Where to Stay in Wrangell: 5 Varied Options for Any Type of Visitor

For a small, off-the-beaten-path Alaskan community, I’ve been to Wrangell quite a bit – and have enjoyed every visit. I was first there on a sunny day in May 2017 as part of cruising with Uncruise; my next trip was a rainy day in September 2021 as part of an Alaskan Dream Cruises itinerary. My final visit was in June 2022 with Windstar, and the weather was delightfully mixed. I’ve pretty much seen Wrangell in any weather! (Except snow, I guess – time to plan a return trip in winter!)

One thing I haven’t done is spend a night in Wrangell, since I’ve always visited via cruise ship. That’s another thing I want to do differently the next time I visit: I’d like to fly in and stay a few nights in town… and that means knowing where to stay in Wrangell! If you’re planning a similar trip, you might be wondering the same, so I’ve pulled together a list of all your options for hotels in Wrangell (and other accommodation types too).

I’m gonna be honest though: the photos don’t sell most of these properties, and I had to work really hard to find attractive photos to show you! This isn’t because your accommodation options in Wrangell are poor quality, but instead reflects the reality of business in a small Alaskan community: the same emphasis isn’t placed on how good something looks or ensuring websites are up to date. However, I am confident recommending all of these places – and if you go, please take some good photos and share them with me so I can update this post with better pics for future travelers!

Ready to jump into the complete list of places to stay in Wrangell? Here they are – all you have to do is choose the one that’s right for you, your travel style, and your budget!

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the Lingít Aaní (traditional lands) of the Tlingit people. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Stikine Inn

Photos courtesy of TripAdvisor travelers as the Stikine Inn has not updated their website since pre-2020 🫣

Nestled in the heart of Wrangell, the Stikine Inn is – I would assert – the best hotel in Wrangell. This cozy little hotel is situated right next to the main dock, is not far from the ferry terminal and harbor, and offers a comfortable retreat with stunning mountain views. 

Rooms are nothing fancy, but they don’t need to be, the main thing is the beds are comfy. The on-site Stik Restaurant and Stik Cafe are both handy for helping you stay fueled up for your adventures in and around town. One thing though, the inn doesn’t have an elevator; if you have mobility issues, be sure to let them know when booking so they can accommodate this.

As Wrangell is small and walkable, you can easily base yourself here to walk to all the main attractions in town, like Chief Shakes Island, Mount Dewey, and Petroglyph Beach.

Wrangell Extended Stay 

Wrangell Extended Stay is the definition of a home away from home; it is one of the best options for families or if you’re planning a longer stay and want a few extra amenities.

The property offers different sizes of rooms for different needs; all rooms are fully equipped with kitchenettes with a stove and fridge. It also offers the convenience of in-room laundry facilities. The central location near downtown is perfect to move around; you can walk almost anywhere you want to go.

The Sourdough Lodge

If you’d like a true retreat in the Alaskan nature, The Sourdough Lodge strikes a nice balance in terms of where to stay in Wrangell. The lodge is a little further out of town but still walkable, and its motel-style architecture works well to give you privacy without being too far from the common amenities like a fire pit, reading room, and covered porch.

The rooms aren’t very spacious but they have a variety of options: there’s a king room option, a double twin room option, and the “Harding River Suite” which is what I would pick (it’s got a private bath with jacuzzi tub, massive walk-in shower, and heated tile floor to make your stay a little more indulgent).

Grand View Bed & Breakfast

Furthest from town, you’ll probably need a car if you’re staying at Grand View Bed & Breakfast and want to explore Wrangell – but don’t let that deter you! Overlooking the scenic Zimovia Strait, the location is fantastic, as it’s just far enough out of town to have some space to yourself, but still near the city park and harbor to remind you that you’re not completely remote.

In addition to comfortable rooms and freshly-made breakfast each morning to fuel you up for the day’s adventures, hosts Alan and Leslie know the region like the back of their hands and will show you the best local sites and hikes. It’s worth noting there are only three rooms – the Moose, Bear, and Alaska rooms – so they can fill up during peak weekends of the summer season.

Fort Wrangell B&B

Last but not least: Fort Wrangell B&B isn’t one of Wrangell’s hotels per se, but is instead a vacation rental available to book on Airbnb. Hosted by Brian, the property is a bit out of the town center, but still easily walkable.

There are two rooms available – the Orca Room and the Eagle Room – and both have the essentials plus some nice amenities (microwave, fridge, coffeemaker, electric teapot, tea, and coffee) and a small desk space in each room if your trip to Wrangell necessitates any work getting done (as a travel blogger, I’m always working when I’m in Alaska!). Each room has a private bath, but the Orca Room is especially nice as it has a fireplace and couch in the room for extra comfort and coziness. There’s also a lovely deck to sit on and read a book if the weather is nice, plus bikes to borrow for getting around town.

As for the host, Brian is super knowledgeable about the area and doesn’t hesitate to share his information if you ask.

Have any other questions about where to stay in Wrangell, or have you heard of a property I didn’t include on this list that you’re curious about? Let me know in the comments below!

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