The Overlook at Cleary Summit

Our group stayed at The Overlook for 4 nights and for 3 of them we were blessed to be the only guests on property. Our host Ani was amazing, personable, and friendly. A tour owner herself, she took pride in making sure that we had everything we needed and we loved chatting with her every morning over breakfast about our previous days' adventures. Her perpetual sidekick Bandit was a true delight. The cabins were warm and cozy with heated floors and were well stocked with mugs, coffee, and tea, along with a small refrigerator. The showers were HOT (much appreciated after hours in the cold watching the lights) with ample water pressure. The beds were so comfortable and the adjustable base was really nice for laying in bed and watching the aurora dance across the sky. They're doing a lot of work on the lodge and adding a common/shared kitchen and lounge area for the cabins, which we are looking forward to enjoying the next time we come visit. They haven't really started advertising yet so their rates are incredibly reasonable, especially considering how new the property is and the views and compared to some other properties in the area. If you you are lucky enough to come across this little gem before the secret is out, we would highly recommend it!

a week ago

The cabin was absolutely fantastic! The heating was perfect, the bed was not only super comfortable but even had a massage function. The overlook is an incredible spot to watch the aurora—we were lucky to catch a beautiful display! Even without the aurora, lying in bed and gazing at the stars was magical. It’s the perfect cozy place to stay warm while enjoying breathtaking views. Ben was amazing! He prepared a delicious homemade breakfast with scrambled eggs and ham, pancakes, and a variety of fresh fruits. I highly recommend staying at this cabin—it’s an unforgettable experience!

3 months ago

Had a wonderful time here with a few friends. Good location, nice host, gorgeous view! If you like some personal space, the design will let you just lie on your bed and enjoy the beautiful northern light (without staying outside in a cold night!). If you like chatting with other travelers, there’s also a shared villa where you can go and enjoy time with folks on the trip.

a week ago

I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking an unforgettable aurora tracking adventure. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience: imagine lying on an adjustable bed with a massage function while watching the breathtaking aurora dance right outside your window. The window is crystal-clear, never foggy, ensuring you never miss a moment of this incredible display. The house itself far exceeded our expectations. We didn’t expect an aurora lodge to offer the same amenities as a standard hotel, but this place is fantastic. The WiFi is excellent (better than the Hyatt we stayed at afterward), and the room is cozy with geothermal heating. There's also a small refrigerator, coffee maker, and all the other standard hotel amenities you'd expect. Our host, Ben, was exceptional! He made the best scrambled eggs I've ever had—literally the most delicious I've ever tasted. Even if you don’t get to see the aurora (though you’ll likely be lucky!), the view from the window is stunning on its own. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.

3 months ago

The Overlook is by far the best living experience I had during my entire trip to Alaska. I also stayed at Basecamp and Aurora Villa, but none of them can compare to The Overlook. The cabin is incredibly cozy with breathtaking views, the bed is super comfortable, and the shower is hot and strong. It’s hard to find a single thing to dislike about this place. And our host, Ani, is so sweet and kind! She definitely adds so much to the experience of staying at The Overlook. Her stories as a world traveler are truly inspiring. Thank you, Ani, for being such a kind and open-minded person!

2 weeks ago

We had a wonderful stay at The Overlook at Cleary Summit. If your goal is to see Northern Lights and to see it from your room in comfort and warmth, there is no better option than The Overlook at Cleary Summit. While the million dollar views from the bedroom cant be beat, the care and attention of the staff should not be underrated either. The temperatures during our stay were consistently well below zero and somehow we were quite comfortable in our cabin. Also, while counter intuitive to those from the lower 48, the temperatures around Fairbanks are consistently warmer at higher elevations, which is another great selling point of the Overlook at Cleary Summit. This small establishment is clearly a labor of love and you cant help feeling it from both the staff and its owners. There are no 5 star resorts in and around Fairbanks, but The Overlook is outstanding for those who understand the challenges of visiting Alaska during winter. A trip of a life time that we wont soon forget.

2 months ago

My wife and I had an incredible 4-night stay at The Overlook at Cleary Summit! This place is an absolute gem for anyone looking to experience the Northern Lights. The cabin was cozy, beautifully designed, and had breathtaking views. We woke up to the amazing view every morning and were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights in all their glory from the comfort of our own bed and the attached deck! It was incredible value if you visit Fairbanks for the northern lights… why pay for a cheap hotel and then pay for Northern Lights tours when you can just stay here and view the northern lights from your own bed! Ani, who was our host was so welcoming, kind and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed for a perfect stay. She was quick to reply with any questions we had leading up to our stay and made checking in a breeze as she texted us on our day of arrival with everything we needed. We definitely feel like we made a friend in Ani. The location was perfect for stargazing and just soaking up the beauty of the Alaskan landscape. If you’re looking for a peaceful, unforgettable getaway, I highly recommend The Overlook at Cleary Summit. A couple items of other items: * WiFi was good and reliable in the Cabin. * It’s a great place to unplug, recharge and just getaway from your daily grind. * Breakfast every morning was phenomenal including; yogurt, fresh fruit and granola, eggs, toast, sausage, hash browns, bacon, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, OJ. * Our stay was in February, if you are renting a car I strongly recommend renting a car with AWD. We rented through Turo to ensure we had a car with AWD and everything went super smooth. * Splurge for the cabin with a deck/balcony, it was definitely worth it! * Closes restaurant is 8 miles away in Fox. * The bed had a remote so you can change the angle of the bed depending if you want to sit up to view the Northern lights, or lye down. The bed also has a message feature. * Water was drinkable and water pressure was fine. * Toiletries and hair drier were provided. * Let them know in advance if you are celebrating something special during you stay, Ani was great in putting together a little something last minute to celebrate a birthday. * Pack your own entertainment as the only entertainment is the Northern Lights :) * The hosts rotate every few months so don’t worry if you see different hosts names mentioned.

a month ago

Our four night stay at The Overlook at Cleary Summit was nothing short of amazing. Our cozy cabin was situated in the perfect location for aurora viewing and we were lucky enough to witness the phenomenon on multiple nights. Views of the aurora and comfortable accommodations were only enhanced by our host, Ani. Ani was incredibly attentive and the breakfasts she prepared were exceptional. We got many great recommendations of things to do in and around Fairbanks. Ani's love and knowledge of Alaska left us wanting to come back for more. On our next trip to Fairbanks we'll be staying here again.

2 weeks ago