[+] The McKinley Chalet Resort is ideally located just a stone’s throw away from the Denali National Park entrance, making it incredibly convenient for park visits. The property is well-maintained, featuring beautiful walking trails along the Nenana River which provide a serene backdrop for morning or evening strolls. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful, always ready to assist with planning various activities like flight-seeing and river rafting. The Canyon Steakhouse offers fantastic food; I dined there twice during my stay and was never disappointed. The resort also provides shuttles that are punctual and convenient, making it easy to navigate the expansive property.
[-] However, the rooms could use some updating. The furnishings felt a bit dated, and the carpet in my room was noticeably worn. Sound insulation was also an issue; I could hear noise from adjacent rooms, which was a bit disruptive at night. WiFi access was spotty, and there was limited cell service, which made it somewhat challenging to stay connected. Parking is not available directly by the chalets, but the shuttle service alleviates this inconvenience to some extent. Despite these drawbacks, the overall experience was pleasant, and the location and staff more than make up for the minor inconveniences.
Linda –
[+] The pub food was excellent, and it was convenient that our luggage was delivered directly to our room from the train station.
[-] The location of our room was quite far from the main lodge, requiring us to wait for a shuttle to get there. Additionally, the staff did not respond to our inquiries about transportation from the train station, which resulted in us having to navigate through several buses to find the correct one.
Anish –
[+] The staff was incredibly friendly and answered all our questions and requests promptly. The location was fantastic, being very close to the entrance of Denali National Park.
[-] We had reserved a room with 2 queen beds for 4 adults, but we were given a room with a queen bed, a double bed, and a pull-out sofa. When I spoke to the property about the issue, they explained that booking.com should not have shown a photo of a room with 2 queen beds, as they don’t guarantee that specific arrangement. Booking.com should have been clear about this, but the fine print was not evident when I made the reservation months ago. I found this very disappointing, so be aware of this if you book this property through booking.com.
Meng –
The resort’s location is incredibly convenient, being just a short distance from Denali Park. The views at the resort are stunning, and I truly wish I could have stayed longer. To our pleasant surprise, we learned at the front desk that the resort provides a free shuttle service to Denali Park. Overall, an A+ experience!
Judy –
[+] Our room was comfortable, although it was much farther away than I had arranged during my two previous phone calls with the front desk. My ability to walk long distances is very limited, but the shuttle service helped us navigate the property.
[-] Our luggage, which was automatically transferred from the train along with the cruise passengers’ bags, did not arrive in our room. Moreover, the staff couldn’t locate it before we needed to go to bed for an early excursion, which caused us to miss our planned bedtime.
Raquel –
[+] The place was large and spacious with a stunning view. It offered great amenities such as laundry facilities, restaurants, excursion booking, and a business kiosk with a computer and printer. The staff is exceptional and really made the stay enjoyable. I highly recommend this place! As a single mom traveling with a 9-year-old, I felt safe letting him explore, and the staff was incredibly friendly with children. Overall, it was a great stay 😊
[-] However, the furnishings are outdated, the carpet was worn, and the couch was torn.
Yuxin –
[+] The main lobby is beautiful and the staff is very welcoming. During my visit, they had an adorable sled dog puppy petting zoo. The shuttle service from the train station to the hotel was punctual, and the bus driver was exceptionally friendly. There are numerous shuttles that conveniently travel between the various buildings on the property. The Canyon Steakhouse, located within the hotel, was outstanding—I dined there twice.
[-] I stayed in the Canyon Lodge where the room was somewhat small and the sound insulation was poor, making it difficult to sleep. Additionally, my room lacked Wi-Fi, and the AT&T cell signal was inconsistent.
Jane –
[+] I really enjoyed the decor at Karsten’s restaurant, especially the fireplace and fire pit. The large windows and views of the mountains added to the great vibe and atmosphere.
[-] The food was good, but it could be improved a bit more. Additionally, some of the restaurants were closed since it was the end of the season.
Rose –
[+] The bar side of Canyon Steakhouse provided outstanding service. I wish I had gotten the name of our server, as she was the best throughout our trip! Additionally, there was an incident where a lady experienced a severe choking episode, and one of the staff members promptly assisted her. I believe EMTs arrived after we left.
[-] It was challenging to travel to and from Cottonwoods with my 86-year-old friend, especially afterward when we had to handle our luggage for the shuttle.
Laura –
[+] The proximity to Denali National Park was excellent. They offer shuttles to both the main lobby and the park, which is very convenient.
[-] If you have your own car, parking isn’t available directly by your chalet. However, the shuttle service compensates for this inconvenience.