There’s a good reason why every room in this four-room inn outside Homer is named after a bird—like pheasants, ptarmigans and puffins. Feathered friends tend to pop up in the gorgeous views from the inn’s windows—and birds know a great place to kick back when they see one.
Glacier & Mountain Views
Located about 7 miles from the Homer Spit, this year-round B&B sits on more than an acre of land, and has a tranquil, homey vibe. You can even see the Spit from the inn’s south-facing hillside, which overlooks Kachemak Bay, though it’s a different view than you’d get from other parts of town. From the dining room, 62-foot deck and most rooms, you can also see glaciers, such as Grewink Glacier as well as mountains, moose and—of course—birds.
Honeymooners Turned Innkeepers
Along with the views, guests rave about the breakfasts here, and the friendly hosts, owners Keith and Melissa. The couple bought the B&B from the original owners in 2015, in part because they relate well to travelers—after all, they used to be Alaska travelers themselves. When the couple moved to Alaska from Colorado in 2015 and bought the Crane’s Rest, it was a major part of a dream fulfilled. Keith, a former driver with an equipment rental company, had dreamt of moving to Alaska for a long time—and he and Melissa, who used to work in tech support, had even honeymooned here. “We like meeting new people and hearing about where they come from, what they do, and the places they have lived and traveled,” says Keith. “We stayed in several B&Bs and decided that is something we would love to do. This was a new adventure in our lives.”
Fresh, Homegrown Breakfasts
Keith and Melissa maintain an on-site garden, which offers greens and herbs for the family-style breakfast, featuring classics such as spinach omelets, baked French toast, egg casseroles and sometimes Keith’s special take on eggs Benedict. If you’re heading out early in the morning for a fishing charter, they can make you a homemade egg sandwich, or some other portable breakfast, to go.
Breakfast is more than just the good food, too: This is when guests sit down with fellow travelers (sometimes from other countries) and swap stories. They love listening to guest’s adventures and travel advice for each other—and they offer their own tips, too. They’re happy to help set up cool excursions for you, even before you arrive. Not far from the B&B there’s good hiking, golfing, kayaking, fishing, art galleries, bear-viewing and more.
Soothing Setting
When it’s time to rest up at the end of the day, the inn’s rooms make welcoming spots to recharge—decorated in lots of yellows, greens, and blues (as well as the modern necessities of TV, coffeemaker and wifi). Downstairs, there are three rooms with private entrances and private baths (the Ptarmigan and Pheasant have queens, and the Crane has a king that can be separated into two twins, plus a futon). Upstairs, there is one suite (the Puffin) that has two bedrooms (one with a queen, one with a king) and one bath, and can sleep 4 or 5; it’s popular with couples traveling together.
The whole inn is family-friendly too—come evening, kids can pile up and watch a movie, while the grown-ups stretch out on the deck and soak up the views or summer’s Midnight Sun. Like Melissa and Keith, you might even find yourself plotting ways to move to the area yourself.