We have lived in Alaska 10 years as of May. This summer we are not travelling to the outside & decided to keep our dollars in Alaska. I read the reviews and decided that should have better luck if I bumped up to the family suite. The lady who took our reservation was very pleasant & we were excited for our trip. The only thig was that since I reserved the family suite we were not alloted a resident discount. After driving 7 hours and finally checking in at 6:30 pm, I asked instead of the 11 check out could we have it till noon. That was a no go. The restaraunt had a little wait. There was no air whatsever! We were joking that we were losing weight WHILE eating it was so hot in there. The food was a tad higher priced but we had great service & was good. The hot spring is VERY hot. The boys had a good time in the 4.9 ft pool and the property also had 3 jacuzzi's on site. The locker rooms were not the cleanest but not shocking for a pool area.
The next day we signed up for a tour of the ice museum but decided to forego the extra $15 for an ice martini. The lady at the activity desk was very polite. While I was waiting to check out at the hotel desk the clerk seemed to be in a crabby mood & acted rushed although there was not a big line. The gentleman ahead of me was asking about rates & if there is a resident discount. The clerk snapped at him saying she is NOT doing check-ins right now and will only do check outs. He walked off shocked. My turn came up and she did not say a word to me. She passed a paper to me and I had to ask her if we were done. We had a long wait for breakfast (about 15 minutes standing with NO line) made it 20 minutes before the breakfast cut off. Our waiter was very nice but said due to gas prices food rates went up a dollar. Since we saw the menu the night before we noticed it was actually a TWO dollar increase. After we were seated another family was waiting for a table (many were available) it took about 20 minutes from the time the family to be seated to ordering. They wanted breakfast but it was FIVE miutes passed the time & were REFUSED breakfast items.
As for the suite. The property is SEVERELY dated. We had a two room one half bathroom. The shower barely worked to just a drizzle. We did go to the front desk to tell them. A man behind the counter gave us an irritated look but the female desk clerk called for maintenance. He showed up right away but all he did was stand there and told us nothing could be done. we have a feeling this may be a common scenario. My husband is employed by a big plumbing/sheet metal company in AK and knew that was bull. The next morning he took of the hower head & we ran the water....sludge & filth came through and then ended with a trickle again for the morning shower. Obviously the plumbing needs work & new fixtures are needed.
I would like to visit the spring again. I would stay in Fairbanks but drive the hour in just for a day visit. We felt that the resort caters to out of country guests and us locals are just tolerated.

really good time , room nice, springs hot,used 2 for 1 Alaska tour saver coupon book. just needed a few more comfy spots to sit out side of rooms, Ice museum/Martini Bar is cool. Nice trails to hike .I think I got healed from natural springs...

The Chena Hot Springs Resort could really be a first class resort with some real TLC . The room was ok, simple and to the point, we upgraded to the better room, so I can't imagine what the regular rooms are like. The heated lake area was very nice, the water from the spring was hot as advertised. The locker room area and changing rooms were disgusting ! I was very surprised of the poor condition of the grounds as well. This could really be an awesome resort. The tour of the Ice Museum was well worth the price.

The place is beautiful and I went there to see the Aurora lights and the Hot Spring.Never read any of the reviews but the rooms are very clean and it looks like they had just been remodel. The restaurant was understaff the food was ok but the server made up the difference because eventhou he was solo with like 11 tabels his sense of humor was great. Front desk staff needs a little training every one walks by them and they are not acknowledge by them. No customer services at the front desk, no smiles. Love the Ice Museum specially the applemartini, and the activity guide who did the tour very friendly and helpful as well as the drivers from and to the airport. The pool can use a little remodel specially in the locker room. Did not feel comfortable with my 6 year old child in the locker room, with such a small space to change shower and everyone naked. what if you are a singel parent are you suppost to expose your child to nudity. At the pool two local teenagers coupel were making out infront of everybody. I did not travel across the world from florida to see that. The sled dog was a experience but I was not given a speech or explanation about the dogs and trail, was not to thrill was just get on as we got there not even a picture, then as we got back there was just silence, we asked if we could pat the dogs and they said ok. Would it love more info and details. I dont believe it was costly because of the location and because they are just unique on what they have, I would recommend them but they really need to work on customer services and updating and getting the changing room more family oriented.