Minnie Street Inn

The location was quiet and central to Fairbanks, and the extra space and kitchen would work especially well for families with small children. We stayed in a comfortable master suite in this former bed and breakfast. It was elegantly decorated and came with a jacuzzi and washer/dryer, though using those appliances cost quite a lot extra. A rollaway bed was available for an added fee too. Even with those charges, it was one of the better-priced places we had in Alaska for the amount of room. The owners no longer run the inn themselves. The current manager got the job done, though they didn’t come across as especially focused on customer service.

The room was huge and comfortable, and we had everything we needed, including full, unlimited use of the well-equipped kitchen. It’s a particularly handy spot, less than 1/2 mile from downtown Fairbanks and about a 10-minute drive to the University of Alaska. The owners were friendly and helpful, and the B & B is thoughtfully designed, all at a great price. Breakfast isn’t included anymore, but the price has been adjusted more than fairly for that. We’d make this our first choice in Fairbanks.

I made Thanksgiving dinner in the pansy suite for my USAF daughter, who wouldn’t be home for the 2018 holidays, and it worked out so well. The Minnie Street Inn was comfortable, clean, welcoming, and much nicer decorated and equipped than I expected. Thanks for the hospitality and thoughtfulness. For premium overnight lodging in Fairbanks, I strongly recommend it.

Before moving to Fairbanks from the lower 48, I visited the b&b to look at their furnished apartments as a possible place to get started. The owner showed me around and we chatted pleasantly at first. He asked about my wife; when I said I have a husband, his manner changed. He said he wanted me to meet his wife to discuss the details, then introduced me with, “...he and his boyfriend or whatever they call it nowadays...husband...” He went on to say that because of my situation they’d need to discuss the price and decide whether they wanted to rent me the apartment. They said they’d be in touch. They never were. It was clear they weren’t comfortable with gay people staying at their b&b or renting an apartment, and seemed to think it was bad for business. I can only guess they hadn’t heard of equal opportunity housing and other anti discriminatory laws. If you’re gay, or have gay friends, family, or colleagues, please stay away so they learn they can’t discriminate in today’s society without consequences. Support LGBT rights and book elsewhere. The other people I met in Fairbanks were actually very open and friendly, so there are plenty of other, more humane options.