Luxury in the Last Frontier: Curating an Elevated Lifestyle Getaway in Alaska

by Mia Brooks

Alaska’s always had this magnetic pull – those jagged peaks, sapphire-blue glaciers, and that sense you’re somewhere barely touched. But honestly, if you’re someone who likes a splash of comfort with your adventure, the Last Frontier delivers in ways you might not expect.

Picture yourself waking up in a lodge that looks like it belongs in an architecture magazine, or lingering over a tasting menu crafted under the midnight sun, or maybe just hopping in a private helicopter to get a whole new perspective on those endless spruce forests. In a place where moose might wander by your window while you’re sipping coffee and wild salmon ends up on your dinner plate, it’s easy to forget about the rest of the world and just, well, indulge.

Think of those remote chalets and hidden spas as your own private slice of Alaska – no crowds, just you and whatever scenery you crave. Some boutique pros, like the folks at HomeSpot HQ, can even tailor the interiors and experiences to your vibe, so every detail, from the throw pillows to the view, feels like it’s meant for you. The best part? The adventures and feasts are as unique as the land itself – never cookie-cutter, always shaped by your whims and Alaska’s wildness.

If you’re up for mixing things up, pairing a luxe lodge stay with a cruise from Seattle is a pretty slick way to go. You get that contrast: city lights one day, then the hush of ice-draped fjords the next. From the second you step off the plane, Alaska invites you into a life that’s anything but ordinary – a place where wildness and elegance do this unexpected dance.

Elevated Retreats: Discovering Alaska’s Most Exclusive Lodges

Hidden out in the wilds, Alaska’s luxury lodges let you soak up nature’s drama without giving up comfort. Panoramic views, creative food that’s all about what’s local, and staff who seem to get what you want before you do – it’s a whole different level.

Immersive Wilderness Escapes: Private Chalets and Boutique Hideaways

Forget the standard hotel room. Imagine your own lakeside chalet or a cabin that feels both rustic and refined. Places like Stillpoint Lodge nail that balance – modern lines, natural materials, and a vibe that lets the landscape steal the show.

Sitting on your porch, maybe watching king salmon glide by, or waking up to the sound of eagles overhead – these aren’t your average vacation moments. Handcrafted woodwork, windows that run from floor to ceiling, and all those little touches make you feel like you belong there, at least for a while.

If you’re itching for adventure, many of these lodges can get you to places you’d never reach on your own – think heli-access to glaciers or secret coves. And since the day’s yours to shape, you might be paddling at dawn or casting a fly from your own dock. Not bad, right?

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No matter what type of vacation you’re planning, selecting a pretty hotel—inside and out—is vital. Whether you plan to stay for a week or weekend, a hotel that combines good interior design, charming architecture (that ideally has some history!), and a beautiful surrounding landscape can easily boost your experience. From a rustic ranch resort to a Victorian-inspired mansion (for living out your Bridgerton daydreams, of course), we’ve collected all of the prettiest hotels in every state and Washington, D.C. Refer to this list the next time you’re looking to plan a dreamy, unforgettable getaway.
 

Alaska <> Stillpoint Lodge

Located in Halibut Cove—a fishing and arts mecca of Alaska—Stillpoint Lodge is ideal for a relaxing wilderness escape. The cabins feature beautiful woodwork, covered porches, lush bedding, and breathtaking views of nature.

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Alaska is a state known for its rugged terrain and largely untouched nature. But as wild as the state remains, there are a few all-inclusive resorts that offer a luxury oasis among the stunning scenery. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose an Alaska all-inclusive resort during your stay in The Last Frontier. 

Planning a family reunion next year, but don’t know where to host it? Consider Alaska!

The largest and northernmost state is home to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, wildlife, and activities that are fun for the entire family. Here are a few reasons why a family trip to Alaska should be in your future.

Alaska lures visitors with its stunning scenery and opulent wildlife. Visitors come to experience the state’s blue glaciers and tall peaks, its wild coastline, and fish-filled rivers and ocean. But, Alaska’s varied communities have a lot to offer too. An excursion into Homer from Stillpoint Lodge can provide you with a glimpse into the lives of Alaskans and the workings of one of the state’s most important maritime communities.

Passionate.
That's the word we use to describe our friend and Homer, Alaska local, Susan Houlihan, founder and mastermind behind the locally made Alpenglow Skincare products found throughout our facilities at Stillpoint. If you've already visited our boutique resort lodge, you already know... because you've delighted in washing and rewashing your hands with Susan's Arctic Sun liquid gold hand and body wash, you've taken time for yourself in our self-spa to sample all of her exquisite, highly-concentrated  lotions and sumptuous face creams (the rose germanium face cream is our favorite), utilized her Alaska's best insect repellant bug spray out on the trail with our guides, washed body and hair in our warm and luxurious showers with Susan's unforgettable Midnight Sun liquid shampoo... and maybe you even purchased a mini cottonwood balm or bar of local goat milk soap to take home with you.

But it's not just the irresistible scents and attractive labels of Alpenglow Skincare that drew us to feature Susan's products at Stillpoint Lodge... we love that they are all natural, locally made, and hypoallergenic for even the most sensitive guest.... and Susan's personal passion for sustainability makes Alpenglow a perfect match for our guest amenities program. Alpenglow's mission: To create 100% natural, entirely handmade from scratch, superior quality skin and hair care products using organic, wildcrafted and home-grown herbs and flowers. Sign us up!

Clearly, we’ve been a fan of Alpenglow for a while, and we continue to expand our support and utilization of their entire product line. Susan is an expert at growing and harvesting beneficial plants such as Alaskan Rose petals, yarrow flowers, horsetail, nettles, fireweed, and cottonwood buds for their scents and therapeutic properties. She's also a lifelong learner in sourcing cutting edge, earth-friendly and safe packaging.

We've asked Susan Houlihan of Alpenglow Skincare to be a guest on our blog... so let’s all sit back and learn something from this wise woman. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

It's no secret that people are addicted to their digital devices. According to Pew Research Center, as smartphones and other mobile devices have become more widespread, 26% of American adults now report that they go online “almost constantly,” up from 21% in 2015. And a report published by the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg says the average American spends a whopping 23.6 hours online each week.

In response, a number of travel companies are trying to help guests reclaim their lives outside of their devices by offering innovative ways to escape the digital rat race. 

"Ironically, as connected as we are in the social media age, we are completely disconnected," says travel guru Jack Ezon, managing partner at Embark, a new luxury lifestyle and travel planning business that he's about to launch.

Ezon calls this one of the big trends of 2018 in his annual trend report, pointing out that travel presents an opportunity for people to put their fast-paced “connected” world behind them and build true, deep connections that you just can’t get from a Facebook feed or Instagram Live videos. Ezon says there's a new yearning for disconnecting, including "a desire for road trips and trips that offer a real connection to the land."

The travel agency Protravel International also says that disconnecting is one of the five emerging trends in luxury travel. “I’m seeing more and more clients looking to travel to disconnect from technology and the news cycle," says Marvelys Capote, an agent with Protravel International New York.

Recently, Capote sent four women to Holbox Island in Mexico, so that they could "get off the grid and connect with nature." Holbox is a remote island two hours northwest of Cancun with limited Wi-Fi. "My clients stayed at CasaSandra, a boutique hotel without televisions, went bird-watching, fishing, swimming with whale sharks, ate great seafood and came back rejuvenated.”

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has done research into the topic of reconnecting by disconnecting, too. According to a 2017 report, physical and mental health are key motivators for travelers seeking adventure travel experiences — and, according to the ATTA, travelers are increasingly prioritizing this when making travel-related decisions by seeking out wellness trips, as well as opportunities to unplug.

"Almost everyone I know knows someone who is on a device too much," says Casey Hanisko, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. "People are craving the idea of reconnecting. Remarkably, adventure experiences can awaken something in us all and remind us that making memories doesn't always happen with a phone in your hand."

Looking to take your own digital detox? From charming cottages to wellness retreats to urban getaways, here are 10 ways to unplug on your next vacation.

A stay at Stillpoint Lodge is all about nature... the boat trip across the bay, the trees, the ocean, the fishing, moutain scenery, flying through fjords, wildlife encounters by kayak, the garden and the flowers and the food... but we happen to have some pretty amazing facilities, too. The unique beauty and stunning architecture of Stillpoint Lodge can only truly be appreciated in person... to see such a sizeable and detailed structure in this remote, boat-in only location is quite remarkable.

But now with new innovative technologies and software rendering capabilities, Glenn Aronwits of GA Panorams of Anchorage, Alaska was able to create an astounding 3D virtual tour. Perhaps it will entice more of our cyber-visitors to come visit in person and experience Stillpoint Lodge for themselves.

The 3D scanning and imaging is done with a special infrared camera placed in various locations throughout each building. It creates an accurate, life-like, interactive image that is unlike traditional “virtual walk-through” technology... this is a fully immersive experience. Navigate the whole lodge and all of our cabins in first-person as if you were walking right through each space, seeing it as it is in real life. Zoom out to see the whole scan at once and get a feel for the layout. View the 3D scans from above to get an accurate feel for the dimensions, layout and floorplan.

See all the Cabins and Lodge Virtual Tours