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BROWN BEAR BAY LODGE: ALASKA’S WILDERNESS REIMAGINED IN LUXURY

There are places in Alaska that impress you scattered through the forest, the multi-story What sets Brown Bear Bay Lodge apart is
with their remoteness, and then there are places structure rises carefully within a dense thicket its ability to welcome both seasoned wildlife
that completely redefine what wilderness travel that the bears never used as a travel corridor. photographers and travelers who may be
can be. Hidden deep within the untouched The placement was intentional, preserving the entirely new to wilderness experiences.
beauty of Chinitna Bay, on the edge of Lake natural movement of the wildlife while creating Some guests spend hours outdoors in
Clark National Park, Brown Bear Bay Lodge is a lodge immersed within the landscape rather waders photographing bears in the rain.
not simply another bear-viewing camp. It is an than imposing itself upon it. Others remain wrapped in blankets beside the
architectural sanctuary where luxury, wildlife, Wraparound balconies on the second and fireplace, listening to music and watching the
and conservation exist in remarkable harmony. third floors allow guests to observe bears from same scenes unfold from the comfort of their
The first glimpse of the lodge feels cinematic. varying levels of comfort and proximity. Floor- suite.
Guests arrive by bush plane from either Homer to-ceiling windows that open 12 inches to “We really wanted to create a place where
or Anchorage, and after soaring over glaciers, accommodate a professional camera, bring the someone who loves wildlife could bring their
volcanoes, and sweeping valleys, descend onto outdoors directly inside, while fireplaces flicker spouse who normally prefers a spa or beach
a remote beach where there are no roads, no warmly against the backdrop of one of Alaska’s vacation,” Munn said. “This is meant to be a
crowds, and no sign of civilization beyond the most spectacular wilderness settings. shared experience, where both parties will
lodge itself. “It feels a little bit like landing “You can watch bears from your bed,” Munn leave having a memorable time.”
in Jurassic Park,” said Paulina Munn, Vice said. “There’s mating season, fishing season, The culinary offerings reinforce that upscale
President of NorthWild Travel and Brown Bear bears rubbing against the trees, all happening atmosphere. Menus change constantly based
Bay Lodge. “The mountains are so huge, the right outside your room.” on seasonal ingredients, availability of fresh
trees are towering and dense, and there is just The lodge contains only four luxury suites, seafood, and guest preferences. Salmon flown
no one in sight.” intentionally limiting occupancy to preserve in from local fisheries, vegetables sourced from
Yet what awaits visitors is not rustic wilderness intimacy and minimize human impact on the Homer farmers’ markets, and globally inspired
accommodation in the traditional Alaska sense. surrounding wildlife. The result is an experience cuisine all elevate the remote lodge dining
Brown Bear Bay Lodge was intentionally that feels deeply personal and exclusive. experience far beyond expectation.
designed to challenge expectations. Eye-to-Eye With Alaska’s Brown Bears Intentional Details
A New Vision in Alaska Brown Bear Bay’s location is unlike anywhere “We are the closest thing to an African-
Many lodges in Alaska lean heavily into rough- else in Alaska. Surrounded by 160 acres of style safari, where you have incredible wildlife,
hewn aesthetics—sparse furnishings, plaid, private property and neighboring lands leased private property, intimate experiences paired
and maybe a trophy mount on the wall. This through the Seldovia Native Association, the with luxury accommodations, delicious food,
lodge takes an entirely different approach. The lodge sits directly within active brown bear and wonderful hospitality,” says Munn.
interiors are serene and sophisticated, wrapped habitat. Perhaps the greatest luxury Brown Bear Bay
in pale natural wood, oversized windows, soft Here, the bears are not baited or manipulated Lodge offers is something increasingly rare
neutral tones, and expansive open spaces that for tourism. Instead, the philosophy centers on in modern travel: the stillness of sitting and
feel more like a Scandinavian spa retreat than a coexistence and patient observation. observing. No traffic. No crowds. No artificial
backcountry camp. “When we are on an outing, we don’t like entertainment. Just the sound of wind moving
“We were determined to make sure we to move around a lot,” Munn explained. “The through the trees, distant surf against the
truly earned the term luxury,” Munn explained. more predictable we are, the more relaxed the shoreline, and the crackling of branches as
“Beyond meeting the international standard bears become. We’ll simply sit quietly for an bears wander by your window.
of hotel comforts with white linens and hot hour or two and let the bears decide how close “It’s serene,” Munn reflected. “It’s like
showers, we offer our guests the chance to they want to come.” entering an incredible, wild, sacred temple.”
enjoy the rarest luxury on today’s earth: a “We design everything around the wildlife,” That may be the secret of Brown Bear Bay
still wild Eden where you not only enjoy your Munn said. “We have naturalists on staff. Lodge, where true sophistication is not in the
creature comforts, but also a pristine place filled Outings are flexible. Meals are intentionally extravagance but in the restraint of details that
with creatures in their pure, natural habitat.” adaptable so we don’t have someone leave an allow people and bears to coexist harmoniously.
That vision is immediately evident in the incredible bear encounter just because dinner is For more information, visit:
lodge’s architecture. Instead of individual cabins ready. We proudly operate on bear time.” www.northwildtravel.com
Luxury Without Losing the Wilderness

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