Best Hotels in Fairbanks, Alaska to see the Northern Lights (2024)

I saw northern lights for the first time in my life in Fairbanks, Alaska. The impressive aurora display was one for the books and I’m excited at the prospect of booking another trip there! There are plenty of hotels in Fairbanks, but there are a few hotels in Fairbanks, Alaska that are phenomenal options for a Northern Lights trip.

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that makes solar activity visible to the human eye. The impressive display of greens, blues, and purples, beckons people from all across the globe to see them. With high aurora activity in the Arctic Circle, cities like Fairbanks and North Pole, Alaska are great locations for planning a Northern Lights vacation.

In this guide, I will share some of the best hotels in Fairbanks, Alaska to see the Northern lights. From cozy cabins with wood-burning stoves to unique places with floor-to-ceiling windows, there is something for everyone.

Fairbanks, Alaska is an extremely popular place in North America to view the Northern Lights, however, when you’re staying up between 10 pm and 3 am, you’re going to want a comfortable place to sleep in. Here is a short list of some of the best hotels for viewing the northern lights in Fairbanks and the surrounding area.

Note: None of these hotels can guarantee that you will see the northern lights during your visits.—however chances of seeing them increase if your stay is three days or more.

Chena Hot Springs Resort

1. Northern Lights tours begin at Chena Hot Springs Resort
2. Lots of winter activities to enjoy: Aurora Ice Museum, Dog Sledding, and Hot Springs
3. Great price for included activities

Pikes Waterfront Lodge

1. Fantastic location in Fairbanks
2. Call guests when the Northern Lights are Visible
3. Hot Sauna for after a cold day

Aurora Borealis Lodge

1. Private Cabins
2. Private and Self-Guided Northern Lights Tours
3. Designed for Aurora Viewing

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Chena Hot Springs Resort is the best option near Fairbanks, Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Located away from the city lights of Fairbanks there is significantly less light pollution. The hotel also has tour packages that you can add to your visit to view the northern lights from heated yurts,

The hotel was clean and offered free wifi for guests. There was a small cafe for purchasing coffee and a full restaurant with an extensive menu. Visiting the hot springs at the resort was included in the price of the stay which would have otherwise the natural hot springs cost $20.

I would ABSOLUTELY stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort again.

Pikes Waterfront Lodge

Pike’s Waterfront Lodge is a fantastic hotel within the Fairbanks, AK city limits with close proximity to the Fairbanks International Airport. This rustic-style lodge has a cabin feel while still providing all of the amenities of a mainstream hotel. With access to the sauna, it is wonderful to have a nice way to relax and warm up.

The hotel staff will give you a call when the aurora borealis is visible outside!

With onsight dining, you don’t have to go far for good food, but there are plenty of restaurant options in Fairbanks if you want to eat off-site.

Pikes Waterfront Lodge is in a prime location for all things outdoors in Fairbanks.

Taste of Alaska Lodge

A Taste of Alaska Lodge is perfect for anyone looking to get a little further out of the city and experience the exquisite landscape surrounding downtown Fairbanks. The lodge is situated in a clearing surrounded by trees making it the perfect place to post up to catch spectacular views of the northern lights and wildlife.

There is a dining hall where breakfast is served daily. The owners will greet you and share everything they know about the area and Northern Lights. A very popular area for catching epic views of the aurora is Murphys Dome.

Aurora Villa

For a luxury experience and want to feel like you’re literally inside of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Villa is the perfect place to stay. The villa has multiple rooms available as well as a three-bedroom apartment that comes at a premium cost. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you will be blown away by the bedroom suites.

The hotel is secluded and does not have food service so you’ll need to bring your own food. However, you do have access to free wifi, an activity center, and a business center.

This is definitely the hotel fit for a special occasion and is one of the most unique places to say for viewing the Aurora Borealis.

Sophie Station Suites

While a little dated, the Sophie Station Suites are an amazing choice. With close proximity to Skiland Ski Lift, this hotel is a great stay for an adventure-packed vacation. You can choose to eat on the premises at Zack’s Restaurant or enjoy some of the local restaurants and breweries.

The Northern Lights are visible from the hotel when the KP index is high and the hotel staff will knock on your door when they are visible. If you’re hoping to see the northern lights during your stay, I highly recommend booking a northern lights tour at least once.

This hotel is also close to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North which I cannot recommend visiting enough! It is such a spectacular museum with a thorough, rich history of Alaska.

Alaska Grizzly Lodge

The Alaska Grizzly Lodge is one of the best hotels in Fairbanks for viewing the northern lights. The large north-facing balcony provides visitors with unrestricted views of the aurora Borealis to the north. Surrounded by nature trails, it is easy to have a fun day outdoors exploring the boreal forest before hunkering down in the warm lodge to watch for the northern lights.

This lodge is a phenomenal place to stay if you want to see the light show that aurora season brings.

The cozy lodges of Alaska Grizzle Lodge provide the privacy of a hotel and the comfort of a bed-and-breakfast style accommodation.

Aurora Borealis Lodge

For an immersive experience with the aurora lights, book a stay at the Aurora Borealis Lodge, one of the best Northern Lights hotels. The lodge is only open during Aurora Season, Late August – April which only adds to the experience of the lodge. With the remote location, it is a great place for aurora seekers.

The Aurora Borealis Lodge offers private aurora viewing tours, but you can also do a self-guided tour if you so choose. But I always say that the best chance you have of seeing the northern lights as a non-Alaska native is with a tour.

You can stay in the Aurora Cedar Lodge which is more hotel style or in Logan’s Chalet which offers a private cabin experience. For the different rates on both the Cedar Lodge and Logan’s chalet, click this link.

What Do You Pack for a Northern Lights Trip? Find Out Here!

There are so many different hotels in Fairbanks to choose from that are exceptional. However, they do not offer the same amenities for the Northern Lights as the others listed above. The Fairbanks hotels all offer something special, so even if you do not visit in the winter months, they are still worth a visit.

• The Wedgewood Resort is a good place located within Fairbanks. The hotel offers a shuttle service and the hotel rooms are apartment-style so you have a home away from home. The Wedgewood Resort does offer a free shuttle to and from the Fairbanks airport. The resort is located right next to the Creamer’s Field migratory waterfowl refuge making it a great place for birders and nature lovers alike.
• Borealis Basecamp is a multi-night stay with low light pollution in the auroral oval. It did not make the official list because it books out years in advance.
• Candlewood Suites Fairbanks – A standard hotel room at Candlewood Suites Fairbanks offers up-to-date comfort with free parking and free wi-fi. They offer Aurora wake-up calls from the front desk as well.
• Springhill Suites is another standard hotel with a fitness center, hot tub access, and complimentary breakfast, it is a great place to stay for business. A great hotel to stay at, but it does not offer the charm of cozy lodges. Still a phenomenal place to stay though!

Fairbanks, Alaska has some of the best aurora viewing in North America. Of all the hotels in Fairbanks, a couple of them stand out for the intention of viewing the Northern Lights. Whether the hotel offers Northern Lights tours, calls you when the Northern Lights are visible from your room, or offers a resort-style vacation, there are plenty to choose from.

When planning and booking your trip to Fairbanks to view the northern lights, here are a couple of booking suggestions if you have some flexibility in your plans:

• Book your trip during a new moon to avoid light pollution
• Check out the 27-day forecast
• Choose a month that has other activities you’d want to do
• Stay for 3+ days to increase your chance of viewing the lights

Hotels will offer amenities that are more targeted towards travelers specifically seeking the northern lights, but private property hots on VRBO have also noted that northern lights can be viewed from their property and several reviews have indicated that their host has also offered to call them if they see the lights. To look at available rental properties in Fairbanks, AK, click here.

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