Bear Lake Lodgings B&B

Since 2007, Bear Lake Lodgings B&B has operated seasonally as a bed and breakfast in Seward, Alaska. The establishment is situated among several of Alaska's natural attractions, including Bear Lake, Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Resurrection Bay, to name a few. A list of popular sites that can be found nearby is available at the B&B, and the owners encourage their guests to explore the area. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning to everyone at Bear Lake Lodgings B&B. The hosts also have kayaks and canoes for complimentary use by the guests on Bear Lake, which borders the property. As a general goal for the kind of experience that the owners and staff hope to offer, they intend to help their patrons feel welcomed and comfortable at Bear Lake Lodgings B&B

About

Located in the southern region of Alaska, Bear Lake Lodgings B&B occupies nearly an acre of land on the outskirts of Seward. Visitors can reserve one of the business's five accommodations, three of which are suites while the other two are rooms. Regardless of which unit guests are staying in, each is supplied with private bathrooms, hairdryers, shower products, linen, and memory foam mattress toppers. Every room and suite is unique in its layout and décor. A specific difference between the suites and the rooms is that the suites are equipped with flat-screen TVs—an amenity that is not provided in the rooms. The B&B has found that the Lakeside Suite is particularly popular among families with its King bed and two twin beds for children. It should be noted as well that WiFi is available to everyone over the course of their stay.

Every morning between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., a self-service breakfast is served, with a rotating entree. Some of the options that one can expect to be served at Bear Lake Lodgings B&B include reindeer sausage baked omelets, french toast, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon, sausage breakfast burritos, and English muffins with sausage, egg, and cheese. Many of these dishes come with a pastry on the side, and multiple different kinds of muffins are available, such as blueberry, oat, and pumpkin. The owners can arrange a bagged breakfast to-go for those who have early-morning itineraries. Guests with dietary restrictions and food allergies can be accommodated if advance notice is given. 

Apart from the accommodations, patrons are given access to a couple of the property's common areas. These areas include the living room and two decks—an upper and a lower balcony—allowing a lake view where guests can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Outside the B&B, the grounds of the property provide space for people to engage in yard games, such as croquet and badminton, both of which are supplied on-site. A picnic table and fire-pit area are other ways that one can enjoy time away from the city while at the B&B. For those who are hoping for a more active experience at Bear Lake Lodgings B&B, the adjacent lake offers opportunities for visitors to undertake recreational activities, and the owners have five kayaks and two canoes for guests to utilize. The B&B is located within walking distance of Bear Lake Fish Weir. The weir is located on the creek running out of Bear Lake and it's where wild red salmon can be viewed on their return to spawn in the lake. The salmon habitat in the lake draws a variety of birds, including eagles, plus other wildlife species to the area for people to view.

Beyond the bounds of Bear Lake Lodgings B&B, a number of local hikes and trails meander throughout the Seward area. The owners can provide their guests with a list of attractions and activities that they recommend, and they also offer discounts for certain attractions, namely day cruises at Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Sea Life Center. A variety of other activities can be undertaken in Seward, ranging from zipline tours to museums. According to the owner, the chamber of commerce characterizes the city as "the mural capital of the world." As such, visitors can enjoy a self-guided walking tour around Seward, exploring the city's artwork and sites of historical significance. As an alternative for sightseeing around Seward, local rental businesses offer electrical and standard bikes that can be used to tour the area. Another notable site is Exit Glacier, where people can go hiking and ice climbing. In addition to the previously listed attractions, the owners recommend several dining options in the city, which are as follows: The Cookery, Lone Chicharron Taqueria, Resurrection Roadhouse, Exit Glacier Salmon Bake, and Flamingo Lounge, plus many more as listed in the B&B’s guest restaurant guide.

Culture

With the aim to create a welcoming atmosphere at the B&B, the owners and staff work to make each guest feel welcomed and “at home”. The staff members also try to interact with visitors on a periodic basis to keep themselves available to guests should they have any questions or concerns during their stay. Occasionally, the owners host bonfires or cookouts in an attempt to create a more social, community-oriented atmosphere at the B&B. One individual who previously stayed at the establishment commented on their experience in a review, acknowledging the owners' hospitality, as they stated, "The bed and the suite were comfortable, and the owner gave us a cool welcome and a great tour of the property. The hosts were amazing—full of great stories—they truly know everything about the area, including its fishing and hunting laws."

A few policies are utilized at the B&B that all future guests should be aware of while planning a stay. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to stay at the B&B due to safety concerns with the property's proximity to the lake, as there are no lifeguards. With regard to pets, visitors are not permitted to bring animals with them, and lastly, smoking restrictions are enforced on-site.

Bear Lake Lodgings B&B operates seasonally from April to October. One of the owners comments that the busiest time for the business most commonly occurs in July, as a result of the moderate climate conditions. With a diversity of guests, ranging from families to couples, the owner describes the general demographic as mixed, and she notices that a considerable number of those who stay at the B&B each year come from Colorado, which she attributes to "their love of the outdoors."

History

One of the owners of Bear Lake Lodgings B&B has previous experience in the hospitality industry prior to operating the B&B. He would frequently offer a room for people to stay when operating his air taxi business, and this prompted him to open a B&B to share with more visitors to Seward. Hospitality was somewhat familiar to his wife as well before she joined him in managing the property, considering that she has a degree in Home Economics education. While Bear Lake Lodgings B&B initially began operating in 2007, the owners had lived in Alaska for numerous years before the establishment was opened to the general public.

Many changes and updates were made to the building over the course of its history as a B&B. The owners explain that they added the private bathrooms and many other features during their ownership. One of the more extensive updates to the home was the new foundation that was added which required the structure to be elevated. In terms of future plans, the owners hope to continue to offer the B&B with the same quality that they have provided for 15 years.