotel

Large lobby area at Dimond Center Hotel with blue and grey colour palette, L-shaped sofas and large window wall
Courtesy of Dimond Center Hotel / Expedia

Landed in Anchorage for a quick overnight? Fly home with a few extra bucks in your pocket by staying at the Dimond Center Hotel. They offer 24/7 shuttle service to the Ted Stevens International Airport, only 6mi (10km) away. Spend the few hours you have soaking in your room’s 72in jetted tub until the Old Cannery Bar opens for the evening, which also serves pizza, burgers and sandwiches. If you have more time to kill, the Alaska Zoo and Far North Bicentennial Park are nearby.

Resurrection Lodge on the Bay

Hotel

Rustic wooden cabin interior at Resurrection Lodge on the Bay with wooden door and walls, brown bed sheets and metal wall art
Courtesy of Resurrection Lodge on the Bay / Expedia

You’d better believe that your body and budget are both going to get a breath of renewal at Resurrection Lodge on the Bay. Relax with home-made cookies, a coffee or tea, and do nothing except sit on the deck and watch whales, sea lions and sea otters play in Resurrection Bay. Prefer to stay cozied up in bed? You’ll get the same bay views from your room. Basically, you get the bay no matter how little you pay.

Wedgewood Resort

Resort

Small room with two double beds at Wedgewood Resort with wooden headboards, red floral quilts and a TV
Courtesy of Wedgewood Resort / Expedia

Surrounded by thousands of acres of protected wildlife areas, yet close enough to downtown Fairbanks to get a cup of coffee from Creamers Espresso Yourself in minutes, Wedgewood Resort offers the perfect mix of seclusion and city immersion for any budget. Better still, their suites have separate bedrooms, spacious living rooms and fully equipped kitchens to make you (and your wallet) feel right at home. Grab that cup of joe and go for a walk in your “backyard”: nature trails through a wildlife sanctuary and migratory waterfowl refuge.

For more options, discover our guide to the best hotels in Alaska, or these luxury places to stay, and book now on Culture Trip. Fancy discovering more stunning places to stay in Alaska? Check out our guide on where to stay in Denali National Park, Alaska, bookable on Culture Trip. For an affordable stay, check out our pick of the best cheap hotels in Anchorage, Alaska, bookable on Culture Trip.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

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ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

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8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

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9 days . Epic
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

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Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

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1. South Korea

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

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2. Thailand

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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

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10 days . Culture
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

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2. Egypt

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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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