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Top 12 Vacation Rentals in Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is arguably America’s most spectacular capital city. It’s practically a small town with a population of only around 32,000, with its downtown area surrounded by striking beauty. On one side is the waterfront along Gastineau Channel with its iconic humpback whale fountain sculpture, and in the backdrop soaring mountains rise above it all. There’s abundant wildlife to watch for, from whales and sea lions to bears and bald eagles too. Any one of these vacation rentals can provide the perfect base for enjoying it all while offering the comforts of home.

New Custom Built Mountain View Retreat New Custom Built Mountain View Retreat
Credit: New Custom Built Mountain View Retreat by Airbnb.com

New Custom Built Mountain View Retreat

If you’re looking for something extra special, this two-bedroom home is the highest in the city, overlooking downtown, the mountains, and Gastineau Channel. One of the best Airbnbs in Alaska for wildlife viewing, it boasts wall-to-wall windows for admiring the incredible views while trails in the Tongas National Forest and Mount Juneau are steps away. It includes a large deck and another wrap-around deck, plenty of natural light, and radiant in-floor heating. You’ll have a well-stocked kitchen with high-end appliances, a coffee maker and grinder, spices and other cooking basics, laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi too.

Riverfront Home with Sauna, Tub & Beautiful Views Riverfront Home with Sauna, Tub & Beautiful Views
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Riverfront Home with Sauna, Tub & Beautiful Views

A two-bedroom home for up to eight guests, this house is beautifully located, standing on pilings above tidal wetlands just behind snow-dusted mountains. You’ll have magnificent views of  Mendenhall River that borders the backyard too. Not surprisingly, the wildlife sightings are frequent, with bald eagles, ravens, ducks, seals, and salmon all spotted daily, sustained by the river. With so many windows lining the living room, dining room, and kitchen as well as in the bedrooms, you’ll have some breathtaking river views from multiple vantage points indoors or out. While it includes all the essentials,  the main bathroom is a highlight with a sauna, double shower, and clawfoot tub, providing multiple ways to relax.

Douglas Island Aonepartment Aerial view of Douglas Island Apartment
Credit: Aerial view of Douglas Island Apartment by Airbnb.com

Douglas Island Aonepartment

Located just across the water from downtown Juneau on Douglas Island, linked by a bridge, this private one-bedroom apartment for up to four will allow you to enjoy a quiet setting and breathtaking views yet you’ll be just a 5-minute drive or within a 20-minute walk of the center of town. It sits on a hill bringing gorgeous views of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts that can be enjoyed while sipping your morning coffee or evening wine from the fabulous outdoor space with a table and chairs. It includes all the essentials and then some, like a Smart TV, Wi-Fi, full kitchen, and a washer/dryer.

Otters Hideaway Otters Hideaway
Credit: Otters Hideaway by Vrbo.com

Otters Hideaway

Ideal for a romantic couples’ retreat, this one-bedroom apartment sits right at the edge of the water and includes a large outdoor deck for enjoying the views. When the tide is out you can walk across a land bridge to Duck Island and check out the tide pools which are often filled with colorful marine creatures. The Auke Village Recreational Area is only a short walk away and there’s a beach where you can stroll over to Point Louisa for a view of the Chilkat Mountains. Many guests have enjoyed renting kayaks as you can paddle right outside your door too. Inside, you’ll have all the necessities with a small but functional kitchen that has a view of the water and islands, TV, Wi-Fi, and a washer/dryer.

Private Apartment with Stunning Ocean Views Private Apartment with Stunning Ocean View
Credit: Private Apartment with Stunning Ocean View by Airbnb.com

Private Apartment with Stunning Ocean Views

Looking as if it’s straight out of a magazine, the host put a lot of thought into this private apartment with windows that showcase sparkling blue waters and mountains that can be seen from the open kitchen and living area as well as the bedroom. In the summer, despite the long days of sunlight you might be tempted to keep the shades open so that you can wake up and go to sleep with that view. A one-bedroom with a king-size bed plus a sofa bed, it sleeps up to four guests and includes all you need for a comfortable stay, like a well-stocked kitchen, washer/dryer, excellent Wi-Fi, and TV.

Suite on the Lake Suite on the Lake
Credit: Suite on the Lake by airbnb.com

Suite on the Lake

Tanglewood Suite is a bed-and-breakfast style Airbnb that sits on Auke Lake on the second floor of a home with the ground level the home of your hosts. It includes a separate sitting room with a twin-size sofa bed and a bedroom with a double bed, sleeping up to three guests. You’ll also have a mini-fridge and coffee pot while enjoying fun themed decor celebrating the Tanglewood Music Festival. While the suite itself doesn’t have a lake view, you can head out to the deck to enjoy it while watching the bald eagles swoop down for a meal and the beavers that swim by.

Ninemile Lookout Ninemile Lookout
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Ninemile Lookout

Located on Douglas Island, this 800-square-foot apartment accommodates four in two bedrooms, providing a tranquil neighborhood setting with views of mainland Juneauu across the channel. You’re pretty much guaranteed peace and quiet here as it’s located on a private drive just across the street from the Mendenhall Wetlands access trail, minutes from the Eaglecrest ski area, and miles and miles of hiking trails. The hosts offer a canoe for complimentary use upon request and you’ll have all the necessary comforts too. It includes a full kitchen, washer/dryer, cable TV, and a bathroom with a tub for soaking after your fun adventures.

Waterfront, Chilkat Mountain View Waterfront and Chilkat Mountain View, Juneau, Alaska
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Waterfront, Chilkat Mountain View

Located on two acres right along Auke Bay, this two-bedroom private apartment sleeps up to four and delivers when it comes to magical water and mountain views. It has a spacious covered deck where you can relax and enjoy the vista no matter the weather, keeping an eye out for the humpback whales that frequently pass by. While you’ll be in tranquil surroundings away from downtown and those cruise ship crowds, you’re still just a short drive from shopping and dining. It has a fireplace to cozy up to along with all the essentials like Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and a washer/dryer.

Blueberry Cabin - Minutes from Auke Bay Blueberry Cabin
Credit: Blueberry Cabin by Airbnb.com

Blueberry Cabin - Minutes from Auke Bay

Tucked into the forest along the coast in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Juneau, picturesque Auke Bay, this 600-square-foot cabin offers a great location just a 5-minute walk to a fantastic beach and a short drive to the downtown area. It offers lots of historic character. complete with a clawfoot tub that was once part of a miner cabin, and beams that came from a houseboat. After a day of adventure, you can look forward to a relaxing soak in the tub or enjoy the outdoor sauna, available to rent on demand for an additional fee. It sleeps up to three and comes with a full kitchen for cooking up your own meals, a washing machine, and Wi-Fi.

Tiny House Apartment with a View Tiny House with a View
Credit: Tiny House with a View by Airbnb.com

Tiny House Apartment with a View

The perfect place for a solo traveler or a couple, this tiny house loft-style apartment offers a budget-friendly stay that’s a great value for what you get. You’ll have easy access to a beach and the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge which it overlooks and numerous trails for hiking nearby, like the Rainforest Trail, Mount Meek, and Fish Creek Park which is also known for its great fishing opportunities. There’s even a kayak available for guest use. Enjoy free and fast Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer, and a full kitchen with a Keurig coffee machine too.

Glacier's Edge Retreat Glacier's Edge Retreat
Credit: Glacier's Edge Retreat by Glacier's Edge Retreat

Glacier's Edge Retreat

This stand-alone two-bedroom apartment has gotten a lot of attention thanks to its idyllic location less than a mile from the most popular attraction in Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier. It’s nestled in the woods just five miles from the airport and accommodates up to four guests. Enjoy the private deck that overlooks a large pond where ducks enjoy a serene float – your hosts invite you to feed them, along with easy access to miles of scenic trails. The deck is furnished with a propane grill for cookouts and in the kitchen, you’ll find coffee, tea, and some breakfast foods. Other highlights include cable TV, a washer/dryer, board games, and items for the little ones like a Pack ‘n Play.

Whale Song Cottage-Private and Cozy Whale Song Cottage
Credit: Whale Song Cottage by Vrbo.com

Whale Song Cottage-Private and Cozy

If you’re looking for a peaceful setting away from the tourist and cruise crowds, this cozy cottage is tucked within the rainforest, six miles from the ferry, 10 miles from the airport, and 21 miles from downtown Juneau. It’s surrounded by lush greenery which includes blueberries that can be picked and enjoyed in July and August. Plus, you’ll be steps from views of Favorite Channel and a short walk from the beach. Right in front of the property humpback whales frequently swim by and sometimes you can even hear them sing if you listen carefully, hence the beautiful name of the cottage. It has a full kitchen, an open living room and dining area with a propane fireplace, and high-end features like a 4K satellite TV, DVD player, and a DVD library, perfect for movie nights. You’ll love the bathroom with its deep soaking tub and on the back porch, there’s an electric grill for grilling up fresh-caught fish.

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