Eagle View Hostel

A mixed bag
I enjoyed greatly my stay here and the walk up the five blocks of a very steep hill helped walk off the pounds gained from those big U.S. breakfasts. The hostel has amazing views and I counted nineteen bald eagles in the forest adjacent to the hostel! Constructively, I did think Dale could have been more clearer as to what the rules of living there are as this was never made clear and it would have helped to have a tour, particularly of the kitchen. The hostel is more in need of a good dust than being unclean. Dale's attitude is anything goes and as he works long hours this makes him not the most social of hosts and at times short with people and misunderstood! This hostel is geared for independent and not needy travelers. I would definitely stay here again.

This was not the best hostel stay I have had. The views were awesome. I liked the kitschy decor, as well. The bathroom, however, was rundown -- mold on the ceiling above the shower, no light in the area around the toilet, and only a flickering flourescent (dim) light over the sink. Otherwise, the room was clean enough, and towels were provided, as were linens. The owner is prone to being rather grouchy, especially if disturbed during a television show he is watching, or if you have a late arrival. Also, if you have difficulty with steps or heights, forget staying here. You'll have two flights up, including open back metal grate steps, in order to get to the women's dorm. The kitchen is not something to write home about -- you'll want to rewash any dishes before you use them as they may or may not be clean. It also felt rather uncomfortable digging through cupboards to find pans, and dishes since personal belongings, and medicines were in the same area.

Dale Rogers, the host, welcomed me into his house with an offer to pick-up me up from the ferry terminal. This offer simply set the stage for his hospitality. He stated his only rule to me on the first evening, which was "make yourself at home." I stayed for one week during March, and it was an enormous convenience to have the hostel open to me twenty-four hours a day with no lockout time. His rooms offer a beautiful view of Ketchikan, and further, they are cleanly furnished and have a homelike atmosphere, making the $28 dollar charge extremely reasonable. The hike uphill to his house will simply ensure that you get a true full day work out while traveling in Ketchikan. Dale often takes his guests on tours of hiking trails and scenery that is not accessible by foot. He offers fishing excursions and site seeing adventures from his boat during the appropriate seasons. Further, he is happy to offer answers to any traveling question. As with any hostel, his accommodations and hospitality are not meant for the "needy" traveler. He simply wants everyone of his guests to have a relaxing time, whether it be sightseeing, using his BBQ on his deck, or having a cup of coffee or beer on his front porch, which by the way is directly attached to your room's front door. I have traveled to many hostels in many areas of the world, and without doubt, this was one of my favorite experiences.

Dale is negative about everything, rude to his guests, and he made me want to get in and out of the kitchen as quickly as possible. The house is great with a fabulous view from the living room, but it's chock-a-block with his personal stuff and none too clean. There are two small closets in the women's room but only one is usable, the other is stuffed full of his junk. And it's the most expensive hostel I've stayed in anywhere, $28/night. However, you can walk to downtown or take the bus (at the bottom of the hill), so it's convenient.

If you can minimize your contact with Dale Rogers, the hostel owner, you'll have an alright stay. Unfortunately, Dale is a crusty old man. He comes off as being angry at life and won't hesitate to take it out on you. He can be unbelievably rude to people on the phone. The view from his place is indeed great, but great views are everywhere in Ketchikan. You have to walk up a huge hill to get here. Bottom line, on my next trip to Ketchikan I'm springing for a hotel room.

The Hostel is actually a house where the host lives in one of the rooms. The dorm for the guys is neat .. with a great bathroom. 4 bunks and a couch. The women's dorm is nice as well, 2 bunk beds, one twin. We stayed in the private room, which is a little gloomy. The bathroom on the top floor is very clean and shared by the pvt room and girls dorm. Kitchen is well stocked(very clean), but has only one stove. So only one person can cook at a time. Dale Rogers .. is a very knowledgeable guy(add cool, laidback), and gave us a lot of useful information about the place. The living room opens out into the bay and gives you a panoramic view. The room is very well done, with a lot of local knick knacks. Hostel is on 5th and Jefferson. The road is very steep .. and with a heavy backpack .. is a tough climb. About a mile from the Marine Ferry. You can take the bus to get here. The airport is about half a mile further from the ferry. You could get a bus from there as well. (Also airport is across on an island. Once you disembark from the bus, take a ferry, which gets you across. Just takes 3-4 minutes and costs 4$.) Downtown is about 10 minutes walk from the hostel. The hostel is always open .. no curfews or restrictions.. which is the best part about being here. Even if your ferry comes in, in the middle of the night, you know that you have a place to stay. Nice place .. would definitely recommend. About Ketchikan: Ketchikan .. is pretty much a cruise ship town. Things to do: Hike Deer Mountain. Time taken 4-5 hours, distance 6 miles, elevation 3000ft. Bus takes you to Fair Street, the trail is about 0.4 mile from there. Ward lake is another good hike. The bus doesn't go there .. so either hitchhike or take a cab. Saxman Totem Park and the Totem Heritage Centre are two must see places. Ketchikan is littered with totems, you see them everywhere. The bus service is damn good. The walk in downtown .. and also on Creek Street is nice. It's supposed to rain a lot here, but we did not see any of it. Misty Fjords is what most people come to see, you could take the cruise or flightsee. The Park cabins rent for 25$ a night. But getting there by bush plane .. would cost you upwards of 200$. Artefacts here are expensive. Crazy Wolf in downtown is a good place to look for artefacts, also the Gift Shop at Saxman Park.

Dale (the host) was blunt, grouchy, and very cocky. He seemed very impatient at times. We seemed to be putting him out, or were in his way!

"Make yourself at home" is the order of the day. It is very comfortable. It has no lockers for luggage. It's a long walk uphill to get there, which can be difficult with a full load of luggage. It's close enough to the airport and downtown. It does have a great view.

This comfortable home hostel is more expensive than average, but well worth it. Dale is a great host who knows all there is to know about Ketchikan. You feel like a houseguest rather than a customer here, and (unlike the HI hostel downtown) there's no curfew or lockout.