Chena Springs resort

Chena springs resort located nearly 60 miles away from Fairbanks has beautiful scenery through its way. I would strongly suggest taking their shuttle ($125 for each and they charge the same rate for infants too and provide a car seat). The roads are icy and tricky hence, will not suggest driving on your own.

There are great spots to view Northen lights from this resort.At the activity center, there is an Aurora viewing room with comfy chairs and a north facing window. When the lights show up, you can choose to sit and watch from the window or head out from the adjacent door to the airstrip to view it directly above in the sky.

Aurorium would be another spot to watch it though it requires a little bit of walk from the rooms. The other way would be to take the snow coach tours that they provide to charlie dome. It departs around 9 pm and back to rooms by 3 am. Children should be older than 6 in order to take this tour. Also, it would be extremely cold up there.

Chenasprings resort has lot of winter day activities like the hot springs lake, indoor swimming pool,and indoor temperature controlled whirltubs. One has to walk through the indoor swimming pool lounge and head out to reach the hot springs lake. Though the walkway is roofed with wood, it is going to be little colder for those few minutes. Best way would be to take a hot shower, get into the warm whirlpool tub fora while and then head to springs.

The resort offers other activities like snow mobiling ( atleast 16 years old to enjoy this), ice museum that requires a ticket of $15 ( childern under 2 are free ), and skiing. There are plenty more activities during summer.

The signature rooms where we stayed were ok and could do with a little more heat. There is no phone in this room and you will need to walk out to the front desk each time for any questions or room service. There is a television with some channels available.

The restuarant located within the front desk complex has great variety of food. Don't miss the apple cider drink.The Aurora cafe open until midnight is located in the Activity center.

Tips

The Activity center offers 2 luggage tags for free for each customer of their pick from a selection of chena spring pocket size photos. They will laminate and prepare the luggage tags as you wait.

Don't forget taking your swim suits to dip in the hot springs or in the indoor pools.You could also rent at the indoor pool center if you prefer that.

Bathtowels are provided at the indoor pool center for customers staying at the resort. you have to pay if you are visiting for a day or get your own.

Absolutely no cell phone signals and no internet available. You could spend time with activities, or at the pool or get a book.