Alaska - Which hotel, one night in ANC?

Having an ONE4 with open dates DFW-ANC-XDFW, I have been lookin at hotel options. Preferring Hilton family and *wood, of which I understand there is only Sheraton. Looking at properties at Hh and SPG forums, there seems to be more favorable views of ANC Hilton than Sheraton.

Happy to hear your experience as this is first trip to AK :)

Do you want to stay downtown? Then Hilton is there. I stayed at the Homewood Suites which I very much enjoyed (got a great rate on a 2-bedroom suite last summer). But if you don't have a car, it is not convenient to anything but shopping and some restaurants.

When are you going and how long are you in town and what are you planning on doing? That could make a difference as to which hotel is recommended.

John

If you go in the summer Sheraton is a steal at 7000 miles

Having an ONE4 with open dates DFW-ANC-XDFW, I have been lookin at hotel options. Preferring Hilton family and *wood, of which I understand there is only Sheraton. Looking at properties at Hh and SPG forums, there seems to be more favorable views of ANC Hilton than Sheraton.

Happy to hear your experience as this is first trip to AL :)

Ummm, it's AK. (AL is Alabama.)

FWIW the Sheraton was recently redone. I've stayed there several times and it's not bad. Note though, wherever you stay in Anchorage you're best off having a rental car. It's a very spread out city and taxis can be hard to come by especially during peak travel season (15 May to 15 September).

Thank You, all. Did not plan to rent a car, since I have booked 2 excursions. Sounds like Sheraton is a wiser choice. Again ^^^^

Thank You, all. Did not plan to rent a car, since I have booked 2 excursions. Sounds like Sheraton is a wiser choice. Again ^^^^

Which excursions are you planning? Most of the more interesting things to do are not in Anchorage. You said this is your first time in Alaska. I would use the time to the fullest. If you want any ideas, feel free to ask. I am no expert but I have been there a lot and going again next month.

John

While you're there don't forget to stop by Humpy's for some Halibut; I go there everytime I'm in Anchorage.


http://www.humpys.com/

Ever so grateful for valuable suggestions - Thanks! ^^^

Looking forward to first Alaska visit. :)

Looking forward to first Alaska visit.
Only 1 night at there? :eek: Is this a MR?

If you go in the summer Sheraton is a steal at 7000 miles

i'm late to the party but how do i get the sheraton for 7000 miles? you're not talking starwood points, right?

yea, he is referring to points. I was looking at this hotel for July and noticed the good value as well. Almost $200USD w/ taxes and fees per night!

i'm late to the party but how do i get the sheraton for 7000 miles? you're not talking starwood points, right?

wow, that's a great deal! ^

booked it for 7000 points...the paid rate for the same day was $241.
thanks, jfhscott and araknis!:D

I know this isn't directly addressing the OP's question, but just thought I'd mention that the Embassy Suites on Benson (stayed on points) was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. It's not right downtown, but it's not far. It seems brand new, the rooms were beautiful and the staff incredibly helpful and friendly.

I know this isn't directly addressing the OP's question, but just thought I'd mention that the Embassy Suites on Benson (stayed on points) was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. It's not right downtown, but it's not far. It seems brand new, the rooms were beautiful and the staff incredibly helpful and friendly.

Opened this past year... nice lobby, haven't visited any rooms, but the bar & dining facility is decent.

I know this isn't directly addressing the OP's question, but just thought I'd mention that the Embassy Suites on Benson (stayed on points) was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. It's not right downtown, but it's not far. It seems brand new, the rooms were beautiful and the staff incredibly helpful and friendly.

Thanks for answering my unasked one, 'tho! Just now planning my first trip to Alaska & was leaning towards the ES, mostly based on TA reviews but glad to hear from a fellow FT on hotel.

How is the Marriott downtown?

Without a doubt, Embassy Suites. I travel there twice a year to see family. Have stayed at different places, but in April stayed at Embassy Suites. Now, my adult children meet from all over to have a reunion in Alaska. Four out of four insist that we only stay at that hotel for any future trips. Not fancy on the outside but wonderful.Not downtown, but very close to everything. Sears Mall walking distance. Best feature is a full breakfast, really made to order. Bedroom has a separate door, from living area. Fridge, microwave. Two tv's in each room

Hi. I'm planning on redeeming TYP for a stay in ANC in a few weeks and am trying to choose between:

Sheraton
Millennium
Captain Cook

These all cost around 20k points/night. What would you guys pick between these three? Are there any others I should consider (unfortunately, Embassy Suites is too expensive on my travel dates)? Thanks. E

Glad to hear you guys are having positive experiences with the ES. A friend of mine stayed there earlier this year. He has a lot of experience with ES and is a Hilton Diamond. He was thoroughly underwhelmed with the ANC ES--appearance was nice (and the rooms are indeed very nice--I saw his myself), but he said the staff was among the worst he'd ever encountered. Also, one of my former coworkers worked closely with the company that operates the ANC ES franchise, and she said the GM (Carol or Cheryl or something like that) there was one of the rudest, most condescending people she'd ever known.

I'll personally vouch that the Homewood Suites is one of the best hotels in Anchorage with some of the friendliest staff I've ever met, although it's not much cheaper than the Embassy...

Moondog: Captain Cook has old world charm and is probably the quintessential Alaskan hotel. I'm honestly not familiar enough with those three, though, to recommend one in particular. I'm curious that you said you can redeem 20,000 points for the Captain Cook! What program's points can you redeem for a stay there? It's not affiliated with a chain, AFAIK...

Moondog: Captain Cook has old world charm and is probably the quintessential Alaskan hotel. I'm honestly not familiar enough with those three, though, to recommend one in particular. I'm curious that you said you can redeem 20,000 points for the Captain Cook! What program's points can you redeem for a stay there? It's not affiliated with a chain, AFAIK...

Thank You Points... ~1c/pt on Expedia. I'm effectively getting 10 pts/$ spent right now with a PPE card that pays 5 per dollar plus matching flight points (for any tickets bought on the card, even taxes on FF redemptions).

I was leaning towards Captain Cook anyway, but I think you've convinced me to pull the trigger.

Thank You Points... ~1c/pt on Expedia. I'm effectively getting 10 pts/$ spent right now with a PPE card that pays 5 per dollar plus matching flight points (for any tickets bought on the card, even taxes on FF redemptions).

I was leaning towards Captain Cook anyway, but I think you've convinced me to pull the trigger.

Double check future PPE card benefits. An EMail from them last week stated that I get only 1 flight point for every THREE miles (used to be 1 flight point for every mile). And of course the "fixed point" option is no longer. Since the devaluation in January I haven't used the card once! But glad that it still works for you.

John

Double check future PPE card benefits. An EMail from them last week stated that I get only 1 flight point for every THREE miles (used to be 1 flight point for every mile). And of course the "fixed point" option is no longer. Since the devaluation in January I haven't used the card once! But glad that it still works for you.

John

I'll be the first to admit that PPE's future is not bright, but that's not really an issue for me because I'm closing in on the 200k annual max, and plan on retiring the card shortly thereafter. It was a good ride while it lasted.

BTW, I ended up booking the Captain Cook.

Good choice, I think. The lobby is the nicest of the three, anyway. There was a scare of a cockroach infestation in the '80s, but I'm pretty sure the threat of that is gone now. ;) No idea about the quality of the rooms, but I do know many people who regularly stay there and have never heard anything bad about it.

Happy Solstice Jackel!

As for me, I always stay at the Captain Cook. The rooms vary a great deal so you need to ask a lot of questions when you book, but I really enjoy that hotel.

AS had its 08 Fall MVPG event at the Captain Cook- much better then its Spring 09 at the Millennium IMHO...

I also swam in the CC's pool when my Uncle was staying there in the 90's :cool: :p

Hi. I'm planning on redeeming TYP for a stay in ANC in a few weeks and am trying to choose between:

Sheraton
Millennium
Captain Cook

These all cost around 20k points/night. What would you guys pick between these three? Are there any others I should consider (unfortunately, Embassy Suites is too expensive on my travel dates)? Thanks. E

Choosing between those three, Captain Cook, and it's not even close. The Millennium has a decent bar and deck, but the rooms are terrible, and it's in Spenard. The Sheraton is ok, but if it costs the same as the Cook, go with the Cook.

In order I'd say Captain Cook, Anchorage Hilton (both great downtown locations - you can walk to everything and all the tour operators will pick-up at the hotel for excursions) -- then the Millenium for the ambiance. It's right on Lake Hood and if you have a room on the water side you can watch hundreds of float planes take off and land all day/night. But it's about 10 miles from downtown and just outside the airport. If you have a rental car, all are good but the Millenium has the bonus of free parking.

In order I'd say Captain Cook, Anchorage Hilton (both great downtown locations - you can walk to everything and all the tour operators will pick-up at the hotel for excursions) -- then the Millenium for the ambiance. It's right on Lake Hood and if you have a room on the water side you can watch hundreds of float planes take off and land all day/night. But it's about 10 miles from downtown and just outside the airport. If you have a rental car, all are good but the Millenium has the bonus of free parking.

Thanks for your advice. I ended up spending 2 nights at the Captain Cook, then 3 days driving around Kenai, followed by a night at the Millennium before my flight home. You're right about the Millennium's ambiance (at least insofar as this crowd is concerned); if they had had the foresight to include balconies in those lake view rooms, they'd get an extra star from me. In any case, we grabbed a few beers and a bottle of insect repellent and sat by the lake for a solid two hours watching float planes.... good times.

Ditto on staying at ES. They had smoked salmon as an appetizer at happy hour one evening! They have shuttle that takes you to the airport or picks you up. There are a couple eating establishments nearby you can walk to (Moose's Tooth Pizzeria and Pub just around the corner is great).
We stayed using points and this ES is one of the nicest we've stayed in. It's not close to downtown but it is only a couple blocks from Walmart and you can walk there if you need to:p

Need to crash one or two nights on my way thru ANC in late June/early July. I'm seeing "crazy prices" for ANC hotels during that period, like $200/night. I've gotten lucky before in ANC, finding things like $60 hotwire hotels. I have some Expedia vouchers I would use if the published rates for (say) a 3-star dropped to $120.

I have credits in the hotel programs that I could use. Hilton redemption levels look crummy, as does priorityclub. I have a Springhill Suites reserved for 20,000 Marriott points, and I see I could do the Sheraton for 7000. I don't really want to burn miles for these properties (I'd do SPG in a heartbeat if it were cash & points), as my stash is limited.

What are the odds of rates coming down a bit?

What are the odds of rates coming down a bit?

Unlikely at best...

That's when the hotels have crazy occupancy rates, and make up for the winter with reduced occupancy and rates...

Good luck ^ (oh, and if you want to meet up with some locals- check my signature ;))

Unlikely at best...

That's when the hotels have crazy occupancy rates, and make up for the winter with reduced occupancy and rates...

Good luck ^ (oh, and if you want to meet up with some locals- check my signature ;))

Thanks for the advice, and the heads up that there's a flyertalk "welcoming committee" in ANC. :)

I guess I'll make award rezzies for my tentative nights: the good thing is that these are changable if my dates change or "a deal" pops up. I'd hate to be looking at $200 hotel rooms in a couple months without a redemption option. Oh, but the Holiday Inn Express "friends and family rate" is "only" $141+. :(

Do you guys do outdoor beer and halibut in summer? I know folks complain that ANC isn't the "real Alaska," but my wife and I have fond memories of "beer gardening" in downtown Anchorage. We're fond of Alaskan Summer Ale but are willing to expand our knowledge. :)

You might consider staying near but not in Anchorage. Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer and Girdwood are all options. Some have motels, B&B's, etc. If you want a "hotel" with all the amenities, then Anchorage is best.

And even once you reserve a hotel in ANC, keep a lookout for price drops. Hotwire's availability comes and goes, as you know. Once I got a 2-bedroom suite at the Homewood Suites for $72/night. Various deals occasionally come along.