Princess Alaska Wilderness Lodges At-A-Glance

Renowned as some of the finest accommodations in Alaska, Princess' wilderness lodges provide guests with the chance to relax in luxury or get out and truly experience the 49th state's rugged wilderness ... or both. The only Alaska tour company that has custom-built wilderness lodges expressly for its cruisetour guests, Princess owns and operates five lodges that are unique in the industry for combining upscale accommodations and amenities with dramatic riverside locations and renowned service levels.

Princess' Alaska lodges include:

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge -- This 85-room lodge is the only hotel of its kind bordering the nation's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias -- considered one of the most spectacular destinations in the state. Located on more than 200 acres in the Glennallen and Copper River area of south central Alaska near the park's visitors' center, the lodge is situated at the junction of the Klutina River and the Copper River, of Copper River King Salmon fame, and features breathtaking views of the awe-inspiring Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Drum and Mt. Blackburn. In keeping with its dramatic location, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge combines the special architectural elements of historic national park lodges with old Alaskan mining buildings to create a unique environment for its visitors. The newest of Princess' lodges, opened in 2002, Copper River's public areas include a signature two-story "Great Room" featuring a stone fireplace, 25-foot ceilings and stunning views of the surrounding region. From flightseeing over the park's mountains, to river rafting, hiking and dog sled rides, the Copper River Wilderness Lodge also offers guests a variety of excursions.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge -- The first of Princess' Alaska wilderness lodges, the Denali property debuted in 1987. Since then, it has grown to include 656rooms, four restaurants, a main street walking village with Alaska gift shops, the "Music of Denali" dinner theater, and a newly built main lodge building with a dramatic vaulted-ceiling great room. Located just one mile from the entrance to the six-million-acre Denali National Park, the lodge features a park-like setting overlooking the lovely Nenana River. With convenient access to tours of Alaska's most popular national park, the lodge is the perfect home base for visitors who want to view the awesome Mt. McKinley and Denali's famous wildlife, such as moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, wolves and red foxes. Lodge guests can also choose from a variety of optional tours such as, flightseeing, river rafting and hiking.

Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge -- The premier hotel property in Fairbanks, this lodge is ideally located along the banks of the Chena River, just minutes from the airport, downtown shopping and attractions, the rail depot and the University of Alaska. Open year-round, the lodge is among the modern properties in Alaska's "Golden Heart City," and is not only home to Princess cruisetour guests, but also host a variety of local meetings and events. Recently remodeled, the 326-room lodge, which first opened in 1993, now features an expanded main restaurant with a new outdoor deck featuring scenic views from the banks of the Chena River and a 100-seat covered dining area. The lobby features a rustic look with a tour desk, and houses an expanded bar area featuring full food service and a cozy fireplace. A gallery area serves as a showcase for local artwork. Guests will also find a business center, a coin-operated laundry room, a children's playground area and an expanded gift shop. To capture the local atmosphere, the lodge's decor includes dark woods, natural colors and Alaskan artwork.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge -- Located on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula in Cooper Landing and nestled among 43 acres on the banks of the Kenai River, the lodge offers all the luxuries of a small resort in a relaxing wilderness environment, just two hours south of Anchorage. Cruisetour guests will find that the Kenai Peninsula, renowned as a sportsman's and scenic paradise, offers a spectacular setting with dramatic mountain and river views. Optional activities include nature hikes, sportfishing, river rafting, horseback riding and sightseeing day cruises to the Kenai Fjords National Park. The lodge opened in 1990 and features 86 bungalow-style rooms with private porches, cathedral ceilings and cozy sitting areas with wood burning stoves. The lobby has vaulted ceilings, with a fireplace and seating for relaxing and visiting with friends. Just beyond the lobby, an expansive deck provides optimal viewing of the Kenai River valley and nearby mountains.

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge -- The only cruisetour hotel within sight of Mt. McKinley, the lodge dazzles guests with one of the most spectacular views in all of Alaska. Situated on 146 acres of land owned by Princess inside of Denali State Park and bordered by the Chulitna River, the property offers one of the closest encounters with the famed mountain a visitor can experience, as it is just 41 miles from the peak of "The Great One." Opened in May 1997, the now 460-room lodge, with its bungalow-style guestrooms, was specially sited to take advantage of the area's spectacular mountain views. It features a dramatic lobby and Great Room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Alaska Range, a massive natural stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Its expansive outdoor deck, view restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop, fitness center and tour desk allows Princess visitors to enjoy the heart of Alaska's vast wilderness in the comfort that has become a Princess Alaska trademark. Several recent expansions have added new casual dining options with stunning views of Mt. McKinley.

Princess wilderness lodges are featured on approximately 30 different cruisetour options each year, combining a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise with a three- to eight-night cruisetour. Each tour offers visits to Alaska's top rated attractions, Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, and includes stays in one or more of the Princess wilderness lodges. To learn more about visiting Alaska with Princess, log on to the line's comprehensive resource, Destination Alaska, at: www.princess.com/destination/Alaska.