Where To Stay In Skagway, Alaska – Best Lodging & Hotels

Of the only cities in Southeast Alaska that are accessible by cruise ships, Alaska Marine Highway ferries, and the state’s road system, Skagway is one of the most popular tourist destinations, second only to Juneau.

Part of the reason it’s so popular is that it is commonly used as both a starting point and an ending point for many trips. Visitors can take an Alaska Marine Highway Ferry to Skagway, rent a car and drive through Canada to Haines, Anchorage, or Fairbanks.

It is also a major cruise ship destination, averaging over one million passengers per year. Most of the popular cruise ship routes that visit Southeast Alaska have Skagway as their final stop before heading back to Vancouver or Seattle.

The town is most famous for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush and there are many historical locations in town – some of which have been converted into the hotels on this list!

Before we get into the list of hotels, here are a few quick facts about the town of Skagway that you’ll want to know before your next visit.

• Most of the hotels in Skagway are either located close to the city center in the main retail district or a few miles out of town on the road to the ghost town of Dyea.
• There is an airport in Skagway but it is only served by regional carriers in smaller aircraft. To fly home, visitors can take a flight to Juneau or Sitka and then get on a flight from Alaska Airlines or Delta.
• Skagway is also unique in Southeast Alaska because no Forest Service or Alaska state cabins are nearby. However, as you’ll see later on this list, there are cabins available for rent.
• Rental cars are available from Avis and a few other local companies. These vehicles can be taken over the Canadian border and driven north to Anchorage or Fairbanks or south to the lower 48.
• As Skagway doesn’t receive a lot of visitors outside of tourist season, some of these hotels are not open year-round.
• Skagway is probably the most walkable town in Southeast Alaska, as most businesses are located along the boardwalk on Broadway Street, although there are a few other excellent places worth visiting nearby.
• If you’d like a faster way to get around without renting a car, Klondike Bikes rents electronic bicycles from their shop on the corner of 5th and State Street. They also rent electric cars to explore the Yukon Territory.
• There are no taxis or app-based rideshares like Uber or Lyft available in Skagway. However, for hotels with no airport or dock pickups, the city SMART shuttle is available on-demand from 9 AM to 1 AM during the summer by calling (907) 612-0902.
• Until several years ago, Skagway was one of several communities in Southeast Alaska that didn’t use house numbers. Most locals still don’t use them, so if you ask for directions, don’t be surprised if you get an intersection instead of an address!
• There are also occasionally Airbnbs and Vrbo rentals available in town but these are usually only listed briefly during the summer. There are very few full apartments; most are simply single rooms inside the host’s primary residence.

Best Hotels In Skagway

The Westmark Inn

Address: Corner of 3rd and Spring Street
Airport Shuttle: Yes
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The only chain hotel in Skagway, the Westmark Inn is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-September. It offers a business center, free parking, and a guest computer in the lobby. It is located just one street away from the main boardwalk that runs through town.

There is a bar and a restaurant downstairs, as well as several other restaurants nearby. It is also located a block away from the Kone Kompany, a well-known and locally owned ice cream and fudge store whose delicious creations will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Historic Skagway Inn

Address: 655 Broadway Street
Airport Shuttle: Yes
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Built in 1897 before undergoing extensive additions, the Historic Skagway Inn was originally used as a brothel that catered to miners. All of the rooms are named after the women who worked here during that time. To maintain historical accuracy, there are no in-room TVs.

Olivia’s Restaurant is downstairs and hotel guests receive a free breakfast every morning. It is also located near a bar/cafe named Bites on Broadway and a restaurant called Bombay Curry.

Morning Wood

Address: 442 4th Street
Hotel Shuttle: No
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Sharing a building with The Station Bar and Grill and the Happy Endings Saloon, the Morning Wood Hotel is the perfect place to experience the surprisingly vibrant nightlife that Skagway has to offer before retiring to a cozy room upstairs.

The Station Bar and Grill offers nightly specials, pizzas, hamburgers, and their beloved local specialty, the Mermaid Burger, which features a six-ounce halibut patty with all the fixings. Their motto is “where the locals eat” for a good reason!

At The White House

Address: 407 8th Avenue
Airport Shuttle: No
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If you’ve ever wanted to tell people that you’ve stayed “At The White House”, this hotel might be the perfect place for you! Built in 1902, this beautiful historic home now offers nine rooms in a quiet part of town for guests to enjoy.

Nearby, you’ll find the Skagway Public Library, the Skagway Museum, the BearHead Photography Gallery, and Wells Fargo, Skagway’s only bank. It is also the closest hotel to the famous Gold Rush Cemetery, located a little over a mile away.

Mile Zero Bed and Breakfast

Address: 901 Main Street
Airport Shuttle: No
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Skagway’s oldest bed and breakfast (although ironically, breakfast is not provided), Mile Zero offers wonderful accommodations located close to the boardwalk. Unlike other traditional B&Bs, it has separate outside entrances for each room and private bathrooms.

Just a block away, you’ll find the Skagway Airport and Skagway Spirits Distillery, which features primarily gin and vodka cocktails distilled by a local family. In the other direction, you’ll find the public library and several local churches.

Swaying Spruce Cabins

Address: Dyea Road
Airport Shuttle: No
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Although there are no federal or state cabins near Skagway, you can still get back to nature by sleeping in one of the three rentals at the Swaying Spruce Cabins, located just a few miles out of Skagway on the road to Dyea.

The owners have a dog that you can play with (or you can request that she stay inside their house if you have an allergy or an aversion to dogs). There are also hammocks and guest bicycles available here, so you can explore the area and then relax in the sun.

Skagway Bungalows

Address: Dyea Road
Airport Shuttle: No
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On the other side of the bridge, as you leave Skagway, you’ll find the Skagway Bungalows, a pair of rental cabins that allow visitors a more relaxing experience close to several hiking trails, including the Lower Reid Falls Trail by the Gold Rush Cemetery.

Also perfect for a romantic getaway, both cabins are equipped with microwaves and refrigerators, so visitors can stop by the Fairway IGA Market on the corner of 4th and State in town and stock up on groceries without having to go back into town for every meal.

Chilkoot Trail Outpost

Address: Dyea Road
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Seven miles from town lies a beautiful bed and breakfast at the beginning of the Chilkoot Trail and the road to the ghost town of Dyea. There are six single-occupancy cabins and two duplexes, each with its own private bathrooms.

The site also features a 2,000-square-foot retreat center called The Outpost, which is a very popular location that has been used for corporate retreats, family reunions, banquets, and weddings.

Sgt. Preston’s Lodge

Address: 370 6th Street
Hotel Shuttle: No
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Sgt. Preston’s Lodge isn’t always open in the summers but is popular with hikers. Their website describes it as a “no-frills establishment” and highlights its lack of WiFi and cable TV. There is a minimum two-night stay and no pets are allowed.

It is located just on the edge of downtown and is just one block away from the famous Skagway Bazaar, which features several jewelry stores, a coffee shop, and a confectionary shop that sells freshly-made giant cookies, among other things.

Skagway Main Street Airbnb

Address: Main Street
Hotel Shuttle: No
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If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to live in Skagway, a great way to find out is by spending some quality time at the Main Street Airbnb, just a few blocks from downtown!

The rental includes the main floor of the house, which includes an outdoor eating area with a grill and a fire pit. If you’re interested in a deep tissue massage, the building also has a separate apartment that contains Pure Connection Massage Therapy.

Dyea Campground and Picnic Area

Address: Dyea Road
Hotel Shuttle: No
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Okay, it’s not a hotel, but the Dyea Campground and Picnic Area is a great place to pitch a tent and stay for the night, so it merits an inclusion anyway. About nine miles from Skagway, it’s the only campground in the area (except those on the Chilkoot Trail).

There are 22 sites here and it is monitored by the National Park Service in the summer. Reservations are not accepted, so you’ll want to get there early to secure a spot. There is no firewood or drinking water available, so you’ll want to pack plenty of both.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or a foodie, Skagway, Alaska has a range of hotels that cater to all preferences and tastes.

From the historic charm of the Westmark Inn and Historic Skagway Inn to the vibrant nightlife at Morning Wood Hotel and the serene tranquility offered by At The White House, each accommodation provides a unique perspective of Skagway.

For a more secluded experience, Swaying Spruce Cabins, Skagway Bungalows, and Dyea Campground and Picnic Area make for an ideal choice.

Regardless of where you choose to stay, you can rest assured that Skagway’s rich past and vibrant culture will make for an unforgettable Alaskan getaway.