Talkeetna Denali View Lodge was converted to a place of lodging in 2012 when Tom and Dora, the owners, bought the property. The business has two cabins and four units for guests to stay in, offering amenities such as a coffee pot, mini-refrigerator stocked with breakfast each morning, and a microwave in each room. Other amenities on the property include a relatively large viewing deck, spa, grills, and picnic tables. The owners also run a fishing company, the Talkeetna Wilderness Fishing Guide, and give discounts to the patrons staying at the lodge. The surrounding area has multiple ponds, lakes, rivers, and hiking trails. Specific activities in the area include fishing, ziplining, horseback riding, and boat tours.
The Talkeetna Denali View Lodge is located in Talkeetna, Alaska. The lodge is two stories, with the cabins on the property only being one story. Fisherman’s and Trappers’ are the two cabins on the premises. The cabins are connected to each other but do not have doors leading between the different units; they also have their own picnic tables, gas grill, and charcoal grill. The business sits on 4 and a half acres. There is a pond near the establishment; Moose pond. However, those staying at the lodge are unable to access it due to the steep grade leading down to the pond. Often, patrons have been found to use the decks connected to the edifice to look out over the pond and watch the moose and eagles gathering around the water. Moose usually pass through the property during certain points of the year, as well as beavers, eagles, and black bears.
There are no walking trails on the business’s land, though, guests are able to walk to the nearby Sunshine Lake and some other small walking trails. Talkeetna, Alaska, has multiple outdoor activities that visitors can participate in, including visiting the various lakes, rivers, hiking, and fishing. The owners of the lodge, Tom and Dora, also own the Talkeetna Wilderness Fishing Guide, offering services for boat tours, mud rides, and kayak tours. Visitors to the property receive a discount for the fishing services.
According to the owners, the most popular room on the property is the Denali Suite because it is the biggest unit and has a view of the surrounding area. The Yukon Room also has a view that makes it popular among visitors. All of the four units in the lodge and the cabins have a small refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave. One service available to patrons who bring motor homes or boats is able to park them at the property in the relatively large parking area on the premises. Other amenities offered to those staying at the lodge include a hot tub, sauna, and a relatively large viewing deck. Breakfast is also provided to guests in their rooms, the food is put in the refrigerators where it can be heated up when desired. Typical breakfasts include fruit, juice, breakfast burritos, or sandwiches. Upon request, cereal or oatmeal can be provided as well as accommodations to dietary needs or restrictions if given ahead of time.
The owners, Tom and Dora, say that those who stay at the Talkeetna Denali View Lodge come for either two things; guided fishing or using the area as a stop-off point since it is halfway between Anchorage to Denali. When visitors come to the property, the owners want them to feel as if their lodge is a home away from home. Tom and Dora are the owners and also live on-site to provide service to patrons as much as possible. One patron to the property said that “The hosts are lovely with a cute dog, excellent view of Denali and the surrounding area, and had a good breakfast sandwich.” The couple has been in the area for over 20 years and often gives guidance on viewing the northern lights in the area to their guests. The northern lights are relatively common for the property, usually during the months of September through April when it is darker in Alaska. Northern lights are a big draw to the land during the winter months since the surrounding area lacks many city lights.
The manager of the property also recommends to their patrons to eat at the Denali Brewing Company, which is said to be popular among visitors, and Latitude 62, which is known for its hometown atmosphere that locals go to. Other things to do in the area include trails for Jeeping, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and fishing. Another fishing tour company recommended by the manager is Mahays Fishing Tours, other relatively popular tours to do are ATV and gold tours. There is also a Denali zipline in Talkeetna and a nearby location for air tours.
The lodge has a high amount of local return guests, but according to the owner, the majority of those coming through are on a one-time trip to Alaska. The majority of the demographics of visitors to the lodge are newlyweds or retirees. Lots of people who stay at the lodge will use the owner’s fishing tour company.
Patrons are able to host weddings at the Talkeetna Denali View Lodge, which according to the manager, happens occasionally. When weddings and events like these are held on the premises, the lodge is closed to everyone else not associated with the wedding. Other events available to be hosted on the property include family reunions, corporate events, climbing clubs, fishing and hunting groups, and management retreats.
The lodge has started to close from December 15 through February 15 to allow the owners time off but is open for the rest of the year. Smoking is not allowed in the buildings but is permitted outside. Other policies include all visitors must provide their own transportation, the age of patrons must be 14 or older, and no pets are allowed on the premises in hopes to maintain cleanliness. The establishment also asks patrons to bathe before entering the spa to keep the water clean.
The Talkeetna Denali View Lodge was remodeled in 2012, and again in 2020, the kitchen and bathrooms having undertaken renovations. The property was initially a residential home but was converted in 2012 when Tom and Dora, the owners, moved up there and added bathrooms to every room. The owners have been working in the hospitality industry since 2006. The manager of the lodge has loved working with the people who stay at the property and seeing all the different walks of life and backgrounds.
15669 Coffey Lane
Talkeetna, Alaska 99676
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Tom and Dora
