π Jump to:Best Places to Stay in Kodiak | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
Wondering where to stay in Kodiak Island? I grew up here and will tell you about the best places on Kodiak Island, including the top hotels and the nearby attractions.
For a small town, Kodiak has lots of options for lodging and things to do and see. I will break down the different areas of Kodiak and what they have to offer. Iβll also give some tips and advice to make your stay easy and enjoyable.
A great companion to this article is my guide to the best things to do in Kodiak!
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Best Places to Stay in Kodiak
Looking for quick answers on the best places to stay in Kodiak? Here are my top picks:Β
- π Best Overall Hotel β Best Western Kodiak Inn
- β¨ Best Luxury Hotel β Kodiak Compass Suites
- πͺ Best for Families β Kodiakβs Cliff House B&B
- π Best for Business β Quality Inn Kodiak (aka Comfort Inn)
- ποΈ Best Boutique β Zachar Bay Lodge
- π΅ Best Budget β Aquamarine Suites
Letβs take a look at the different areas of Kodiak and what they have to offer:
4 Best Areas to Stay in Kodiak
For first-time visitors to Kodiak, the city center is the best place to stay. It is closest to the main attractions and has the widest variety of hotels. For those looking for a quiet retreat, northern Kodiak is a great choice. Staying out of town on βthe road system,β as we call it, is great for a more adventurous feel. For the truly adventurous, the village of Larsen Bay offers a genuine taste of rural Alaska.
Central Kodiak
π Best Area for Tourists | β¨ Best Central Kodiak Hotels: Best Western Kodiak Inn β’ Kodiak Compass Suites β’ Aquamarine Suites
Kodiakβs downtown area is tiny compared to what most people are used to, but thatβs part of its charm! Museums, restaurants, and local landmarks are all within walking distance from the best hotels in the Kodiak city center. One of the best places to meet locals is Kodiakβs βliving roomβ β the Kodiak Island Brewing Company.
Everything in Kodiak is within a short drive and downtown Kodiakβs central location makes it an ideal base for exploring other areas of the island. Near Island has some of the most pleasant and accessible hiking trails and is just across the bridge from town.
Pros of Staying in The City Center
- Major attractions are within walking distance
- Best variety of hotels
- Best variety of restaurants
Cons of Staying in the City Center
- No grocery stores nearby
- Noiser (for Kodiak) than other areas
- Not as unique as stays in other areas on the island
π Central Kodiak Mini Guide π
The Best Place to See Everything
Google Map
β¨Best Hotels β Best Western Kodiak Inn β’ Kodiak Compass Suites β’ Aquamarine Suites
π Apartments β Browse Top Rentals in Central Kodiak
π½οΈWhere to Eat β Henryβs Great Alaskan Restaurant, The Chartroom, Kodiak Hana
πΈWhere to Drink β Kodiak Island Brewing Company, Tonyβs Bar
ποΈTop Attractions β The Baranov Museum, Holy Resurrection Cathedral, St. Herman Harbor
Northern Kodiak Island
π Best Area for a Family Vacation | β¨ Best Northern Kodiak Apartments: Northern Kodiak Island Rentals in VRBO
For a more authentic taste of Kodiak, consider staying at a bed and breakfast on the northern end of town. Here you will find neighborhoods surrounded by forests and beautiful ocean views. This region has the added convenience of being closer to Kodiakβs grocery stores.
One of the best things to see here is Fort Abercrombie State Park. The hushed forests hide old World War II bunkers and look-out spots as well as a seasonal museum about Kodiakβs role in the war. In the summer months, this is a great place to go berry picking too.
White Sands beach at the end of the road is a great place to spend a sunny day. Itβs also the trailhead for the long, but beautiful Termination Point hike. The river here is a good fishing spot, but check with the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game to see what local sports-fishing dates and regulations are before heading out.
Pros of Staying in Northern Kodiak Island
- Quiet neighborhoods
- Forested surroundings and ocean views
- Cozy bed and breakfasts and apartments are the best options for a family vacation
Cons of Staying in Northern Kodiak Island
- More expensive
- Bears sometimes wander here at night
- Farther from attractions and restaurants
π Northern Kodiak Mini Guide π
π Best Apartments β Browse Top Rentals in Northern Kodiak Island
π½οΈWhere to Eat β Noodles, Big Alβs Take & Bake
πΈWhere to Drink β Noodles, Harborside Fly-By (coffee)
ποΈTop Attractions β Fort Abercrombie State Park, Mill Bay Beach
The Kodiak Island Road System
π Best Area for Outdoor Recreation | ,Kodiak Quality Inn
The road system on Kodiak Island leads to a few outlying areas that also have accommodations and attractions. Instead of taking a right from the Kodiak Island airport, turn left for a more adventurous experience.
Chiniak sits across three bays from Kodiak and is a perfect place for a quiet retreat. Pasagshak, on the other side of this peninsula, is a favorite getaway for locals on warm summer days. While the lodging here is limited, it is, in my opinion, the best location for camping on the island. There are no services, but roughing it here is more than repaid by the tranquility and epic views.
Before heading out of the road system, hit up Java Flats for great coffee, snacks, and sandwiches. The Olds River Inn is the only hotel and restaurant once you get βoutβ of the road system. Summer is, by far, the best time to stay here. For more information on Alaskaβs seasonal activities, check out my guide on the best time of year to visit Alaska!
Pros of Staying on the Kodiak Island Road System
- More adventurous feeling
- Better chances of seeing wildlife
- Very peaceful
Cons of Staying on the Kodiak Island Road System
- Fewer options for lodgings and restaurants
- Some options have a much higher average nightly price
- Far from Kodiakβs main attractions and restaurants
π Kodiak Road System Mini Guide π
β¨Best Hotels β Olds River Inn,Kodiak Quality Inn
π Apartments β Browse Top Rentals on Kodiakβs Road System
π½οΈWhere to Eat β Olds River Inn, The Rendezvous, Java Flats
πΈWhere to Drink β (same as above)
ποΈTop Attractions β Fossil Beach, Pasagshak Bay, Pacific Spaceport Complex
Larsen Bay
π Best Area for Adventure Travelers | β¨ Best Larsen Bay Accommodations: Larsen Bay Rentals in Tripadvisor
Located on the southwestern side of Kodiak Island, Larsen Bay is your gateway to rural Alaskan adventures. Itβs the best to explore the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge from. The remote village and surrounding area have a few properties offering cozy rooms and basic amenities.
Getting to Larsen Bay requires booking a flight on Kodiakβs Island Air Service, conveniently located next to the main Kodiak airport. Larsen Bay is a great location for sport fishing, as well as kayaking and other outdoor activities.
Pros of Staying in Larsen Bay
- A truly unique experience!
- The best base for exploring the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
- Friendly hosts make for a more personal experience.
Cons of Staying in Larsen Bay
- A trip here can be expensive or, depending on the weather, tricky
- Very few conveniences or amenities in town
π Larsen Bay Mini Guide π
π Best Apartments β Browse Top Rentals in Larsen Bay
π½οΈWhere to Eat β Local lodges provide meals for guests
πΈWhere to Drink β Bring your own or arrange with the lodge
ποΈTop Attractions β Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Karluk Lake
Tips for Staying in Kodiak
Bring A Rain Jacket
Kodiak puts even Seattle to shame for rain! Locals forgo the use of umbrellas because, while Kodiakβs rain is light, the wind here usually makes it fall at an angle. A Kodiak man once said, βThereβs no bad weather, only bad clothing choices.β
π₯Ύ Read Next: Best Hiking Trails in Kodiak
Bring Layers
Kodiak has a cooler year-round climate than many places in America. Even in the summer, the nights tend to dip into the 40s and 50s! It never hurts to bring an extra layer or two.
Be Flexible
Adverse weather can make it tricky to get in and out of Kodiak at times (believe me, Iβve had my share). In general, the summer sees better weather, while the fall and winter often prove to be the trickiest times for travel. Winter has the worst weather and it may be best to forego a ferry ride then due to the high seas in the frequent storms.
π Read Next: Best Areas to Stay in Alaska
FAQ About Staying in Kodiak
What is the best time of year to visit Kodiak, Alaska?
Summer is the best time to visit Kodiak. The weather is warmer and the days are long. If you want to save money and donβt mind colder, wetter weather, many Kodiak hotel deals are available in the βpre-season.β The average nightly price tends to be higher in summer.
How do you get around on Kodiak Island?
You can get around the city of Kodiak by car or on foot; most attractions are within walking distance of Kodiak hotels. To get to other places on the island, you will need to charter a boat or a plane.
Are Kodiak and Kodiak Island the Same?
The city of Kodiak is the largest settlement on Kodiak Island. There are six smaller villages scattered across the Kodiak Island Archipelago. The Kodiak Island Archipelago includes Kodiak Island, Afognak, Spruce Island, and many other smaller islands.
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Now you know where to stay in Kodiak!
I hope youβve gotten some good insights into the different Kodiak Island Hotels and other accommodations! If Kodiak is just one stop in your Alaska adventure, check out my guide on the Best Places to Visit in Alaska.