Hotel Captain Cook

When it’s Arctic cold in Anchorage, you can get by without leaving this hotel. There are several restaurants inside, and I haven’t had a bad meal at any of them. Fletcher’s is my favorite for its clam chowder and consistently well-grilled fish. I do wish the Cubby opened before 6 AM, since sometimes you need coffee earlier. It’s also close to many of the town’s best restaurants and breweries. The location is right in the middle of town, next to the Coastal Trail for warmer months. The downstairs gym is fully equipped, and the pool and spa area are nice. A warning about the spa couches: don’t sit there unless you’re comfortable with lots of unclothed men hanging out together. It’s a strange scene, though I can’t quite explain why. The staff are nice, too. The rooms feel dated, but they’re cozy and quaint, with a fun nod to an era before mine. This is easily the best hotel in Anchorage, and maybe in all of Alaska. You could stay somewhere worse, but this is the cream of the crop. There’s no reason to stay elsewhere.

Right in downtown Anchorage, with friendly, welcoming staff and very clean rooms. The rooms have modern amenities that fit the hotel’s style. There are several on-site places to eat, from a sit-down meal at Fletcher’s to coffee and a quick bite at Chubby’s. Highly recommend.

The food was really good, and the lobby and rooms were lovely and clean. Some days there was shopping on site, with vendors selling all kinds of cool things. In winter, the kitchen puts together the annual gingerbread house village, which is so fun to look at. I’d definitely recommend this hotel to friends and family.

A winter heads-up for anyone who’s a light sleeper: I was on the third level of the first tower, close to street level, and snow removal started before 6:00 AM. The gas-powered blowers and street scrapers were very loud and woke me abruptly. I understand the work needs to be done, but if you’re hoping to sleep in or are sensitive to noise, ask for a higher floor during winter. The property itself is very nice, and I hope this helps other guests plan.