Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge — Local services in Renard Island

This lodge is not only surrounded by beauty, but the seclusion of the lodge and staff will make your experience here remarkable and forever memorable. My fiancé and I stayed here late June in 2020. Since the trains were not running currently, the lodge was even more secluded than usual. It usually has up to 16 guests, 8 cabins, on site and when we were here, we ended up only have 4 guests there. As soon as we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly and the manager, Brandon, introduced himself and stated whatever we wanted or desired they would help achieve that or come close to it. He stated he or someone else would always be available for questions or concerns, and he did not disappoint. The cabins were beautiful and cozy. There are no outlets in the room which we did not mind as the main area has plenty available. I was able to charge my camera batteries without an issue as well. Wi-Fi worked great in this area but not in the cabins, so needing to charge your phone while in the cabin was not necessary. We stayed at the puffin cabin which had a great view of the bay and the lake just behind the cabin where we spotted river otters and baby ducks. The chef was from Vero Beach, FL which is close to my hometown. His cooking was phenomenal and kept you excited for the next meal. This is top dollar dining at its finest, no meal tasted the same and the meals were well executed. I am a self-proclaimed “foodie” and would not be this kind if not so deserved. Brandon told us about a hike, a bit on the challenging side, was available for us and explained how to get there and where to get some great views/pictures. This hike was not even recorded on my hiking app, All Trails, so I added it for others to use as a guide. Fox Island flora and landscape is like nothing I have ever seen, its damp and brittle which can make or break this hike from moderate to challenging, especially with the steep incline. On our second day there we were unable to do kayaking secondary to the tour personal being exposed to COVID, so precautionary measures were taken. Although at first this really bummed us out, we asked if they had any fishing rods which we could use to try to catch fish. Luckily, Brandon was on it, and an employee had a couple rods and lures for us to use. The chef brought us out to the “spot” on the end of the bay where the employee stated he would catch rock fish, and boy did we! (and when I say we I mean my fiancé, all I caught was seaweed and kelp, whoomph). The chef cooked the rock fish for dinner and it beyond delicious, reminded me of grouper and kind of looked like it too! We also got a show when the chef put the rock fish scraps back into the ocean and watch 2 bald eagles fight for the winnings—just WOW!! Brandon also told us if we were feeling up to it, we could jump off the dock into the frigid Alaskan waters, and you do not have to dare me to adventure. It was a beautifully warm day, and although my limbs went numb as soon as I hit the water, as soon as you get out you are instantly warm—so STRANGE for this Florida native. Every night they offered a beach fire with smores which we gladly accepted. The staff was cautious wearing masks when around guests and I never once felt unsafe. The day out you enjoy a 5-hour boat ride to explore the Fjords and see wildlife, we saw humpback whales, plenty of seals, puffins, an enormous number of seabirds, and the Aialik Glacier.The beauty of Fox Island, the delicious food, and the attentive staff with opportunities for adventure, and the enjoyable Fjords boat tour allow me to absolutely recommend this lodge. The price is beyond worth every penny. I would ask that the lodge acquire more fishing equipment because this activity became a highlight for us both and think future guests would appreciate it as well. Stephen and I thank the staff for everything they did for us while we there and making the last bit of our Alaska trip...

At the end of every summer vacation, we always rate our top 3 experiences and this was top 1 for all 4 family members. We absolutely loved our stay at Fox Island. Worth every penny. I hope the owners of the lodge understand that it is the staff which make this place what it is! In Alaska, beautiful views are a dime a dozen. The rooms were comfort and simple. The bathroom small. What makes this place special is feeling well taken care of by the people. Go on a kayak excursion and come back to a delicious meal with extra ice cream because the chief heard it was your favorite. Spotting wildlife with Luc every night at dinner. Brady is a rockstar with customer service. We mention wanting to do some catch and release fishing. Brady tracked down a fishing pole from Eddie who was kind enough to let us use his personal poles. Brady made sure our boys enjoyed a hot sauna every night. Brady open the store to make sure we could shop for souvenirs because of course we waited until last minute. We did a family cold plunge and ended the night around a campfire with s’mores all arranged by the staff. The chief made a special dessert for my son and I for our birthdays. A staff full of accommodating people who want to make your stay rememberable. The staff deserve all the accolades and compensation of a job well done. We were never in our room. We were always out socializing with a drink in our hand, a full belly, and big smiles on our faces. Just come and enjoy. Then end your visit on a high with the national park cruise back to...

We had a fantastic stay at Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge! The setting is remote and peaceful, with lots of opportunities to spot wildlife. During our stay, we saw sea otters, river otters, a porcupine, hummingbirds, and many other birds.||For a tiny island, there is no shortage of things to do. It helped that we had sunny weather for our entire stay so we were able participate in a wide range of activities including pedal boating on the lagoon, "Drinks and Thinks" led by Wendy, the naturalist, who also took us on a great beach walk, as well as led us through laughter yoga, and a singing bowl meditation. We had s'mores by the campfire, relaxed in the lodge and read, and played games and did puzzles.||And talk about being spoiled! Coffee was delivered to our cabin every morning before breakfast, and all we had to do was ask and they would get the wood-fired sauna ready for us. There was always someone available if we needed anything. ||The staff were warm and helpful - big thanks to Sophia and Stephanie, and to Arman who went above and beyond. It was also a pleasure to meet and chat with Chef T and enjoy her delicious meals.||The trip ended with a 6+ hour boat cruise that was truly unforgettable. We spotted orcas, humpback whales, puffins, and porpoises, and the highlight was getting close to a tidewater glacier and watching it calve.This is a holiday I will...