"Heavenly Relaxation on the Waterfront"

Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay
Beautiful Comfortable Lodging in Seward Alaska

Heavenly Lodging in Seward Alaska

Frequently Asked Questions Alaska Travel

Below we've listed the most common questions we receive about Seward, Alaska, and our cabins and rooms. If you have a question not answered here, please don't hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. You're coming a long way and it's important to us that you have the best time possible. Take advantage of our local insight! Be sure to give yourselves enough time to experience some heavenly relaxation in our very special cabins, with spectacular wildlife and scenery surrounding them, just south of Seward, Alaska on the shores of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula.

We thought you were open year round!! What happened, why aren't you any more? JUMP
What kinds of wildlife will we see while at the cabins? JUMP
What kinds of clothes should we bring? JUMP
What will the weather be like? Will it rain? I checked the 10 day forecast! JUMP
What kind of rainy day activities are there? JUMP
We are going fishing (or on a boat tour), what should we wear? JUMP
Should we go to Homer? What about Wittier or Valdez? JUMP
What are the roads like? Will there be road construction? JUMP
When will the sun set? Are the cabins dark inside? JUMP
You're already sold out; when should we have called? Where should we stay? JUMP
Why is your check-out time so early? Why is there no daily maid service? JUMP (and 11A) Do you serve breakfast?? I found you on a Bed and Breakfast Website!! JUMP
What is the surrounding area like? JUMP
Why is so difficult to reach some of the vendors you recommend? JUMP

Humpback whale swimming with Stellar sea lions in Resurrection Bay

1. We thought you were open year round!! What happened, why aren't you any more?

We are EXTREMELY sorry for any and all disappointment our new schedule causes our customers! We have been open year round for about 10 years; our hope had been that over time our customer base would grow enough to support our winter offerings. Unfortunately, although we are grateful to all our loyal customers who do stay with us during the winter, the population of Alaska and the few and far between out of state visitors just can't sustain a winter venue, particularly in light of the increases in fuel costs, and the variable effects of Mother Nature in winter. We are hoping that by opening in March our off-season customers will still be able to find a time that works for a visit! TOP

2. What kinds of wildlife will we see while at the cabins?

The Wing, Gatehouse and Cloud 9 Cabins sit right on our own waterfront on Resurrection Bay. Wildlife is abundant! In the waters in front of the cabins you can routinely see sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas (killer whales), Dall porpoise, harbor porpoise and a huge variety of sea birds and ducks. In addition to waterfowl which includes oystercatchers, mergansers, cormorants, and loons; other fowl include eagles, hummingbirds, swallows, and even Great Blue Herons! And of course, don't forget the salmon when they're jumping! Occasionally larger whales will enter the bay, such as Humpbacks & Grey whales.If you are interested in seeing Puffins, while they do reside inside the confines of Resurrection Bay, they don't come quite this far north, so you'll have to take a boat ride for Puffin viewing. Around the Heron's Roost Cabin most of the wildlife you'll see up close will be birds (lots of hummingbirds in the summer, and other small birds year round). There have been bear sightings, and lots of eagle sightings. You're just a stone's throw from the Caines Head trailhead, and a very short walk to the beach. In the greater Seward area, additional wildlife viewing includes moose, black bear, brown bear, coyotes, Dall Sheep & mountain goats. TOP

3. What kinds of clothes should we bring?

For the Seward area and Alaska in general, the best thing to do is to plan on dressing in layers, so you can add or remove things as needed. During the summer months it's not normally very hot along the coast, but having one pair of shorts just in case is probably a good idea. If you're spending any time in the Interior, you'll want a couple of pairs. Be sure to bring rain gear too. You don't need to be too concerned about bugs right near the water, but inland you can anticipate mosquitoes and flies. If you'll be doing any kayaking or hiking we strongly suggest an under layer of polypropylene; it can be life saving! TOP

4. What will the weather be like? Will it rain? I checked the 10 day forecast!

During summer months temperatures will normally range from the 40s to the 60s, occasionally the 70s in the Seward area. Very occasionally it can be warmer or colder. North of Seward and in the Interior it can sometimes get as warm as 80 or 90. It may rain; the rainy season tends to begin in August or September, but rain is a possibility year round.

During the spring and fall seasons, temperatures will normally range from the high 30s to the high 50s/low 60s. There is a higher chance of rain.

During the off-season temperatures will normally range from the 20s to the 30s in the Seward area. It can occasionally be colder, but this is an ice free port, so the bay will rarely freeze, although there may be icing along the edges. The wind can blow, and depending on the form of precipitation, roads and walkways can be icy. We suggest having a pair of ice grips (available in town) if you are visiting between November and April.

In general, do no rely on weather forecasts, particularly long range reports; because of the mountain ranges and ocean influence those reports are rarely accurate. TOP

5. What kind of rainy day activities are there?

In Alaska, we do everything, even fishing, boat tours, hiking and kayaking in the rain, so don't let a little rain ruin your fun! For indoor activities, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a marine research facility open to the public year round, with extended hours in the summer. Be sure to include a "behind the scenes" tour, usually given around noon; it's absolutely worth the extra fee. They also offer some other specialty tours that are well worth the money. The Liberty Movie Theatre downtown has matinées and evening shows of current run movies (may be closed Thursdays depending on the season). Don't miss the Seward Museum, the Institute of Marine Science and the Kenai Fjords National Park Office. The Seward Library, downtown on 5th Avenue shows a movie about the 1964 earthquake during the summer months, which is very interesting. There are a number of Internet cafés for those who can't live without.

Many guests in our waterfront cabins spend rainy days just sitting in the comfortable chairs, looking out the windows! TOP

6. We are going fishing (or on a boat tour), what should we wear?

Alaska waters are cold year round, so even on a hot sunny summer day, it can be cold on the water. We suggest dressing in layers, with the outer layer being windproof. We also suggest having a hat & gloves. Whether you're fishing or wildlife viewing, outside on the decks of the boats your hands and ears can get quite cold. A good pair of sunglasses and sunscreen are also suggested. Also, if you're fishing, you'll need to bring food and drinks with you; and of course the proper fishing license. TOP

7. Should we go to Homer? What about Wittier or Valdez?

The one common mistake people make when planning their trip to Alaska is failing to realize how BIG the state is, how far things are from each other, and how much time it will take travel the distances. Be certain to get a good map of the state and study the scale of it. Remember, if you were to super-impose the state of Alaska on top of the lower 48 states, Alaska stretches from Florida to California and Wisconsin to Texas!

For example, it's at least a 5 hour drive from Seward to Homer, on a 2 lane highway with very few passing lanes. Getting into and out of Whittier can be tricky, and the tunnel schedule difficult to read, so let us help you figure that out. Feel free to ask us about other specific destinations you may be considering. Consider making Seward your entire vacation location! There are so many things to do you can easily spend a week. Many of our guests stay between 6 and 18 days! One great thing to do if you only have a week to visit Alaska, is to pick an area like Seward and use it as a base of operation. If you have two weeks, split it between two good bases of operation; Seward and the Denali area for example. You'll be happier, we can assure you! You wouldn't try to see the entire 48 states in a week or two; but quite often folks plan Alaska vacations without realizing that what they have planned for themselves amounts to trying to do that here! TOP

8. What are the roads like? Will there be road construction?

The is always road construction in the summer in Alaska, somewhere! It's a good idea to contact the various places you will be visiting, shortly prior to your trip, to learn what the current road conditions may be in the area you will be traveling through. If you have to arrive somewhere by a certain time, you should call ahead and talk to a local about projected travel times*. Some construction stops may be brief, while others may be as long as a half an hour wait or more, so be prepared with a book to read, a game to play, or maybe a snack. Chances are, wherever you are stopped, it will be beautiful! (*There are times during major construction that a highway will close at night to all traffic, so certainly if you are planning on driving between midnight and 6:00am, be sure to check that your highway will be open!) Most roads in Alaska are simple two lane highways. Most main roads are paved, while most other roads are not. There are frequent passing lanes on the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward. You should be certain to observe the Alaska law that you must pull over if you have 5 or more cars behind you. On the Seward Highway, headlights are required at all times. TOP

9. When will the sun set? Are the cabins and rooms dark inside?

Above the Arctic Circle (and most trips to Alaska do not go that far north) there are 84 continual days of darkness in the winter and 84 continual days of sunshine in the summer. If you are planning a visit during summer and especially the month of June, no matter where in Alaska you visit, you'll experience very long days (18-22 hours of sunlight). The farther north you go, the longer the day. Conversely in the winter, the farther north, the shorter the day. In December in Seward, we have about 5 hours of sunlight per day. Off-season & winter months can offer exceptional and dramatic sun rises, sun sets, moon rises and Northern Lights viewing.

All our cabins have light blocking blinds on the windows. For those sensitive to light, during summer months we suggest a low cost sleeping mask available at most drug stores. TOP

10. You're already sold out; when should we have called? Where should we stay?

Generally we say to call as soon as you know you're coming to Alaska. Always call, never assume we'll be sold out, or that you can get in last minute! You might be surprised! For the most popular dates of June through August, it's best to call as much as a year in advance, to ensure you get the cabin of your choice, for the dates of your choice. For a stay around the 4th of July, as much as 18 months in advance may be necessary. If you're looking for more than one cabin, the sooner you call, the better your chances. If we're already sold out for the dates you're looking for; we'll offer you our closest opening, in case you have any flexibility to your itinerary. Sometimes guests will completely re-arrange their schedule in order to stay in one of our cabins.

If all else fails, and we can't accommodate you, we'll direct you to our personal recommendations for other lodging. TOP

11. Why is your check-out time so early? Is there daily maid service?

Check-in and Check-out times are different for each lodging property because each property has different staffing. In our case, being a tiny "ma & pa" operation we need the time to prepare for each guests' arrival. We have a 10 am check-out and a 4pm check-in, because in our experience, we need this much time between one departure and the next arrival to property prepare for your arrival. If we were to extend our check-out time to a later time, we would then have to restrict our check-in time to a later time also.

Our cabins and rooms are set up up to be self-catering. As a tiny "ma & pa" operation, we have very limited staff. We'll service your unit every 3 days with fresh towels and every 7 days with fresh sheets. And we'll check supplies, replenish, and remove trash every 2 to 3 days. Depending on staffing availability, we may be able to offer you daily maid service. Please mention this at check-in (or before) if you are interested in daily maid service. TOP

11 a. Do you serve breakfast? I found you on a bed and breakfast website!!!

We apologize for any confusion our "bed & breakfast" category may cause! Since all of our cabins and rooms include kitchenettes, we are often included in a bed and breakfast category. OR, because there IS no "cabin" category, we end up in the bed & breakfast category since we are neither a hotel or motel. Because what we offer is so special, most guests don't mind! ;)

Kitchenettes are stocked with a GOOD French Roast coffee, and Lipton tea. We also supply sugar (and salt & pepper). In 2010 we will also supply 1/2 & 1/2 creamers. We DO NOT supply any chemical sweetners or artificial creamers. If you prefer these, we count on you traveling with your own supply. TOP

12. What is the surrounding area like?

Many visitors are not quite prepared for how different Alaska is from other places they have visited. Since this is still the last frontier, you will encounter many things you may have never seen before. One of the reasons for this is that in certain areas, such as ours, there are NO laws governing the use of land. No zoning, no ordinances, no restrictions, basically ~ no rules. Lowell Point is one of these such places. Lowell Point is an unusual and unique place, and while some will be shocked when they first arrive, we can assure you, you will be pleased with our property and your experiences here. TOP

13. Why is so difficult to reach some of the vendors you recommend?

One of the biggest frustrations our guests report is their inability to reach some of the vendors we recommend for tours, kayaking, and fishing. This is because we tend to recommend small "ma & pa" operations such as ours, with limited staff. Depending on the time of year you are trying to reach them, they may be taking a needed break, or extremely busy. Additionally, with the time zone differences, it can be hard to find the right time for you to call, that is also the right time for them.

We suggest allowing us to make your reservations for you, for these reasons. Not only are we in the same time zone as the other vendors; these are all folks for whom we have cell phone numbers and we generally know their schedules. We can take a lot of the frustration out of your activities planning for you! TOP

Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay waterfront lodging cabins, view rooms in Seward Alaska, just three miles south of town, on Lowell Point, offer some of the most unique, special places you could ever stay, anywhere. They are also some of the very best lodging Seward Alaska has to offer! Exceptionally clean places, comfortable beds, everything you need, including hosts that care deeply about your stay. We say this based on 10 years worth of customer reviews! Whether you are looking for a cabin or just a room, a bed and breakfast or a hotel or motel, our lodging and accommodations will guarantee you get a real feel for Alaska with the wildlife and scenery that surround us.

Our contact information is below:

NEW!! Click here to check availability! We'll get your message even if away from office & will reply as quickly as possible!!

Or text a message to 9074911236 We'll get your message even if away from office & will reply as quickly as possible!!

OR, Give us a call at 1-907-491-7378 (REST) or from a Land Line Toll-free (866) 904-REST Telephone hours 9AM - 7PM Alaska Time Please be sure to remember our time zone! 8AM in Alaska = Noon in NYC

There are so many things to do in Seward, Alaska and the surrounding area, from simple wildlife watching and hiking to boat tours into the Kenai Fjords National Park to see glaciers and wildlife, that we encourage you to stay at least 3 nights so that you can take advantage of the numerous activities that make Seward such a special place to visit. The mountains surrounding Resurrection Bay provide spectacular scenery and they are alive with wildlife, as is the bay itself. The wildlife of the area includes bald eagles, bear (both black and brown), mountain goats, dall sheep, sea lions, dall porpoise, harbor seal, sea otters, humpback whales, sea birds & ducks too numerous to list! Seward itself is a charming town with two distinct areas of enjoyment. Downtown Seward offers a number of special businesses. The Seward Small Boat Harbor is a delightful place to walk around on a nice day (with an ice cream cone from the Harbor Creamery, if you like!), and the Alaska SeaLife Center and Seward Museum, or any of several coffee shops, are perfect places to spend a rainy afternoon. Since all of our waterfront lodging accommodations (cabins, view rooms) have kitchenettes, you won't have to eat all your meals out, but when you want to, there are a number of excellent restaurants in Seward Alaska. If you've never stayed in a small "ma & pa" accommodation, or if you normally stay in a hotel or motel, or bed and breakfast, you'll want to come stay with us and experience something special! We'd love to have you as our guests; we'll do everything we can to make sure you have a comfortable stay!

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Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay, LLC
The Best Accommodations on the Waterfront in Seward Alaska
13725 and 13730 Beach Drive, Lowell Point, Box 1741, Seward AK 99664-1741
Toll-Free Reservations 866-904-REST (7378) - Phone 907-224-REST (7378)
Copyright . Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay, LLC. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: June 22, 2010, 11:24 a.m. Alaska Time (4 hrs EARLIER than Eastern)

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