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Alyeska turns the Whittier approach into a resort night. Girdwood sits on the way to the tunnel, about 26 road miles from the Whittier dock on our estimate, and the Glacier Discovery picks up there at 11 AM for a 12:05 PM arrival.
That's the shortest morning of any hotel outside Whittier, and you spend the evening on the tram to Seven Glaciers, in the saltwater pool or at the Nordic Spa.
The costs are printed: $25 a night in resort fees on every reservation, re-checked October 2, and a 21-and-over rule at check-in. Parking rates aren't printed at all.
Book it for the last splurge before the ship, and board at Girdwood instead of doubling back to Anchorage.
Book it if
- The shortest morning to Whittier without sleeping there
- A spa or tram night before the cruise
Look elsewhere if
- Anyone in the party is under 21.
- You travel with a pet.
- A $25 nightly fee would sting.
Your night before, from here
A Whittier sail morning from Alyeska Resort, step by step, from what the hotel publishes and our road estimates.
Seven Glaciers at the top of the aerial tram, Sakura's sushi and three more places to eat, plus a saltwater pool and the Nordic Spa.
No resort shuttle to Whittier. The Glacier Discovery boards in Girdwood at 11 AM; by road the dock is about 26 miles, our estimate, through the tunnel.
The resort doesn't list a free breakfast; Tramway Cafe and two grills are on site.
Alyeska Resort is about 26 road miles from the Whittier terminal on our estimate. That’s roughly 42 minutes without traffic — and without the tunnel, which opens toward Whittier once an hour. From Alyeska Resort that’s about 42 minutes of driving on our estimate — plus the tunnel’s schedule.
Resort lots and valet at the main entrance, no rates printed; the resort says nothing about a car left during a Whittier cruise.
Alyeska Resort, scored for Whittier: 26 of 100
Alyeska Resort’s 26 comes only from what it publishes, scored for a Whittier sailing — how the score works.
Getting here, and on to the ship
Alyeska Resort sits in Girdwood, on the road south — about 26 road miles to the Whittier terminal by our estimate, tunnel not counted. Downtown Anchorage is about 42 road miles north, our estimate. Question marks are legs you arrange.
The resort runs nothing from ANC. It points to Bear Valley Roadrunner from $90 a person, Red Eye Rides from $100 and the Girdwood Express Shuttle, as listed September 26, 2026.
No resort shuttle to Whittier. The Glacier Discovery boards in Girdwood at 11 AM; by road the dock is about 26 miles, our estimate, through the tunnel.
Alyeska Resort is about 26 road miles from the Whittier terminal on our estimate. That’s roughly 42 minutes without traffic — and without the tunnel, which opens toward Whittier once an hour.
From ANC without a hotel shuttle
From ANC to Alyeska Resort, it’s your own ride. Times and fares: the airport page.
Resort lots and valet at the main entrance, no rates printed; the resort says nothing about a car left during a Whittier cruise.
Parking at Alyeska Resort on a Whittier trip, for the nights you stay: Resort lots; valet at the main entrance; rates not stated.
No resort shuttle to Whittier. The Glacier Discovery boards in Girdwood at 11 AM; by road the dock is about 26 miles, our estimate, through the tunnel.
Alyeska Resort is about 26 road miles from the Whittier terminal on our estimate. That’s roughly 42 minutes without traffic — and without the tunnel, which opens toward Whittier once an hour.
Landing on sail morning instead? Skip Alyeska Resort and go straight from ANC to Whittier — the airport page checks your timing, and a car from the airport prices the drive.
Which terminal
Check your documentsPrincess and Holland America use Terminal 1 on West Camp Road, about 26 road miles from Alyeska Resort by our estimate. The other berth burned in September, so check your line’s instructions before you leave Alyeska Resort — the port explained on the hub.
Source: cruisehive.comDistance
About 26 mi by road to WhittierAlyeska Resort is about 26 road miles from the Whittier terminal on our estimate. That’s roughly 42 minutes without traffic — and without the tunnel, which opens toward Whittier once an hour.
Source: router.project-osrm.orgShuttle departures
No shuttleAlyeska Resort runs nothing to Whittier. The clock is the Glacier Discovery, which boards in Girdwood at 11 AM, or your line’s transfer. Set an alarm.
Source: alyeskaresort.comParking while you sail
Cruise parking
Cruise parking unconfirmedResort lots and valet at the main entrance, no rates printed; the resort says nothing about a car left during a Whittier cruise.
Source: alyeskaresort.comParking in Whittier
$11 harbor lotThere’s no public parking at the Whittier pier, per Holland America. The city harbor lot is $11 a day, midnight to midnight, checked Oct 2, 2026 — weigh that against Alyeska Resort’s own terms. ANC’s long-term lot, back in Anchorage some 42 road miles north by our estimate, is $13 a day with a $78 weekly cap. Ask before you book.
Beyond Alyeska Resort: where the car goes while you sail · Whittier cruise parking, compared.
Source: whittieralaska.govThe evening and the morning
The evening
Pool · Food or bar on siteSeven Glaciers at the top of the aerial tram, Sakura's sushi and three more places to eat, plus a saltwater pool and the Nordic Spa.
Breakfast
Not statedThe resort doesn't list a free breakfast; Tramway Cafe and two grills are on site.
Address
Girdwood, 40 miles south of Anchorage1000 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, AK 99587
Alyeska Resort website
The fine print, in one place
The small print Alyeska Resort publishes — read for a Whittier cruise night, not a vacation week. The gaps are breakfast and parking rates — one call to Alyeska Resort settles both.
Check-in and check-out
Minimum age
To check in, per the hotel.
Resort fee
$25 a night resort fee
Wi-Fi
Free
Parking for your stay
Resort lots; valet at the main entrance; rates not stated
Breakfast
Not stated
Pool
Saltwater pool and whirlpool
Pets
No pets.
Food and drink on site
- Seven GlaciersFine dining at the top of the tram
- Sakura Asian BistroSushi
- Tramway CafeCafé
- Aurora Bar and GrillBar and grill
- Sitzmark Bar and GrillBar and grill
Rooms
299 rooms, from standard kings and doubles to suites.
Accessibility
18 accessible or semi-accessible rooms.
On site
- EV chargingNot stated
- Guest laundryNot stated
- Fitness centerYes
- Pets allowedNo
Also worth knowing
- Alyeska Nordic Spa.
- An aerial tram.
- AAA Three Diamond.
Before you book
Worth knowing
- 21 or older to check in; check-in 4 PM, check-out 11 AM.
- Resort fee $25 a night, checked Oct 2, 2026.
- AAA rates it Three Diamond, per the resort.
What we couldn’t confirm
- Breakfast
- Parking rates
Facts for Alyeska Resort come from its own pages, read September 26, 2026, with the shuttle, parking and airport-ride lines re-read October 2, 2026 where it published them. Before a Whittier sailing, confirm the $25 nightly fee and the 11 AM train — before the deposit, not after.
Worth a look alongside it
Around Alyeska Resort: the Whittier cruise guide, the splurge list and renting a car for Whittier.
Wake up in Girdwood, one train stop from Whittier.
Send us your Whittier sail date and we’ll check Alyeska Resort for the night before, with no payment on the form.
Alyeska Resort FAQ
Can I take the train from Girdwood to Whittier?
Yes. The Glacier Discovery stops in Girdwood at 11 AM and reaches Whittier at 12:05 PM, per the Alaska Railroad; for 2027 it's $122 one way, Anchorage or Girdwood to Whittier, and the full route runs May 29 to September 12.
Is there a resort fee at Alyeska?
Yes, $25 a night on every reservation, per the resort (checked Oct 2, 2026), for access to resort-wide services.
How far is Alyeska Resort from the Whittier cruise terminal?
About 26 miles by road to Terminal 1 on West Camp Road, by our estimate — Alyeska Resort doesn’t give one. The 42 minutes we estimate from Alyeska Resort leaves out the tunnel, which opens toward Whittier once an hour. No traffic is a big assumption.
What's Alyeska's cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more ahead, by 4 PM Alaska time two days before, for a full refund; inside that you pay one night plus tax and the resort fee, per the resort.
Are pets allowed at Alyeska Resort?
No pets, per the resort.
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