Getting to stay in downtown Homer is a cool, quintessential Alaska experience. The Moosetide Hotel is a lovely old hotel made new in the perfect location for being able to enjoy Homer on foot, and it’s an easy solution to the time old question of where to stay on an Alaska trip. From amenities to the quirky and thoughtful touches, we’ve got the full scoop on what to expect and how to plan a great stay at the Moosetide Hotel in Homer.
You’ll find that Homer is a fun destination, but with the right hotel it’s also one of the most relaxing places to visit in Alaska. If you have any questions about staying at the Moosetide Hotel, planning a Homer and Kenai Peninsula trip or any of the recommendations we share, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to provide a little more advice and help you plan a fun Alaska trip.
Why Choose the Moosetide Hotel in Homer
I think the biggest asset the Moosetide Hotel has to offer is the people who run it. The ladies that own the Moosetide are some of the kindest and also most guest-ward thinking people I’ve met in Alaska. From the way they’ve renovated the hotel to the amenities they’ve built into the stays, they clearly understand the guest experience. I know that you can’t always rely on a stay being great simply because of the people, but they’re integral to the experience at the Moosetide Hotel in Homer.
The hotel building itself has been in Homer for a long time, formerly known at the King’s Landing Hotel built in the 1940s, the Moosetide has seen its storms and countless visitors coming through Homer. The location is nice for being convenient to both town and easy access to the Sterling Highway, which is the route into Homer and leads to the Homer Spit. Sometimes I like to be in the middle of the hubbub, but coming home each evening to a quiet hotel not pulsing with tourism was wonderfully refreshing on a busy day playing tourist myself. The lobby space with its’ leather furniture and hot beverages made returning each day relaxation ritual, and even after check out before my departure on the Alaska Marine Highway I was welcome to hang out and enjoy the Moosetide Hotel vibes until the last moment.
When it comes to the rooms at the Moosetide Hotel, they are very clean and nicely renovated. Simple touches like outdoorsy side tables and local books make the crisp finishes feel welcoming. The rooms are not over-decorated, which for me is great because when I’m tired or have been very busy, I need to NOT be visually overwhelmed. From the lobby to the rooms, everything is done in moderation and it just feels right.
Book the Moosetide Hotel here!
Moosetide Hotel Amenities
The Moosetide Hotel is a simple place but it offers a lot for guests. Within the rooms, you have your standard amenities and toiletries, and if you need anything that your expect to find in a hotel room that isn’t there, chances are they can provide it to you. There is a “guest lounge” space on the first floor with a mini market for necessities, snacks and beverages for purchase, and also books and games to borrow. The lobby is my favorite space and is both great for relaxing and for enjoying the community of other guests. It’s cozy and welcoming, perfect for sitting down to plan your activities or recount the adventures of the day.
Bonus: while I was staying at the Moosetide Hotel, they actually loaned me bear spray for the duration of my visit. I’m a big hiker, so having the added safety support was nice. *bear spray may not always be loaned out, availability dependent.
I think the best amenity from the Moosetide Hotel is actually their crafted concierge sheet, the Moosetide Fieldguide. I am a big planner so usually have my activities and restaurants all chosen before arriving in a destination, but the Moosetide’s sheet was an amazing help for me. They have all of their recommendations simply listed out by category with a note about why they recommend everything, from coffee shops to their favorite lunch spots, excursion ideas to “free+cheap fun ideas”. This is such a helpful guide that you can take with you, and I would love to see other Alaska hotels offer something so simple and useful. Bravo, Moosetide!
Room Options at the Moosetide Hotel
The Moosetide Hotel keeps things simple when it comes to room types. You’ve got either a Queen room or a room with two full beds. Simple. All rooms are setup with TVs signed into streaming channels (this drives me nuts when I get into a hotel room, so hooray!) and morning beverage stations with coffee, tea and an electric kettle. There is ample space for luggage or sorting your things, and the bedding is very nice and comfy. Besides the standard rooms, there’s also a wonderful suite available. This one bedroom suite has a living area with a kitchenette and plenty of seating, a big closet, a separate queen bedroom, and a jetted tub. I actually got to enjoy the Signature Suite for a few nights and it was lovely. The perfect retreat in Homer! Is the Moosetide Hotel Pet Friendly?: Unfortunately the Moosetide Hotel isn’t currently (2026) a pet-friendly hotel, but they do welcome service animals as is required by law.
Dining and Restaurants Near the Moosetide Hotel
Even though Homer is famous for the Homer Spit and so many of the activities and excursions you’ll do, including halibut fishing or if you’re visiting Kachemak Bay State Park, all leave from the Spit, the location of the Moosetide Hotel in downtown gives you a break from the busy vibe of the Spit in the summer. Walking distance from the hotel you’ll find several coffee options, lots of restaurants and even some fun dive bars. You can also walk to the Pratt Museum from the Moosetide Hotel (they don’t serve food).
My top picks for good, easy dining within walking distance of the hotel include Captain’s Coffee (breakfast), Fat Olive’s (lunch), the Alibi (dinner), and Sweetgale Meadery (drinks). I LOVED the Star Spangled Burge food truck! There are lots more restaurants close by, but I really like these options. Once you add the breweries, food trucks and tacos in Homer, you’ve got a long list of foods to try.
Location of the Moosetide Hotel
Homer is located on the west coast of the Kenai Peninsula, about four hours’ drive from Anchorage. Set on and above Kachemak Bay, Homer is beautiful with views of the mountains and water. The city is split into a few different areas: downtown, Beluga Lake, and the Homer Spit. The Spit is where you get your fishing and wildlife tours, Beluga Lake is where the floatplanes for flightseeing in Homer take off from and the airport is nearby too, and then downtown has all the regular town businesses and restaurants. That’s where the Moosetide Hotel is located.
Parking is included with your stay at the Moosetide Hotel. There is a gravel lot directly next to the historic building, and parking below that as well if it’s full.
Hotel Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: year round
- Tour office phone number: 907-235-7787
- Company website: Moosetide.com
- Hotel check-in address: 147 E Pioneer Ave, Homer AK 99603
- Hotel booking links: Book the Moosetide Hotel here!
More Things to Do on the Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is my old stomping grounds, so I love to share all about it. Cooper Landing is rather in the middle, set on Kenai Lake and the Kenai River, and then Seward is the Southeast side and Homer the Southwest side. Most people in the Lower 48 hear the word “Kenai” and automatically think salmon fishing, and rightly so. The Kenai, Kasilof and Russian Rivers are amazing for salmon fishing. I pulled my biggest ever king salmon (chinook) on the Kasilof River.
Seward is a beautiful city set on Resurrection Bay. This is the start of Kenai Fjords National Park and the gateway to the Gulf of Alaska. Deep sea fishing and wildlife cruises are the top activities in Seward. Homer is very similar with its fishing culture and guides, but it’s set on Kachemak Bay. The world famous Homer Spit is a must see (oh, Salty Dog…) and you cannot miss the non-sunset from here in the summer months.
Here are some suggestions for more tours and things to do on the Kenai Peninsula.
Where to Stay on the Kenai Peninsula
Where you choose to stay on the Kenai Peninsula depends on what you have planned and how you want to wrap up each day. If you want to be close to your activities and your plans are mostly in Seward and Cooper Landing, any place on the east side of the Kenai should be good for you. If you’re fishing and kayaking in Homer or Kenai (town), then the west side is a better home base.
I like being on the Seward side for shorter trips to the Kenai Peninsula because it’s more than an hour closer to Anchorage so you both get there and return to Anchorage with less driving time. The cost is consistent across the Peninsula, so that likely won’t influence where you want to stay. The other thing to consider is what you do at the end of each day. Seward, Homer and Kenai all have town areas with restaurants and such. Cooper Landing is more rustic and spread out, but it’s got places like Gwin’s Lodge, Cooper Landing Brewing Co and the dining Room at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Check out the map below to find a good option.
I hope you’re excited to experience the kindness and comfort of the Moosetide Hotel in Homer. Between the beautiful views and sense of Alaskan adventure, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Homer or the Kenai Peninsula, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
