Best Anchorage Hotels

Though the exterior looks like a retired Soviet architect designed it as the last bastion of the Stalinist school, the Alyeska Resort’s 304-room lodging is one of Anchorage’s true deluxe hotels. Rooms are quiet, spacious, well designed and spiffily decorated. Views embrace mountains in every direction, and the service ethic is well-grounded. Free internet access in the rooms, free parking and easy access to the tram and skiing are other key features.

Massed along the shore of Lake Spenard, overlooking the Hood Lake floatplane base, this is the most deluxe hotel near the airport in Anchorage, with free shuttle to both the airport and downtown. Brown is the dominant color scheme (seems to be the Anchorage standard), and if you like buzz in your hotels, this is the Iditarod headquarters in March.

Part of an Alaska & the Yukon chain that is owned by the Holland America Line (which is in turn owned by Carnival Cruises), this downtown property is one of the city’s high-rises—a bonus for those seeking an upper-story room to escape urban street noise. Yes, they have that in Anchorage. The 1970s-vintage building may seem a little dated to those used to snazzy urban hotels, but it’s pretty standard for Anchorage. Rooms are spacious, with big windows that fill the room with light, and include fridges and decent Wi-Fi service; downtown attractions are all within walking distance. Be aware that, when a bus rolls in with passengers inbound or outbound from a cruise, the lines mushroom at the reception desk.

This attractive, newer chain hotel is basically an overnight stop for Alaska Railroad passengers inbound or outbound—the train station is just a couple blocks away and tourists trundling suitcases along the street are an everyday sight. However, the inn also happens to be next to an urban salmon-fishing stream, so it offers guests free fishing gear they can use by stepping out the back door. (You'll still need a fishing license.)

This 14-room B&B inn is the only such one downtown, and occupies one of the few houses to survive the 1964 earthquake. Pleasant gardens and patios surround the complex; rooms are compact but airy, and pleasingly decorated (none of the brown that dominates Anchorage lodging). Some have private baths, some shared. Deluxe continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi are included; a bike-rental kiosk is right out front and the Tony Knowles Trail is about two blocks away. This is by far the best alternative to the mass-market hotel experience that’s standard in Anchorage.