Hilton HHonors - Anchorage - Hilton vs Hampton Inn vs other hotels

I plant to stay in Anchorage a couple of nights, before going on the Vancouver-bound Alaska cruise.

I was wondering what people thought of these 2 hotels, vs any others in Anchorage.

I am a Gold HHonors member, so it is in my interest to stay at one of these two hotels, all other things being equal.

The per night rate for the Hilton Hotel is $350!, and for Hampton is it is $205. They both seem quite expensive to me; but I guess in the cruise season, these hotel rates are quite expensive. (note - these rates are independently quoted rates - not through the Princess cruise line - I was told by the travel agent that hotel prices through cruise lines can be even more expensive).

The Anchorage Hilton underwent extensive renovations that during the offseason of 2000-01. When I visited in May 2001, they were still being completed. It should be a very nice property now. The location is great, the hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle, and the service is good. The rooftop restaurant/lounge is very pleasant. I highly recommend the Hilton.

The Anchorage Hilton is in a much better location than the Hampton Inn. If you can get a decent rate at the Hilton, I'd select that one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yes, I would prefer the Anchorage Hilton; how do I get a better rate?

Call the ANC hilton direct. Stayed there a few times since the major overhaul. Nice hotel, good location downtown and within walking distance to many good restraunts.

I know this may not be the best board ask this question, but while we are talking about Anchorage, does anyone know anything about the Sheraton Anchorage?

I know plenty about it - just do a search on the Starwood board. If you have any more specific questions just ask over there and I'll be glad to answer.

The Hilton is OK... ALL rates in Anchorage are high in the Summer. I have NEVER paid 350/night, however. Usually around 250 in the Summer. The rooms were not remodeled- and they need to be- the service is so so even for a Diamond. Don't look for an upgrade in the Summer.

The Sheraton is a much nicer property in Anchorage, with better service. Also, there is a brand new Marriott suite property which is nice and much cheaper. Current rates I have booked:

Sheraton for June- $205
Marriott Springhill Suites in July- $169

I hope this helps! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Is there an executive lounge at the Anchorage Hilton? One with freebie breakfast and such?

Yes, it is new.

I just got back from the hotel. I stay at the Anchorage Hilton one to two times a year. The rooms may not be great but the people are the best. The food in the executive lounge was good. I would stay if I were you.

[This message has been edited by egarrett (edited 05-23-2002).]

I was at the Anchorage Hilton two years ago in early June, i.e. before the renovations. The hotel and rooms were fine. Service was OK, but nothing special. The place was something of a mad house though. LOTS of tour groups. I also stayed at the Sheraton in Anchorage and found that to be much quieter. It's nice also.

I just stayed at the Hilton Anchorage last week on the end of a Vancouver-Anchorage cruise. I redeemed points to stay there, 25,000/night. SInce the rates are quating so high that may be a good deal. The renovation is complete and the lobby is very nice. The rooms are fine, but nothing special. The front desk told me that the Hhonors club lounge was an extra $25/day! I obviously did not use it, but I am curious that no one mentioned it here. Maybe I should complain to Corp?

PS, we enjoyed Alaska very much and would like to go there again. We also stayed in the Hilton by the Vancouver Airport. Service was excellent, but no lounge.

"The front desk told me that the Hhonors club lounge was an extra $25/day!"

Say what?!?
AS a gold they asked you to pay for this?

I have never stayed at the ANC Hilton, the cheapskates I work with like to stay at the Westmark. However, last year, the Hilton allowed me to use their very nice gym facilities for free as a gold member during my ANC stay. They really have done a bunch of work and its in a great location. Stay there if you can, but have drinks at the captain cook http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

lala

Yes. This was not at check-in. Later I went down to the front desk and asked if they had an Hhonors club lounge for elite members. She hesitated and I showed my card to help explain what I was asking (I had asked the concierge, but he was not familiar with the hotel and pointed to the bar.)
She said yes they did, but it was $25 A DAY. I did not push it as I was tired, but I thought it was weird. Since nobody said they have heard of this, I think I will drop a line to Hilton. She may have misunderstood (which does not make a lot of sense), or could local management be trying to discourage use?

Stayed at the Hilton -using points- last August and was very disapointed to find out they had done away with the complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. The taxi was around $15-$20 with the tip each way. Room was just O.K., but the place was a madhouse with lots of cruise people. Continental breakfast for being Gold, but they let us apply the credit toward the breakfast buffet. I formally complained to them in writing about doing away with the airport shuttle, maybe it worked and they have restored it.

Anchorage has GREAT bed and breakfasts. I use them most of the time and have met some wonderful people with great stories and breakfasts. Some will even pick you up at the airport. Rates very much cheeper. $75-$125 a night.
I have family in Alaska-not Anchorage area, so we stay at a B&B in Anchorage, when we fly in and out before continuing on with our trip.
Enjoy your cruise and if you travel by bus, around the turn-again arm to Seward, make sure you sit on the right side of the bus facing the driver.

[This message has been edited by wonderer (edited 06-08-2002).]

I just have found out that the Hilton Garden Inn will open this summer, in Anchorage.

I have never stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn. Does anyone know anything of this new hotel -and how it compares with the Hilton, and Hampton Inn - in Anchorage?

The Hilton Garden Inn opened this past weekend. I was staying at the Hilton and noticed it as I was driving around town. It is not located in the downtown area but is in a nice location if you have a car. It looks like the other HGI's that I have stayed at.

I am seriously thinking of booking a room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Anchorage, for 2 nights, in early August. I would appreciate if someone who stayed at that particular hotel can recount his/her experiences there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyerGoldII:
I am seriously thinking of booking a room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Anchorage, for 2 nights, in early August. I would appreciate if someone who stayed at that particular hotel can recount his/her experiences there.</font>


FlyerGoldII, I am thinking of going in a couple weeks. Did you stay here? Can you post your experiences? Thanks.

I have just come back from holidays.

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. Good motor hotel.

It is 15 minutes by car from the airport, and 15 minutes from downtown. An airport shuttle is provided. In my case, I was planning to leave Anchorage for a cruise - they provided a complimentary shuttle to the downtown location, where the cruise passengers were then taken onto a bus or railway, to Seward.

It has a swimming pool, and exercise room.

Mornings, one can get a good buffet type continental or full breakfast. I would recommend you eat elsewhere for lunch and supper, although you can use the dining court, for such meals.

Rooms are good - we had one with 2 queen beds. There are others with 1 double bed, with a jakuzzi (is that a correct spelling?), outside the main bathroom (these are considered to be upgradeable rooms).

Free internet access, around the clock - either with your laptop (you must use the special cable provided in your room), or at the business centre (computers there access the internet) - accessible by your room key. The only thing I do not like is the 75 cents charge for local phone calls. However, no charge for toll-free calls, under 30 minutes.

No executive lounge.

In the summer, the hotel is usually full on weekends - you will not likely get a room without a prior reservation. I was there on a weekend - without the reservation, I would have been out of luck. I did not ask the vacancy rate during weekdays, during summers.

The Anchorage newspaper (not USA today) delivered to your room, at least on weekdays.

PS- If you are a gold HHH member (as I am), or higher - a couple of benefits:

i) continental breakfast - free (normally $9.95) - full breakfast - pay $3 (normally, $12.95).

ii) a coupon - worth $5, to get snacks from the "pantry"

iii) upgrade to a room, with the jakuzzi.




[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 08-17-2002).]

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[B]"The front desk told me that the Hhonors club lounge was an extra $25/day!"
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Does anyone know if this property is still apparently attempting to generate revenue from a free benefit? And if so, has anyone followed up with the hhonors people?