We stayed at Chena for four nights three days in March on a mom-daughter girls trip. The hot springs were very relaxing and a fun experience, but everything else left much to be desired. |We arrived early, after traveling for almost 24 hours, and were unable to check in early. The lodge has plenty of seating on comfy couches and space for luggage. You could also grab a late lunch at the restaurant or browse the gift shop, so waiting was not too bad. Our room was ready right after 4pm. We had a fox room, which was conveniently located right by the activities center and a short walk from the pool house + hot springs. That was a bonus! Loved our room location. The inside of the room was a different story. For starters, it was 82 degrees when we got to our room. We were unable to adjust the thermostat. The shower was also broken, the knob would not adjust the temperature. It was either scalding hot to the point that we couldn't use it, or freezing cold. We took navy showers the first night. When we spoke with the front desk about this, we were informed you cannot adjust the temperature in the rooms and we would need to open a window. Throughout our stay we saw multiple people asking the same question. If this was upfront information on check in, it would decrease the headache for patrons and staff! Second, maintenance staff were RUDE. The front desk attendant told maintenance over the radio about our shower, to which he replied "what do I need to come teach them how to work a shower?" the front desk attendent was extremely apologetic and went to a back room to continue this conversation. When maintenance came to our room, again they were extremely rude. We ended up taking showers in the hot springs locker room. Housekeeping was also subpar, we asked on day three for more linens and to empty the trash, which never happened. I know they came to our cabin because I saw them cleaning the room across from ours. Aside from the front desk staff and activatorium staff, the staff we encountered were very rude and unhelpful. ||Room: aside from the shower issue, the room was clean and modest. Nothing fancy but was comfortable for our stay. Lots of extra blankets which was great considering it got down to -11 at night! Beds and linens were comfortable. They do have a sulfar smell because of the natural hot spring minerals. There is a TV with 8 channels, but who comes to Alaska to watch TV?! So we did not use it. Our chain lock on the door was also broken but there was another lock on the knob. The keys are still old style keys, no swiping your card!||The pool house + hot springs: the pool house also left much to be desired. On our first trip to the locker rooms, the lockers were very confusing and the one we were using did not have instructions. Other women were having to explain how to use them as they are coin operated, single use lockers. Our locker was broken, and ate our change twice. The next day we witnessed another group trying to use the same locker and before we could tell them, it also ate their money. One of the showers was also broken. The pool, hot tubs and hot springs themselves were very nice, clean and obviously well maintained. The hot springs are 18+ which was GREAT in keeping a calm, relaxing environment. ||Activities on the property: This is another area where things were not clear at all. We only learned about several really cool things to do via chatting with the workers at the cafe. There is an auroratorium, which is a nice heated cabin up the mountain. It offers great views of the aurora at night and the forrest during the day. The path is a moderate, 10 minute up-hill hike to the cabin. We never would've known about this if it wasn't for the grounds manager making small talk with us at the cafe! The cafe closes at 11pm, but the activitorium stays open 24 hours. It is equipped with vending machines, a toaster, microwave oven, couches and another indoor aurora viewing room. Again, we wouldn't have known about any of this if it weren't for him! Things could be better explained at check in or even just a guide placed in your room. ||Pro Tips: |- temperature in your room CANNOT be adjusted, you have to open a window and use a box fan. The floors in the rooms are also heated, which cannot be adjusted. |- the water smells like sulfar from the natural hot springs. Your hair, clothes and skin will get this smell. Use bottled water if you don't like the taste! |- there isn't a fridge in the fox rooms BUT we made our own fridge by cracking the window and placing bottled water in front. Several of my waters actually froze, so it really worked! |- go to the activitorium! They have so many recommendations for activities for free and for purchase as well as tips and tricks for the property! ||Overall, our stay was enjoyable but way too expensive for what we got. The hot springs were incredible and we loved seeing the dogs on the kennel tour. Unfortunately, rude staff and broken/run down facilities put a damper on our stay. I do not want to have to take a navy shower on vacation THEN be questioned by maintenance if I know how to work a shower! If there was a guide book in your room or handout at check in explaining some of this I think it would decrease confusion!