Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

Arriving at Cooper Landing, guests find the lodge set above the Kenai River, near where it meets the Russian River, long a salmon fishing ground on the peninsula. Bungalow-style rooms line the property, each fitted with a wood-burning stove, vaulted wood ceilings, and a private porch. It is a quiet arrangement, closer to a fishing camp than a hotel. The main lodge holds the Rod & Reel Restaurant and Rafter's Lounge, both opening onto a long deck that runs the width of the building. From there, the view takes in the river valley and the mountains behind it, the water itself running a distinct blue-green below. A guest service desk arranges the rest: fishing trips on the Kenai, rafting and kayaking, hikes, and boat tours that take in the coastline and glaciers further south. You can hear the river from the porch after dark. Cooper Landing itself has a working history — a Kenaitze fishing site, later the scene of Alaska's first recorded gold find in 1848. The lodge also serves as the starting point for the drive to Seward. Rooms come with cable television, phone, and hairdryer; a general store and laundry facilities cover practical needs, and an RV park sits on site for those travelling by road. Check-in runs from 3pm.