Top of the World Hotel, Barrow

Did not know what to expect being from lower 48 - texas to be exact. Staff was great especially with information regarding tours / safety etc. Daniel from the top of the world tours is great and we enjoyed it so much we stayed an extra night! The motel was equated to a motel 6 - clean / tidy. No problem with "missing items" and we left out luggage in the "back room" on the day of our departure so we could hike about and not tote the bags. We made new friends that we will carry thru life with us - and we plan to go back again same time next year...may / june is great!

This place is a dream spot when it comes to taking some time off. nice views and so cold you will freeze solid trying to get a newspaper.

"A Yahoo Contributer" Hmmmm? Same person? I have personally never been, but my Dad worked up there on the Slope for over 20 years. He stayed there many a time and never had an issue. I think it is curious all of the negative statements come from somebody who's name doesn't appear. Just a thought. I entered Average as my ratings to be fair since I have never been. Just felt the need to comment.

Hotel staff and personell very nice. Clean room. This will be my same choice for stay next visit! Resturants and shopping walking distance. Room toasty at -35 and windy and 30mph winds.

Very humorous tour guide, clean lobby area, excellant gift shop, excellent view of the Arctic Ocean, very nice and helpful staff. Would recommend this place to anyone who just wants to get away from it all.

Everything was good,superb and excellent. Service was courteous. Very good.

After reading the reviews, I too was nervous. But I had no reason to be. The staff was courteous and let me check in early. The lobby was tidy and there was a computer with Internet provided for public use in the lobby. What I liked best about this hotel is that my room looked out over the Arctic Ocean. I think it is the only hotel in town with an ocean view. I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke and I did not smell it at all. I highly recommend Barrow and Top of the World!

I had an uneasy feeling as we got closer to our Alaska Airlines vacation to Barrow based on some of the reviews here. After the trip, I wonder if I stayed at the same place that got only 1 star from some travelers. I would rate the hotel as equivalent to a Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn in the lower 48. The front desk was staffed with attentive and friendly people. The room was clean and no oders were noticed on my one night stay. We ate at Pepe's and Ken's near the airport. Both provided good variety on their menus. I gagged to find a burrito listed at $22 but dining in Alaska is more expensive compared to the lower 48. The town tour was very interesting and I feel that we got a very good idea of life in Barrow. During June the whaling crews hold events to share their success in the hunt. We were lucky to be there for such a festival(They are not held every day). It was very interesting and not something you will see anywhere else in the US. If you have the chance, try the blubber and whale meat! From the reviews, it sounds like the Eider Inn is a good alternative choice for your Barrow trip. Include Barrow on your trip to Alaska and experience a uniquely different world.

The hotel was just fine -- clean, everything worked properly. Able to store bag in locked closet while out on tour. The guided tour around Barrow was most interesting and I would do it again. Next door to the hotel is Pepe's, evidently the northernmost Mexican restaurant in the world, with very good American breakfasts and thoroughly respectable Mexican food. It's highly decorated and is unique.

Despite the earlier reviews of stinky rooms and non-caring staff and service, I must admit that I have travelled to Barrow frequently in the past three years, and I always stay at the Top of the World Hotel. I have never experienced anything but kind and caring staff who have gone out of their way to make recommendations and help, and my room has always been clean and smelling fine. Occassionally, there is the smell of the sea (it is located on the Arctic Ocean) and frequently the smell of some of the local foods/delicacies (bowhead whale, sea mammal oil, etc.), but that is to be expected in a town primarily inhabitied by indigenous Inupiat, who frequently also stay in the hotel. The hotel has gone out of its way to refurbish the main lobby and rooms, which are quite comfortable. I always recommend the Top of the World to my friends travelling to Barrow, and they have thanked me upon their return!