Jewel Lake Bed and Breakfast

The worker was kind and tried to make things better, but the poor condition of nearly half the rooms made this a horrible stay. A beautiful house doesn’t guarantee a beautiful visit. We paid about $300 a night during peak tourist season in Anchorage and got a cramped, stuffy basement room that felt almost like a frat house. Two of the five rooms are downstairs, with no AC or basic ventilation, so the humid Alaska summer made ours miserable. There was a moldy old-house odor, a bit like overcooked broccoli or eggs, and a faint but awful sewer smell from the toilet. I kept the bathroom door shut the whole time and held my breath in there. No bathroom fan either. The cheap polyester sheets were awful to sleep on in the stuffy room. The advertised breakfast included eggs and bread in the fridge for us to cook ourselves. There were cameras everywhere recording, so we had to choose between privacy and air by leaving the door open. The common area was cute, and there were granola bars and a laundry machine, but at that price I expected more. Our tiny room was also unventilated and smelled of the toilet.

Check-in was easy and quick. You get codes for the front door and your room when you check in online. There are two kitchens, one upstairs with self-serve breakfast options and another downstairs where you can keep your own food. Rooms were clean and comfortable, the bathrooms were nice, and laundry was free. A pleasant night in Anchorage.

I felt safe here traveling on my own and would absolutely come back. It was a quick 10-minute bus ride from the airport, and the room was clean with a comfy bed. The keypad on the door made it easy to come and go. The half shower had a detachable head, plus shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I didn’t use the washer and dryer downstairs, but it was nice to have them there. There was a good selection of tea, and the living room furniture was comfortable.

I was very pleased with my stay, though my Denali room was more cramped than I expected. I knew it was small from the description, but had to put my suitcase on the bed to open it. The shower stall was tiny too, though the water pressure was great. There was a strong old-house smell in my room, like older homes I’ve been in around Alaska. It wasn’t pleasant. Maybe the room is aired out more in summer, and I don’t know whether the other rooms have the same issue. The building itself is beautiful, and the public kitchen and seating areas are nicely furnished. There were enough breakfast choices that I found things I liked both mornings. Self check-in was easy, and I didn’t see anyone during my stay, which was relaxing and just what I needed before a busy business trip.