Here's a quick bio on myself. Owned, managed & supervised rentals since 1971 and have 5 years of resort restaurant management. Presently in sales dealing with people nationwide and staying in hotels 5 to 30 days almost every month. SOOO....I feel that I'm qualified to give you all a great tip on the most unique and charming place to stay in Fairbanks.

You can stay in an original sleeper railroad car, or a honeymoon suite, or a two bedroom with a full kitchen. Each room is uniquely decorated from charming to funny. Stay a day, a week, or a month and Mike and Susan will make your stay very pleasant.

They start your day with a healthy, delicious breakfast all freshly prepared in the dining car. The dining car is open for guests to converse with each other, play games or watch TV. The only one on property....Yeah! There's also a smoking car in which you can enjoy a smoke and bring your own drinks to enjoy a little music and the other guests. The views are spectacular and the hiking trails enjoyable.

SOOO....If you enjoy going back in time to sleeper cars with shared bathrooms or the original charm of professionally decorated rooms of yesteryear with private baths, visit Mike and Susan at the Aurora Express.

Remember, nothing is new, but the scratches and dents are part of the charm of yesteryear. The place is clean and the beds and furniture say 'Welcome Home'.

I was there a week in May and plan on going back. Maybe I'll see you there.

Mary
Tempe, Arizona

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Aurora Express B&B in Fairbanks - our only regret was that we stayed there just one night and not longer. The train cars are so unique - we were lucky enough to be able to see each of them up close to appreciate the detailed love and care that went into each room. We stayed in the Bordello room, which was great and provided the best night's sleep we've had in who knows how long. The breakfast the next morning was terrific and plentiful and Susan was very attentive to all of our requests and questions, including giving good advice on where to eat, etc. If you are looking for a place to stay in Fairbanks that isn't a standard run-of-the-mill motel in town, this is it!

The stories are so fascinating that it is difficult to know where to start. From how a complete train (diesel to caboose) got to the side of the mountain, the decorating of the rooms, the hosts’ lives, life in the winter, to Fairbanks itself, the stories are endless!

Susan has decorated four of the cars. Note worthy were the painting of the ceiling in the Gold Rush room that blended perfectly with the wall paper and the painting of the eagle in the dining car. The eagle was always looking straight at you no matter what angle you were looking at the painting.

Mike was the cook and each night he did the preparation work for the next morning’s breakfast. As he was preparing the breakfast, he told us stories about the train, the pipeline and life in Alaska. Every breakfast was different and special. Susan was one of the few females that actually worked on the construction of the pipeline. Her stories also included life in the 1964 earthquake, a polar bear attack, acquiring items to decorate the train cars and many more.

1st day – Tok Banana toast (French toast baked in syrup with strawberries and bananas), baked egg dish
2nd day – pancakes with construction workers plus croissants baked in a custard with peach jam, baked egg dish w/ cheese, home-fried potatoes, and baked stuffed mushrooms
3rd day – Apple Tundra toast (French toast baked with an apple mixture), eggs, bacon, potatoes, and grapes

We fell in love with the Aurora Express - the views, the train carriages, the comfort, breakfast and most especially with the hosts - Mike and Susan. Both of them are one of a kind - we could have spent hours talking to them - this is why we wanted to come to Alaska - to meet people like them.
The setting is stunning - up on a hill overlooking the river, the views are gorgeous. We stayed in the Golden Nellie Caboose and can totally recommend it. The bed is extremely comfy and the carriage such fun.
Thank you both for a memorable stay - we loved it :o)