I've stayed at that Springhill Suites and it is probably the nicest place. The rate of $179 is not really nuts. Hotels in Alaska really jack up their prices in the summer. I've seen little hotels in Anchorage over $100/night in Anchorage. There is a place by the airport (I think it's Microtel) that advertises like $69/$79 in the winter and $159 or so in the summer. Anchorage will get better I think because there are like 8 new large (okay, large for an Alaska hotel) hotels since last summer! Don't know about Fairbanks though since they get a lot less non-summer travel.

I'll pass your email along to eastwest.