USA

In May 2018 we did a wonderful 7-day Star Princess Alaskan cruise through the Inside Passage. This was part of a self-drive trip through Alaska and several USA National Parks and after much research, we decided that a one-way cruise from Whittier (Alaska) to Vancouver (Canada) through the Inside Passage was the best way to travel this leg of the trip.

We are usually independent travellers and were a bit hesitant about taking a cruise, however we were very pleasantly surprised!

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McKinley Chalet Resort (now called Holland America Denali Lodge) has an excellent location – just a couple of minutes from the entrance to Denali National Park. On arrival, the Resort is impressive. The large timber and stone chalet-style building houses the lobby, shops, restaurant and coffee shop with accommodation in separate buildings overlooking the mountains.

Although there is a crowd in the lobby, we have a quick and easy check in.

The rooms are located in two-storey timber buildings over quite a large area, on land sloping down to the river at the back of the main building – with a backdrop of snow covered mountains. We are in T Block – an attractive, rustic looking timber building in immaculate condition. Our room is on the first floor.

The room is a pleasant surprise – we have a warm and cosy living room, bathroom and bedroom, and a pretty view through the trees to the river and mountains.

Photos of McKinley Chalet Resort

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The Alyeska Resort is a 4-star hotel in the pretty township of Girdwood – about a 50-minute drive from Anchorage. The hotel has a beautiful setting with mountain views. The Alyeska Resort is best known as a ski resort but is also popular outside the ski season.

On arrival we have a quick and easy check in.

Photos of Alyeska Resort

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Land’s End Resort has a wonderful location – at the tip of The Spit in Homer.

We booked into Room 206, on the first floor, up one flight of stairs (no lift) and in the original hotel building (built in 1958). We booked one of the cheapest rooms (Port City Room) – without a view. Rooms on the other side of the hallway have sensational views of the water and snow-capped mountains.

Photos of Land’s End Resort

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