5 Over-the-Top Alaskan Luxury Lodges We Love

In my role as an award-winning B&amp;R Trip Designer, I’m always on the lookout for some of the most incredible luxury lodges in the world. (It’s a tough job, I know.) I’ve found that of all places, Alaska has got it all. Each of my top picks includes a combination of the following: luxury, seclusion, access to wildlife or adventure, exclusivity, superb amenities and attentive service.First off, it’s an adventure in its own right, getting to most of these locations, as these lodges are accessible only by float plane, helicopter or boat. Whether you’re on the quest for up-close wilderness encounters, curious about what it’s like to stay atop <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/north-america">North America</a>’s tallest mountain, or would simply like to sip on a glass of wine as the Northern Lights shimmer before you, it goes without saying that these experiences book up quickly — and with good reason.

<h2>The Sheldon Chalet: Highest Stay in North America</h2>As far as unlikely luxury outposts go, Sheldon Chalet just might take the cake, resting dramatically on a granite nunatak within a jagged amphitheatre on the flanks of North America’s highest mountain — Mount Denali, peaking at 6,190 metres (20,310 feet). The chalet is a true marvel and an unparalleled experience, starting with its flight-only accessibility.The seismically secured hexagonal structure — featuring large picture windows — is the realization of a dream held by three generations of the Sheldon family, and a portal into a world once only accessible to mountaineers. From the observation deck (or from the comfort of your bed), it is possible to catch the ethereal dance of the aurora borealis. There’s no wi-fi or cell service here, but I promise you won’t miss it — you’ll be too busy picking your jaw up off the floor.

<h2>Kodiak Brown Bear Center: Unparalleled Access to Wilderness</h2>Set a course for remote Kodiak Island, the home of the mighty Kodiak bear, the largest brown bear of all, and second in size only to the polar bear. Nestled on the shores of Karluk Lake, in the middle of a 210,000-acre private reserve, you’ll have unparalleled access to Alaska’s best bear-viewing.With a minimally invasive setting and small group sizes, this world-class nature centre makes it stress-free (for both you and the animals) to get up close to the bears. Walking safaris are the best way to see wildlife, and at KBBC, you’ll be joined by a professional bear guide. Quietly approach and observe the Kodiak bears as they fish in the active salmon stream just minutes from the lodge.Get cozy in your luxury one-bedroom cabin, with wind-powered amenities and well-appointed decor as you watch the wildlife frolic on the front lawn. My favourite part? Ending the day in the maqii, a wood-fired steam room, where you can unwind as the native Alutiiq people have done for centuries.

<h2>Chelatna Lake Lodge: Seek the Aurora Borealis (or the Midnight Sun)</h2>Just south of Denali National Park, seclude yourself in the epitome of rustic luxury. We’ve discovered the perfect setting for an ultimate Alaskan experience: the resplendent colours of the Northern Lights.As this dark-sky lodge is completely free of light pollution, it’s one of the best places in the world to view the phenomenon. For the best time of year, arrive mid-September through late April (though the lights tend to peak in March).Be mesmerized by the ever-changing colours of the aurora or capture the magic on your camera or phone. Framed by the Alaska Range, day or night, there are absolutely no bad angles.&nbsp;At day’s end you’ll delight at watching the lights dance in the sky from the lakeside cedar hot tub.In the summer, during the time of nearly 24-hour daylight, take a canoe out at midnight dusk to experience the enormity of the massive landscape around you — with perhaps a plaintive loon call breaking the stillness.

<h2>Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge: Off the Grid at the Ocean’s Edge</h2>A gorgeous hideaway near the town of Homer, the world’s halibut-fishing capital, Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge takes advantage of its prime location. Arrive via float plane or water taxi only, as it’s located within Alaska’s first state park along Kachemak Bay. Your host family provides the expert guiding, having lived in the area for three generations, and will take you into completely remote areas for hiking, kayaking and wildlife-watching.Dive into a vast array of water and hiking-based activities, along with the lodge’s award-winning cuisine — including home-grown oysters plucked fresh, year-round from the glacier-fed, pristine waters of the bay. Tucked away in a private cove, the family-owned property provides luxurious seclusion and spacious family suites for larger gatherings.&nbsp;

<h2>Tordrillo Mountain Lodge:&nbsp;The Quintessential Alaskan Getaway</h2>Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is one of the few places in the world that truly manages to marry luxury and remoteness on a grand scale, and it’s my personal favourite for an ultimate getaway packed with activity. After a scant 40-minute flight from Anchorage, find yourself surveying the shores of Judd Lake and the peaks of the Alaska Range, in a place of quiet beauty.Depending on the season, you can heli-ski, heli-hike, or heli-bike, or opt for a scenic flight-seeing tour of the surroundings (including the Harding Ice Fields, or the active Augustine Island Volcano, part of the Ring of Fire).Nature-lovers can search for Alaskan brown bears, or you can take on the ultimate fishing adventure — angling to catch an Alaskan king salmon. The lodge is situated on an active salmon river and employs a prizewinning fly-fishing guide to help you land a big one.You can also keep it simple and soak up the scenery from the comfort of a copper-lined hot tub, or hop into gorgeous Judd Lake to canoe, kayak, SUP, or wakeboard for watery fun!

If exploring the ends of the earth surrounded by luxurious accommodation sounds appealing, then check out the remote lodges of the southern hemisphere on a bespoke trip to <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/patagonia-bespoke">Patagonia</a>.&nbsp;

Discover the best lodges in Alaska—from remote wilderness retreats to luxury stays offering wildlife encounters, adventure, and unforgettable natural beauty.

Best Lodges in Alaska | Luxury Wilderness Stays & Remote Escapes

North America

North America is Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s backyard—literally—and its landscape is vast and varied. Having explored its regions since our inception, we know where (and how) to find the parts others cannot reach.&nbsp;North America offers boundless opportunities for the active traveller. From the transcendent peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the untamed wilderness of British Columbia on the west coast, the continent’s diversity is awe-inspiring. Indulge in the finest multi-cultural cuisines, venture off the beaten path and experience the vibrant heartbeat of the continent.&nbsp;The allure of North America is as expansive as its landmass, and it’s waiting to be explored.&nbsp;

Adventure within reach

Cycle the Canadian Rockies and walk Oaxaca's markets and Yucatán's coasts on small group or private bespoke trips across North America, with local experts.

North America Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

A place where unparalleled beauty, wilderness and adventure come together; explore the gems of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Hike your way around Sunshine Meadows and pedal through the valleys in Banff National Park with jagged mountain peaks all around.

Diverse Landscapes

Vibrant Culture

Active Adventure

The Rockies don’t do subtle—think turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, and trails that dare you not to say “wow” every five minutes. Hike flower-filled meadows, bike through Banff’s jaw-dropping valleys, and dip your toes in glacier-fed waters (refreshing is an understatement). It’s self-guided, but Mother Nature handles most of the guiding anyway.

Roaming around the Rocky Mountains

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$7,595 based on two travellers,  $6,795 based on four travellers, $6,495 based on six travellers.

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B&amp;R’s Women’s Only trips are designed by women, for women to experience new regions, cultures and communities from female perspectives. Venture to Canada’s west coast and discover the enchanting British Columbia—a haven of breathtaking coastlines, rugged mountain landscapes and lush, emerald forests. Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Vancouver, where you'll savour local flavours at the renowned Granville Market and wander beneath the ancient, towering trees of Stanley Park. A short flight then whisks you to the magical town of Tofino, where you'll ride the Pacific waves in a female-led surf class and stroll along the pristine shores of endless beaches. Glide through the serene waters of Pacific Rim National Park in a kayak, and e-bike past beaches and forests on your way to Ucluelet. End your adventure learning about local traditions in a bead-making workshop led by a First Nations Elder, an experience that will leave you deeply connected to this serene corner of Canada.

Unforgettable Experiences

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Authentic Food

From city buzz to coastal bliss, this women's-only trip blends wild beauty with west coast soul. Savour bites at Granville Market, surf with badass women in Tofino, and kayak through Pacific Rim’s calm waters. E-bike past beach and forest, then bead with a First Nations Elder. It’s a soul-soothing, wave-chasing, memory-making kind of trip.

 A mindful journey through serene lands

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$6,995 based on two travellers. $6,495 based on four travellers. $5,995 based on six travellers.

Luxurious Stays

Off the Beaten Path

Exclusive Access

Mexico hums with colour, flavour and culture. Where smoky mezcal flows from generations-old distilleries and markets pulse with energy. Kayak quiet mangroves and unwind in design-forward haciendas that feel blissfully off the map. Hike and bike the Sierra Norte’s quiet foothills, wander Monte Albán’s ancient heights and embrace the warmth of the people—and the food. Vibrant, layered and full of soul, Mexico doesn’t follow a script. It dances to its own rhythm.&nbsp;

Bike Maya ruins, kayak cenotes and hike Yucatán jungle trails on a tailor-made itinerary. Private archaeological access and experiences most travellers miss.

Mexico Private Tours: Maya Ruins, Cenote Kayaking & Yucatán Jungle

Local Connections

Oaxaca is Mexico's tastiest secret—mezcal trails, ancient ruins, and mole worth crossing borders for. Pedal past giant cypress trees, hike between Zapotec mountain villages, and explore vibrant markets,&nbsp;hidden canyons and the sun-soaked Pacific Coast. With boutique stays and locals who turn every encounter into a fiesta, this adventure serves up Mexico’s soul—with extra salsa.&nbsp;

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Mexico City & Oaxaca Tour: Baroque Churches, Aztec Pyramids & Fine Cuisine

Authentic Food & Mezcal

A different side of Mexico unfolds in Oaxaca, where culture, craft and landscape are inseparable. Cycle through mezcal country, hike misty mountain trails in the Sierra Norte and explore ancient Zapotec ruins on a journey through Oaxaca’s rich cultural heart. Along the way, discover vibrant markets, family-run workshops and exceptional local cuisine, all set against agave fields, colonial cities and hidden valleys—an experience shaped by movement, flavour and connection.

Experience Oaxaca’s vibrant culture on a multi-active small group tour. Cycle mezcal country, hike ancient trails and enjoy authentic local connections with B&R.

Luxury Oaxaca Multi-Active Tour | Bike, Hike & Cultural Experiences

Newfoundland's draw has traditionally been the wide expanses of raw nature, from ranging moose to towering icebergs. This&nbsp;landscape provides endless options to entertain the active explorer. As for the warm and cheery Newfoundlander, that&nbsp;seems to&nbsp;be what keeps visitors coming back. Experience Newfoundland your way on a private, tailor-made adventure inspired by these highlights.

Nature’s Wonders

Maritime Magic

Newfoundland is shaped by sea, story and time. Follow in the wake of Vikings and settlers, drawn by cod-rich waters and windswept shores. Sip molasses-tinged Screech, sway to Gaelic rhythms at lively “kitchen parties” and feel centuries of seafaring spirit in every note. Drift past towering icebergs, spot whales breaching in wild blue and stand on some of the oldest stones on Earth. And when the day ends, wind down&nbsp;in places like Fogo Island Inn—part sanctuary, part work of art and fully unforgettable.

Canada's eclectic east coast

Expertly curated with our favourite experiences in each destination, these departures bring together a maximum of 16 like-minded travellers on pre-set dates.

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Walk Newfoundland's iceberg coast, spot whales and puffins from sea cliffs on a custom itinerary. Canada's most surprising destination, privately guided for

Newfoundland Private Tours: Iceberg Coast, Sea Cliffs & Canada's Hidden Gem

The Rockies are a stunning example of nature at her best.&nbsp;These transcendent mountains formed more than 80 million years ago from continental plates shifting beneath North America. Continuing tectonic activity, along with the erosion created by glaciers, resulted&nbsp;in the&nbsp;dramatic combination of jagged peaks and valleys we see today.&nbsp;What better way to experience them than on an adventure-packed private journey, tailor-made by our Experience Designer who calls the Rockies her backyard.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Understated Luxury

In the Wild

From towering peaks and glacier-carved valleys to trails that beg for boots or bike tires, the Rockies are simultaneously rugged and resplendent. Whether you’re hiking alpine ridges, paddling turquoise lakes or spotting elk at sunrise, this is wilderness with wow-factor. Designed by locals who know every switchback, our adventures in the Rockies are anything but ordinary.

Home to some of Canada’s most idyllic scenery

Bespoke travel lets you take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

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Hike, bike and raft Banff and Canmore on a tailor-made itinerary. Wildlife trails, river canyons and wild Canada far beyond the viewpoints. Built for you.

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Sample Canada’s most European province through its cheeses, wine, sparkling lakes and delightful city streets, travelling along roads that wind past old ancestral homes, covered bridges, historic churches and chapels. Rural antique shops abound, full of charming trinkets from the past and crafts by local artisans. Come wintertime, a blanket of snow covers the landscape in a soft, white glitter. Here are a few highlights to inspire your bespoke itinerary.

Worlds both old and new meet in Quebec

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British Columbia’s motto is Splendor Sine Occasu, or "splendour without diminishment." In Canada’s most biologically, geographically and climatically diverse province, it may be an understatement. The urge to explore this unbelievable variety of landscapes—from grasslands to soaring mountains, ocean to a modern metropolis—is irresistible. Gaze over Canada’s tallest mountain ranges, ride through cowboy country, fish salmon streams surrounded by coastal rainforest and visit beautiful Vancouver, a sophisticated world-class city.

Nature's Wonders

In British Columbia, the wild and the wonderful go hand in hand. Kayak with orcas, hike rainforest trails, bike past alpine lakes and toast it all with Okanagan wine. From coastal inlets to Rocky Mountain peaks, BC is where rugged beauty meets refined adventure and every trail leads to something unforgettable.

Canada's incredible West Coast

Hike ancient rainforests, kayak among orca pods and bike Tofino's coastal trails on a custom itinerary. Canada's Pacific wilderness, privately guided and

5 Over-the-Top Alaskan Luxury Lodges We Love

By Marianne Abraham

North America

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