Hope Alaska's Bear Creek Lodge 19702 Hope Highway, Hope, AK 99605

"I rented the Bridge Cabin for a birthday getaway for the Misses and myself. We loved how secluded this cabin was. However, as much as I would love to give this experience 5 stars, I just can't. The refrigerator died overnight, and we lost some huge steaks, an entire carton of eggs, and other food; roughly $60 in value. So...that was a huge bummer. The bed was rock hard and caused both of us back pain for several days after our stay. The smell of ammonia in the private outhouse (which wasn't so private...someone else used it while we were staying here; I believe it was the kid who kept coming into the cabin area to cut up a hill to get to his home...) caused the Misses to suffer from a migraine. It was a bit stuffy and hot in the cabin but none of the windows in the cabin can open; and even if they can, no screens are present to keep bugs out of the cabin. Aside from the spoiled, expensive, food, the heat, the hard bed, the useless outhouse, and the overpriced $12 breakfast burritos ($24 for two) I had to buy due to our food spoiling, which were made beforehand then microwaved when ordered and somehow tasted like nothing...nothing at all...we did enjoy the location of the cabin, the people working were very friendly, the ducks in the pond were cute. Not sure why the small Bridge Cabin is the same price as the large cottage which contains a full kitchen and a toilet...but the Misses claims she had a good birthday overall. But that was mostly due to the seclusion and quiet, and the amazing food at Dirty Skillet. 7/25/23 - IN REPLY TO THE OWNER'S RESPONSE ("We are sorry to hear that you didn’t have a five star stay. We did check your fridge after you left and found that it was unplugged. This cabin sits on two acres by itself, which is why it is a favorite of many folks. However rural Alaska is certainly not for everything. We wish you the very best wherever your travels take you.") I do find it odd the fridge was found to be unplugged because the Misses CHECKED and even told me, "Yeah the fridge is plugged in!" I find it difficult to believe it unplugged itself. We did not move the fridge, nor mess with the plug. Honestly, it would have been nice when I first mentioned it at checkout, to have been offered a partial refund to cover the food that was ruined. You are right, "rural Alaska is not for everyone(thing)." But the rock-hard mattress, our privacy being invaded by a child multiple times throughout our trip, the migraine inducing ammonia from the outhouse, the HORRIBLE, BLAND, and STALE BREAKFAST BURRITOS, and our overall lack of sleep and rest has nothing to do with "rural Alaska." Will definitely try the Porcupine campground next year. Thank you for brushing my concerns aside, and thank you for making it sound like we unplugged the fridge, so you can try to avoid taking any responsibility for the problem; which, by the way, a co-worker of mine JUST said she endured when she stayed at the Bridge Cabin as well. I have updated my review with a much more fair rating."

"We did not stay at the lodge but dropped in for coffee the on to the restaurant The Greasy Skillet right next door. Below is one of the cabins you could stay in and the duck was there for the attention."

"The accommodation was ok. Fairly typical for a dry cabin. Bathrooms need a squeegee for the shower floors so water doesn't get everywhere. Or shower curtains. The gass grill worked, but in kinda poor shape."

"Retro back our 7 days trips and hoteling in AK; this is THE best stay. Worth the detour on our way from Seward to Anchorage. The environment is natural and beautiful; bear creek flows right by the Bowman house. Saw three Moose come and bathing at the pond, in evening. The Sauna room is a treasure; Take a hot sauna then cold water shower -- sort of Nordic spa? Host Lincoln knows job well, morning coffee is perfect."

"We did not stay at the lodge, however it looks like a perfect spot to stay!! So cute !! We stopped in for breakfast at the lodge. We ordered a the 1lb burrito, they handed us a frozen solid item wrapped in a wrapper. No instructions or anything. After looking around we finally asked how to heat it up. We were pointed to a microwave."