The McKinley Chalets...you should be warned ahead of time that Alaska''s accommodations are not to be compared to other places. Reasonably comfortable-think of a family owned get away in North Carolina with a few trimmings. Think of your upgraded cabin - genteel shabby. The walls are thin (we easily heard our neighbors) but, the beds are comfortable. Our room came with two full sized beds, a sitting area, a welcome coffee maker, an adequate bathroom. There were no frills like hair dryers. Don’t get your hopes up and you won’t be disappointed.
Think that by the time you arrive you don’t even care anymore because you are focused on the next day. Our cabin faced a dried riverbed. We hiked down to the river and picked a stone to add to someone’s started monument. Shuttles regularly run to the main lodge or you can hike uphill. On our first night we headed for the lodge but never made it. We were hungry and tired. About half way up we ran into the Alaska Or Bust Theatre and never got further.
The main lodge area has several buildings housing two restaurants and a gift shop. It also is the staging area for all tours and bus shuttles to Denali Village. The next day we decided to walk to the small shopping area after dinner at the chalet café. There were a few gift shops, the pizza parlor and the ice cream shop also seemed to be having a good night. The road is a little steep, so those with physical considerations should grab a shuttle. The sun set and we hiked back in the dark.