Sitka’s Southeast Resort – the Most Convenient Hotel for Walking Around Town

I’m so glad to hear that you’re planning to visit Sitka! You are going to love visiting this beautiful town, and the Southeast Resort is in the perfect location to be able to enjoy Sitka’s sights and restaurants without needing a car. The location is perfect and with a shuttle for the airport, you can plan to stay at the Southeast Resort and not stress about the logistics of visiting Sitka one bit.

We’ve got the scoop on staying at the Southeast Resort, which we did before our sailing with the Boat Company, what to expect on property and lots of suggestions for fun things to do and great places to eat in Sitka. If you have any questions about the hotel or exploring the town, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an unforgettable trip to Alaska!

Why Choose the Southeast Resort in Sitka

I’m always happy to stay in a centrally located hotel, especially when I know that we’re going to be doing a lot of exploring on foot. The Southeast Resort (formerly the Westmark Sitka Hotel when it was affiliated with the Westmark in Fairbanks and Denali) is just across the street from the depot where you’ll catch your whale watching tours or head out with on fishing charters. The multipurpose building there next to the marina is also home to the Sitka History Museum and the hub for cruise guests to be dropped off. And then steps away in either direction are more cool sights, restaurants and things to do. The location of the Southeast Resort just can’t be beat.

The property itself is quite cozy. If you haven’t been to Sitka before, you have to keep in mind that it’s a very wet place, with rain and fog being the main weather throughout the summer months. Yes, you’ll have some nice days and sun breaks, but there’s a lot of gray wetness, and for that you’ll be glad to return to the Southeast Resort and melt into a lobby couch or relax in the library area.

The staff is fun and they love to see people heading out exploring, so everyone always has a suggestion for things to do no matter the weather. The rooms themselves are comfortable, clean and well maintained. The Southeast Resort is not a fancy stay, but it’s nice and modest. We were very comfortable and even had a great view of the harbor. I think you’ll find that Sitka is a fun town to visit so even in rainy weather you won’t spend much time in your hotel, but if you do the Southeast Resort is more than adequet and you won’t be disappointed.

Book the Southeast Resort here!

Southeast Resort Amenities

The best feature of the Southeast Resort is its outdoor Olympic size swimming pool… Totally kidding, but I had you for a second. Actually, the Southeast Resort is quite modest and does NOT have a swimming pool. There is a fitness center with some cardio equipment and a small free weight set. There is a market setup in the lobby for snacks alongside the all day coffee station, and lots of cozy places to enjoy your morning (or afternoon) beverage. I really like the library area between the lobby and the restaurant, the Coldwater Bar and Grill.

Room Options at the Southeast Resort

The room options at the Southeast Resort aren’t very diverse, but there are a few choices. You can pick from a Queen room (1 bed), King room, two doubles or a suite with a queen. When you’re booking, you can then choose between a view of the Sitka harbor or to be on the backside of the hotel. I like having the view of the harbor so I can see just how wet of a day it’s going to be, but then also it is just a pretty view in general. Ultimately, I feel like Sitka is the sort of place where you’ll have such minimal time in your hotel room, even though the Southeast Resort does have a great view to enjoy.

Dining at the Southeast Resort, the Coldwater Bar & Grill

On property, there is only the Coldwater Bar and Grill, which is really popular and gets pretty busy, but Sitka has some great restaurants within walking distance. I think our favorite is the Wild Flour Bakery across the street, but we have lots of recommendations.

• Beak – wonderful, local and fresh, a great sense of community and LGBTQ inclusive. Awesome menu!
• Wild Flour – across the street from the Southeast Resort, amazing breakfast offerings and pastries
• Sitka’s Burger and Crab Shack – the BEST fries in Sitka, hands down
• the Bayview – really great Reubens and chowder
• Mean Queen – great pizza and and again, a wonderful LGBTQ inclusive community vibe

There are lots more choices, but these are some of our favorite spots to eat in Sitka. All of these are walking distance from the Southeast Resort and you won’t be disappointed.

Getting to the Southeast Resort: Shuttle and Parking

There is free self-parking at the Southeast Resort in Sitka, but very few guests have their own car. The service that is important though is actually the hotel shuttle. A free shuttle is provided between the airport and the Southeast Resort. You can call the front desk to arrange your pickup or your ride to the airport. Since flights in and out are limited, the shuttle will align with flight schedules to ensure timely transportation.

Things to Do in Sitka

I think Sitka is a really cool city. It’s much less visited than Ketchikan or Juneau and has so much to do and see all within walking distance of the primary marina downtown. It’s full of Tlingit culture and Russian imperial history, and there are some wonderful wildlife education and viewing opportunities. I think Sitka is a really good three day visit, but then if you’re also planning some fishing or hiking days you can easily make it a five day town.

Something that really stands out to me about visiting Sitka is how accessible history all in its central hub. You’ve got several museums, Sitka National Historical Part and more all within walking distance of each other. If you’re into science and wildlife, you’ve got several places to visit that are all about Alaska’s habitats and the science of its keystone species. Sitka is so cool.

Where to Stay in Sitka

There are three ways to enjoy Sitka as a visitor: on a day visit from a cruise ship, staying in a cozy spot downtown, or enjoying one of the remote lodges. Everyone has a different plan for how they want to experience Sitka and Southeast Alaska, and everyone’s budget is different, so book what’s right for you. Here are some recommendation for Sitka:

You can also checkout lodging options in the map below: