Holland America Line is to invest $70m in a multi-year expansion of Denali Lodge in Alaska’s McKinley Park to boost guest capacity and improve facilities.
Work will start in this year, with additional enhancements taking place in 2026 and 2027.
The expansion comprises:
- 2025: Enhancements to the riverside interpretive trail with scenic viewpoints, improved on-site wayfinding, refined menu offerings for restaurants and public space improvements for the Cottonwood and Canyon Lodge guest room buildings.
- 2026: 48 remodelled rooms in the Holland America Denali Lodge, a new coffee shop and a remodelled Karstens Public House with expanded indoor and outdoor seating.
- 2027: A new guestroom building with 120 suite and standard rooms and a main lodge renovation that will include a new restaurant concept, a new lobby bar and an enhanced coffee experience.
HAL president Beth Bodensteiner said: “This investment is a win for Alaska, our guests and Holland America Line. Enhancing and expanding Denali Lodge will help meet the growing interest in combined land and sea Cruisetours for our 49th state and further support the Alaska tourism industry.”
A bird’s-eye view of Denali Square at Holland America’s Denali Lodge in McKinley Park
The cruise line owns motorcoaches, railcars and hotels, providing preferential schedules for Cruisetour guests.
Each itinerary includes a scenic ride on the glass-domed McKinley Explorer train and select itineraries visit Dawson and rides through the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad from Skagway.
Other select itineraries offer a direct-to-Denali service, taking guests from the ship to their Denali hotel room on the same day.