Chena River SRA/Tors Trail

Margo Woodby

We did a couple hour visit to the springs. I will say that I researched the springs, but obviously not well enough. It is not well advertised that you have to be 18 to enter the springs. We had 4 children with us that thought the idea of the springs was cool and they couldn’t even enjoy it. We drove over an hour for this, and truly, with as underwhelming as it was, I would have never done it if I knew the whole family couldn’t enjoy it. I will say that I cannot comment on the rooms or the restaurant because we did not use either. The outside charm was cute, the little log cabins were fun to see. I was underwhelmed by the hot springs, I think I would have liked it better in the winter with the dark and lights and cold temps with the hot of the springs, while I liked the idea of the springs and the cool feature of natures hot tub, they seemed dirty and not well kept. The walk way to the springs smelled like pee and was slightly nauseating walking to and from the springs to the locker rooms! Although, the drive is superb, and the views are incredible, and I would have loved to do some hiking in the area! And maybe some more look out points along the way, those rivers were incredible!!! I was reading through some other reviews, and I love the idea of this whole place, seems like a great resort. And yes, I agree that rustic charm can bring a lot of people in, but rustic does not have to mean dirty. And old and outdated doesn’t always mean rustic. I will recommend this place to others if they are in the area, because it is an experience, but I did have too many negatives to give it a higher review!!

L M

Been here before. Can’t speak for the resort itself, or the food, but the location is tucked away in the mountains just an easy, over-an-hour drive from Fairbanks. The hot springs pool is pleasant, but gravitate towards certain areas & by the fountains so you won’t feel as hot. Definitely take a dip in the pool to cool off from the springs pool if it’s hot outside. $20 for the springs (bit steep on that price for a simple immersion in some water 🤔), though bring quarters for the lockers ($.50 for one-time use) & $5 to rent a towel. Bring your own water just in case the tap water quality isn’t of personal expectation. Property has an activity center, massage therapy, gardening, & some decent trails if you’re up for the trek. 🥾 So, something for everyone. Nice area, but if you’re looking for a money-saver, just swim in the river banks along the way for just as pleasant of an experience.

Julia Moore

Alaska is amazing and beautiful. The chena springs would get a 5 star. The water is nice and chena/pools/hottub areas are clean. Locker rooms are always clean also. But the rooms are dumpy, no wifi in the room, only 4 or 5 TV channels. No a/c or temp controls and one of our windows was broken so couldn't open it to get a cross breeze. The resort dining had horrible service. Around 5pm on a week day and only two servers. 1 being the bar tender and the other being the host. The bar tender was personable but the host/ server was rude to everyone aside from the 1 female sitting alone at the bar. While waiting for the host/server to welcome us into the restaurant to sit (we just wanted tk order take out) we saw an actual rat/mouse in the lobby running from the restaurant to the front desk. We ordered wings and soup which was pretty good. There was an activity center which later found out had some food. Would've opted to go there if we had known.

Moderate Thinker

We spent an afternoon at Chena Hot Springs. Lunch was good and the service was fine (although the restaurant was clearly understaffed). The hot springs were fine. Not fabulous. The water had a fair amount of plant matter floating in it. My main contention with this place is that they posted a $309.99 charge on my credit card, in addition to the purchases I made for lunch and the pools. When I called the front desk to protest, the reception rep told me to forward the information to him and he'd give it to the "person who handles those issues, who comes into the office at midnight." I followed his instructions. After five days, I've heard nothing from Chena - nor was my account credited for the fraudulent charge. Stay away from this place. While the restaurant staff is great and terribly overworked, the administration staff cannot be trusted.

Kale Sartor

The location is amazing, couldn't be better. The giant hot spring pool in the middle of a winter wonderland, the ice museum complete with an ice bar and friendly ice bartender, seeing the aurora at night with the various tour guides waiting around happy to share whatever information they have, both about the aurora and taking photos of it. Really an unforgettable experience. I didn't stay overnight so I can't say how the rooms were. I didn't eat at the restaurant either, because it was so expensive. The cafe/gift shop offers a variety of Alaska souvenirs as well as cheaper alternatives to the restaurant. However, they stop making drinks more than an hour before close which seems insane for a place that people come to watch cold auroras late at night. When I was there I asked for a drink right before 10 on a Saturday (they close at 11) and he said he already cleaned the machine. I'd understand at 10:50, but 9:50?? That and the fact that all the accessible bathrooms were filthy and/or in a state of disrepair is why I rated low for service. This next part isn't part of my rating, just accessibility info for those interested. The main building check in is on a platform so you'd have difficulties checking in without flagging someone down. There is one accessible bathroom on the level but when I was there it was filthy, in high demand, and the sink was broken. The buildings are not attached to each other so you may have to go on multiple paths, when I was there they were packed with snow that worked okay with my rollator for the most part. The entry to the pool and hot springs has a step. The hot springs are accessible with a ramp going in and I saw water wheelchairs (not sure how to get those). The handrail gets very cold of course so can be tricky. The pool is accessible if you can enter via stairs and handrail but the indoor hot tubs require several stairs to get to the platform to get in. Outdoor shoes aren't allowed in the locker rooms or wet areas so if you need shoes bring water shoes or sandals (they do allow Crocs, flip flops, etc). The hot springs can seriously dehydrate but they have free water fill stations so bring water bottles. There are family change rooms but they're not particularly accessible, however the main rooms have accessible shower and toilet. When I was there the women's accessible shower stall was filthy and the women's accessible toilet had a broken lock. The main part of the ice museum is accessible, but there are stairs to get to the bar and several ice locations. The doors to go in the rooms are quite low, the igloo entrance is child size.