Editor's Note: Unfortunately, the Aurora Express is permanently closed.
Taking some time away from home for a little getaway is always great, but when the destination is truly unique, it can become the trip of a lifetime. The Aurora Express is a bed and breakfast outside of Fairbanks, Alaska that not only offers stunning views, but the chance to sleep in beautifully restored vintage railroad cars.
It all started as a dream that came to Susan Wilson one night and the idea of creating an inn out of a railway caboose was born. The Aurora Express is a stationary train in Susan and Mike Wilson's backyard. The train cars were painstakingly brought in by tractor trailer and heavy equipment in 1993 and then converted into lovely suites with period decor. The accommodations at this bed and breakfast are like none you've seen before.
The Aurora Express train cars were once destined to become a museum, but now they sit on the side of a hill overlooking Fairbanks and are one of the uniquest bed and breakfasts in Alaska.
Even though each room has been thoroughly redone, there are authentic parts of the railway car that remain. You will find compartments to store shoes and lockers for your clothing just as you would have on a sleeper train back in the day.
The lounge and dining car are light and airy with plenty of windows. Curl up with a good book in a comfy chair in the lounge, or travel along to the dining car and grab a bite to eat.
There is one view that you can catch on the Aurora Express that will outshine all of the others. When the time is right the aurora borealis showcases itself in the Alaska sky.
Susan and Mike are cheerful hosts that will make your stay completely enjoyable at their railroad bed and breakfast. Every member of the family will absolutely fall in love with the Aurora Express.
The bed and breakfast is located at 1550 Chena Ridge Rd., Fairbanks, AK.
Have you ever climbed aboard the Aurora Express? Which room did you stay in? What did you love the most? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
You can see a guided tour of The Aurora Express here. For another magical place to spend the night in Alaska, check out this incredible hobbit house.
Have you discovered all that The Last Frontier has to offer yet? There's no state quite like Alaska. Much of its landscape is untouched and wild, making it the perfect place to escape for a while. With over 365 million acres and less than 733,000 people in the entire state, you can experience peace and tranquility like nowhere else. For your next getaway, check out some of the best resorts and best hotels in Alaska that are all amazing places to stay.
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Best Unique Hotels to Stay in Alaska
Why stay in a run-of-the-mill hotel when there are so many other options out there? Spend the night somewhere memorable like at one of the following unique hotels in Alaska.
With only seven luxurious guest rooms, you'll experience plenty of privacy here at Aurora Villa. Come here at the right time of the year and you can see the Northern Lights.
Nauti Otter Inn is one of the best-rated hotels in Alaska and it's no wonder -- it's quite a unique place to stay! While rooms at the inn as well as hostel rooms are available, why not try something different like a yurt or a camper for your accommodations? It's nice to have options and you'll certainly find that here at the Nauti Otter.
Built in 1913, the historic Alaskan Hotel and Bar is on the National Register of Historic Places. Spending the night here is a bit of an old-fashioned throwback and you're sure to enjoy the historical ambiance of the place. Explore all that Juneau has to offer like hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, or snowboarding, and then grab yourself a drink at the hotel's bar in the evening before retiring to your comfortable room.
Best Hotel Pools in Alaska
While it's too cold to go swimming in one of the state's seas or the Pacific Ocean, there are plenty of hotels with pools. If you enjoy swimming while on vacation, here are two of the best hotel pools in Alaska:
This is one of the best Alaskan hotels as it has more amenities than you could ever want including a fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. Take a few laps in the pool or even book a fitness class at the gym. In addition to the amenities, you can take in gorgeous views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet from the hotel's restaurant, the Crow's Nest.
If you love spending time in the water, you'll love it here at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Between the geothermal Rock Lake (for adults only), the hot tubs, and the pools, you'll feel so relaxed here. Additionally, there is a restaurant, coffee shop, bar/lounge, spa services, and plenty of activities you can book at this resort.
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Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska
We all deserve to experience luxury from time to time, so why not book a night or two at a luxury hotel? These are some of the best hotels in Alaska and once you check in, you may never want to check out.
With numerous dining options, a spa, an indoor pool, and other amenities, along with luxurious, well-appointed rooms, you may want to stay here forever. Nestled in the mountains, this is a premier location for skiing, and if you're into heli-skiing or cat-skiing, this is the place for you.
There's no doubt that the Denali Overlook Inn is one of the most beautiful hotels in Alaska. With views of Denali National Park and Preserve as well as mountain views, you'll be staring out your room window all day long. And if you want to head outdoors, there are hiking trails as well as a fire pit. Best of all, s'mores are included in your stay!
Best Boutique Hotels in Alaska
Smaller boutique hotels offer some of the most memorable accommodations around. Why stay in a large hotel when there are all these hotels with character available? Here are some of the best boutique hotels in Alaska:
Located in downtown Juneau, there are plenty of places to walk to from Silverbow Inn Hotel & Suites, one of the nicest hotels in Alaska. Occupying a building that was constructed in 1898, this hotel has since been upgraded and modernized, accommodating tourists and business travelers alike. With well-appointed rooms plus a rooftop hotel and mountain views, you're sure to love your stay here!
This boutique hotel only has nine guest rooms with private bathrooms, so you can certainly enjoy some privacy when you stay here. This small hotel is a wonderful place to stay year-round and is close to restaurants, shopping, art galleries, hiking, and more.
Best Waterfront Resorts in Alaska
With 66,000 miles of coastline, it's not hard to find waterfront accommodations in Alaska. If you're looking for top hotels in Alaska with water views, here are a few options:
Land's End Resort is one of the top hotels in Alaska, and it's easy to see why. With its beachfront location, variety of accommodations, and views of the Kenai Mountains, you won't want to leave. Choose from a hotel room, a cabin, or the Alaskan lodge. There's something here for everyone!
This luxury waterfront lodge only has eight rooms. While small, it offers its guests fine dining at its on-site restaurant and a bar/lounge. SeaScape offers all-inclusive luxury Alaska fishing packages that include four or five nights of lodging plus fishing trips with all gear provided and fine dining.
Situated along the water and surrounded by gorgeous scenery in Seward, Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay provides luxurious eco-friendly lodging. In fact, it has taken the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge and received the Green Leader award from TripAdvisor. As far as accommodations go, both waterfront rooms and cabins are available. While you're here, enjoy all the beautiful views of Seward by taking a flightseeing tour.
Are you ready to book your stay at one of the best hotels in Alaska? Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.
Alaska has the biggest and best of many things: mountains, landmass, and coastline. We have the aurora borealis, record-breaking snowfalls, and 24 hours of daylight. So it is no surprise that one of the very best hotels in the entire world is right here in Alaska. And it’s no regular hotel — it’s located right inside Denali National Park in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater. Continue reading about why this might just be one of the best hotels in Alaska!
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If you’re looking for the adventure of your dreams, look no further than the Sheldon Chalet.
Located deep within Denali National Park, this 5-star luxury resort is not just one of the best hotels in the world; it’s also one of the most remote. But you wouldn’t be able to tell by the amenities it offers.
The hotel is perched on top of a nunatak in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, located in Denali National Park on the magnificent Ruth Glacier.
You’ll take a scenic helicopter ride into this unique hotel before settling in to enjoy the landscape. The chalet is perched at 6,000 feet elevation, giving it a world-class, panoramic view of the wild beauty surrounding you.
The bedrooms offer 180-degree views of the incredible Alaska Range right outside your window.
The chalet has five bedrooms, and each room can sleep up to two people. The entire chalet is equipped with luxury furnishings, guaranteed to make your stay nice and cozy.
The house was designed after the original six-sided Mountain House, built in 1962.
The original structure is a short walk from this beautiful chalet, which comes in at over five times the original size of the Mountain House. The shape allows each home area to take in the breathtaking views outside the window.
Every detail — from the fine dining menu the in-house chef prepares to the award-winning wine and experienced guides willing to take you out on Ruth Glacier to explore — is taken care of. Your entire stay is only limited by what you want to do!
Your personalized stay can be booked directly with one of the Sheldon Chalet’s staff. Prices start at $75,000 for up to 4 people for an exclusive 3-night minimum.
Your trip cost includes every aspect, including the helicopter flight in, the in-house chef who prepares gourmet meals and selects wine pairings, guided glacier tours, and all the gear you need for your adventures.
If you have the opportunity to visit Sheldon Chalet in your lifetime, don’t pass it up.
From sparkling mountain peaks, miles of glaciers, and views that stretch out into some of the most stunning wilderness in the world, Sheldon Chalet is a gift to visit!
Would you stay at the Sheldon Chalet, one of the best hotels in the entire world? What do you think? Is it amazing? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to learn more about where you’re staying? Read about the most impressive national park in Alaska, Denali National Park:
