I discovered doing some research that this property began as a Four Points:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...sposals-5.html

(see post 67).

This helps explain why it is such a dump!

Except, in my experience, it isn't. I've seen dumps. Most Four Points aren't dumps either. So, you're being repetitive and misleading.

I completely agree. As I mentioned in my review several posts ago, I was pleasantly surprised given the other negative posts. If anything, negative posts by Antonio8069 made me like this property more than I normally would have, as I went into it with such low expectations and it ended up being quite nice.

Antonio8069, may I ask why the vendetta against this hotel? Having stayed at this property, I can't help but assume there is some sort of bias related to Local 878 and/or the National Labor Relations Act.

Anybody have any recent experiences with a club level junior suite at this property? The price difference is only $20 between the standard club room and this one. What's the breakfast like in the club?

Just spent 4 nights in a Junior Suite on the 6th floor last week. No upgrade offered ( although I'm not sure what was possible given that we'd paid for a suite for the reasons you identified). The suite was large but the bathroom was small. The furnishings were of rustic design, which you expect perhaps in the location, but were really run down and clearly in need of replacement. Inside the room was really pretty shabby.

The public areas, in contrast, seemed pretty well maintained.

The lounge was on the 15th floor I think. Breakfast was the usual mix of hot and cold items, scrambled eggs, bacon,sausage, reindeer sausage one day, yoghurt, fruit,pastries etc. Plain but acceptable.

In the evenings from 6-9 there were hors d'oeuvres, such as cheese, fish skewers one night, meat on another. Plus free house wine and beer, including the local Alaskan Amber. Some folks seemed to have vouchers for 2 drinks but we didn't and were offered more had we wanted it.

There were 2 younger male attendants in the lounge in the evenings, joking around and interacting with guests in a respectful way, playing music ( aimed at the aged 40 plus crowd in that evening) and singing along karaoke style ( when encouraged by the guests). On other nights it was quieter, so I suspect they gauge the mood of the guests each night. They were great ambassadors for the hotel I think.

Thanks for the update! Unfortunately we'll only be able to take advantage of the breakfast and will leave the hotel before the evening amenities.

That's interesting that your room was rundown. When I stayed their last year my room was "rustic" but I wouldn't necessarily call it shabby or rundown. The staff was fantastic and they gave me an upgraded room. The location was ok. The breakfast was great.

I agree with the staff and breakfast comments but it was, perhaps, one of the shabbiest rooms I've stayed at in a Sheraton. I can only speak to what I saw.Don't get me wrong. It was clean but much of the furniture was pretty badly chipped and really worn, there were water stains on the drapes etc etc. In huge contrast to the public areas which were pretty nice. I am pretty easy going and easy to please for the most part. It certainly wasn't an issue we felt a need to complain about as the room was certainly functional. Providing it is clean we are generally happy but even at only $180 for a suite we expected a little more.

We just finished a one night stay here. I consider my reviews generally harsh but fair. In this hotel's case, I can't speak highly enough of the property. I'd definitely stay here again.

I booked a regular king room on P+C and used a SNA. I was given a 12th floor junior suite. While the room didn't have the most upscale of furnishings/fittings, it's exactly what I'd expect from a Sheraton in terms of the quality spectrum. The room was in good shape; nothing worn, no chipped furniture. My biggest complaint is that there weren't as many electrical outlets as I would have liked.

The layout of the junior suite was very nice and we had a LOT of window area (nice) due to the shape of the room (maximized window area).

We arrived too late for the evening spread so no comment. The breakfast spread was slightly above an average Sheraton Club Lounge breakfast offerings. If 5's the average, I'd give it a 5.5. However, we didn't have breakfast in the club because we were given the option of restaurant breakfast vouchers, which we accepted (allowed us to eat breakfast until 11AM; the lounge stops serving at 9).

The lounge was well stocked with drinks overnight. I went into the lounge and grabbed a couple of diet cokes for us at around 11 PM.

We asked for and were offered the option to order off of the menu in the restaurant rather than do the buffet there. We ordered off the menu and ended up not paying an upcharge - I fully expected to pay for ordering off of the menu.

The gym was small but had everything one would want from a hotel gym.

The staff was great. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

The first floor/lobby looked nice, but the rooms are going to need a refresh (renovations) sometime in the next few years, as the bathroom's a bit dated and there's a shortage of electrical outlets. My recommendation to overcome the electrical outlet shortage issue is to either have bedside lamps with electrical outlets or power strips.

For those that are unhappy with the ANC Sheraton, I recommend you stay at the Alyeska in Girdwood (half an hour outside of ANC). Beautiful hotel; supposed to be the nicest hotel in the state. We got a room there one night at a rate comparable to the Sheraton. And if you do, definitely eat at their Seven Glaciers restaurant - you'll need reservations well in advance or eat at the bar. We ate at the bar, as we weren't able to get a table earlier than 915PM.

spending 2 nights here in december....rates are pretty low (under $100 a night)....what is the immediate area around the hotel like????are there any shops or restaurants walking distance from the hotel????

I had a night there last April. You can walk into town, but it is a hike. You cross through about four blocks of industrial area with nothing really there before you begin to hit a "downtown" type feel. I walked about one mile each way to go to Mass at the Cathedral and it wasn't a bad walk, but I wouldn't say it is scenic. There are a number of small shops and businesses along the way.

Also I wouldn't want to walk that distance n December. We did it in April and it's a good 20 minute walk. The Anchorage Museum is on the way. I agree though that it's pretty much commercial. There did seem to be a few restaurants around ( one across the street if I recall) but none that looked that inspiring from the outside at least. I didn't get the vibe that it was a bad area though.

Between the downtown area and the Sheraton is fine. But from what I was told, it gets a little shadier if you go a bit east of the Sheraton (downtown is west). The 5th Avenue mall is only 4-5 blocks west of the Sheraton, and most of that area is perfectly fine.

thanks for the replies guys....i'm used to walking in cold weather so 20 minutes won't be a problem for me....it seems that the area is pretty safe so 4-5 blocks to the mall seems pretty doable....

I can't recommend this restaurant enough ... fantastic seafood. Simon & Seafort's at 420 L Street. About a mile walk from the hotel. Make reservations just to be safe, although you'll be there offseason. The restaurant is very popular.

The restaurant is in an office building; you'd never guess it's there unless you go inside - no outside markings that I saw.

The food is excellent and has a great view of the bay.


Another great restaurant - it's about 35 miles outside of Anchorage - is the Seven Glaciers at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, AK. Reservations are a must - days/weeks/months in advance. We ended up eating at the bar because we couldn't get a reservation. Well worth it.

Both restaurants are reasonably priced.