King Eider Inn - Utqiagvik, Alaska

The King Eider Inn: A Unique Arctic Experience

For travelers seeking an extraordinary and immersive experience in the Arctic, the King Eider Inn stands out as a truly remarkable destination. Located in Utqiagvik, Alaska – the northernmost community in the United States – this hotel offers a rare opportunity to connect with the local Inupiat culture and witness the stunning beauty of the Alaskan tundra. The King Eider Inn isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a gateway to understanding a vastly different way of life, deeply rooted in the natural environment.

Location and Accessibility

The King Eider Inn is situated at Address: 1752 Ahkovak St, Utqiagvik, AK 99723, United States. Its location in Utqiagvik is deliberate, placing guests directly within the heart of the Inupiat community. Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is accessible primarily by air, with regularly scheduled flights from Anchorage, Alaska. Due to the remote location, planning travel well in advance is strongly recommended. The hotel itself is designed to be comfortably accessible, recognizing the logistical challenges of reaching this far north. The terrain around the hotel is tundra, offering expansive views of the Arctic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Transportation within Utqiagvik is typically arranged through the hotel or local tour operators.

Hotel Features and Amenities

The King Eider Inn distinguishes itself through its dedication to showcasing Inupiat culture and providing guests with authentic experiences. Here’s a breakdown of key features:

• Cultural Immersion Programs: A cornerstone of the Inn’s offering is its extensive range of cultural programs. Guests can participate in workshops led by Inupiat elders, learning about traditional crafts, storytelling, and hunting practices.
• Local Cuisine: The hotel’s restaurant serves meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, featuring traditional Inupiat dishes. This provides a delightful opportunity to sample the flavors of the region.
• Comfortable Accommodations: The Inn offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms, designed to provide a relaxing haven after a day of exploration.
• Observation Deck: A dedicated observation deck provides unparalleled views of the Arctic Ocean and the Northern Lights (during the winter months).
• Gift Shop: Guests can purchase authentic Inupiat crafts and souvenirs at the hotel’s gift shop, supporting local artisans.

Specialties and Services

The primary specialty of the King Eider Inn is providing a culturally rich and immersive experience. Beyond the hotel itself, they offer a variety of tailored excursions, including:

• Wildlife Viewing Tours: Opportunities to observe polar bears, seals, and other Arctic wildlife in their natural habitat.
• Dog Sledding Adventures: Experience the thrill of dog sledding, a traditional mode of transportation in the Arctic.
• Ice Fishing Expeditions: Test your angling skills on a guided ice fishing trip.
• Cultural Village Visits: Immersive visits to local Inupiat villages, providing a deeper understanding of the community’s traditions and way of life.

Guest Feedback and Reputation

The King Eider Inn has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from its guests. According to Google My Business, the hotel currently holds an average opinion of 4.5/5 based on 119 reviews. Guests consistently praise the hotel’s commitment to cultural sensitivity, the warmth of the Inupiat staff, and the unique experiences offered. Common themes in the reviews highlight the transformative nature of the stay, with many guests expressing a profound appreciation for the opportunity to learn about and connect with the Inupiat culture. Specific comments often mention the engaging cultural programs, the delicious local cuisine, and the breathtaking scenery.

Contact Information

For more information and to book your stay, please visit the Website: kingeider.net. You can also reach the hotel directly by phone at Phone: 9078524700.

The King Eider Inn represents a remarkable opportunity to travel beyond the ordinary and embrace a truly authentic Arctic experience. Its dedication to preserving and sharing Inupiat culture, combined with its stunning location and comfortable amenities, makes it a destination unlike any other.

👍 Reviews of King Eider Inn

204carlynw

The front desk was very friendly and helpful. We were very happy with our room accommodations. Especially since we had a kitchenette and we were able to cook our own meals. Food is very costly in Barrow. We also walked all around the village instead of taking taxis. Kind of dusty and far, but doable. King Eider is no frills, just like the town. Down to earth. Enjoyed the Heritage Center and museum and craftsmen.

E B.

5/5

Great service, comfortable rooms, excellent amenities, and friendly staff. I especially appreciated how clean the room and facility were. Also, conveniently located within walking distance of the airport and the store. Excellent lodging for being in a remote location, as long as your expectations are in tune with Alaskan village reality.

Karen W.

5/5

Very beautiful hotel! Rooms are spacious and extremely clean! The beds are amazingly comfortable! No frills but the basics. A mini fridge, t-v with cable, WiFi (Starlink). No hair dryers or things like that. No on site restaurant.

King Eider Inn is right across the street from Ted Stevens Airport. Less than 100ft walk. To get to a restaurant, cabs are $8.00 for anywhere in town and pickup is quick. Several restaurants are within walking distance.

I highly recommend you hire Mike Scholtz as your tour guide. Just ask the front desk to contact Mike for you when you check in. You can arrange for a 2hr tour with him. Best tour in town!

Heather R.

5/5

Thank you for all your hospitality. You gave me such a memorable stay. Also great location and comfortable bed.

diogenesl2014

The hotel management is very nice to let guests awaiting the flight back to Anchorage to hang out in the warm lobby woth free wifi. The room was OK, the heat worked amd it was very strong, we had to open windows as there is no AC option in Barrow. The curtains were a bit dirty, but everything in the room was fine. They had very fancy soap products in the bathroom, we were quite surprised.|Hotel is only a minute walk to the BRW airport, which was super convenient.

Mike C.

5/5

Real clean and quiet place. Nothing fancy, but appreciated the cleanliness as most hotels nowadays are pretty gross. Guy working the front desk was super helpful as well.

EricNDubai

Clean! Spacious rooms! Thank goodness for the black out shades, the sun doesn't go down in the summer! Across the street from the airport. Rental cars are good. Marco's at the of the street has the best burgers in town! Hostess was very nice!

Edward W.

5/5

Great location, literally across the Alaska Airline terminal. Very friendly staff, nice, homely lobby with a sofa, fireplace, tea, coffee and a chess board. Rooms are good size, comfortable bed and a great shower. Very clean. They do not offer food on site but there are quite a few restaurants that deliver and they have all the menus. Would stay again anytime. Thank you for the hospitality!