Where to stay in Anchorage?

[Huntr]

Going to be chasing Dall sheep in August and was curious if anyone has any recommendations on where to stay in Anchorage before and after my hunt? Thanks in advance.

 

[Becca]

Are you looking for a place to check out the city for a day or two on either side, or someplace cheap and convienenant to the airport?

Anchorage is not an amazing town, but there is a decent downtown area with restaurants and shops to visit as well as a pretty good museum with a nice collection of Alaska history and native art exhibits. The problem with anchorage is that public transit is not so hot, and staying downtown during tourist season can be really pricey. If you want to see and explore downtown (which is easy to do on foot) I would check for deals online and see if you could get a room at the Sheraton or Marriott, which are usually a little less spendy than say the Hilton or the Captain Cook which tend to be outrageous during tourist season.

Right by the airport is a microtel which we stay in occasionally when flying in and out. The rooms are clean, and they offer free continental breakfast and airport shuttle but not much else. There isn't anything to see or do that is very nearby, and its not very scenic, but if you are looking for a reasonably priced room ith close proximity to the airport it's a good deal.

If you are planning to spend a little time or rent a car there may be other options still, but those are the basics....

 

[G Posik]

Becca pretty much hit that one on the head. When I am there business I tend to stay downtown. If unable to get a room down town I stay in mid town. As these two areas are where my clients are. Downtown has lots of good restaurants and you can walk to them all. The rates will be a little higher that time. I would say book now as rooms tend to fill up rather quick.

Glenn

 

[Kay9Cop]

Definitely do not go the cheap route for a hotel. A lot of the lower priced ones have bed bugs and are magnets for inebriated folks.

 

[actionshooter]

I can't remember the name (I l know big help) but I stayed in a place near the airport that had a walk in freezer for fish and game. Super handy for us.

 

[Becca]

I can't remember the name (I l know big help) but I stayed in a place near the airport that had a walk in freezer for fish and game. Super handy for us.

This is actually a fairly common hotel amenity up here because of the large volume of tourists that come to hunt or fish. I did a little research and it looks like the Coast international inn near the airport/lake hood has one, as does the long house Alaskan hotel. I can't personally recommend either of these as I haven't stayed at either, but they do offer the freezers and are very near the airport. I don't have any "red flags" for either name, do I can at least attest that I haven't heard any horror stories for these two hotels

 

[tstowater]

I stayed at the Millennium last fall. Not cheap, but close to airport and the Lake Hood is out the back door. They have shuttles, etc. Lots of really cool mounts. Several other hotels in the neighborhood to consider if you are interested.

 

[MTNRCHR]

(x2) on the Millennium. Great mounts.

 

[Huntr]

Thanks for all of the advice it is truly appreciated!

 

[docdb]

X3 Millennium

 

[Ray]

http://www.lakeshoremotorinn.com/

This place gets a lot of play by the trophy duck hunting crowd that come up here for king eiders in the winter. I know nothing about them. But lots of people that spend thousands to shoot a duck while trying not to die on the Bearing Sea think its a great place.

There are several small hotel/motels along Spenard road. They suck. Noisy and low income types up all night making noise.

If you have the funds and want to get in some town time then head downtown. The Sheraton is east of everything but a pretty nice place. Across the road from the original graveyard. Kind of cool history of you are in to that aspect of it.

If you like guns and history then plan for an hour in the Roosevelt Room at the Russian antique place downtown.

There are several places in midtown along Cst. Crown plaza and hilton properties. They are in the middle of nowhere, and a $30 cab ride from anywhere. Anyplace with an address on northern lights is also in midtown.

 

[tstowater]

There are several small hotel/motels along Spenard road. They suck. Noisy and low income types up all night making noise.

No kidding. Bus rides are convenient, but may have a really "interesting" crowd on board. Holy crap, almost wish I had a gun along when I took a couple bus rides with some of the low income types.

 

[Ray]

Anchorage is not an amazing town....

I am laughing so hard. I recall when my then girl friend and future ex wife told me of picking her Dad, grandpa and uncle up at the airport when she and I were first together. Small town men from northern Maine hit the big city and were amazed! First they were shocked to be on a large jet that landed a huge airport, then shocked at how large Anchorage was/is, and then shocked to see nationally recognised branded stores here. For three college educated men - one of them a retired professor - I was laughing when she told me the story. She mocked them the entire week they were here. The trip to Carrs to buy food was a gut buster I was told. The fact that you could buy fresh vegetables here and then the fact a bell pepper cost $2.50 each was too much.

They got her back though by reading aloud every road side sign from Anchorage to Seward. Both ways. She nearly left them on the side of the road in Portage.

But Becca is right this place has little to offer visitors when compared to other places on this globe. Just a big government boondoggle of a suburb next to a military base.

 

[swat8888]

You need any freezer space I may be able to help you out. I live about 15 mins from Anchorage. I'll be up in the Brooks till the 21st, so kinda depends if I'm back yet or not. I've got a hose and plenty of room to spread all your gear out too if you want to clean it up a bit after the hunt.

 

[Huntr]

Swat888,
I greatly appreciate the offer!

 

[swat8888]

PM me when it gets closer if your interested and we can work something out

 

[Huntr]

Will do, thanks again.

Booked a room at the Milleniumm, thanks once again for everyone's advice.

 

[deadwolf]

Anchorage is a great town, plenty to do, beautiful scenery, minutes from being lost in the woods. Surprised at the bad rap given above.

Anyhow, you've already picked you hotel and you picked well, any of the other Spenard Ave. hotels are a dump and that's being polite. The Holiday Inn might be tolerable being the only other exception. The good news is there is some good eating just down the road a short cab ride away, REI and Sportsmans Warehouse (in opposite directions) aren't too far if there is any gear you forgot to bring.

I know you'll just be in and out of the town on either side of hunting but here's just a couple places with good food close by...

Taproot, decent food, live music every night, huge Whiskey/Bourbon selection and lots of local beers
The Bear Tooth, great food and pizza, one side is a pizza place and movie theater and the other side is a great restaurant as well. They serve their own beer, famous all over Alaska
Spenard Roadhouse, a newer restaurant in town with really good food, tater tots and bacon, great beer selection and a killer bloody mary

Now no one has asked the obvious question, where ya headed for your sheep and who ya going with?

Best of luck

 

[Huntr]

deadwolf,
Thanks for the info. I actually am giving myself a few days before my hunt to enjoy Anchorage enforce heading to Healy to start my hunt. I am hunting with Max Schwab. If there are any other Roksliders that will be in Anchorage at the same time (August 4-5) I would be happy to buy dinner.

 

[Jdog]

I don't know much for the hotels but if you want to hit a popular home made pizza and brew joint you must go to Moose's Tooth!

If you have a bit more time...hit the Double Muskie down in Girdwood!

Both places got some GOOD chow!!!