Hotels and Motels

For an up-to-date listing of local lodging places, visit the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau website (www.visit-ketchikan.com [1]).

Built in the 1930s and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the centrally located Gilmore Hotel (326 Front St., 907/225-9423 or 800/275-9423, www.gilmorehotel.com [2]) exudes an old-fashioned ambience but has been updated with modern furnishings. Rates are reasonable: $95 d for cramped guest rooms, $125 d for larger ones with two beds and a water view. Amenities include courtesy van service, a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and a full-service restaurant (Annabelle’s). Rooms over the bar may get noisy at night, and smoking is still allowed in some rooms.

Cozy New York Hotel (207 Stedman St., 907/225-0246 or 866/225-0246, www.thenewyorkhotel.com [3]) has been painstakingly restored to its Roaring ’20s heyday. It has a great location—facing the harbor, and just a few steps off Creek Street [4]—and the downstairs café is one of the best in town. It also has complimentary airport and ferry shuttles. The eight guest rooms in the historic main building are small but nicely furnished, and cost $139 s or d with private baths and queen beds. Also available are six luxury suites with covered waterside decks along Creek Street for $159–219 d, plus $15 for each additional guest. Several of the suites feature lofts with spiral stairs, kitchenettes, and jetted tubs. Book early for these popular suites.

The Narrows Inn (907/247-2600 or 888/686-2600, www.narrowsinn.com [5]) sits four miles north of Ketchikan [6] along Tongass Narrows. Guest rooms ($145–170 d) are small but modern, bright, and nicely appointed. In-room fridges and microwaves, plus Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast, are included. Waterside rooms (ask for room 1209) have small balconies where you can watch the parade of boats and planes, and three larger suites ($230–245 d) are available. A steak and seafood restaurant is also on the premises, and the staff is very accommodating.

Ketchikan [6]’s largest lodging place, Best Western Landing (3434 Tongass Ave., 907/225-5166 or 800/428-8304, www.landinghotel.com [7], $200–240 d) sits right across from the ferry terminal. The 107 guest rooms are newly refurbished and include microwaves and fridges. Also on the premises are two restaurants, a fitness center, a courtesy van, and free Wi-Fi.

At the top end of Ketchikan’s lodging spectrum is the elaborate Cape Fox Lodge (800 Venetia Way, 907/225-8001 or 866/225-8001, www.capefoxlodge.com [8], $199–209 d, 2-room suite $249 d). This attractive hilltop hotel overlooks Tongass Narrows and has spacious rooms with fridges, microwaves, and Wi-Fi. A funicular car takes guests to the Cape Fox from Creek Street [4].