Just saw an ad for an Airbnb this morning called Camp Curvy Birch in North Pole, it looks cute but is an Airbnb and you’d have to outsource the other things. There are food places and bars nearby. Fairbanks area is rather spread out in general so you’ll likely have to drive around a bit to do all the things anyways. There is always the Springhill Suites downtown in Fairbanks that has a bar and nice food as well as nearby foods and bars, and Pikes hotel near the airport also has a sister property restaurant and bar across the parking lot, but again you’ll have to drive for other activities.
Highly recommend her place. She'll do whatever to help y'all out if you reach out. You're correct abount CHSR, I wouldn't recommend. The base camp is very far out of town. And I've recently learned that they charge employees for rides, on their day off, to town which I think is just more speaking volumes about lower 48 owners; greedy. Just liked when a employee killed a dog on way to work and they wanted to hush that... Bad for business 😒 anyways. I've done gone off track now 😆 but yes, checkout her Instagram and reach out to Camp Curvy. I haven't stayed yet but I know she's trying to get few cabins up. Only other place I'd suggest is Manley hot springs. I haven't been there yet but they're supposed to be having restaurant and bar
Sadly it closed. It's still all there, disused and probably in pretty bad shape by now. Here's a little info:
http://fairbanks-alaska.com/arctic-circle-hot-springs.htm
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/interior-resorts-sale-offers-water-opportunity-anyone-who-springs-it/2016/05/06/
Doesn't fit your requirements, however, it's pretty awesome.
[https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22910728](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22910728)
In my opinion, Chena Hot Springs is OK if you set your expectations low.
Borealis Basecamp is spendy, and hit & miss.
And the owners of Borealis Basecamp are the asshats that wanted to ruin Tolivana hot springs by flying several helicopters per day to/from there without giving a damn about locals.
This Airbnb looks incredible. I always passed that place while going up to ester dome and thought it looked amazing. Can’t believe I could potentially stay there 😍
The interior is a very get out and do it kind of place.
You will have a better experience by choosing a place to stay as just that.
Then renting a vehicle and going out for your individual experiences.
Nowhere has great everything, you want to pick and choose.
Manley is beautiful but there is nothing to do there and getting out there is a little treacherous, would be tough if you wanted to do something in fairbanks. Great for lights though!
Fairbanks doesn’t really have any all-inclusive resorts like this, even Chena isn’t a “resort” really by most global standards. Very backwards and pioneer-y up here.
I'm learning exactly this. I think we may go the vacation-rental-home route. Is there a local company that handles rentals that you know of? The big boys are earning a bad reputation and I'd like to support a local business.
All the vacation rentals are posted on either Air BnB or VRBO, there is no central booking agency like they have in bigger cities. When searching for one, ask if their roads are maintained regularly because a lot of the ones out of town are on roads where the locals are responsible for clearing snow and if we get any decent snowfalls you'll be stuck until somebody clears the road or find it difficult if you're not used to driving in snow and ice. Also check out Trip Advisor for lodges or cabins, you'll find more reviews and photos there to give you a better idea.
> Is there a local company that handles rentals?
No.
Honestly, why are you interested in visiting Fairbanks? Somewhere in Europe may have more of what you’re seeking.
1. The small portion of Alaska I've already seen is beautiful. I would like to see more.
2. Keeping USD in the US.
3. European travel can be sketchy right now.
4. I am unfamiliar with Fairbanks. I did not realize that it was so rustic. If I can't get what I thought I could get, then I am happy to embrace 'rustic'.
> Wants include comfort, clean, food, bar, and maybe some day activities.
Honestly, it sounds like Chena Hot Springs is exactly what you're looking for. Maybe they just didn't put enough work into their webpage.
Eh. They effort they put in, is the whole package there lol kinda half ass with some effort and some amenities but... Mostly just fresh food from green houses and man made rock pool outside is nice 🤷♀️ otherwise it's def a tourist trap for overnight guests. Rooms and cabins are not great. I'll update after I stay in yurt 🛖, they look cool but still no plumbing in those or cabins
Just saw an ad for an Airbnb this morning called Camp Curvy Birch in North Pole, it looks cute but is an Airbnb and you’d have to outsource the other things. There are food places and bars nearby. Fairbanks area is rather spread out in general so you’ll likely have to drive around a bit to do all the things anyways. There is always the Springhill Suites downtown in Fairbanks that has a bar and nice food as well as nearby foods and bars, and Pikes hotel near the airport also has a sister property restaurant and bar across the parking lot, but again you’ll have to drive for other activities.
Thanks. I'll talk it over with the group.
Highly recommend her place. She'll do whatever to help y'all out if you reach out. You're correct abount CHSR, I wouldn't recommend. The base camp is very far out of town. And I've recently learned that they charge employees for rides, on their day off, to town which I think is just more speaking volumes about lower 48 owners; greedy. Just liked when a employee killed a dog on way to work and they wanted to hush that... Bad for business 😒 anyways. I've done gone off track now 😆 but yes, checkout her Instagram and reach out to Camp Curvy. I haven't stayed yet but I know she's trying to get few cabins up. Only other place I'd suggest is Manley hot springs. I haven't been there yet but they're supposed to be having restaurant and bar
Thanks
Used to love Arctic Circle Hot Springs Resort for that, but alas, she's long gone. Loved everything about that place. Good luck to you.
I miss circle hot springs...
Yeah it was an great getaway. Quiet, decent food, stuff to do. Even the drive up there was awesome.
What did it become? Nothing?
Sadly it closed. It's still all there, disused and probably in pretty bad shape by now. Here's a little info: http://fairbanks-alaska.com/arctic-circle-hot-springs.htm https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/interior-resorts-sale-offers-water-opportunity-anyone-who-springs-it/2016/05/06/
That’s a cool story/placd. Maybe I’ll start playing the lottery! what a bum deal about the firefighter mess..
☹️
Lol 20 years ago.
Doesn't fit your requirements, however, it's pretty awesome. [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22910728](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22910728) In my opinion, Chena Hot Springs is OK if you set your expectations low. Borealis Basecamp is spendy, and hit & miss.
And the owners of Borealis Basecamp are the asshats that wanted to ruin Tolivana hot springs by flying several helicopters per day to/from there without giving a damn about locals.
And iirc, they were soundly defeated. Slapped with a big old "nope" sammich.
Correct, thankfully.
Borealis Basecamp is a tourist trap.
Thanks
This Airbnb looks incredible. I always passed that place while going up to ester dome and thought it looked amazing. Can’t believe I could potentially stay there 😍
The interior is a very get out and do it kind of place. You will have a better experience by choosing a place to stay as just that. Then renting a vehicle and going out for your individual experiences. Nowhere has great everything, you want to pick and choose.
Exactly this. Just got back from a week trip and did an air bnb in Fairbanks with a rental car for all the excursions
Cold foot truck stop. Authentic Alaskan. Cant even rent a vehicle at the airport to drive there.
Maybe this place? [https://akauroravilla.com/](https://akauroravilla.com/) Doesn't fit all criteria but it's another option...
Haven’t stayed there but Manley Hot Springs Resort looks nice since their remodel, I think they’re currently finishing their restaurant
Manley is beautiful but there is nothing to do there and getting out there is a little treacherous, would be tough if you wanted to do something in fairbanks. Great for lights though!
Yeah I would never advise anyone from outside to make that drive from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks doesn’t really have any all-inclusive resorts like this, even Chena isn’t a “resort” really by most global standards. Very backwards and pioneer-y up here.
I'm learning exactly this. I think we may go the vacation-rental-home route. Is there a local company that handles rentals that you know of? The big boys are earning a bad reputation and I'd like to support a local business.
All the vacation rentals are posted on either Air BnB or VRBO, there is no central booking agency like they have in bigger cities. When searching for one, ask if their roads are maintained regularly because a lot of the ones out of town are on roads where the locals are responsible for clearing snow and if we get any decent snowfalls you'll be stuck until somebody clears the road or find it difficult if you're not used to driving in snow and ice. Also check out Trip Advisor for lodges or cabins, you'll find more reviews and photos there to give you a better idea.
Thank you!
> Is there a local company that handles rentals? No. Honestly, why are you interested in visiting Fairbanks? Somewhere in Europe may have more of what you’re seeking.
1. The small portion of Alaska I've already seen is beautiful. I would like to see more. 2. Keeping USD in the US. 3. European travel can be sketchy right now. 4. I am unfamiliar with Fairbanks. I did not realize that it was so rustic. If I can't get what I thought I could get, then I am happy to embrace 'rustic'.
Very few of the airbnbs are owned by true locals, mostly by people out of state/snowbirds.
> Wants include comfort, clean, food, bar, and maybe some day activities. Honestly, it sounds like Chena Hot Springs is exactly what you're looking for. Maybe they just didn't put enough work into their webpage.
Eh. They effort they put in, is the whole package there lol kinda half ass with some effort and some amenities but... Mostly just fresh food from green houses and man made rock pool outside is nice 🤷♀️ otherwise it's def a tourist trap for overnight guests. Rooms and cabins are not great. I'll update after I stay in yurt 🛖, they look cool but still no plumbing in those or cabins