Anchorage, Alaska

Lodging  | Dining

 Wedged between the two arms of Cook Inlet and the imposing Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is home to over forty percent of Alaska's population, and serves as the transportation center for the whole state. This sprawling city on the edge of one of the world's great wildernesses often gets a bad press from those who live elsewhere in Alaska - derided as being "just half an hour from Alaska" - but it has its attractions, and with its beautiful setting can make a pleasant one- or two-day stopover.

 By the time Captain James Cook came up what is now Cook Inlet in 1778, in search of a Northwest Passage to the Atlantic, Russian fur trappers had already started to settle the area, trading copper and iron for fish and furs with the Native Americans. Though Cook was sure that the inlet was not the Passage, he sent boats out in a southeasterly direction to investigate. When they were forced to turn back by the severe tides, Cook named this gloriously scenic stretch Turnagain Arm.

 Anchorage itself began life in 1915 as a tent city for construction workers on the Alaska Railroad. During the 1930s, hopefuls fleeing the Depression came pouring in from the Lower 48, and World War II - and the construction of the Alaska Highway - further boosted the city's size and importance. The opening of the airport established Anchorage - equidistant between New York and Tokyo - as the "Crossroads of the World," and statehood in 1959 brought in yet more optimistic adventurers.

 

Lodging In Anchorage (courtesy of All Around Anchorage)

Listed below are our recommended lodging options for your stay in Anchorage.

 

HISTORIC ANCHORAGE HOTEL
330 E STREET
ANCHORAGE, AK 99501

Located in the heart of downtown Anchorage next to the Egan Convention Center, 5th Avenue Shopping Mall, Performing Arts Center, Alaska Railroad Station, and Alaska's finest restaurants. Elegantly restored and generously appointed, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers the best of modern technology and luxurious amenities. Charming guest rooms offered by the hotel are perfect for the guest-on-the-go.

 These rooms feature full bathroom with new Aromae Botanicals amenities, digital cable on large screen televisions and a spacious desk/writing area with high-speed data port connections and telephones. Fully stocked personal mini-bars as well as complimentary gourmet coffee and tea are available in all of the rooms, as well as a daily newspaper delivered to your door. A deluxe, continental breakfast is served each morning in the lobby. All rooms have been newly refurnished with Queen Ann style dark woods and deep textures to bring back a true sense of the Anchorage Hotel's history.

MILLENNIUM ALASKAN HOTEL
4800 SPENARD ROAD
ANCHORAGE, AK 99517

Built along the eastern shore of Lake Spenard, the Millennium Alaskan Hotel affords a convenient location amidst the splendor of the Alaskan Great Outdoors. Just one mile from Anchorage International Airport and ten minutes from downtown, the Millennium is ideally situated for business and leisure travelers alike. Board a flight seeing excursion from the Millennium's own float plane dock and experience the majesty of the scenic territory. Friendly staff, attentive service and beautiful guest rooms are what you will discover at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, Anchorage. Alaskan heritage and artifacts warmly adorn the spacious lobby and invite you to make yourself at home, while away from home.

 Hotel amenities and location, in addition to the area attractions, make Millennium the perfect destination choice for business travelers to sportsmen and everyone in between. All of the standard rooms are well appointed and include refrigerators, two vanities and 24-hour room service. The onsite health club is open 24 hours and it features a whirlpool, steam room and sauna, in addition to state-of-the-art exercise equipment. The Millennium Alaskan Hotel is an ideal choice for those seeking world-class comfort and service.

HOTEL CAPTAIN COOK
939 WEST 5TH AVENUE
ANCHORAGE, AK 99501

Alaska's only member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide - The Hotel Captain Cook is Anchorage's prestigious address, located in the heart of downtown and 15 minutes from the airport. All guestrooms offer majestic and panoramic views of the Cook Inlet or Chugach Mountain Range. Rooms are richly appointed with comfortable and residential style furnishings, with upscale amenities such as luxurious soft bed linens, down pillows and duvets, plush robes, large operable picture windows, and wireless Web TV. The complimentary Health Club and Spa is the largest hotel fitness center in Alaska. It includes an indoor pool and whirlpool, extensive state of the art fitness equipment, separate men and women's sauna and steam rooms, aerobics and yoga classes, racquetball, relaxation room, tanning beds, and Spa.

The Hotel Captain Cook has four outstanding and distinctive restaurants and lounges. Included are downtown Anchorage's highest and only 4 Diamond restaurant, an upscale special coffee drinks & premium spirits bar, English pub, Italian restaurant, and 24 hour in-room dining. A fully equipped business center with high speed Internet access is accessible 24 hours a day. Guests enjoy 14 shops including clothing stores, fine jewelry, art gallery, two hair salons, and Hertz and Alaska Airlines ticket counters. Within convenient walking distance are the Egan Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, and Fifth Avenue Mall. Nearby leisure activities include hiking, golf, tennis, horse drawn carriage rides, and the coastal trail for walking and biking. Casual elegance, comfort, and unmatched service are the hallmarks of this outstanding hotel.

Dining in Anchorage

Listed below are a few of your dining options during your stay in Anchorage

CROW'S NEST - HOTEL CAPTAIN COOK - 907-277-6332
Indulge in Anchorage's finest restaurant. Award-winning dining, offering panoramic views atop the Hotel Captain Cook. Innovative cuisine, extensive wine offerings and specialty cocktails.

CLUB PARIS - 417 W Fifth Ave. - 907-277-6332
An Alaskan tradition. Reservations recommended. Alaska's premier steakhouse. Home of the 4" thick filet mignon. Proudly serving Anchorage since 1957. Lunch: Monday through Saturday; Dinner: 7 days.

FANCY MOOSE - MILLENNIUM ALASKAN HOTEL

Overlooking floatplane lake. Lakeside patio. Serving light meals, sandwiches and appetizers from 11a.m. to 1 a.m. Fun atmosphere. Overlooking Lake Spenard. Outdoor patio. TV screen for sports.

FLETCHER'S - HOTEL CAPTAIN COOK - 907-276-6000
Perfect spot for a hearty meal and great drinks. Pub atmosphere. Gourmet pizza, fresh pasta and light Italian cuisine. Large selection of cognac, scotch, microbrews, domestic and imported beers.

FLYING MACHINE RESTAURANT - MILLENNIUM ALASKAN HOTEL - 907-266-2249 - Toll Free: 800-544-0553
Lakefront dining featuring fresh Alaskan seafood. Serving the freshest Alaskan seafood and the finest cut of meats in a warm atmosphere overlooking Lake Spenard, world's busiest float plane lake.

GLACIER BREWHOUSE - 737 W Fifth Ave. - 907-274-2739
Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and H Street. Alaska's first choice for fresh Alaskan seafood, rotisserie grilled meats, pizzas, handcrafted ales, classic cocktails. Voted Best Brew Pub '96 to '98.

GWENNIE'S OLD ALASKA RESTAURANT - 4333 Spenard Rd. - 907-243-2090

An Alaskan size dining experience surrounded by artifacts and articles relating to the history of Alaska.  While here take the time to browse the articles and artifacts.

HUMPY'S GREAT ALASKAN ALEHOUSE - 610 W Sixth Ave. - 907-276-2337
43 brews on tap, full bar, live music nightly.

MARX BROTHERS CAFÉ - 627 W Third Ave. - 907-278-2133
Innovative dining. Award-winning wine list.

MR. WHITEKEYS' FLY BY NIGHT CLUB - 3300 Spenard Rd. - 907-279-7726
Fun food, luscious desserts, glitzy drinks, Spam!

ORSO - 737 W Fifth Ave., Ste. 110 - 907-222-3232
Fresh Alaskan Seafood, grilled meats, fresh pasta. House-made desserts voted "Best Dessert" 2002, 2003 PRESS. Award winning wine list and classic cocktails. Located downtown in the heart of Anchorage.

SOURDOUGH MINING COMPANY; AN ALASKA RESTAURANT - 5200 Juneau St - 907-563-2272
Dine in a gold mine! Step back in time to Alaska's Gold Rush Era.