Chena Hot Springs Resort - Fairbanks, Alaska

susan61210

Bad reviews are from people with unreasonable expectations. This resort is located in the Alaskan wilderness, quite a distance from Fairbanks. It is an older resort, but our room was spotless, with the expected toiletries and a new hairdryer, comfortable beds and nice furniture. The hot springs are amazing. Only complaint is they could use more lockers. It was busy in the changing rooms, but we never felt crowded in the actual very large natural springs. We enjoyed the aurora tour to the mountain top with the heated yert, and we saw the aurora!! We ate dinner, yes it was busy, but the service was good and the food was outstanding. Another good experience for breakfast. A little pricier than in town restaurants but keep in mind where you are, completely reasonable. All the staff we encountered were working hard and very friendly. We’re so glad we spent time at the resort, and would absolutely go again!

Noeliacitialin

This was a magical place! |The rooms were comfortable and the geothermal warmed floor is innovative and comfortable. |This place is remote on gorgeous grounds, but there was WiFi for communicating. |There was an abundance of activities, like dogsled, ice museum, aurora viewing with young and friendly guides. The activities were less expensive than in Fairbanks, making up for the lodging price. |The aurora viewing to Charlie dome in a slow mobile was so cool! |The hot springs were magical, though plan well to not wet your clothes on the wet floor and bring quarters. They have showers and hair driers too. |The coffee house had snacks and convenient microwaveable foods if you don’t want to wait for the restaurant (and for way less $). |The food in the restaurant was scrumptious. ||Shout out to Jordan (my birthday twin). Super friendly greeter at the front, he made us feel instantly welcomed. ||We absolutely recommend this gem of a lodge!

Maria R.

This place is beautiful, well run, and a surprisingly delightful experience. The only drawback is the fact that everything tastes and smells like sulfur. Alas, that is the very reason the hot springs exist. Make sure you take a tour of the Ice Hotel and have a Green Apple Martini! The meals in the restaurant are generous and delicious! The prices are reasonable and the staff is super friendly! Just go!

M&G K.

The only reason to come to Chena is for the hot springs. All other activities can be enjoyed in other locations in Alaska . The rooms in Moose Lodge are not just dated but terrible. Mattress is hard as a rock and sheets are scratchy. Shower faucet is hanging out of the wall and has no pressure. $300++ per night is not a bargain and although hospitality didn’t tough over Covid, investment is needed.

On arrival we weren’t greeted or given any information about the resort so went to our room and researched online - which took forever due to slowest wifi in the developed world.

There seems to be no management bringing the resort together. No service or hospitality and some of the staff seem really unhappy. Maybe just midwinter blues but you can just tell when the vibe behind the scenes is off. You also can’t charge any purchases to your room so always have to walk around with cash or card.

Also why at end of January are Xmas decorations still up

Recommendation would be to stay in Fairbanks and do a day trip to the hot springs. No need to stay out there and if you do - one night only!

Chase K.

Visited the hot springs on Valentine's day, was pleasantly surprised that they weren't that crowded. Had some drinks at the bar and the owner of the resort was there. He bought everyone a round and talked about the very unique power plant that the resort has on site. Great time, great people!

Annie N.

We spent 3 nights here! We really enjoyed ourselves. The service was great, the food was good, nice bar staff and the activities center was great! We caught 3 beautiful northern lights shows. Below are few things to know.
- If you are in the lower level of Fox rooms, the rooms are hot so open a window or bring a tee shirt to sleep in. You cannot adjust the thermostat in any of the rooms. There are no fridges in those rooms.
- Bring quarters for the lockers if you want to lock your belongings while in the hot springs. There is a change machine.
- Bring your own water up or purchase some bottles as the water does taste sulfuric.
- Bring a tripod for northern lights pictures.
- Visit the ice museum and take the free tour.
- Food portions are generous. Try the scallops and the salad makings are freshly grown up there.
- TVs (in Fox) don't work. we had 2 stations of static.
- My only complaint is was the cleanliness of the room. The blinds are full of dust and gunk and the bathroom could have been a little cleaner.

Kathy M.

The hot springs were amazing. Not crowded at all. This place will always hold a special place in my heart, my Love proposed to me in the hot spring,under the falling snow. Very romantic. Dinner afterward was delicious. Salmon buger was so flavorful, best I've eaten. Definitely will be back!

Macy A.

During our stay nothing went poorly, but at the same time nothing went well.
We booked the overnight aurora tour, which was a good experience even though the lights were shy. With a little better luck it could have been a highlight of our trip, but it ended up just falling flat. We went into this experience knowing that luck was required to see the lights, so I don't hold this against the resort in any way. The novelty of the snow-cat ride to and from the top of the hill was undercut by the fact that it was cramped and uncomfortable.
The hot spring itself was very relaxing and felt great, but at the end of the day it just felt like a hot spring.
The ice museum tour was fine, if a bit underwhelming. we appreciated the skill and work it took to make all the ice sculptures and structures, but they didn't really wow us.
The experience of arriving and trying to get settled at the resort was by far the worst part of our stay. The parking lots inside the gate were all completely full, and there were people running around on the (snow-covered) roads seemingly oblivious to the line of cars trying to navigate the one-lane lots. When we admitted defeat, parked outside the resort, and walked all the way in to the main lodge, it was absolute chaos. People waiting for the restaurant, people waiting to check in, people shoulder-to-shoulder trying to navigate the gift shop, and single-person bathrooms with doors that didn't lock.
All in all, the feeling of being in this beautiful place was not enough to make up for the inconveniences and complete lack of serenity we felt at just about every moment during our stay.