Frommer's Review
The lodge is the center of the relaxed village of McCarthy, 5 miles from the historically more buttoned-up Kennecott. Although you are not among the mining ruins when you stay here, you are in a real community where you can meet year-round residents and the many interesting characters who spend the summer here among historic buildings. The owners of the lodge also own Ma Johnson's Hotel across the street, a saloon, art shop, store, Internet cafe, and backpacker lodgings. They treasure the history and take great pains with the old buildings and food, having invested $1.25 million in the project. Rooms are full of period charm, with antiques, quilts, and memorabilia. They call it a living museum. Even the soap is authentic, made by hand. The bedrooms -- which are small, as always in a historic building -- are in a false-front structure that you might see in an old Western movie. Every two rooms share a bathroom. In a separate building, Lancaster's Backpacker's Hotel charges $48 single, plus $20 for each additional person up to four.
The eight-table restaurant is an authentic Bush roadhouse in an unmistakably backwoods structure that was moved here from Cordova in 1916. The dining room is decorated with artifacts, early photographs, and heavy drapes. Our meals were all perfectly prepared: chicken alfredo, Cajun halibut, and, best of all, semolina encrusted Copper River red salmon. The price range for dinner is $15 to $24. Or order from the casual and reasonably priced bar menu of pizza and the like. The McCarthy Store and Erie Internet Cafe serves coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods, and has a shower and laundry.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; courtesy van
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
