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Denali Mountain Morning Hostel & Lodge

Denali Park

Address
Parks Highway, Mile 224.5, Denali Park Alaska, USA   Map
Price
$32 for bunks, private cabins starting at $80
Location/Contact
Details
Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed above).
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Travel information provided
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
 
The Hostelz.com Review
You will definitely need to pre-arrange to get one of the free shuttles provided by Denali Mountain Morning Hostel and Lodge, as it a hike from the train station/main bus terminal (thirteen miles south of the Denali Park entrance). The taxi comes from a neighbouring town. The shuttles depart twice daily at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and it is annoying if you miss the first one and have to wait four hours for the next one. The shuttles also depart from the hostel to Denali Park at 6:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. which allows you to meet all your departing buses and trains.

The hostel is run by the friendly and environmentally conscious owners, Becky and Ben.They provide you with a lot of solid and helpful information on what is going on in Denali including to prebook your ranger-led Denali Park Tour (more important if you are traveling with a group and a lot cheaper and just as informative as the tour companies). They also offer information on renting bikes, helicopter sightseeing, dog mushing, horseback riding, and kayaking.

The hostel is in a picturesque setting along a river and very inviting. There is also a great social atmosphere, especially if you are staying in the Mainhouse, where all the other solo travellers are based. The Mainhouse is very nice with lots of wood panelling. There are also cabins for couples and families, as well as some tent sites, though some of the cabins aren't as nice as the Mainhouse. The food at the restuarants across the road is also decently priced and very tasty.

Facilties available include luggage storage, internet access, lounge, outside patio, heated shower rooms, and a small amount of groceries. There is no laundry. There is also a kitchen and dining area, which is kept pretty clean. You can also help yourself to free tea and socially-conscious coffee (you can donate some money to keep this going) and the first one up is usually the one that turns the urn on.

While there isn't an en-suite, there are several toilets never too far away. The heated showers are also a huge bonus, especially when it gets to the colder weather. The hostel has a homey feeling and there is a good effort to keep it clean. The only things lacking are lockers and laundry. Also, if you are in an outside cabin you do have a small trek to the bathroom facilities (there are some old outhouses, but you can utilise the more modern flushing style at the Mainhouse). Overall, if you came to Alaska to spend time in a rustic setting and don't mind basic amentities then this is the place for you.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2006


Ratings & Comments

3.7 Average from 6 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by tirsha, Canada
July 2008
2 It's ok
The facilities are good. Staff do have an attitude -- this is the worst part. Try to get the sheets that you paid for or they won't bring you -- cold at night. Only pay the shuttle if you are completely sure you are gonna get or they won't give your money back even if you call saying that you don't need a ride that day. Try to book tours by yourself with the tour company or you can face the problem of not being booked with the company at all and lose your day waiting for people to show up.
Comment by Adam Zachary
September 2005
5 I spent three weeks living at the hostel exploring Denali and the Nenana river. Throughout my time at Mountain Morning Ben and Becky treated me as a friend, let me eat with them out of their room, and made me feel like we'd known each other years. I could not have asked for more from hosts, or from the facilities. I played with the dog, threw darts, relaxed by the river, and had beers with the employees across the street at Cozy Creek. It was a wonderful time, no complaints except a foggy day here or there, but what do you expect, perfect weather for three weeks? I would unconditionally recommend the hostel and the hosts.
Comment by smbslt
September 2005
4 Very nice hostel. I had a private room in one of the cabins and it was very comfortable and nice. There are a couple restaurants close to the hostel and the hostel has a nice kitchen.
Comment by Never Again
August 2005
1 This is by far the worst hostel experience I've ever had. First I'm accused of not making their 5:30 shuttle. Then there's no Internet as advertised. The microwave is out of order. The front desk staff has an attitude. I write to express my concern and Becky, the "owner," accuses me of "pounding my fist on their desk" and that if she had been there, she would've asked me to leave. What a joke!! Staff are liars!!!
Comment by Heike
August 2004
5 It is a beautiful spot, and has some taste of the original Alaska: log houses, a creek, and the mountains around you. There also are two nice and unusual places to eat and have a drink across the street. The only thing I found a bit inconvenient was that the office, the little store they have there, and the kitchen and showers are closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Of course, it is laid out for people spending their time in Denali, but if you are a longtime traveler it is nice to hang out in a place that is as nice as this during the day as well. But still: I thought it was one of the best hostels in Alaska.
Comment by Berkeley Gieber
November 2003
5 This hostel is beautiful! It's especially impressive when it is taken into account that your hosts built most of it themselves. The cabins give a nice, homey feeling, and there's always food in the fridge. Your hosts, Ben and Becky, are the friendliest people you'll meet in Alaska, and they do all they can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. It's a must-see place!!
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