Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Fairbanks

Its your avg hotel if you are just making a pit stop for the night, but you would be doing yourself a favor if you hold a social event (i.e. business or ceremony) at the near by McDonalds. My military unit coordinated a military ball for 100+ soldiers at Princess lodge hear in Fairbanks last night and had been coordinated for several months. Everything seemed to be normal minus the small space, until the food was served. At first, I heard many people complain about the terrible food. It got to the point where I started looking around and seeing the expression on the faces of the soldiers. Keep in mind that we soldiers will eat dirt and like it if need be. Minutes later I was hearing that the cooks ran out of some food and spices. How can the cooks run out of supplies and food when the coordinating had be going on for months? Anyway, I was a little hungry so I dug in and began eating until I ate a 1" nail/screw from my mash potatos, biting it fairly hard before spitting it out. When I went to go complain, I went through several of the cooks and/or managers. Although I was upset and was not friendly, I did not use negative laguage or get physical in any way. One of the people I talked to was female manager. I told her what happen and properly expressed my anger. She then stepped off as I talked with 2 other managers and got one of the coordinators from my unit. We all stood and talked for several minutes, while she and other managers asked me if I wanted more food, or a bottle of wine, etc etc. I turned it down the first few time. I dont drink wine to begin with. But she insisted, so I took the offer. A few hours after that, I learned that she had said I grabbed her when I was talking to her. This womens name is Shellie Reynolds-Spann. I was absolutley shocked. I had let everything go and forgot about it until I learned what she had said. I highly recommend that any social events be coordinated for the top of Mt. Mckinnley before this place. But if you do coordinate for this place, please write a review. I cant wait to hear your story!

At best, on par with a Holiday Inn Express. Only difference is that the rate was much higher. Food in the dining room terrible and over priced. Rooms not clean. Not a good stop.....

I felt like I was staying at a retirement residence.

Beautiful lodge-good food-very nice rooms. We stayed in a suite that was totally furnished in a rustic cabin style. Very nicely done. We ate in both restaurants as well as the bar and grill. The food and service was great.

We only regret NOT buying things at the gift shop that we never saw elsewhere during our 17-day cruisetour. All my previous trips to Alaska had been business, and most to primative facilities in remote areas of the High Arctic, and this was the first stop of my wife's first trip to AK. We did not have a single complaint about the lodge, or about Princess. Mike Lallatin, Petaluma, CA ps Gift Shop: Contact me. There are things I want to order!

I've stayed at this hotel several times, usually because it is one of the best values in terms of rates...although not always on the hotel website, the summer rate offered by the hotel was $210 while Orbitz offered it for $79, however, when I arrived they did not have my reservation but honored the rate without any argument. The rooms are nice size, well furnished, comfortable, very clean and the bath products are first class. Even though I only made my reservation for one day, when I decided to stay they let me stay at the reduced rate which I thought was very nice. It's right across from the FAI airport, the restaurant next door has a fabulous deck right on the edge of the Chena River and they serve a marvelous Sunday brunch. The decor is pretty Alaskan touristy, which is what the hotel mainly caters to atleast in the summer time. I don't think you can go wrong with this place.

I love this place because a.) it is close to home b.) Very calming inside c.) service is great, staff is friendly, fast and efficient d.) Rooms are ALWAYS clean and inviting e.) I love the scenery f.) I feel like I am away from everything, even though only 10 miles from home!!

the people were rude, I tought for the amount thatI paid for a room that service would be better. It is a little far out from the rest of the town

We stayed two nights there (May 2003) and was an excellent experience to remember for our entire life, except food. Nothing wrong with it but we being vegetarian had no choice for the food available there. I think you must consider this side of the life people would like to go by. You must have some vegetarian entries. We will be coming back to Fairbanks in this May.