I lived there for over 20 years and my brother still lives there. If you want to see how some tour companies do it, go to
www.roadscholar.org and search for Alaska. They have lots of ideas and they use good hotels, motels. Good place to start
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program...x?dID=1-683GJT
Note that it can be 30 degrees F or -40 degrees F in winter. It is very very cold in Fairbanks. Where are you planning on being, Anchorage or Fairbanks? Note that the Aurora is not guaranteed. I only saw it a couple of times and considered myself lucky.
Fur Rendevouz in Anchorage is a nice time but cold and lots of darkness. Still we went up then to visit family once. Not a good time to drive around and visit Denali Park and see animals.
Lots of nice quilt shops. My brother delivers mail to them.