Pike’s Waterfront Lodge Fairbanks: Family Stay Review
🏨 Pike’s Waterfront Lodge: A Historic Fairbanks Retreat
It’s hard to know when you visit a remote destination like Fairbanks, Alaska if you are picking a good hotel. I mean, you check trip advisor and google reviews and hope for the best, right? Well, our stay at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge was absolutely spectacular.
The hotel itself is a great attraction with so many fun activities and quirky spots to check out. We thoroughly loved our stay here! Check out this review for what to expect and all the reasons why you will want to book a stay at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge too!
📜 A Glimpse into History
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge stands on a site rich in Alaskan history. Originally homesteaded by Lloyd Pike shortly after World War II, the area was once miles from the heart of Fairbanks. In 1959, coinciding with Alaska’s statehood, Pike established Pike’s Landing, a restaurant that became a local favorite.
Although the original structure was lost to the 1967 flood, it was rebuilt in 1969. Over the years, the property changed hands, with notable expansions including the addition of the lodge in 2000 by Jay Ramras, transforming it into the charming riverside destination it is today.
Since 2000, Pike’s Waterfront Lodge has been the host hotel for the Iditarod in 2003, 2015, and 2017.
Related: Why you should book the Arctic Circle Fly and Drive Tour!
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge Lobby and Indoor Common Areas
The grand lobby at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge is like a museum-meets-lodge vibe—full of Alaskan art, history, and comfy chairs for relaxing after your day out. (see photo above)
It’s really hard to describe just how fun and quirky this lodge is. Everywhere you go there is some fun nook to explore. And there is Alaskan art everywhere!
Check out this tucked-away art lounge filled with Alaskan paintings and comfy vintage chairs. It’s quiet, inviting, and feels like your grandmother’s fancy sitting room—in the best way.
This lounge that is so cozy you will want to grab a book and settle into one of the deep leather couches.
There are several story-rich murals and tribute signs located throughout the property. Pike’s doesn’t just decorate—they celebrate Alaskan pioneers, quirky traditions, and heartfelt memories.
A cozy corner of the lobby complete with checkerboard table and leather chairs. Pike’s Lodge has little spaces like this all over—perfect for games or unwinding with coffee.
The front desk area features breathtaking landscape art and Alaskan taxidermy. It’s the first thing you see—and it sets the tone for the lodge’s rustic elegance.
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Breakfast buffet
Breakfast is served in the Binkley Art Gallery from 6-10am every day. The dining room overlooks the Chena River and offers both hot and cold buffet items. When it’s warm enough you can even eat outside.
The Northern Lights Saloon is open from 5-10pm every evening. They offer all kinds of drinks and even serve ice cream!
Yes, there’s a $1 ice cream bar! Every evening from 6–9 PM, guests can scoop a sweet treat and choose from toppings like rainbow sprinkles and chocolate syrup.
🛏️ Accommodations: Comfort Meets Alaskan Charm
Pike’s offers a variety of lodging options:
- 180 Lodge Rooms: Many with scenic views, equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and Aveda aromatherapy bath products.
- 28 Log Cabins: Available during the summer months, these cabins provide a rustic yet comfortable experience, complete with private decks and kitchenettes.
How was our stay? It was actually quite comfortable. I forgot to take photos of the actual sleeping area (sorry), but we slept well. Honestly, we didn’t spend much time in the room because when we were at the hotel, we were exploring the grounds and common areas!
I did get photos of the bathroom though! Each room has Aveda aromatherapy bath amenities provided, which is a super nice touch!
🌿 Amenities: Enhancing Your Stay
Guests can enjoy a range of amenities:
- Aromatherapy Steam Room: Ideal for relaxation after a day of exploration.
- Fitness Center: Open 24 hours for your convenience.
- Fire Pits: Located along the Chena River, perfect for evening gatherings.
- Miniature Golf & Bocce Ball: Fun outdoor activities for all ages.
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge really thought of everything! There is an aromatherapy steam room and dry sauna that is open to guests year round. I believe the aromatherapy essential oils are included in your stay.
Related: Kennicott Glacier Lodge Review
Outdoor Grounds and Common Areas
I really loved all the flowers and garden areas on the hotel grounds. The sign for the ‘tunnel of love’ boasts a thousand Willow trees. I don’t know about that, but the garden area was still quite lovely.
There is even a greenhouse which showcases hydroponically grown vegetables during the summer.
The common areas, both inside and outside the hotel, include tons of signs and historical nods to Fairbanks history. If you have the time I would highly recommend spending an hour or so just exploring the grounds to see everything and learn more about Fairbanks.
Check out this fun photo op. A commemorative arch for the first time Pike’s Waterfront Lodge hosted the Idirarod in 2003!
Other than a great deck for viewing the Chena River, I am not sure what show this area is for. But we also visited in the summer months. I suspect that this is a phenomenal place to view the Aurora during the winter months.
Barnette’s Trading Post
Barnette’s Trading Post isn’t a trading post. It’s a recreation and activity building.
The Empress Aurora Theatre really does play the Aurora Hunter movie every day. It’s in a small movie theatre and the film tells a great story of how to find and photograph the Aurora Borealis. It was also great to see more of the Dalton Highway, since we had just gone on the Arctic Circle tour the day before.
The lodge’s cozy book nook—a hidden reading gem with plush cushions and a rolling ladder. You’ll want to curl up with a good Alaska adventure story here. There are comfy couches and chairs throughout this activity barn. I think you can take the books to the main lodge common areas too!
If you are staying at this lodge, there is also space for games or cards, as well as a gorgeous billiards room. It’s actually called the Jay Bird’s Short Cue and (Slightly) Crooked Billiards Speakeasy. So, the cues are shorter than normal, which makes this a very family (and kid) friendly activity!
Everything has low lights, comfy chairs, paneled walls, and more Alaskan art!
This hand-carved fish bench is one of many artistic touches around the gardens at Pike’s Lodge—fun, folksy, and perfect for a quick photo op.
Related: What to expect at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
The duck pond—an absolute favorite for kids! Pike’s raises ducks every summer and lets guests feed and watch them waddle around their ‘Lucky Duck Hotel.’
One of the lodge’s many riverside fire pits. We loved cozying up here in the evening with hot cocoa and chatting with other guests. You can also makes s’mores by the fire in the summer months!
🍽️ Dining: Local Flavors at Pike’s Landing
Adjacent to the lodge, Pike’s Landing offers:
- Fine Dining: Featuring Alaskan seafood and other local delicacies.
- Outdoor Patio: A 400-seat area open from spring until moose-hunting season, providing scenic views of the Chena River.
🌌 Aurora Viewing: A Winter Highlight
For guests visiting during the aurora season:
- Aurora Conservatory & Discovery Institute: Warm, enclosed spaces designed for optimal Northern Lights viewing.
- A solarium to warm up in and just relax!
- Educational Displays: Learn about the science behind the aurora borealis and tips for photography.
FAQ for Pike’s Waterfront Lodge
Pike’s is just 2 miles (about a 5-minute drive) from Fairbanks International Airport. The lodge offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport, which makes arrival and departure super convenient—even with kids or late-night flights.
Yes! Pike’s provides free shuttle service to both the airport and the Alaska Railroad depot. Just make sure to schedule your pick-up or drop-off ahead of time at the front desk.
Absolutely. From the Lucky Duck pond and $1 ice cream bar to the fire pits and mini golf, there are lots of little touches that make this lodge great for kids. Plus, the spacious rooms and quiet riverside setting make it easy to unwind as a family.
Pike’s is open year-round, but your experience will vary by season. Summer is perfect for enjoying the outdoor spaces and midnight sun, while winter offers aurora viewing from the lodge’s glass-walled conservatory. We stayed in summer and loved the gardens, greenhouse, and evening fire pits.
While the lodge itself doesn’t have a full-service restaurant, it shares the property with Pike’s Landing, a riverside restaurant offering casual and fine dining options. The outdoor patio is great in summer, and it’s just steps away from your room.
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge ended up being one of our favorite places we stayed in Alaska. It was quirky, cozy, and full of thoughtful touches that made our time in Fairbanks even more memorable. If you’re headed that way, definitely put this riverside gem on your list.
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