Seven Alaska Honeymoon Hotels with a View

What draws tourists to the vast land of Alaska is not man-made monuments, but rather everything that Mother Nature has to offer. The state is a majestic work of nature in itself—from rain forests to snow-capped mountains, from glaciers to fjords. The great Alaskan outdoors can be romantic too: Picturesque views serve as natural backdrops for photo shoots, and sharing a cup of hot cocoa while waiting for aurora nights can make for a memorable romantic getaway.

Once a gold rush boom town, Fairbanks, the second-largest city in the state, now attracts mostly tourists. Being less than 120 miles away from the Arctic Circle, it’s among the top choices for couples who want to witness the magic of the aurora lights together.

Where to Stay: Aurora Borealis Lodge. Although it’s up to Mother Nature to determine the success of a aurora-hunting trip, the Lodge, which wakes guests up for sightings in the middle of the night, dedicates itself to hosting northern expeditions.

The small town of Talkeetna, on the south side of Denali and Mt. McKinley, is about 120 miles north of Anchorage—take the railroad or a car. Talkeetna is at the confluence of three rivers and therefore a great place to go rafting, jet boating, and kayaking.

Where to stay: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, for the gorgeous mountain view.

Juneau, Alaska’s capital, quietly sits at the foot of Mt. Juneau facing Douglas Island, which is ideally situated for hiking, cruising through the glaciers, ziplining through the rainforest canopy, and whale watching.

Where to stay: Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn and Adventure Spa is just out of town.

Anchorage is Alaska’s most populous city and its air hub, so many travelers pass through for at least a night or two. There are enough cultural relics, native heritage museums, and adventures in the wild to keep visitors busy, but it's also an ideal place to base yourself for the many scenic drives, rivers, hikes, and whale watching locales spread around the region.

Where to stay: Watch seaplanes take off and land on Lake Hood from the bar and restaurant of The Lakefront Anchorage, a reasonably priced hotel (resort style but not too swanky) a five-minute drive from the airport and about 10 minutes out of downtown Anchorage—there are free shuttles to both.

Kenai, near the top of the Kenai Peninsula along the west coastline, sits at the heart of the peninsula both economically and geographically. Its massive salmon fisheries draw tourists by the thousands.

Where to stay: The Homer Ocean House Inn is suited to outdoorsy couples who would rather hike and adventure together than be suffocated by luxury.

Sitka, a traditionally Russian town nestled on Baranof Island, faces the Pacific Ocean (cruises call frequently, and you don’t need a car) and is surrounded by majestic looking snow-capped mountains. The small town also had a cameo in romantic comedy The Proposal as Ryan Reynolds’ hometown. Sitka’s fishing and wildlife sighting tours are widely popular.

Where to stay: An Otter’s Cove Bed and Breakfast has a breathtaking view of Mt. Edgecumbe and the waterfront.

Seward, a harbor city on the eastern swath of the Kenai Peninsula, is known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Hop on a cruise or boat for a spectacular trip past tidewater glaciers. Here, take advantage of the woods by staying in a cabin for two.

Where to stay: Salmon Creek Cabins are near enough Seward that you’ll have exclusive privacy and yet be near the town’s many adventure options, like kayaking alongside glaciers and fishing.

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