Front of property – evening/night

Reviews of Gwin's Lodge & Roadhouse Est. 1952

2.5 out of 5
Gwin's Lodge & Roadhouse Est. 1952
14865 Sterling Hwy, Milepost 52, Cooper Landing, AK

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 87 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 87 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 18 out of 87 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 87 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 87 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Cold Winter Stay
This may be a nice place to stay in the summer but not in the winter. The furnace never heated the room up. When I arrived I walked up ice covered stairs and walked into a 60 degree room. When I reached out they did send someone over however, I was told the furnace is working it's just old and will take time. The space heated in the room was too small to do much. When I got up at 5 the room was 67 however, the bathroom was freezing so I had to move the space heater in there. The water was warm at best. The listing on Hotel.com says there is a restaurant and bar/lounge that is only during the summer and not open this time of year. There are also no lights outside so walking down the stairs and in the parking area is a bit of a challenge in the dark.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Marsha

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Cooper Landing
Nice cabin
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Lodge for the money and being able to explore the Kenai Peninsula.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
All was good.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Anne-Marie

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Ultimately, I really liked Gwin’s. It was cozy and charmingly rustic. Easy to find and close to everything we wanted to do in Cooper Landing. But there was no housekeeping. Didn’t care about an unmade bed, but no fresh towels, or replacing other amenities.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
It was a cute little cottage, very clean and comfortable, we would stay there again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

John

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place convenient to all the activities and there is a package store and little restaurant on premises.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was as expected, not luxurious but rustic and comfortable. The people were friendly and the food very good.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

4/10 Poor

Randy

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Bed was too soft and the floor was completely slanted. Bath door wouldn’t close all the way, this is a fishing/hunting type cabin property and looks it. Not for families.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
nifty rustic cabins in awesome setting with delicious breakfast outdoors
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

phillip o

Travelled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Loved it, the cabins made it really feel rustic and apart of the town, like a local, not just someone visiting.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Holly

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a perfect, middle of Coopers Landing place to stay for fishing. Unfortunately, the night before we were to fish at 5:00 am our charter canceled on us. The fishing was a highlight and we were unable to book another guide. Gwins had nothing to do with that but it made our stay a bit disappointing for us. Gwins Roadhouse and cafe was great
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 4 Oct 2021
Thanks and come again! Weather in Alaska can change and best to not go out if too rough.

2/10 Terrible

Katie Elizabeth

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We didnt like anything about this rental. The tv was broken and definitely not from this century, nothing to watch at all. Very deceiving from photos and descriptions according to Expedia.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 4 Oct 2021
Sorry we did not meet your expectations. There is no TV service here nor listed as having TV. The old TV was for kids bringing their gaming system to use. The rate was $190/night for a whole upper floor of a house. Fisherman appreciate having a roomy very inexpensive place compared to available high end BnBs. Those would be a better match for you.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a great cabin! We stayed in cabin 10 which was a real chinked log cabin. A fun experience and perfect for Alaska! This place had the best shower of our entire week long trip. Hot water and plenty of pressure. The beds were comfy and the cabin was very roomy. It was in the middle of the property and close to the restaurant. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 4 Oct 2021
Thank you! Come again!

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Last folks food garbage was never removed. Dirt and grit all over floors. Rustic is a good description. Port a potty view along with an old Winnebago and other junk. Super sad place that is way out of line with the price. No smoke detectors. Under the sinks are a plumbing/sealant disaster. 45sec of hot water in shower. I want a refund.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 4 Oct 2021
Please bring any issues to our attention while you are here. The throttling of the instant continuous hot water heater got changed by a guest. It will cut out due to the 40F water if not throttled. We changed the setting back. The room rate was just under $200 for a cedar lined cabin with a kitchen. That is an amazing value. Sorry our staffer doesn't have a $200,000 RV to live in. Next year it will be in a different location. Sorry for the view of it.

2/10 Terrible

Bruce

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Coopers Landing BUST
Th. The WiFi is only in the is place was so bad, my wife did not want to stay there. It was beyond rustic. Empty water bottle and trash on the floor when we entered the room. Not worth 1/2 of what we paid per night! Never again! Run away from this place. The WiFi is only in the restaurant, and they are prod of that...Fine for 4 dudes fishing and drinking, not for a family.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 4 Oct 2021
It is bad because we do not have WiFi in the rooms due to limited copper DSL. If we distributed to everywhere it would not function at all. The internet we have costs $600/month.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was exactly what we needed a simple cabin that slept 6 with a kitchenette! Lovely and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 30 Jul 2021
Thanks so much! That is a great encouragement as some people will complain about everything... and it starts to wear on you even wanting to provide economical cabins.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Small cabins with a cozy feel and very friendly and helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 30 Jul 2021
Thank you we appreciate your staying with us!

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Keith on 30 Jul 2021
Nice... and please stay at the Hilton next time. We provide economical cabins. We are not the Hilton. Have a good day. "Small cabins with a cozy feel and very friendly and helpful staff." "It was exactly what we needed a simple cabin that slept 6 with a kitchenette! Lovely and clean."

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
A "rustic" stay
We stayed in one of the small chalets and the best description is "rustic". A minimal kitchen, and very small seating/dining area. The floors were uneven and the hot water lasted about 40 seconds. If you want to rough it, this is not a problem. But, to try to get a shower for 4 adults --- useless. The Roadhouse restaurant does serve an excellent breakfast. Pancakes are the size of the dinner plates and all portions are substantial.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Thanks for your review. Let us know if there is an issue. Most cabins have instant hot water heaters which should not run out of water. The Willow room shares a water heater with the adjacent room. The lower heating element broke recently so that was likely the issue in your case as that allows cold water to stay on the bottom and not heat.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Thanks for the 5 star review! Come again!

4/10 Poor

Eric

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness
The stove did not work and one of the bed pillows had blood on it. The food in the restaurant was good.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Let us know if there is an issue. The stove you need to light manually in one of the cabins. We use Alsco laundry which is a professional national company. We have had very clean laundry with their service. Sorry that was an issue for you.

10/10 Excellent

Sam

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
It's a amazing place we will stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Excellent! Thanks!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff. Nice accommodations
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Thanks for your 5 star rating!

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Neighbor was audible. Could hear them talk through the walls.
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Two of 15 cabins are duplex and share a wall. The lowest price room this is possible depending on your neighbor. Sorry about that. In general this has not been a major issue.

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
The Alaskan Experience.
A rustic cabin for an Alaskan experience.
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Keith, GM on 8 Jul 2021
Thanks! Come again!

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from Keith, GM on 7 Oct 2020
Low cost cabins in the heart of the Kenai. Thanks for your visit.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was a complete disaster. Cobwebs everywhere, dirty sheets, and a barely functional heater. I would not recommend in any circumstance.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020
Response from Keith on 23 Sept 2020
Another persons view "A really comfortable cabin. Great bed and bedding. Only stopped for the night but could see myself coming back!" ie we are not the Hilton. Pay accordingly.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
A really comfortable cabin. Great bed and bedding. Only stopped for the night but could see myself coming back!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from Keith, GM on 23 Sept 2020
Thank you and come again.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from Keith, GM on 23 Sept 2020
We provide economical cabins. Thanks for visiting.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from Keith on 12 Aug 2020
Thanks and come again soon!

8/10 Good

Tina

Travelled with family
Liked: Room comfort
Nice place to stop and fish
This was a pleasant little cabin, for four adults on a fishing trip. Restaurant, bar and store onsite. Nice staff :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020
Response from Keith, GM on 22 Jul 2020
Glad you could visit! Thanks and come again!

6/10 Okay

Laird

Travelled with family
The cabin was clean and the beds were comfortable. No tv or WiFi.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020
Response from Keith, GM on 22 Jul 2020
Thanks and come again! Great hiking and fishing. Central location on the Kenai in the mountains and near the Kenai and Russian River confluence.

10/10 Excellent

Roger

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2020
Response from Keith on 4 Jul 2020
Thanks for your stay! Come again!

6/10 Okay

Marie, Chula Vista, CA

Gwinn's Lodge at Cooper Landing
The location and price were great. The cabin/room itself was not quite what I expected. Had not been totally cleaned. Maybe it was just that particular cabin but I wouldn't pick that one again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

Michael

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Response from Keith on 11 Sept 2019
Thanks for your stay. Sorry we did not meet your needs. We are a remote cabin property in the middle of the gem of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska's Playground. We can't be a Hilton at this rate. Rates are very reasonable considering the high costs here and having everything shipped in and laundry hauled to Kenai.

6/10 Okay

Bernard

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Roadside motel, comfy beds bud little else
Needs a complete overhaul
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Pre-Statehood Restaurant on 8 Aug 2019
They are CABINS at about $65 (dry) to $300... and not a motel. At a Hilton the rooms maybe $300 and the parking is $20... and they are not located in the gem of the Kenai Peninsula... Alaska's Playground.

6/10 Okay

Fabio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ok but pricey
The cabin, was clean and the beds were comfortable. The cabin had a 3-4 degree slant which is quite noticeable when walking inside the cabin. Unfortunately the windows of the cabin do not open and despite the use of the provided fan, the room felt quite stuffy after a while. The WiFi is sporadic from inside the cabin, but ok if you are outside it. Shower and bathroom were small but ok to use for one person. The price we paid was high compared to the quality of other places we stayed in, but being high season it is to be expected.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Great Food on 8 Aug 2019
Yes the restaurant floor is tilted much more. That is part of the charm since it survived the 1964 earthquake that occurred March 27, 1964, with magnitude of 9.2. It released at least twice as much energy as the San Francisco earthquake of 1906,

10/10 Excellent

Duane, Indianapolis

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great. Cabin was clean and comfortable. Restaurant was awesome.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Cabin Rentals online on 8 Aug 2019
Thank you for the 5 star review!!! It is a tough job doing this in a remote location. Thanks!

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My new favorite place to stay in Cooper Landing
Very rustic but the price can’t be beat in the area when the fish are in!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Keith, GM on 26 Jun 2019
Thank you! WE try very hard plus improve each year! New to-go Snack Shack has subs, pizza, shakes, smoothies now and are very good.

6/10 Okay

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
One Night Stay
I stayed in a basic single cabin with a bathroom. The woman who checked me in was just fantastic. Very friendly and made me feel welcome. My goal was to get some peace and quiet, but ended up listening to a drunken domestic issue in the cabin next to me play out from 2:00 am - 4:00 am. At that point I considered just leaving and driving the two hours home so I could get some sleep. Not the fault of the lodge by any means, but it was not the stay that I had been expecting.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Keith on 5 Jun 2019
Sorry about that!!!! I can let you visit again no cost (from July 7-16 or August through September)!

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018
Response from GM, Gwin's Lodge & Roadhouse on 17 Oct 2018
Hope you had a good time in Cooper Landing! It is a great area to spend time! Thanks, Keith

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location is only positive
“Cabin” had a strong bathroom odor thoughout. Bed was full of food crumbs. We left without staying the night. Not worth the price we paid.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from Keith GM on 19 Sept 2018
What cabin was this? Housekeepers have been great this year. I forwarded this to them. Note this is the off season when rates are low. Alaska is expensive and the season short. The property must be paid for all year. Labor is $250K/year, insurance is over $35K/year and utilities $50K/year. This and about $600K in other bills need to be paid for over 2 peak months plus the shoulder seasons. FYI Posted Aug 30, 2018: Loved our little cabin. It was quaint and clean and very quiet with a beautiful view.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved our little cabin. It was quaint and clean and very quiet with a beautiful view.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Response from Keith, GM on 5 Sept 2018
Glad you got to discover Cooper Landing! Thanks for the 5 star review! Some people need to start rating things based on the situation vs an absolute scale. We are a remote cabin sight with limited resources, high expenses and very short season. There is no extra income to make it like a Hilton, so some people have unrealistic expectations. Thanks for your review!

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good spot to stay inbetween Homer and Ancorage
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from General Manager on 16 Aug 2018
Thank you! Come again... lots of great hiking trails surround us! Keith

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful little cabins, really great staff
Great time at Gwynns, great staff, really fun talking with them, super fun and helpful
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Keith, GM on 23 Jul 2018
Thanks! We try to make Alaska vacations easy! Gwins Lodge

10/10 Excellent

Bcrook, AK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Keith, GM on 17 Jul 2018
Thank you for the 5 star ratings! We are a fishing / hiking camp and not the Ritz. We are at a prime location in park land that is extremely expensive and that needs to be paid for. Proceeds are rolled into improving the property.

4/10 Poor

George, SD California

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
Nightmare, no water basin, no shower , no toilet, and no knowledge of these conditions until arrival at the structure.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Keith, GM on 19 Jul 2018
Sorry we can't change the listing ourselves and it has been difficult to get the changes addressed. It is on Expedia but the distribution system seems to not change them all. We get bookings without even the agency name, no guest contact. We generally call all bookings of the 2 dry cabins to let them know. Note we have upgrades available too with 15 other cabins with baths. It is a great deal by the way... to get a great clean room to rest while within an National Forest, in Alaska, at this price. With historic restaurant and convenient store onsite.

10/10 Excellent

Susan, Phoenix

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Keith GM on 17 Jul 2018
Thank you for the 5 star ratings! We are a fishing / hiking camp and not the Ritz. We are at a prime location that is extremely expensive and that needs to be paid for. There is zero money left over to make it into a Ritz.