I was fortunate enough to stay in the Kate Kennedy house for three nights in early summer. The staff were amazing and really made sure we had everything we wanted. Included breakfast at the Salmon & Bear Restaurant was perfect before long hiking days. The house itself was beautiful and well stocked. 2 bedrooms and a pullout bed option in the patio provided plenty of places to sleep. The upstairs does get a little warm but gets good airflow with the windows open. The patio even has a cabinet stocked with cutlery, plates, mugs, and even a Keurig. If the house is an option for your stay, I definitely recommend taking the opportunity. read more

McCarthy Lodge And The Ma Johnsons Hotel - Kate Kennedy house - Hotels Near Me - McCarthy, Alaska

I'm slightly hesitant to write a review for Ma Johnson's Hotel because I didn't actually stay at the hotel. I did, however, stop in to learn about the history and see the artifacts in the hotel lobby because Ma Johnson's is a historical hotel, a museum of sorts! The woman working at the reception desk was so enthusiastic to tell me about the history of McCarthy and the hotel. Ma Johnson's Hotel has since been restored as the town of McCarthy/Kennicott were once Ghost Towns. Stop in to learn more about the history, see the artifacts, and definitely stay a night or two if you can. I also learned the McCarthy Lodge and some of the other nearby restaurants are under the same ownership. read more

See all

Amazing hotel that is an absolute time capsule taking you back to the early 1900's. Not only in the feel of the hotel itself with period furniture, but also the staff and friendliness you receive. Step back in time with your stay in this hotel that is centrally located within a stones throw of everything you need in McCarthy. We had the most amazing time here! read more

We recently stayed at Ma Johnson's hotel in Mac Carthusian AK and I give it 5 stars for a hotel in a remote area of Alaska. If you are looking for the Ritz it's not for you but if you want clean, comfortable accommodations in remote McCarthy this is a great option. Don't expect a bathroom to yourself but do expect extremely friendly and helpful staff, a nice complimentary breakfast across the street and adventure at the old Kennicott Copper Mine down the road. read more

Very quaint hotel with some historic artifacts and old time furniture but the rooms are tiny , upstairs hallway reeked of diesel fuel , the front bedroom was so small I literally had 1-2 feet between the bed and walls. Dont stay here unless the only thing u want is a place to sleep. And even Then u may wake up with a diesel fueled headacge read more

The rooms were great! The staff was also great! However, we had made reservations months (February) in advance for the night of our wedding (July 4, 2019) We made the reservations for the hotel and saloon/bistro for the wedding party. We were promised that what we asked for: steak, chicken wings and blueberry cheesecake. Would be available Upon arrival, one of the staff tried really hard to talk us out of the steak and wings be and into dishes that sounded disgusting (bone marrow on toast). The person also told us that the baker was "unable to get the ingredients" for the blueberry cheesecake. Keep in mind that the reservations were made in February and we were assured that what we requested would be there for us. We were also told that they were planning a "special" wedding dessert for us. The owner of the hotel and restaurant told us that he gives the staff "liberties" to take care of us on our wedding night. Didn't notice anything done for us. So just remember that if you make reservations and are promised certain foods or treatment, it probably won't happen. read more

My goodness, a 5-star restaurant serving 5-star food in an isolated town in the Wrangell Mountains. Year-round population is 42. We loved this restaurant. read more

Great place to stay, very friendly staff , clean rooms. No power outlets in the rooms but that's to be expected due to the age of the Hotel. Power outlets to charge phones are in the lobby down stairs. Highly recomended read more

Wonderful! We ate here the night before a week-long backpacking trip in Wrangell-St Elias. It's pretty amazing to discover such a gourmet place in, literally, the middle of nowhere.It's a tiny little restaurant in a historic building in the miniscule town of McCarthy, AK (2 hours down dirt roads to get there, only 40 or so residents, 1 hotel). They serve only a set 4-course meal or, on some nights, a tasting menu with several more courses. We're completely unfussy eaters, but we heard plenty of other folks around us with special requests (no dairy, vegetarian, etc) that they seemed to be willing and able to accommodate. The four-course meal the night we were there was excellent. First course was copper river salmon on a bed of seared tomato, adzuki beans, and lentils. I thought the salmon was great, but the tomato was mediocre (not very ripe) and the beans were a touch under-cooked for me. Second course was a pork ragu with gnocchi. Third course was braised beef and polenta (amazing, amazing, amazing) and the dessert was some sort of shortbread-cookie-ish thing with strawberry cream and chocolate. YUM! Our water was also excellent, and SO knowledgeable about the wines, which were at least as good as the food, if not better. And at $40 (not including wine) a person, a total bargain! We paid more than that for fish and chips and a couple beers at a pub in Seward! Anywhere else, I'd probably give this restaurant 4 stars, but it gets the 5th just for being what it is under such insane circumstances. read more

Splendid, wonderful, most fun for last portion of our trip! Charger drove the road to McCarthy just fine - Blast to drive really! The old hotel/former brothel was awesome - great atmosphere - Kris was the BEST! She spent time making certain that we were enjoying our trip, made dinner reservations for us, great time conversing with her. Food was SPECTACULAR - Scott and Kurt, we can't wait to see you again! Know you are seriously welcome at our place in Portland - you boys from Eugene are seriously the most accomplished chefs! We were so spoiled by you - Thank you all for making our trip to Alaska so memorable....Janet & Bill Potter read more

We had a couple backpacking trips in Wrangell St Elias National Park and after the first one, came back to town looking for a place to eat. And luckily, walked into this place. The restaurant serves a 4-course dinner for $40, a great deal in any city, an awesome deal when you're in the middle of nowhere Alaska town with a winter population of about 20 residents. Three times a week, just to get the chef's creative juices flowing, they serve an 18 to 20-course tasting menu for $125, which is a bargain anywhere. Since my husband's a vegetarian and I am a picky eater, we asked the waiter if it would be possible to alter the menu to accommodate our requests. He went to check with the chef and came back with the great news for us to go next door for a beer while the chef will need about 30 minutes to prepare for our dinner. We were impressed at how accommodating they are, especially when we found out later that most of the people dining there have had reservations made first. The room was warm and classy with white tablecloth service. Remnants of old Kennecott Mining Company artifacts and photos were all around the walls. Given how isolated this town is, the chef should be highly commended for all the dishes that came out of his kitchen. First dish was arugula salad with shrimp (seared tomato slices for vegetarian) tossed in simple vinaigrette and pickled onion and carrots. Second course was soba noodles mixed with julienned cabbage, celery, and seaweed, topped with cod (if you eat fish) or roasted eggplant (if you're vegetarian). Third course was braised beef that melts in your mouth (or veggie loaf for vegetarian substitute) on a bed of quinoa with mushroom and red wine reduction sauce. Dessert was rhubarb crisp. Excellently delicious. We came to find out later that the chef is Joshua Slaughter, a James Beard Award chef who has worked for Thomas Keller in Napa Valley and NYC. A great chef with a complete understanding of flavor, texture, pairing and how it all go together to produce an exquisite dining experience. The wine selection complimented the food greatly. The service was impeccable. We had such a great experience overall that we made a reservation this time to come back for dinner after our second backpacking trip. And it was great if not better than the first time we were there. We asked Chef Slaughter if it would be possible to do a vegetarian tasting course and he welcomed the "challenge." We will definitely be back in this wonderful town and to pay a visit to Chef Slaughter again. read more