Read his TripAdvisor.com Review
"Hello to everyone at John Hall's Alaska. Although it has been three months since we got back, there is hardly a day that goes by without some discussion with somebody about our tour or looking at or showing our photos. We were on the Cordova, Kennecott & Arctic Circle tour, which was termed the "Reunion Tour." We were not from that reunion group, but it was our second tour with John Hall's Alaska. You went above and beyond to make us experience the "Real Alaska." It is very difficult to explain to people what we saw, did and experienced. Many thanks to Jenny and Miranda in the office for their help before the tour. Thanks to John Jr. for greeting us on our arrival in Anchorage and bussing the group from the hotel to downtown and back to the hotel. And a special thank you to John Gailey, our tour manager on both tours. With his knowledge of Alaska, experiences, help and concern for everyone, it made the tour an experience that we will never forget. He is the best.
We recommend John Hall's Alaska to everyone that we talk to. For all that and anything not mentioned here, thanks again for a fantastic tour and experience."
"Hi to everyone at John Hall's Alaska,
It's me, Lorrie Cervello who traveled to Alaska with my son, Jason late June - July 5th. I loved it. My son loved it. Gosh, I'm glad John Hall was born to create the most marvelous tour company. Thank you. Thank YOU.
Here's a few photos of my son and I. (See Photos Here). I will go to Alaska again and again and again. My favorite place? Cordova. I loved Cordova. Everything about it. Everything and everyone. John G. was our guide and driver. Very knowledgeable and excellent. He even took us to his home and his wife greeted us. She's wonderful!
My son, Jason actually went INTO the Arctic Ocean with another man on our tour. Jason went UNDER the water. John G. our guide/driver was at the water's edge handing Jason the towel and smiling the whole time. Gosh, we had fun. Of course, THAT photo is attached of me and Jason after his dunking in the cold, invigorating water.
I want to live in Alaska in the summer time. In Cordova. Oh my goodness. I am unable to retire, but what has happened is my joy and thoughts are of this marvelous vacation. Little did I know that my Mom was in the hospital while I was in Denali National Park and when I arrived home to Florida, I received word to get to New York, my Mom was dieing. So, less than a few hours home, off on another plane.
I brought my rocks to her bed, told her about Alaska and I think she heard me. She was my rock and my joined at the hip buddy. We used to travel on escorted tours for years. Now my son, Jason is at my side and having fun with me. I love the generations and how we all travel such beautiful roads. Because of you, John Hall's Alaska and all staff you win the prize for excellent customer service, knowledge, caring, tender hearts and joy. Thank you. Thank YOU all of YOU! "
"John Hall's tour folks really did a great job for us & we have mentioned this to others when they have asked about our trip. I really have to commend Art, our tour mgr & driver, as he was a great person to have leading us around, firm, wanted to be on time so we could keep on schedule but also has a sense of humor, but from what I hear the other drivers get the same response from their groups.
I did learn a lot of interesting things about sled dogs & just have more of an appreciation of Alaska etc than I had before as it almost seemed at times that we were in another country that also spoke English. Cat was also excellent & helpful for the ships part of the trip. Genny & I have told people that if you are thinking about an Alaska trip to check out your group as you are well taken care of. "
"To All of the Halls and their employees at John Halls Alaska:
Sandy and I want to take this time to say "Thank You Very Much" for the wonderful experience we had on our tour the last 2 weeks. You and all of your people are to be commended for the wonderful personal service we received.
We will remember this trip for a long long time. You are the BEST, and we would highly recommend your company to anyone. Should we have the opportunity to do another tour, rest assured that we will plan it with JOHN HALLS ALASKA. Might just see you in Lake City someday."
"Hello to All:
Been home from the Alaska Adventure trip for two weeks already and we're still talking about it with family, friends, neighbors.....anyone who will listen.
It was a wonderful trip that exceeded our expectations....the orcas, humpbacks, belugas, sea otters, etc., loved the flying to McCarthy, Ma Johnson's and those amazing gourmet meals while there, the many glaciers from so many points of view....river side, on top of, under one in a cave, from the air and from the sea, the drive up to Coldfoot with Barbara (she'd be a good tour guide for John Hall's tours), the trip to Anaktuvuk Pass and flying over the Brooks Range, a super bus driver/guide into the heart of Denali....and it went on and on!
Traveling with the 2005 reunion group was so much fun and we quickly adopted the rest of the group into one big happy family. John Gailey did his usual remarkable tour guiding while getting us from point A to B to C, etc. We only repeated one day from the 2005 trip and it was equally enjoyable this year, as it was the first time, sharing it with our new friends. We were sorry to see the Rabbs leave our group and Marilyn's illness was upsetting to all concerned. Our compliments to John Gailey and everyone who helped them during their difficulties.
We've had more fun with those jackets....people who've traveled with you previously recognize them immediately and others who are interested are told to go to kissalaska.com to get a catalog. Everyone wants to know where we got them....we just tell them they only cost $6,000 and this absolutely, fantastic 3-week Alaska tour comes with it.
So, keep up the good work and maybe we'll see you in 2011 for the fall bus trip back down from Alaska. to Seattle.
Cheers!"
"What can I say? Wonderful, great, fantastic!
I had previously been to Alaska 17 times so when I attended your presentation, I said to myself, been there, done that. What a pleasant surprise. You promised a lot and you delivered. What other tour gets to have lunch at Susan Butcher's kennels, visit the Alaska State Fair and have the Governor of Alaska nominated for Vice President all in the same week.
Better yet was your staff. John was so personable when he met us at the airport. He took care of everything that first day. But the people who delivered for me and the others on the tour were Art and Catherine. Art cares deeply about his state and he wears it on his sleeve. He is so knowledgeable and ready to attend to your every need. Catherine lights up the room with her rosy cheeks and that gleem in her eyes. She did a first class job helping us with our tours. Even the weather was good. We saw Denali and, as one shopkeeper put it, we arrived at sunny Ketchikan on their first day of summer (Sept. 5th).
Thank you for a great two weeks that we will never forget. You truly have remarkable employees!"
"We want to thank you for all you did for the "Reunion Tour". I know you went to a lot of effort and trouble to get the best for us. It showed in our accommodations, the guides that we had, and the places that we were able to visit. John Gailey did a stupendous job as usual. We could not have had a better guide or had more fun. He is so knowledgeable, and does such a good job taking care of everyone. We had some problems on this trip with the Raabs having to leave due to family illness and then my trouble. John Gailey helped all along the way, and we certainly appreciate him. I hope you know that even when we tell John to "shut up and drive", we still think he is the best!"
"John Hall's did a very first class tour! I will be recommending this trip to everyone...I can't tell you my favorite part of the trip because I liked every part. Only sad that the trip ended too soon! Thank you again for your company's great trip to Alaska."
"Since I was a boy, I have always wanted to to go Alaska, but because I was a history teacher, I did not want to go to Alaska and just see the "banana belt" of that amazing state. I wanted to see the Brooks Range, the North Slope, something of the Native Villages, and, of course, Denali. Not just to see "the mountain" from the congestion in and near Denali Village, but actually from the wonder of Wonder Lake and from Reflection Pond. No surprise that when I attended the presentation by John Hall Sr. in September of 2007 and subsequently read the 2008 catalog, I found exactly what I was looking for.
With this tour I crossed the Arctic Circle, I put my hand in the Arctic Ocean, I saw Mt. McKinley in the clear sunlight of a bright blue sky for two days in a row. I have been to Prudhoe Bay, and Anaktuvuk [Pass], and I've stayed two night in Kantishna. I took my first flights in small planes piloted by Alaskan Bush Pilots. I even slept in Coldfoot. As I said to others who were traveling on this tour: I know a lot of people who have been to Alaska, but I don't know anyone who has done this. For all of that and so much more that I cannot name here, i want to thank you for putting together a fantastic tour program and a wonderful "once in a lifetime" experience.
Now, as I continue to wear my John Hall "blue jacket" locally, and as I continue to use my John Hall red duffle bag as traveling luggage, I will be waiting in anticipation for someone to ask where I got them and how I got them. At which time I will happily tell them, "all you have to do in book a wonderful tour of Alaska or Western Canada with John Hall's Alaska tours" "They have no equal in the tour industry." "Would you like to have their phone number?" Thank you!"
"My husband, Dale, and I have just returned from a wonderful 21 day Cordova-Kennicott and the Arctic Circle tour. We know it was a unique spiritual experience and words cannot fully express our gratitude to John Hall's group and family and all of the other people who made it possible. It was a nourishing and refreshing experience to see that in Alaska, the blue hills and mountains remain!..We know we will have friendships because of our shared experiences. They [John Hall's staff] were all people we were honored to know."
"Just a short note to tell you how much we enjoyed our Alaska tour.
And while the tour was well organized every step of the way, special thanks must go to Colleen Easley, who made the tour special. We always felt that we were being well taken care of and Colleen has a delightful way of making even a long day on the bus seem most enjoyable. Again, our thanks to you and your staff for a most enjoyable vacation."
"We were and still are thrilled with the whole trip, and we are so very glad that we chose John Hall's for the trip...our very first one of this kind! Thanks to your tour group there, we had a marvelous experience, and we are telling everyone what a great company you are! All the people we met from John Hall's Alaska were extremely kind, knowledgeable, and there to help us all have fun and see as much as possible of Alaska.
Lacy Kay [our Cruise Manager] was very friendly and helpful on the ship. She even arranged an anniversary surprise for us one evening at dinner. Caryn McElroy was an excellent lang tour guide. She had many special songs, DVD's and stories and facts about Alaska to keep us informed and entertained on the bus trips to and from places. Both of these women are great at their jobs!
We met John Hall Jr. too and he made us feel very welcome. He personally located one piece of luggage that went to the wrong
hotel after we left the ship even though it had all of the right tags on it. He hand delivered it to us when we returned to Anchorage before we departed home! That is real service! Please share our thanks with everyone connected with your great tour company! We would choose you again in a heartbeat!"
"We traveled on the tour departing June 1, 2007. This was the most memorable trip we have even taken. Although the cruise portion of the journey was enjoyable and relaxing, we enjoyed the tour through the Canadian Rockies, along the Alaskan Highway and from Fairbanks to Seward the most. This trip was one which will always be remembered...I think you guys spoiled us during our land tour."
"Paul and I want to thank you for planning such a wonderful taste of Alaska for us. We went on the Denali Explorer tour starting August 4th, 2007. Right from the greeting we received from John Jr. at the Anchorage airport, we knew we had chosen the best tour company! We enjoyed every minute and appreciate the care and concern you have for your patrons. Our bus group was great and we had wonderful time together continuing on to the cruise. We have plans of getting together with three of the couples who also have winter homes in Florida. And then there was ARt, our bus driver and tour director- we can't say enough about him. He has so much knowledge about everything Alaska. He had a great personality, sense of humor, and kept us on time!! I also think he has as much fun as we did!
We loved Catherine, our cruise guide too. She helped us with excursions, suggested things to do and see, and was just a darling young girl who is on a wonderful adventure with her new husband.We have told everyone how great your tour was and we hope to be back again."
"Our tour manager, John Gailey, made this trip a wonderful and exciting adventure. He provided us with an amazing commentary of both Canadian and Alaskan geography, history and geology throughout the trip. He kept our coach immaculately clean inside and out and always made us feel very safe and comfortable...We fell in love with John and wanted to bring him home with us.
We were very proud of our coach and proud to be wearing our John Hall jackets. We were very pleased with all of the accommodations, meals and sight seeing arrangements throughout our tour with John. Everything was top notch all the way."
"We have not stopped raving over our trip and the wonderful time we had. The whole trip was amazing and you put on a first class trip all the way...Our tour manager Caryn McElroy was wonderful and when we take another tour with you we hope she is our tour manager. Our whole tour group fell in love with her and her wonderful knowledge of Alaska, her great short stories, movies, and Alaskan music that she would play for us.
We loved each hotel and were amazed at what beautiful hotels you chose for your guests and the wonderful food we had each day. We loved how you had us stop at the little out of the way restaurant on the way to Fairbanks where the family made us a wonderful hamburger lunch and treated us so special. Everywhere we went when you mention that you are with the John Hall tour they treated us special. Thank you for that...Each day was different and unique in its own way and each day was a memory we will never forget. We keep telling people if they go to Alaska to get a hold of your company and they will never forget the trip."
"Our names are Wayne & Julie Beitelspacher, and we were fortunate enough to find THE best Alaska Tour Company there is!! Last winter, we decided it was time to take our "dream trip" to Alaska. We have been married for 28 years, and never really had a honeymoon, so our dream was to go to Alaska for our 25th anniversary. As I was surfing the internet one winter evening, and looking for an Alaska Travel Company, that I made the BEST choice when I found John Hall's Alaska!! I loved their website, and immediately sent for a catalog. When the catalog arrived, we poured over the choices of awesome trips, and found the one that looked like it would suit us the best: The 12 day Northbound Alaska & the Yukon Goldrush Tour.
We departed on our trip of a lifetime, not knowing what to expect. We were SO impressed with every detail of our trip. Elizabeth Hall was our ship escort, and she was fun, pleasant, knowledgeable, and efficient. She made our first cruise a super experience! She got us safely on the train at Skagway, and bid us farewell. At the end of our AWESOME rail ride, there was the gorgeous white John Hall's motor coach waiting for us, with our on land guide, John Gailey. I'm sure that all of John Hall's guides are very good, but once again, I think we had the BEST!! John Gailey made the Yukon Gold Rush come alive for us with his wealth of knowledge, and his super personality. As a native Alaskan, his knowledge of the history, land, government, and the people of the Greatland absolutely MADE the trip for us!
The motor coach was luxurious! Lots of legroom, & excellent facilities, such as the galley in the rear of the bus! What a treat to make a cup of hot chocolate after getting back on the coach after a wildlife viewing, or being out in the crisp air taking in the magnificent scenery! Our travelers in our group are now friends we have all over the country! Even some of the hosts at the excellent lodging facilities seem like old friends now! And the FOOD - John Hall's chose the BEST food stops, not only for the cuisine, but also for the atmosphere!! We feel that we really got a "taste of Alaska" in both the food and the people and places we went.
As for optional excursions, we did the Sport Fishing in Juneau, and had an absolute blast! Our fishing host was a great guide and fisherman, and also was a native Alaskan who shared so much knowledge of the area. We were able to catch salmon, take in the awesome scenery, see whales, and have our fish locally smoked and sent to our home shortly after we arrived back from our trip! I would recommend it to everyone!
Then in Denali, John recommended the Timberline Airlines flight seeing trip up over the summit of Mt. McKinley. Our pilot, Roger made this a super experience for us as well. You HAVE to do that flight!! It takes your breath away!! And with the comfort of a pressurized cabin in the plane, it made it so much more enjoyable than the little planes offered from inside the park. We rank it as one of the high points of our trip!
In Denali we were one of the fortunate groups to see ALL of Denali's "Big Five" on our day trip: Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Bears, and Wolves, as well as Eagles, smaller animals & birds, and of course the awesome vistas around every turn. Kantishna Roadhouse was an excellent stop at the end of the road in Denali. We enjoyed our time there and took a wilderness hike after lunch. We ate blueberries out on the tundra while taking in the mountain scenery!
We cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed our experience with John Hall's Alaska. We are probably driving our friends and family crazy because we can't stop talking about that they all HAVE to do a John Hall's trip!! The trip that we thought would be once in a lifetime just sparked our interest in returning to Alaska again!!
Who will we travel with?? That's a "no-brainer"!! JOHN HALL'S ALASKA!!!!"
"Just an email to let you know that we took a two week Alaska tour with your company in August of this year and it was WAY above our expectations thanks to the very high quality of your companies personnel and in particular the tour bus driver Colleen Easley. Mrs. Easley was the best tour guide and driver we have EVER encountered, She showed exceptional care for all the people on the bus and took us to places we never expected to see.
The cruise on Holland America was equally above the average. Many other competing company tour customers remarked that they wished they were with us. Since I am in business myself I realize that everyone complains but very few take the time to thank people for a product well above the average and your company belongs in the very top for care of the customer and quality of personnel."
