Located 6,000 feet above sea level on a nunatak just 10 miles from the summit of the tallest mountain in North America, the Sheldon Chalet is Denali National Park’s first and only luxury hotel. The chalet is located in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, a natural valley carved by the ice of the Ruth Glacier and named after a famous Alaskan bush pilot and the man behind the Sheldon Chalet.
Sheldon received a patent to start building the Chalet back in the 1970s, but the plans were put on hold due to his sudden death. Decades later, Don’s son, Robert, has now finally completed the project.
The chalet is anchored deep into the granite, iron, and titanium of the nunatak and is equipped with a runoff-powered water supply, electricity, and a Finnish fireplace in a common room that doubles as a high-efficiency, clean-combustion heating system.
Inaccessible by car, guests must take an hour-long helicopter ride to arrive at the five-bedroom chalet. Each room can sleep two guests and is arranged around the central Commons. Amenities include a sauna, viewing station, observation deck, kitchen, and dining area. Marvin windows were installed to give guests 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. The windows were designed to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour.
Outside of the hotel, guests can go snowshoeing and glacier trekking and visit remote hot springs and a Mastodon bone yard. Rates for the luxury experience start at $2,300 per person, per night. BEK of Alaska built the Chalet.
Related Stories
| Apr 20, 2012
Shawmut completes Yard House Restaurant in Boston
12,000-sf restaurant marks new addition to Boston’s Fenway neighborhood.
| Apr 6, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on hotel adjacent to Infantry Museum & Fort Benning
The four-story, 65,000-ft property will feature 102 hotel rooms, including 14 studio suites.
| Apr 4, 2012
JCJ Architecture designs New York City's first casino
Aqueduct Racetrack complex transformed into modern entertainment destination.
| Apr 3, 2012
Luxury hotel 'groundscraper' planned in abandoned quarry
Would you spend $300 a night to sleep underground? You might, once you see the designs for China's latest hotel project.
| Jan 15, 2012
Smith Consulting Architects designs Flower Hill Promenade expansion in Del Mar, Calif.
The $22 million expansion includes a 75,000-square-foot, two-story retail/office building and a 397-car parking structure, along with parking and circulation improvements and new landscaping throughout.
| Dec 5, 2011
SchenkelShultz Architecture designs Dr. Phillips Charities Headquarters building in Orlando
The building incorporates sustainable architectural features, environmentally friendly building products, energy-efficient systems, and environmentally-sensitive construction practices.
| Nov 28, 2011
Leo A Daly and McCarthy Building complete Casino Del Sol expansion in Tucson, Ariz.
Firms partner with Pascua Yaqui Tribe to bring new $130 million Hotel, Spa & Convention Center to the Tucson, Ariz., community.
| Nov 11, 2011
How Your Firm Can Win Federal + Military Projects
The civilian and military branches of the federal government are looking for innovative, smart-thinking AEC firms to design and construct their capital projects. Our sources give you the inside story.
