Eldorado, a Coast Hotel — Hotel in Dawson City

A departure from my usual review style. Dawson City is literally at the end of the road, retains much of its Klondike gold rush character with most of the buildings actually being historic, if modernized and restored. It continues as an active gold mining town as well as tourist destination. The streets are dirt, and sidewalks made of boards- a throwback to the days of the gold rush stampede it was described as "exotic" which I believe appropriate for a piece of living history. The Eldorado is recently under new management and the new general manager and and food and beverage director (Michael and Erin) are instituting a vigorous improvemnt program focusing on customer service and satisfaction- and our stay benefited from that attitude. This city is a challenging business environment especially for a year around business in a highly seasonal reality. While attracting and retaining quality staff is a challenge, we actually had daily room service in a two star house ( unlike most 3 and 4 star hotels today). The Eldorado is an old, but largely remodeled house about two blocks off Front Street. The main building has the lobby, restaurant, lounge, laundry and rooms. We were welcomed by the general manager- keys and vouchers were ready and luggage was quickly delivered to our room. We were in the adjoining annex, medium sized room with twin double beds and a small bathroom. The room had utilitarian decor and furnishings, medium sized flatscreen tv with limited channels and poor signal quality , a refer, but no microwave or safe. Cups were unsurprisingly paper and plastic. A complementary internet was somewhat cranky but eventually stabilized. The room had a competent HVAC, good beds, linens and pillows, forgettable in-room coffee, adequate lighting and minimal outlets. Breakfast is not routinely included but is good quality , cooked to order with items from $10-30. Good sized menus and beverage selections in the restaurant / lounge that has a comfortable sports pub feel to it. Food and service were of good to very good quality- a lot of locals seem to frequent it. We were treated very well by the new management team, had a fun stay in Dawson City and I wish them...

The Sourtoe Challenge, more formally known as the Sourtoe Cocktail, is a distinctive tradition originating in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. This unique ritual involves consuming a shot of alcohol garnished with a preserved human toe, serving as a rite of passage for visitors and locals alike. It has garnered international attention for its unconventional nature and historical ties to the region's frontier heritage.

The origins of the Sourtoe Cocktail trace back to the 1920s during the Prohibition era. Two brothers, Louie and Otto Linken, who were engaged in rum-running activities, encountered a severe blizzard. Louie suffered frostbite after stepping through ice, leading to the freezing of his big toe. To avert gangrene, Otto amputated the toe using an axe and preserved it in a jar of alcohol as a memento. Decades later, in 1973, Captain Dick Stevenson discovered the preserved toe in an abandoned cabin. Inspired by this find, Stevenson established the Sourtoe Cocktail Club, formalizing the tradition by creating rules for participation. Since its inception, the club has collected over 25 donated toes and inducted more than 100,000 members worldwide. Notable events include an incident in 2013, when an individual intentionally swallowed one of the toes during the ritual, resulting in temporary disruption to the tradition and the participant's expulsion from the community. The individual later returned seeking reconciliation. As of 2025, the challenge continues without significant alterations reported in recent accounts. It now takes places at the Eldorado...

I recently had the pleasure of being served by Brad, and I must say, he truly elevated my dining experience to a whole new level! From the moment I walked in, Brad greeted me with a warm smile and an infectious enthusiasm that set the tone for the evening. His attention to detail is remarkable; he was attentive without being intrusive, always anticipating my needs before I even had to ask.

Not only was he knowledgeable about the menu, offering fantastic recommendations that perfectly matched my taste, but he also shared insightful stories about the dishes that made the food even more enjoyable. Brad's passion for his work shines through in every interaction. He genuinely cares about his guests and goes above and beyond to ensure that their experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Throughout the meal, I felt like a VIP, thanks to Brad's impeccable service and friendly demeanor. His ability to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated is a rare quality that truly sets him apart. I left feeling satisfied not just with the delicious food, but also with the warmth and hospitality that Brad provided.

In a world where great service can sometimes be hard to find, Brad is a shining star. I can’t recommend him highly enough and look forward to my next visit, knowing I’ll be in great hands!

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