I'm in DEN getting my FT fix before trying to plan out where to stay and how to get there from the airport. Will try to bookmark this thread and come back to it in a few days, or tonight if where I decide to stay has free wireless.

Just one thought before parting--day trips from ANC sounds like a good idea from a hotel points perspective, but it means you'll be doing a good bit of backtracking and therefore wasting precious time (since you sound like the kind of person who likes to cram as much in as possible--just like me!). I'll see if I can think of something that will allow you to see more without compromising the hotel budget too much.