Chena Hot Springs Resort: Alaska's Geothermal Wonder

A very large hot springs with very hot water! I loved the natural rocks. There is no cold plunge but there is a completely separate area for kids so the rock pool is calm but you can have great conversations with locals and tourists. I wish I could have stayed the night in the cabins/hotel/woods. Would love to return!

stayed here for two nights, wish we could have stayed longer. The staff was friendly, personable, if there was a question or an maintenance issue, they were right there to resolve it. ASAP the hot springs pool was awesome we used it as much as possible. the restaurant was very good for both breakfast and dinner. They grow their own vegetables in heated hot houses year round. They even have an air strip if you want to fly in! it was truly a relaxing place with lots of activities it might be 75miles from Fairbanks, but its worth the drive! one thing, they have no AC, but it cool down at night

Been here before. Can’t speak for the resort itself, or the food, but the location is tucked away in the mountains just an easy, over-an-hour drive from Fairbanks. The hot springs pool is pleasant, but gravitate towards certain areas & by the fountains so you won’t feel as hot. Definitely take a dip in the pool to cool off from the springs pool if it’s hot outside. $20 for the springs (bit steep on that price for a simple immersion in some water 🤔), though bring quarters for the lockers ($.50 for one-time use) & $5 to rent a towel. Bring your own water just in case the tap water quality isn’t of personal expectation. Property has an activity center, massage therapy, gardening, & some decent trails if you’re up for the trek. 🥾 So, something for everyone. Nice area, but if you’re looking for a money-saver, just swim in the river banks along the way for just as pleasant of an experience.

We did a couple hour visit to the springs. I will say that I researched the springs, but obviously not well enough. It is not well advertised that you have to be 18 to enter the springs. We had 4 children with us that thought the idea of the springs was cool and they couldn’t even enjoy it. We drove over an hour for this, and truly, with as underwhelming as it was, I would have never done it if I knew the whole family couldn’t enjoy it. I will say that I cannot comment on the rooms or the restaurant because we did not use either. The outside charm was cute, the little log cabins were fun to see. I was underwhelmed by the hot springs, I think I would have liked it better in the winter with the dark and lights and cold temps with the hot of the springs, while I liked the idea of the springs and the cool feature of natures hot tub, they seemed dirty and not well kept. The walk way to the springs smelled like pee and was slightly nauseating walking to and from the springs to the locker rooms! Although, the drive is superb, and the views are incredible, and I would have loved to do some hiking in the area! And maybe some more look out points along the way, those rivers were incredible!!! I was reading through some other reviews, and I love the idea of this whole place, seems like a great resort. And yes, I agree that rustic charm can bring a lot of people in, but rustic does not have to mean dirty. And old and outdated doesn’t always mean rustic. I will recommend this place to others if they are in the area, because it is an experience, but I did have too many negatives to give it a higher review!!

We spent an afternoon at Chena Hot Springs. Lunch was good and the service was fine (although the restaurant was clearly understaffed). The hot springs were fine. Not fabulous. The water had a fair amount of plant matter floating in it. My main contention with this place is that they posted a $309.99 charge on my credit card, in addition to the purchases I made for lunch and the pools. When I called the front desk to protest, the reception rep told me to forward the information to him and he'd give it to the "person who handles those issues, who comes into the office at midnight." I followed his instructions. After five days, I've heard nothing from Chena - nor was my account credited for the fraudulent charge. Stay away from this place. While the restaurant staff is great and terribly overworked, the administration staff cannot be trusted.