Top Pick for a Budget Hotel in Fairbanks: Best Western Plus Pioneer Park

When it comes to the best hotels in Fairbanks on a budget, the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park is my top pick. I like the BW Plus brand and this hotel in particular has large rooms, good amenities and it’s in a nice, quiet neighborhood. Keep reading and you’ll see what makes the BW Plus Pioneer Park in Fairbanks a great option for a home base. And when I say “budget” I don’t mean super inexpensive necessarily, but less expensive than other Fairbanks hotels, especially in winter.

Have you stayed here before? We’ve enjoyed staying both here at the BW Plus Pioneer Park and at the BW Plus Chena River Lodge. I like this property more, but both are good options. If you have any questions about planning your visit to Fairbanks or choosing a hotel, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan great Alaska trips!

Why Choose the BW Plus Pioneer Park in Fairbanks

I know that I don’t see a Best Western and think “Yasss, let’s book that” but I must say that the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park in Fairbanks checks all the boxes for being a solid pick for a hotel stay. I really like the location, but what stands out is the room size. Spending time in Fairbanks means that you’re going to be busy with so many outdoor activities, in summer or winter, but even when you’re spending minimal time at your hotel it’s nice to come back and be able to sprawl out.

When you’re visiting Fairbanks in the summertime, if you haven’t adjusted to the hours of daylight, you may need a way to unwind before you head to bed. The BW Plus Pioneer Park has a good indoor pool that’s open late and is perfect for wrapping up your day. When we’re traveling with kids, they often aren’t quite ready to go to sleep when we are so taking advantage of the pool is a key trick to getting sleep when we’re traveling in Alaska, especially in the summer.

I mentioned the location of the BW Pioneer Park as a highlight as well. I like where it is, easy access to the expressway or being close to downtown, but then also close to the airport or train station. it’s just a winner for lots of reasons.

Book the BW Plus Pioneer Park Hotel here!

Tips for Staying in Fairbanks at the BW Plus Pioneer

For a longer stay in Fairbanks, the Best Western Pioneer Park is great because it has so many amenities. On site you’ve got laundry, a business center, a swimming pool, snacks, and there is daily breakfast provided. After we’ve been hiking and getting out on the water for several days, having a fresh reset with doing our laundry is always a win.

If you’re staying at the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park in the winter, try to get a room on the north side of the hotel. While there are trees surrounding the building, if you can manage a room on the top floor on the north side, you may be able to catch the northern lights while you’re here. It’s in a good location without a ton of light pollution so if you’re lucky, you might get to see the Aurora Borealis from your room around 2:00 am or so.

Room Options at the BW Plus Pioneer in Fairbanks

Even though the BW Plus Pioneer Park is one of our top picks for where to stay in Fairbanks, it’s not super fancy. I like that the rooms are big and it’s in a great location. The accommodations options here include a King or Two Queen room, and then some options that have a whirlpool tub. There are not rooms with sleeper sofas at this hotel, but there are some connecting rooms. If you’re visiting in the winter months and need more room, the rates are usually some of the best in Fairbanks and getting two rooms is actually surprisingly affordable. In the summer months the rates tend to be over $300 per night, so not so much on the budget side.

Location and Parking at the BW Plus Pioneer Park

Parking is included when you stay at the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park. There is plenty of parking and access into the hotel is easy through the covered entryway. Unfortunately there isn’t a free shuttle to and from the airport provided, but if you’re spending more than a day in Fairbanks you likely will have a rental car anyways, which you probably rented AT the airport.

Things to do in Fairbanks

I feel like when people talk about visiting Alaska, Fairbanks is a last thought, but it shouldn’t be. I love this city, it’s people, it’s dogsled culture and the beautiful nature all around it. Fairbanks is THE winter destination in Alaska with ample dark sky space to watch the Northern Lights and endless outdoor opportunities, whether you’re looking for a mellow snowy escape or hardcore Alaskan adventures. In summer, Fairbanks is a great home base for visiting the Arctic Circle, Denali National Park, spending days kayaking or fishing. It’s beautiful!

Ideas for Fairbanks activities:

Where to Stay in Fairbanks, Alaska

Keep in mind when you’re planning your trip to Fairbanks that it is not a large city. It’s the second largest in Alaska, but it’s not huge. Hotel options are limited and when it comes to booking a luxury hotel stay, that’s not really a thing here. There are nice hotels and really cool lodges and vacation rentals, but white glove luxe ain’t happening. We’ve stayed in all kinds of Fairbanks accommodations, so have solid recommendations (below). I like being based downtown if we have a diverse, busy itinerary, but staying outside of town up in the hills is such a treat, it’s worth planning a night or two away from the city.

You’ll find that the cost of lodging in Fairbanks ranges wildly from season to season. In the summer, standard hotel rooms are not likely available for under $250 per night, with the average being well over $300 per night. In the winter you can get some awesome hotel deals as low as $125 per night. Just keep this in mind as you’re planning your visit to Fairbanks or anywhere in Alaska.

Here are our hotel picks in Fairbanks: