Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
A relaxed riverside hotel in the Golden Heart City, where many Princess cruisetours start or end. Here’s what’s on site and what’s included nearby.
A riverside home in the city
Fairbanks is the gateway to Alaska’s interior, a gold-rush town with nearly 24 hours of summer daylight, and this is Princess’s home base here. It’s more hotel than wilderness lodge: elevators to every floor, a fireplace lobby, a hospitality room for early arrivals and late flights, and a terraced deck stepping down to the Chena River.
Behind the lodge, a boardwalk river walk leads to a big chef’s garden whose produce ends up in the restaurants and bars, and a short lodge trail passes an old pioneer cabin. On many cruisetours your time here includes the famous Riverboat Discovery, and sometimes Gold Dredge 8.
Inside the stay
Where to eat
The Edgewater is the main restaurant, with a breakfast buffet and a sit-down dinner overlooking the river (reservations recommended). Trackers Bar & Grill is the casual pub, serving lunch and dinner late into the evening. In good weather, the Riverview Bar & Deck serves drinks and food at the water’s edge, and the Fireside Lounge above the lobby pours wine and local beer. Seasons Gifts & Espresso opens early for coffee and snacks.
Riverboat & gold
On Princess Denali Explorer and Denali Escorted cruisetours, a single Fairbanks night includes the Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler cruise on most tours, and two Fairbanks nights include both the riverboat and Gold Dredge 8, where you can pan for gold. Denali Essentials tours don’t include them, but you can add them. Check your itinerary in Manage Booking or ask your advisor.
More to explore
Other trips from the tour desk include Chena Hot Springs and the Aurora Ice Museum, a salmon bake with a show at the Palace Theatre, an ATV ride and a flight across the Arctic Circle. A shuttle into downtown Fairbanks runs for a small fee. Book with Princess or your advisor before you go, or stop by the seasonal tour desk off the lobby.
Tours that stay here
- Princess 2027 and 2028 cruisetours
- How long. 1 to 2 nights here, most often 2 nights.
- Want more time here? Some tours add an extra night. Tell your advisor and we’ll find the version that fits.
From our founderInside the lodge
I love the fact that they have laundry facilities here. Maybe if it’s towards the end of the trip, you want to get that laundry clean to go home or to continue the trip on. So you’ve got washers, you also have dryers as well. Now, they do come at an additional cost.
Before you go
- Share your flight times early. Hotel check-in is usually 4 p.m. on the first day. If you land after midnight, you’ll need a pre-night to check in on arrival. Guests often tell us late arrivals are the trickiest part, so give your advisor your flights and we’ll help sort out timing and transfers.
- Use the hospitality room. Arriving before your room is ready or flying out late? The hospitality room above the lobby is the place to relax, with games and a fireplace.
- Your ship packages stay on the ship. Ship dining and beverage packages don’t apply on the land portion of any cruisetour, with any cruise line. Lodge meals and drinks are pay as you go unless your tour includes them, and Princess sells pre-paid land meal plans you can add up to 14 days before departure.
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More of the land tour
The lodges, hotels and rail that make up an Alaska cruisetour. Your advisor can match the right combination to your trip.
