Puffin Inn of Anchorage

I’ve stayed several times in the exterior-entry rooms booked at the discounted rate. They’re consistently clean, warm, comfortable, and nicely done, even though they aren’t the more plush rooms inside. The hotel itself has an attractive look from the street, and the lobby feels upscale. There’s a complimentary airport shuttle running 24 hours, and the front desk staff are efficient and helpful. Breakfast is included with a decent selection. It’s a good value, and I’ve always been satisfied. One of Anchorage’s best-kept secrets, in my view.

The lobby is beautiful, the rooms are clean, and the staff are fantastic. It’s a great spot if you’re catching a flight at Ted Steven's Airport, with a free shuttle that’s easy to arrange by phone. The price is great too. Highly recommend.

We were charged a $250 deposit, and after checking out I found another $50 charge with no clear explanation. When I called PUFFIN INN, I was told we’d left a “poop stain” on the carpet and that Jessie said it had to be shampooed. That’s a lie. We gathered the towels and bagged our trash, and the room wasn’t a mess. I shouldn’t have to pay for the first night either. I’m disabled and was treated horribly. The room problems started right away. I booked two queens but got a double and a twin. The toilet was plugged, there was feces on the shower curtain, and I couldn’t shower. We moved the second night because the toilet didn’t work and the curtain was filthy. The tile floor had tears in it. The two buildings were a walk apart from the office and breakfast, and the walkways were icy. We were moved to a room in the main building for double the price, but its pillows were rock hard and the plumbing barely worked. The toilet flushed very slowly and the sink drained very slowly. Our first room also didn’t feel secure or safe. Breakfast was just muffins and bagels, with one waffle maker for all the guests. It wasn’t there the second day, and breakfast ended at 9 a.m. The coffee was burnt, made at 5 a.m. and never refreshed. The beds were old and uncomfortable, and the cheap air beds popped up on one side when you sat on the other. There were lots of barking dogs and a dog fight, and the atmosphere was bad. The maid couldn’t speak English, maybe an illegal. The maid was also the shuttle driver, maintenance man, and food helper? The place was dirty. Never stay here. It needs another operator, and when I called and asked for the manager, a very young woman said she was the manager.

Breakfast was decent, just bread, boiled eggs, and waffles, with nothing hot. The water filter didn't work. They assigned us an outdoor room without telling us, and a car was parked by the main entrance the whole time, so unloading there was impossible, especially in winter.