Normally I would recommend staying someplace in downtown Juneau, but the Aviator Suites Hotel at the Juneau airport is actually a great find and good home base for exploring the city and nature all around. Located walking distance from the main terminal, the Juneau Aviator Suites Hotel is an easy solution to building out a fun adventure in Alaska’s capital region. Also, it’s pretty nice for being SO CLOSE to the airport.
We’ve got all the information on what it’s like staying at the Aviator Suites Hotel, including amenities and things to do nearby. If you have any questions about the rooms or experience, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun Alaska trip. Don’t knock the idea of staying so close to the airport until you read on and see what this can really make your trip to Juneau even better.
Why Choose the Aviator Suites Hotel in Juneau
The Aviator Suites Hotel is plenty nice, but the reason to book it is the location. OMG, I could see it from my plane as we arrived at the terminal and then it was a two minute walk once outside of the Juneau airport building. After a long travel day getting to arrive and immediately be in your hotel room without having to get an Uber or pick up a rental car is amazing. The Aviator Suites Hotel could only be closer to JNU if it had a skybridge connecting it, but it doesn’t. Having said that, I don’t know that I would stay here for multiple nights unless I had a rental car or was being picked up for tours, but also, maybe I would, because the room rates are consistently considerably less than getting a hotel in downtown Juneau.
Besides the incredible location for late arriving flights and early morning departures, I like that the Aviator Suites Hotel is also very quiet. You’d think being directly next to the Juneau airport that it would be kind of loud and annoying, but there is such minimal plane traffic that you rarely hear them, and overnight there usually aren’t any flights, so you won’t be disturbed. Airport hotels in big cities are usually the pits because they’re so noisy, but not here in Juneau. Another bonus to staying at the Aviator Suites Hotel is the nightly rate, which I mentioned before is considerably better than staying directly downtown.
True, if you want to go downtown to walk around or do the Sealaska Heritage Center or Alaska State Museum, you’ll have a short drive or taxi ride, but that easy fifteen minutes in the morning and evening isn’t bad when you consider the savings of not staying downtown. You’ll find that hotel prices in Juneau in the summer are bonkers, so choosing the Aviator Suites Hotel is a big savings usually.
Book the Aviator Suite Hotel here!
Juneau Aviator Suites Hotel Amenities
This isn’t a fancy place or a resort by any means, but it’s very nice with a few very helpful amenities. There is a pantry type setup in the lobby with all kinds of snacks and to-go meals, as well as travel necessities available for purchase. If you’re arriving late, you can easily still grab a bit and take it up to your room, which if you’re on one of the Milk Run flights with lots of connections, you may be a little later to the Aviator Suites than you might like.
Another great amenity is the fitness center. I feel like a lot of hotels in Alaska forego having a good fitness center because so many travelers are coming through swiftly and maybe aren’t always the gym-going type, but the Aviator Suites Hotel fitness center is very nice with new and well maintained equipment. It’s a welcome site after a long day of travel or before heading off for sightseeing.
The Juneau Aviator Suites Hotel is a part of Aspen Hotels, which is a regional Alaska brand, so it meets all the brand standards, which is nice. There’s not currently an Aspen Hotels loyalty program, but if you’re traveling around Alaska frequently, you’ll like the consistency of the different Aspen Hotels, including in Haines, Anchorage, Seward, Homer and even at Denali National Park.
Room Options at the Aviator Hotel in Juneau
The rooms at the Aviator Suites Hotel have been either recently renovated or just very well maintained. They have very nice finishes, Alaska photography and art, and they’ve got plenty of space to relax. The room options include:
- standard two queen rooms
- standard king rooms with a sitting area
- two queen suites with a kitchenette
- king studio with a kitchenette.
My standard king even had a very nice pull out sofa, making it a great option for traveling with kids. The studios are well appointed with some kitchenware and dishes so it’s easy to be able to do breakfasts and lunches.
Dining at the Aviator Hotel
There is a small restaurant within the Aviator Suites Hotel, Bar 39. It’s not large but has about eight tables and bar seating, and they do breakfast and dinner service. The bar is also a full service bar, and it usually stays open until around 9pm. They offer sandwiches, appetizers and other full meals, and they’re just fine boxing it to go for you. The portions are hardy and they’ll make anything to go for you.
Location of the Aviator Suites Hotel in Juneau
If you have a vehicle there is plenty of parking at the Aviator Suites Hotel, and it’s included in your room rate. It is not a secured parking lot, but it’s very quiet in the neighborhood. If you don’t have a car, no worries because it’s a two minute walk from the hotel to the airport. You can request a shuttle if needed, but it’s literally across the street.
Book the Aviator Suite Hotel here!
Juneau Aviator Hotel Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: year round
- Hotel office phone number: 907-673-4890
- Company website: hotel info here
- Hotel check-in address: 1800 Shell Simmons Dr, Juneau, AK 99801 **WALK OUT OF AIRPORT, CROSS PARKING LOT
- Hotel booking links: Book the Aviator Suite Hotel here!
More Things to do in Juneau, Alaska
I think Juneau is a fun city and it’s set in one of the most beautiful areas. If I were moving back to Alaska I would move to Juneau. Surrounding by mountains and the Tongass National Forest, there are loads of outdoor things to do in Juneau. Pair the surrounding waters of the Inside Passage and close proximity to Glacier Bay National Park (accessible by water) and you’ve got a hub of beauty and adventure.
What really sets Juneau apart though is the presence of Alaska Native culture. From the people you meet to the shops in the tourist areas, the totem poles on the waterfront to the Tlingit art at the Sealaska Center, the indigenous cultures of Southeast Alaska are alive and well here in Juneau. As you plan the things to do that are most important to you, make sure you include some time to learn about the peoples whose ancestral lands you are visiting.
- Alaska State Museum
- walk the waterfront to see totem poles and the humpback whale fountain
- visit Mendenhall Glacier
- visit Cope Park for the beautiful stream, trails and playground
- go kayaking and bald eagle watching
- check out local indigenous art at the Sealaska Center
Dining in Juneau
I think Juneau is one of the better towns in Alaska for good food. Whether you’re sticking around downtown or you’re heading up to Auke Bay, there are lots of good places to eat in Juneau. We’ve picked some of our favorites for meals and drinks, but there are MANY more options around town for a great meal. One of the coolest places to find food in Juneau is actually the food truck park. You’ll find salmon tacos, burgers, oysters and Alaskan beverages. There is often live music and it’s a good combination of tourist and locals.
- Hangar on the Wharf – mellow, pub fare
- El Sombrero – good Mexican food
- Sacred Grounds Cafe – indigenous owned, LGBTQ+ inclusive for drinks and grab-n-go breakfast or simple lunch
- Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos (in the food truck park)
- SALT – a bit fancier
- Devil’s Club Brewing Co – brewery with pub food
Where to Stay in Juneau
I like staying in downtown Juneau because it’s such a walkable town, but if you’re planning to be here for a few days and really explore the area there are LOTS of cabins and vacation rentals away from the city, including up in beautiful Auke Bay. Be prepared for higher hotel and vacation rental costs due to limited inventory. Alaska isn’t an inexpensive destination, but the experience is worth it.
Since you’re already planning on visiting Juneau, you might as well poke around and see what other beautiful sights and cool things to do there are in Southeast Alaska. This region is such a fun place and the options are endless. For your consideration, here are some more ideas for your visit to Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest:
I hope you’ll consider the Juneau Aviator Suites Hotel for a night or as a home base for exploring. Between the incredible location for flight days and better rates than most downtown hotel, I know it’s a good fit for many people’s travel plans. If you have any questions about visiting Juneau or planning your time in Southeast Alaska please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
