We had the distinct opportunity to stay at Bell in the Woods as a preview to its current status as a full service B&B. I will break our stay down into the 3 things that make it so special: the hosts, the B&B itself, and the surrounding Seward area.

I will start with the hosts since I think they are what make it so special: Nick and Brooke Degnan are warm and welcoming. True “Alaskans” – they put you at ease right away and make you feel like you’ve come home. Seward is a tight knit community and they are very much a part of it. They know all there is to know about the area, the local shops/restaurants, and the various activities that are available. As extremely active people: they will share hikes that are probably not in the guidebooks!

The B&B: this is not your average Alaskan B&B. It is neither “rustic” (that’s Alaskan for “dump”), nor overly done with cheesy Alaskan themed décor. It is modern and contemporary yet still very warm and comfortable with all the amenities of a high end hotel or lodge. Brooke may have been an interior designer in her other life. And did I mention she can cook? And BAKE! Boy, can she bake. Good thing we hiked so much to burn off the baked goods. They truly love their home and community and it shows.

The surroundings: Let me start by saying I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, left for college and did not return for 15 years. In all my time living there, I did not have the unique Alaskan experience that we had during our stay at Bell in the Woods in Seward. Seward is a scenic coastal town surrounded by mountains and glaciers. On a hike up to the Harding Icefield (a strenuous day hike to the “cradle of glaciers”) we saw bears (at a very safe distance), a moose, countless dall sheep (they crossed our path within touching distance) and the fabulously named “Hoary Marmot”. Brooke and Nick helped arrange a fishing expedition and two things didn’t stop all day: fish and laughter. On that day otters swam around our boat and teased us while bald eagles were plentiful overhead. The local glaciers (you can walk right up to Exit Glacier) should not be missed.

After long days of hiking, fishing, & kayaking – it was such a treat to come “home” to Bell in the Woods. It was a perfect place to relax, have a luxurious bed, a hot shower, a friendly chat, and reflect on the day’s adventures.