Stillpoint Lodge

For nearly $8,000 per night, per room, expectations are understandably high. At that price point, one expects exceptional cuisine, luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, thoughtful amenities, and excursions that deliver on their promises. Unfortunately, Stillpoint Lodge in Halibut Cove, Alaska, failed to meet those expectations at virtually every turn. The disconnect between the price charged and the experience delivered was astonishing. The food was, quite frankly, inedible throughout the stay. The accommodations lacked the basic comforts one would expect from a luxury lodge in Alaska. There was no down comforter, the pillows were lumpy, the linens were old and worn, and the sofas had no throws or pillows to make them comfortable and inviting. The bathrooms had no amenities, not one. I don't believe I have ever asked for a cotton swab at a hotel. The dishware appeared to have been purchased at a bargain store, and not recently. Not a crystal wineglass was to be found. Even the wine service was disappointing. We were told that the quality wine list was not made available to every guest because many guests supposedly would not understand it. At a property charging nearly $8,000 per night, this attitude was both presumptuous and baffling. Luxury should mean providing guests with excellent choices and the opportunity to enjoy them, not making assumptions about their ability to appreciate them. The practical details were equally unacceptable. The box lunches were a joke; again, mostly inedible and nowhere near what one would expect at this price point. The excursions, advertised as part of the experience, failed to live up to their billing. On the fishing excursion, the captain actually took the rod from the guest to reel in the fish, undermining the very experience one would expect to enjoy. The cabin accommodations presented further problems. The bathroom was located outside the room, with no overhead cover to protect guests from the rain. It also smelled unpleasant. And the bathroom itself was approximately 45 degrees each morning because the heater had to be turned on after getting up. Having to leave your room and turn on the bathroom heater before you can be comfortable is hardly the definition of luxury. Individually, these shortcomings might seem like minor oversights. Collectively, they reveal a troubling lack of attention to comfort, quality, hospitality, and the details that distinguish a genuinely luxurious experience from an expensive one. Alaska is spectacular, and the setting may be beautiful, but beautiful scenery cannot compensate for inedible food, uncomfortable accommodations, disappointing excursions, and a lack of the basic amenities. At nearly $8,000 per night, guests should not have to overlook so many deficiencies or make excuses for a property that positions itself as a luxury destination. Stillpoint Lodge was expensive, but the experience was anything but extraordinary. The price created expectations of exceptional hospitality and attention to detail. What we received was a profoundly disappointing experience that fell far short at almost every opportunity. I would be hard-pressed to recommend Stillpoint Lodge based on our experience, and I definately cannot recommend it to travelers seeking genuine luxury.

This is a special place. The team was an absolute gem, like they knew us. Friendly and so detailed oriented to make your stay a personal experience. The lodge is beautiful. Rooms are very comfortable and well designed. Waking up with the view of the mountain, seeing the wildlife just around you and so quiet at the same time (no modern life noise pollution can be heard) is just what we were looking for. This is a place for anyone looking at disconnecting from the world. Experiences that touch you, I strongly recommend kayaking by the glacier. It reconnects you with a reality of nature that we forget about. The F&B team was amazing; Chef took the time to show his smoking skills in a private class. We learned how to smoke our own salmon and since we are doing it home. They grow their own vegetables and herbs; oysters are coming directly fresh from the water down the lodge. This is a unique place, created from genuine attention and care, with an owner passionate and proud of what Alaska has to offer. We will never forget this experience. Thank you again to all of you.

Our family spent 5 nights at Stillpoint Lodge in Alaska, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. You won’t find another place like this—surrounded by snow-capped mountains, peaceful wilderness, and incredible wildlife. On acres of land just a few cabins, so it's very quiet and private. I only saw other guests during lunch and dinner, which made the stay feel even more serene. I love fishing and bear viewing, and this place exceeded all expectations in both. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, and the owner, JT, was fantastic—genuine and helpful. The food was absolutely amazing—fresh, creative, and beautifully prepared. My only disappointment was that we didn’t stay longer. We split half our 10 day vacation at another 5 star Alaska lodge that didn’t hold a candle to Stillpoint Lodge. Stillpoint Lodge is more than just a getaway—it's a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the heart of nature. I can’t recommend it enough.

We visited Stillpoint from Texas as a party of 8. My husband and me (60's) with our three adult sons and their wives (late 20's early 30's). We try to take an active vacation with family and plus ones every other year. Before grandkids join the party I wanted to do something wild, adventurous, fun and luxurious. Alaska delivered! Stillpoint Lodge took the experience to epic. Here's a recap. We arrived Anchorage Friday night in late July 2024. We grabbed beer and dinner at 49th State Brewery and overnighted at the Hilton (hot rooms, great gym, crowded lobby) near the train station. Saturday morning we took the glass train to Talkeetna (this is cool, breakfast on board, fun commentary from the purser and beautiful scenery). We wanted to tag Denali and this was a cool way to do it. We checked in early to Talkeetna Lodge (seems like most everyone in Alaska works to make guests happy). We explored town and took a Denali flight seeing tour with glacier landing. OurTalkeetna Air Taxi pilot, Luke let one of our boys DJ and explained Denali and surrounding peaks from a climbers point of view. Stillpoint arranged for us to be picked up by seaplane Sunday morning and flown directly to Stillpoint Lodge in Halibut Cove to begin our six days of luxury excursions. Stillpoint was much more than a home base for our excursions. It was a diverse loving family that made us feel welcome and almost Alaskan. You'll read reviews about how terrific the food (thank you Matt, Carlos & Brightly), cabins (always magically clean, cozy, perfectly stocked and comfortable), massages (thank you Tara), staff (Zach, GM has assembled a team that is insanely awesome) and Halibut Cove (otters, eagles, seals, flowers, views and beauty) all 100% true! Our family book club read "The Great Alone" which perfectly set the tone for our trip. I wanted this trip to be physically and mentally challenging. I wanted us to explore Alaska in a less touristy more wild (yet safe) way. Beka, our point of contact pre trip took note and came up with a perfect itinerary. 1. Hike Grace Ridge (12 challenging miles and 3800 feet of vertical change). Dan and his dog, Griz were our lead guides and Captain Coree (because she wanted to check it out) brought up the rear. The change of terrain and weather through the day were insane (sweating, freezing, sledding, bounding barefoot through moss and the views!!!!) Do the point to point hike. It's tough on the way up but not as hard on the knees on the way down. I was really glad to have poles. Younger crowd did fine without them. 2. Remote bear viewing with Eric and Spencer. Floatplane took us to Moraine River about an hour inland where the salmon were running and the bears were abundant. We spotted the bears from the air then landed in a pond and hiked over to the river. We followed the bears up and down the bank and crossed the river for a closer look. It was amazing. Spencer is a photographer so the photos are insane. (Note: return to the lodge after excursions there is no better place to relax and happy hour and you will be ready for the Stillpoint vibe.) 3. Will, guide and JT, Stillpoint owner took us e-biking and to lunch in a cool little town, Seldovia. I'm glad we did this because it was fun spending time with Will and JT and some locals. But it was more normal... Normal to the extent anything in Alaska is normal. Still way fun! JT suggested night fishing after dinner. I didn't go but those who did loved it and the photos and fish (wow!) 4. Guys went deep sea fishing and caught a ton (loved it). Ladies hung at the lodge for nature hike, kayaks, glass beach, cooking class, massages, etc. An amazing day. 5. Hike and glacier lake with Will and Dan. We hiked to a lake (6 miles round trip) that was full of glaciers. Stillpoint had inflatable kayaks hidden for us. We paddled among the glaciers, built a fire, made smores on the beach and one of our knuckleheads took a cold plunge. Yikes! After hiking down from the lake the big Stillpoint boat captained by JT picked us up on the beach. On board he had 2 wetsuits and a wakeboard. The crazies among us spent the next hour wakeboarding in the bay surrounded by glaciers, otters and mountains. Beyond crazy fun! Thank you JT, Zack and Dan. 6. Stillpoint is far from the main Salmon runs but Chef Matt knew of a small run we could get to. Matt and Carlos (the other chef) guided us on a river fly fishing hike in waders that was a totally different kind of experience and very cool. With Stillpoint as our home base we were able to touch and feel a wide variety of unique Alaskan activites. We had so much fun with the the Stillpoint staff and enjoyed meeting other guests. We played cornhole and threw axes and sat around the fire at night. Days are long (20 hours) and we were busy. As I share with you from back home in Texas I am exhilarated and bone weary. If Alaska is on your bucket list. Thank you Stillpoint!

What can I say about Stillpoint Lodge that hasn't already been said. it is a very special place if your privileged to go there. From the pre- emailed questionnaire asking you for your wants and needs and if there is anything you can't "Live without" during your stay to the attention of every detail while your on property. This place is incredible. THE Staff is outstanding! They all lineup on the dock upon your arrival. Your given a tour of the property and then taken to your cabins. They are all on the water and are immaculate. The food service animals provided by top notch chef's are first class. The Excursions planned were the highlight of course. Bear viewing couldn't have been a more exhilarating experience and we left SPL with almost 200 lbs of fish to take home. Alaska in the summer is as beautiful as it gets but if not for JT, Zack, and the rest of the staff it wouldn't have been as good. There is nothing left out when staying here. I can't wait to go back and am excited for anyone who reads this to make their reservations!! You won't regret it!