Juneau, Alaska: Prospector Hotel In Downtown Active Core

On the scenic Gatineau Channel

A twenty minute Uber ride from the airport brings you to the Prospector Hotel. If you are driving your own car, the ride from the ferry landing in Auke Bay takes about thirty-five minutes. At the reception, you will be greeted by friendly locals happy to help in making your stay pleasant. Rooms are quite spacious and many offer decent views of the waterfront. Suites with water views cost around 200 USD in the summer while standard rooms cost around 170 USD. Depending on availability, prices can be significantly lower.

The Prospector Hotel is an “L” shaped building. The short leg of the L faces the water and has the Executive View King rooms for those who want to watch the fishing fleet, cruise ships, and other boating activity. They are the smallest of the room choices but most would think the Executive View King rooms offer plenty of space. Watch Bald Eagles perched or flying in and around the Gastineau Channel and Douglas Island from your room.

In the junction of the building’s “L” shaped legs are the largest room option. These corner suites have room enough for a four-seat dining table, couch, side chair, and king or queen beds. The corner rooms feature views of the water and Douglas Island.

Spacious renovated rooms

Standard rooms are in the long leg of the “L” shaped building. These rooms offer little or no view but are the largest room. Two closets come in handy if you are staying long-term. Two queen beds, an armchair, work desk, and console with coffee maker, and fridge make up the room’s furnishings. All rooms feature microwave, refrigerator, coffee makers with complimentary Heritage coffee, free Wi-Fi, free covered parking, most pets accepted, irons and ironing boards, and free web access on the computer in the lobby. For an in-town location, the hotel is fairly quiet offering a good night’s rest. Both beds and pillows passed this travel writer’s quality standards. The beds were medium-firm and the pillows were not the usual over-stuffed down-alternative type.

If you need a place for a meeting or event the Prospector can accommodate up to 150 and they are located next to the Centennial Hall Convention Center with 20,000 sq ft/1,858 sq m. T. K Maguire’s is the onsite restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try their wild Alaskan salmon or king crab legs for dinner and enjoy the view of the Gastineau Channel. Other restaurants are close by like The Hanger, a local and tourist favorite. Try and get a seat by the windows so you can watch the float planes from Wings Alaska come and go just below the restaurant.

Close to many great attractions

Several attractions are near the Prospector Hotel. Right next door is the new Alaska State Museum. Upon entering the museum you will see a towering tree towards the back of the lobby with stuffed bald eagles in it. This engrossing display will answer most questions you might have on this magnificent bird-of-prey. The rest of the museum features in-depth chronicling of the indigenous tribes, Russian occupation, and America’s purchase of Alaska and ensuing growth.