A Swan Nest Inn

Based on reviews I was expecting this to be the highlight accommodation of our stay. It did not live up to expectations unfortunately. There are positives so will start with those. Once booking was confirmed useful handbooks were provided over a link with recommendations for activities, walks and restaurants. Prior to arrival Sarah was helpful in arranging trips with local partner companies and some of the bookings resulted in a reduction in the room rate. She was not so helpful once arrived in Alaska when we made a request for help prior to arrival in Seward and just got a rather curt reply with a phone number to ring ( which was not being answered before we bothered her hence the request for help). The location is good within walking distance of most amenities . It is about 5 minutes from the sealife centre and the centre of Seward and about 20 minutes from the Harbour. This was a nice walk along the seafront. There is free onsite car parking . There is no outside area but a table and chairs were placed by the car park area for guests’ use. The rooms were basic but clean as were the common areas. The kitchen, available for guests’ use , was impeccable. Bear spray is available should you want it on a hike. Breakfast was tasty. I know Seward is pricey and am trying not to compare the accommodation to what would be provided for a comparable price in other countries . I can, however, compare it for value for money with other accommodation in Alaska. Access to the b & b is up a wooden set of stairs. It is an old building so, understandably, there is no Lift. There are no staff to help with luggage so be prepared . My friend had unexpectedly had to travel with the aid of a crutch ( not her usual condition) and access would not be suitable for many people with a physical disability so be aware. The rooms are on 2 levels . The bathroom and a double bed downstairs and a mezzanine platform area with 2 mattresses placed on the floor. This is only accessible by a vertical ladder of about 7 feet in height through a hatch and the roof is very low. At 5’ 3” I could just sit up in bed without hitting my head. The mattress would not long enough for a tall person Anything to be taken up there had to be thrown up through the hatch or handed up as climbing up with anything was difficult and would be dangerous in my opinion. The rungs on the ladder should be closer together. They were quite far apart and small children would struggle - I struggled at my height- and I would be very unhappy to think a child might decide to come down unsupervised in the night given the loo is downstairs. The hatch can be closed - safer for children?? But the bunk area is very airless and hot already. Though a closed hatch would stop children falling through I did not close the hatch having regard to safety in the event of a fire ( I don’t know what the fire regs are in Alaska but pretty sure would be failed in UK). In short, if I was travelling with children I would not

Pleasant rooms with very well maintained bathrooms. The inn keeper eagerly accommodated our needs---the breakfast was plentiful and delicious. Enjoyed chatting with other guests, exchanging ideas as to how to experience Seward. Location within walking distance to attractions and the water.