Dove Island Lodge - Sitka, Alaska

Pioneer24195926846

Beyond amazing!!!!!! clean , delicious meals amazing staff took our grandson they were great, child friendly highly recommend five stars ⭐️ the lodge was very comfortable close to town anything you will need they will have for you a luxury getaway better than anything we could have expected perfect trip

David A

WOW Squared!! I would like to say it was a great experience, but it was way better than that!!! This was my second year there and it was twice as amazing as the first. Duane, his Family and Staff treated us like kings! We come with a big group and to say it's hard wrangling everyone in to be up, dressed, fed and out by 6, does not come close in describing the process. Nichole, our Illustrious Leader of Events, ensures that everyone is properly prepared for a day at sea or for fly fishing in some of the most scenic places I have ever been. And not for nothing but flying the Beaver seaplane to the destination is worth the trip itself. The Fly-Fishing Guides and Fishing Boat Captains are excellent as well. Each are very personable, experienced in their craft, knowledgeable of the area, and extremely patient everyone. While on the island, you will not want for anything the salt spa offers great massages and other rejuvenating treatments to relax those tired fishing muscles. Overall, it's an incredible experienced that I wish everyone could do. If you reading this don't be a PIGEON, book your trip to Dove Island, YOU will not Regret it!!!

Nim Rod

It's taken us awhile to absorb our experience from our trip to Dove Island before leaving this review. In short, for the price you pay, it was a completely underwhelming experience. We arrived at the doc for pic-up and waited about 30 minutes before being greeted by someone, who simply asked, "Dove Island?" Once confirmed, we loaded the boat and rode out to the island without any other conversation. (We would subsequently learn, this boat driver was the owner of the resort!) We arrived and settled into our quarters. We paid for their upgraded quarters which allowed us private access to our own hot tub overlooking the ocean. When we went to access it, the tatered cover was falling into the rub and looked years old. The tub was full of crud and the water was green. To their credit, they immediately addressed this when brought to their attention, but why should we have to tell them. From that point forward, it seemed like everyone was just going through the motions. You have to pay separate for your alcohol and their prices were outlandish. They advertised that you'll pay the same price you pay in town for booze, but that wasn't the case. The hour d'oeuvre dropped off at their bar during "Happy hour" were simple and not what one expect for a luxury resort. At dinner, the owner (aka boat driver) makes a point to have dinner with each group of guests during their stay. When it was our turn, it was so impersonal and awkward. It was obvious he wanted to be somewhere else. It seemed that everyone else was just going through the motions and appeared they were irritated with us being there. The only saving grace was the chef (meals were GREAT) and the fishing. They don't have their own boats and charter through the local Sitka fishing community. We were so fortunate to draw Anthony. He was phenomenal and definitely knew what he was doing. He was engaging and made our fishing experience so memorable. We have his contact and plan to book straight through him going forward. So, I would not recommend Dove Island. Everything felt so impersonal and for the amount of money one pays, "Luxury" is better found where you'll feel more appreciated.

Jonathan B

This lodge is the definition of a first class experience. The owners and staff take great care in the details that make the difference. The food is incredible. The wine list is stunning. The fishing is exceptional. The new Himalayan Health Spa is the perfect place to unwind after a day of fishing or during the day. The set up of the lodge with the bar overlooking the water and everything so convenient makes this the best place in Sitka to stay.

deena a

An Amazing Couples Fishing Adventure! |I have to admit- I didn’t know Luxury and Alaska went hand in hand when one thinks about a Fishing Trip..I was picturing bunk beds and fried foods…||I couldn’t have been more wrong! ||From the moment that the Incredible Nicole picks you up from the airport- You know that you are in very good hands. ||We dined like Kings and Queens. We slept like babies. We made new friends. ||The fishing was excellent! I caught my King Salmon in the first hour on the First Day! How about that? The Beaver plane ride out to fish for Fresh water Dolly Varden and Salmon was my highlight. The pilot Duane is absolutely incredible and if you are lucky you just might sit next to him at dinner! |Dove Island will totally change your mind about Alaskan Fishing Lodges. This is the only one in Alaska with a Wine Spectator Top Rating and Two Dedicated Chefs. |Visit the Spa after you soak in your own private hot tub… |We can’t wait to bring friends next Summer! |Thanks again!!

Dell O

I had spent years looking for an Alaskan Fishing Lodge that was over the top! I wanted fabulous rooms, gourmet meals, beautiful surroundings - a spa and a great wine selection wouldn't hurt either! Finally stumbled upon Dove Island when I ran across their booth at the Dallas Safari Club in January 2022. We had to book 19 months out (that alone tells you how popular they are) and anxiously counted down the months, weeks then days until our arrival. Now where do I start? Nicole is the hostess with the mostess!! She, along with every other member of the staff (we love you Lydia, Lexie, Jake, Chad and so many others!) went out of their way to make sure they met every expectation we had. Want a fire built - in August? Sure - they would do that along with bringing hot chocolate with marshmallow vodka! Hey, we are from Texas where we left 110+ degrees - so when it's a cold, rainy at Dove Island what sounds better than a fire and hot cocoa! (1) The rooms - we had the top corner room with a fireplace - and if you get a chance, PICK THIS ROOM! It was super quiet, the bed was at the back of the lodge overlooking the water through the balcony with the 2 person hot tub! While the bathroom is a little tight (a corner shower, small vanity so ladies, not much room for your "stuff"), the bedroom itself was plenty roomy. It has a little "staging area" between the bathroom and the bedroom This is where you hang your clothes, leave your suitcases, put your clothes in a dresser. There is a small refrigerator and a Keurig. The king sized bed was great - lots of great pillows, 2 nightstands and a big comfy chair! (2) The food - oh wow!! At night after dinner, they asked you to complete a request for your breakfast for the next morning. You name it - it's on there along with whatever their daily special may be (think reindeer sausage and egg scramble, crepes filled with nutella and berries, biscuits and sausage gravy). Then, those that are going out to fish, fix a sack lunch to take along. All types of bread, lunch meat, cheeses, bags of chips, fabulous cookies! Then the Cherry On Top is the nightly dinner! 5 course meals starting with a bread and some kind of dip/spread on the table. Then an appetizer, soup, starter, main course and of course dessert. We enjoyed Wagyu filets, crab legs, salmon, and I could go on and on! (3) Fishing - we did a day of deep sea fishing along with a day of fresh water fishing. Our captain, John, and deck hand Jacob, were extremely helpful in finding the best spot for fishing! While our seas were a little rough, they do offer sea sickness medicine to take the night before you go out! The float plane fly out to go fresh water fishing was amazing! Then we hiked over to our fishing spot. I just wish we could have kept some of the gorgeous salmon we caught in the stream, - but those are all catch and release. We made use of the spa, sauna, hot tub and had lots of fun in the Lower Bar - where they serve appetizers each day at 5:30 before dinner at 6:30. The owner was on site and ate dinner with us each evening. He is also the pilot. Chad, our fresh water fishing guide AND sommelier was extremely knowledgeable! The owner told us that 80% of their guests are returning guests and sure enough - those that were there when we were booked as they were leaving! Will we book again? Probably not because it just couldn't be as good the second time as it was the first. We were lucky that there were mostly couples there and we all got along so well - we felt like we all made best friends! And I'd hate to go back without all of them being there!

simon m

This lodge is at the top of the list for comfort, organization, friendliness, culinary experiences, wine selection, accessibility, body massage therapists, and fishing. ||We have all stayed in various places throughout Alaska and Dove Island nails it every time. The reason we keep returning is due to the above mentioned and a long laundry list of positives. ||We will continue to return here and we highly recommend it to any friends, family or clients.

John Bradbury

My wife and I just returned from a stay at Dove Island Lodge. It was amazing!
From the pick up at the airport to the drop off nothing happened but super service from the staff.

My wife has mobility issues but the staff took perfect care of her and she never felt like she was a bother.

The 5 star meals were more than you can imagine with two chefs. Breakfast is made to order, lunches for your excursions are ready for you to prepare and snacks are ready on the deck before dinner.

After dinner there is a slide show showing pictures from the day’s activities which included a great deal of laughter.

Another great feature of the lodge is that the staff knows your name by the first evening, amazing.

There are not many reviews of this outstanding lodge probably because people want it to themselves so if you would like to visit, better make your plans early as they tend to fill up quickly.