Holland America Invests $70 Million in Denali Lodge Expansion
Before construction began, Holland America donated furnishings from about 115 guest rooms to the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska for military families in Anchorage.
Holland America Line is adding 192 guest rooms in two new buildings as part of a $70 million redevelopment of its Denali Lodge, scheduled to open in May 2027. The project also includes changes to the main lodge, dining venues and the trail along the Nenana River.
The reopening will coincide with the company’s 80th anniversary in Alaska. Its land-and-sea program for the season includes 19 Cruisetour options running from May through September, with itineraries lasting nine to 17 nights.
The property, near the entrance to Denali National Park, serves the inland portion of those journeys. The itineraries pair three- to seven-night Alaska cruises with overland travel to Denali, with selected options extending into Canada’s Yukon Territory.
The broader Cruisetour program includes travel aboard the glass-domed McKinley Explorer train and park excursions such as the Denali Natural History Tour or Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Changes to guest spaces and dining
The main lodge’s redesigned interior will feature timber-frame ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, along with a fireplace built with river stone. Work on the riverside trail will add viewpoints overlooking the Nenana River and new signs along the route.
Before construction started, Holland America donated furnishings from about 115 guest rooms to the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska. The items went to military families serving in Anchorage.
The dining changes span three venues, starting with expanded seating at Karstens Public House.
Karstens’ revised menu focuses on Alaska ingredients, with dishes including halibut and chips, a BLT made with sockeye salmon, and fried cod tacos. The venue will also offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast.
At Canyon Ridge Grill, dinner service overlooking the river will feature Dungeness crab cakes, weathervane scallops, king crab and dry-aged steaks.
The new Outpost Coffee + Provisions concept will offer bagel sandwiches with smoked salmon and reindeer sausage served with Beecher’s cheddar. Its drinks selection includes seasonal Spritz cocktails.
Earlier additions at the property
The lodge previously operated as McKinley Chalet Resort. Denali Square opened there in 2016, creating a central area with dining, retail, entertainment and gathering spaces. A subsequent expansion added a 99-room complex in 2019.
On the cruise side, Holland America has scheduled six ships to operate more than 100 sailings in Alaska during the anniversary season.
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