Juneau Hotels

The Prospector Hotel strikes an impressive balance: Located on the waterfront, it manages to offer both upscale ambiance and surprisingly good value. Set in downtown Juneau, the 62-room hotel overlooks the Gastineau Channel and is walking distance from the Juneau Convention Center and the Alaska State Museum, and is a short boat ride to the Glacier Bay National Park.

Even though you’ve likely come to Alaska to explore, this is a great hotel for relaxing, too. Its on-site restaurant, T.K. Maguire’s, was remodeled at the end of 2008, while the rest of the hotel was remodeled in 2001. The rooms’ cherry-wood furniture and the artwork depicting Alaska’s natural beauties make the rooms and suites feel airy—but then, so does the size. At 450 square feet, the “standard” rooms here are about 50 percent bigger than a standard room elsewhere, while the two-room suites, with wet bars and a kitchen table, come in at 572 square feet. For the best views of the waterfront, ask for the Executive King rooms in the Water Wing, or the Waterview Suites.

All the rooms up the ante on home-like comforts by providing guests with a refrigerator, coffeemaker and microwave, as well as a stash of locally roasted Heritage coffee. If you have to get work done here, your room makes that more palatable, offering an extra-large desk and ergonomic chair. The Prospector also throws in some little perks that really add up, price-wise, compared to many other hotels: free wireless Internet, a Web-connected computer you can use in the lobby and free daily parking; most pets are welcome to stay, too.

The hotel’s on-site restaurant, T.K. Maguire’s, is famous for its buffets—voted the best in Juneau—which, depending on the day, may offer up seafood, roast beef, barbecue or Mexican food. You can also choose from the regular menu offerings, such as steaks or the halibut burgers and tacos. Its adjacent pub has big, comfortable leather chairs, all the better for watching the big-screen TVs.

Meanwhile, the Prospector makes a great launching pad for to exploring Glacier Bay and other great spots near Juneau. Hotel staff can help you set up a variety of excursions, or you can also walk a few blocks to the seasonal Marine Park Kiosk, where you can pick up brochures or talk to local volunteers about how best to see the area. Some popular choices: a Glacier Bay cruise, a kayaking tour, hiking or skiing in Eaglecrest or even taking a zipline ride over a former gold mine.