Nome Alaska

The old Alaska Airlines hotel, built in 1966, has seen its share of ups and downs. Fortunately, the current owners—Ca Phan, his wife Dung, and daughter Thuy—have freshened its look while providing friendly and accommodating service.

The hotel smacks of history, with Gold Rush and Iditarod memorabilia decorating the lobby. But rooms are small by today’s standards, and some walls thin (though all have private bathrooms). If you can get a seaside room (22 of the 47 rooms have ocean views), you can crack your window and fall asleep to the sound of the surf. It’s also quite an experience to look out at 2 a.m. and see the midnight sun shimmering across the Bering Sea.

Overall, the Nome Nugget Inn offers a higher standard than what you might expect in a small Alaska community. It also offers great value (especially by Bush Alaska standards), including free local calls, wireless Internet in the lobby, and a computer for guests’ use. Some rooms even have small refrigerators and microwaves.