For all the times I drove past it I had never stayed at the Seward Windsong Lodge on the Kenai Peninsula until visiting with my family. During our three weeks of exploring Alaska our time in Seward was spent staying here at the Windsong. It was a great homebase for us as we experienced all that Kenai Fjords National Park has to offer.
With accommodations in Alaska running the gamut from lacking to luxury, the Seward Windsong Lodge was just the right balance for us. We’ve got all the details of what to expect and how to plan a great visit to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. If you have any questions or want to know more specific details, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
What Are the Accommodation Options at the Windsong Lodge?
Like with most upscale lodges and hotels, there’s a variety of room types including suites. At the Seward Windsong Lodge you’ll find standard rooms, standards with their own deck, premium rooms (recently renovated) and suites. All rooms have two queen beds and then the suites have an additional twin bed and more space, such as a living area or table space. I like it here where we’re doing an Alaska road trip because of the quiet and room layouts.
When it comes to choosing your room, book whatever is either in your price range or just book a standard to ensure you’re all set. The reality of visiting the Kenai Peninsula as a family is that very little time is actually spent in the hotel room, as there are so many activities and sights to see. Thus, just make sure you have adequate sleeping space and the rest will fall into place.
If you do plan on spending a significant amount of time IN your room, the suites at the Seward Windsong Lodge have a nice partition setup to allow for a bit of separation from each other. That can be very important, especially if you’ve been traveling for a long time.
Note: there is no air conditioning in the Seward Windsong Lodge rooms. I know, but that’s typically okay. The windows open and have screens, so take advantage of the fresh air, and it’s unlikely that the temps will hit an unbearable high while you’re there anyways (fingers crossed).
Book the Seward Windsong Lodge here!
Top Pick: Standard Deck Room
Really, I feel that the best type of room at the Seward Windsong Lodge is actually the standard deck room. Like all the other rooms, it has two queen beds and ample space, but then it also has a private balcony on the room. Standard rooms have access to shared deck space, but the deck rooms have their own. We learned long ago that our best hotel and lodge rooms are the ones that have just a bit of separate space that the adults can relax in once the kids have gone to bed, and even as our kids are getting older, we still feel this way.
The price point for the room with a deck isn’t too much more per night, so it’s worth the cost. And keep in mind, we travel differently than a lot of families. We genuinely spend as little time at our hotel as possible, so if you think you need something bigger, try to reserve one of the suites. You’ll really have to book it far in advance, but it could be worth it.
Seward Windsong Lodge Amenities
Sometimes when I decide to write about a place we’ve stayed, I do it because it’s the best option for the area, and not because I was overwhelmed by the character and luxury. That’s the case with the Seward Windsong Lodge. It is very well maintained and charming, and it’s perfect for visiting this part of Alaska. It’s really quite nice, but it is NOT fancy and is not abounding with amenities and luxe touches. Having said that, it does have everything a guest needs for a comfortable and quiet stay in Seward.
No, there are no swimming pools or hot tubs at the Seward Windsong Lodge, but that’s because you’re in Alaska and recreational water features are a ton of work and cost to maintain at a high quality level. If you’re really aching to swim, you can jump in the chilly Resurrection River or Bay. Kidding, don’t do that, but even when it’s 70+ degrees in Alaska it’s rare that swimming is the pick for relaxing for most visitors.
There are some amenities at the Seward Windsong Lodge though, so don’t worry, convenience and stress-free days are easy here. There are computers for guest use in the lobby in case they’re needed (sometimes you do need to use a computer vs phone for things). There’s a gift shop with souvenirs, clothes and some convenience items. And then the lobby itself is a wonderful space to simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere (and the fire on cold days is great).
We travel with our own usually, but if you need them you can also borrow binoculars and hiking poles from the Seward Windsong Lodge. You’ll need to check them out from the front desk and they’re subject to availability, so make your inquiry upon arrival if you think you’ll need them. There is so much wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park so binoculars are really a bonus when you’re out exploring.
Dining at the Resurrection Roadhouse
I always love staying at properties managed by Pursuit (parent company of the Seward Windsong, Mount Royal Hotel, Glacier Park Lodge…) because the food is always top notch. No matter the location, the company ensures that the food and beverage operations are always stand-out. With the Resurrection Roadhouse, it was so good we had dinner here two nights in a row.
Breakfast at the Seward Windsong Lodge happens here in the Resurrection Roadhouse too. You can do either the breakfast buffet or order from the menu. I like when this is an option for family breakfast because sometimes there’s great value in the breakfast buffet, but often we end up opting for the menu items.
There is a bar area at the Resurrection Roadhouse as well, and their menu varies if you’re looking for something a little more low-key. You can order from the main restaurant menu here as well. Also, if you don’t want to dine in, you can order your food to go and take it back to your room.
PS: if you know that you want to dine at the Resurrection Roadhouse, make your reservation in advance. Since it’s the easiest option for hotel guests and one of the best dining options around, it stays pretty busy during dinner hours.
One last thing to keep in mind: when you’re dining at the Resurrection Roadhouse, try to get a window seat because the view is beautiful. One night we actually saw a mama bear and here three cubs crossing the snowfield across the river from the lodge. It was pretty cool, albeit far away, and not something I’ve experienced in any other restaurant in Alaska.
Easy Grab-n-Go and Coffee at the Mt Hunter Coffee Co
In the lobby of the Seward Windsong Lodge you’ll find Mt Hunter Coffee Co. Top notch espresso beverages, I will say. They also offer grab-n-go breakfast items and pastries, so if you need something fast, this is a good option. There aren’t a ton of breakfast options in the town of Seward itself, so breakfast from the coffee bar may be your best bet on some days.
Book the Seward Windsong Lodge here!
Where is Seward, Alaska?
Seward is located about two hours south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. When you’re visiting Alaska you’ll no doubt have time on the Kenai. It’s an easy drive along the Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach Mountains. It’s beautiful the whole way with lots of easy spots to stop on your way to Seward. For guests arriving via cruise ship, you’ll either be arriving into Seward or Whittier. With either option, there is transportation by the cruise lines to wherever you need to go (to be arranged when you plan your cruise). We came here after our UnCruise Wilderness Legacy journey, so flew into Anchorage after our sailing and then drove ourselves down to the Kenai Peninsula.
The Seward Windsong Lodge is located just before you get to the actual town. It’s located on the road to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, just past the world famous (or just famous to those of us who’ve lived here) Salmon Bake. The Lodge ISN’T within the boundaries of the park, but does look out to the west towards the mountains of KFNP and it’s ten minutes from the Exit Glacier trailheads.
Transportation Between the Windsong Lodge and Ports
As I said, you can coordinate getting to / from the Seward Windsong Lodge with your cruise planner, but the options will be either the Alaska Railroad (from Whittier or Anchorage) or motorcoach service from the port. Don’t worry, it’s easy. And if you’re staying at the Seward Windsong Lodge before your cruise out of Seward, there is a shuttle that goes between the lodge and downtown/cruise port. They make it easy to stay here and enjoy your time in the Resurrection Bay area.
Can I Walk from the Windsong Lodge to Downtown?
You could walk from the Lodge to downtown Seward, but it would take a very long time. It’s 3+ miles to the Small Boat Harbor where you catch the boat for the Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife cruises, and then another mile to the Alaska SeaLife Center and Iditarod Mile 0. Just take the free shuttle, so plan your time appropriately.
Parking Details at the Seward Windsong
If you’re driving down the Kenai Peninsula, which is what I love doing and we’ve done, you’ll find free parking at the Lodge. Because the property is kind of spread out, you’ll be able to park directly in front of your lodge building (or within steps depending on which lodge building you stay in).
Ten Fun Things to do in Seward
I love Seward, Alaska and have spent countless days here. It’s cute and is the gateway to the Gulf of Alaska. Whether you’re visiting on your own or as part of a cruise-tour, you’ll enjoy the town and its beautiful sights. Here are my top picks for things to do in and around Seward. And yes, for some of them you do need to have your own car or book a tour.
- Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour – the Northwestern Fjord Cruise and National Park Tour are my favorites. The wildlife is amazing!
- Hike at Exit Glacier – easy hikes with a beautiful view
- Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center – pretty cool educational aquarium with puffins, fish, and animal rescue operations
- Walk the Seward Waterfront – from the SeaLife Center, past Iditarod Mile 0 and along Resurrection Bay
- Go deep sea fishing for halibut and cod – yes! It’s not just available in Homer.
- Do a kayak tour on Resurrection Bay – good for beginners and advanced paddlers
- Do the HELICOPTER, glacier landing & dog sled tour – this was my first helicopter trip ever and it is AMAZING (I may write about it… )
- Visit Kenai Lake, Cooper Landing Brewery and watch for wildlife along the way – Tern Lake is a great stop for wildlife viewing, including moose and swans
- Raft the Kenai River – I like Alaska River Adventures best, but Alaska Rivers Company is just as good. NOTE: the Kenai is a good float river vs big rapids. 6 Mile Creek in Hope (an hour away) is the hardcore river. I’ve rafted it and it’s the only river that’s ever scared me, but it was also awesome.
- Visit the Russian River – this is where the sockeye salmon spawn in mid-late summer and it’s insane to see how many fish there are.
I think you’ll love your stay at the Seward Windsong Lodge and exploring the Seward area in general. The Kenai Peninsula holds a very special place in my heart and I love getting to share it with people, young and old.
If you have any questions about planning a trip to Seward or the rest of Alaska, or if you want to give your own tips, please feel free to leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help other plan amazing adventures!
