Anchorage hotels

Anchorage has very few 4-star hotels, so the 4-star rating of Hotel Captain Cook alone makes it one of the most desirable and best hotels in Anchorage. The property is spread across three buildings in downtown Anchorage and is just three blocks from the beloved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

The rooms include deluxe rooms with views of the Cook Inlet or Chugach Mountains, along with the Crow’s Nest Suites, which have multiple bedrooms and sprawling living quarters. Lodging options like this make Hotel Captain Cook one of the few luxurious hotels in Anchorage.

One of my favorite things about this property is the fact that it has several on-site eateries, including a AAA four-diamond fine dining restaurant. Guests are also treated to free Wi-Fi, along with access to a fitness center, sauna, and indoor pool. Upgraded accommodations come with perks like a private lounge, free breakfast, and parking.

If you want to be in the heart of Anchorage, look no further. This 3-star hotel is set in downtown Anchorage near both the train station and the ocean. It’s one of the best hotels in Anchorage if you have an excursion planned on one of Alaska's luxury trains — like the Denali Star that runs to Fairbanks with a stop in Denali National Park — or those who are meeting a cruise ship in Anchorage.

Plus, since it is one of the taller buildings in the Anchorage skyline and is set not far from the water, the hotel provides guests with city and water views from their rooms. Other perks include free WiFi throughout the hotel and an indoor pool. Parking and breakfast are available, but cost extra.

If you’re in Alaska to spend time in the mountains, you might as well sleep right at the base of them. That was my thinking when I visited Alaska for a winter ski trip and booked a long weekend at Alyeska Resort, which is ski-in, ski-out in the winter and near hiking and biking in the summer. (Plus, there’s an Aerial Tram that runs from the lodge year-round and an outdoor Nordic Spa that looks over the Chugach mountains.)

In truth, Alyeska Resort is a 50 minute drive from downtown Anchorage, but I included it among the best hotels in Anchorage because it offers a true mountain experience, year-round. The 300-plus room property has it all — fine dining, a saltwater pool, shopping, and direct access to the mountains of Alaska.

This understated bed and breakfast looks like a normal Anchorage home at first glance; it’s tucked away in a residential part of Anchorage. But look a bit deeper and you’ll fall in love with its many perks.

The four tasteful rooms are cozy and clean, but I suggest The Denali, which looks out over the garden and has a sitting area and en suite bath with a walk-in shower. No matter which room you book, you’re treated to a homemade breakfast and plush towels and robes.

Parking is free at the SunStar and you can ask the owner for ideas on what to do and where to eat. Sometimes it's the little things, like getting a taste of true Alaskan hospitality, that make a trip stand out.

As a mom, I always jump at the chance to book a room with a kitchen — of any kind. It’s surprising how helpful a kitchen sink, burner, and freezer can be. That’s why — or, at least partially why — I’ve ranked the Staybridge Suites among the best hotels in Anchorage.

In addition to providing each guest with a full-service kitchen, Staybridge Suites offers all the comforts of home, including complimentary on-site parking, free WiFi, and a daily hot breakfast. It also has an evening social event on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and allows dogs.

The Staybridge is located in Anchorage’s Midtown neighborhood and is near the airport and several of the city’s top attractions, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, the Alaska Museum of Science & Nature, and the beloved Alaska Native Heritage Center.

The truth is that not everyone is interested in staying in a chain hotel, no matter how nice it is. Sometimes, you need the comfort and care that comes from staying in a home and eating a homemade breakfast. Maria’s Creekside B&B is all that and more.

The tiny, three-room bed and breakfast has a cozy setting near Anchorage’s Campbell Creek. It’s surrounded by nature but is also minutes from downtown Anchorage.

I adore all the perks that come with a stay at Maria’s. You can lounge by the fire in the communal great room or listen to the sound of the creek from the second-floor deck. The rooms are basic, but clean, and the breakfast is hot and homemade. The homey feel of this hidden gem rank it among the best hotels in Anchorage, hands down.

This Midtown property has no problem ranking among the best hotels in Anchorage. For me, what clinched the deal was the property’s free parking and complimentary airport shuttle, two things that make any trip that much easier.

The common spaces and rooms are clean and modern, and larger rooms have a sofa bed and spacious work area. If you want a kitchen (like I often do), check out their One Bedroom Suite, which has over 700 square feet of space and a spacious kitchen with granite countertops.

Added perks at this Hyatt Place include free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and hot tub, a terrace, and a lounge with a cozy fireplace. There’s also a bar and convenience store and breakfast is available for an added fee.

I always recommend this property because it’s operated by the Seldovia Native Association, which protects some of the most scenic and pristine lands in the Kachemak Bay area.

One of the things that makes the Dimond Center Hotel one of the best hotels in Anchorage is its dedication to showcasing the Kachemak Bay region, where the Seldovia Native Association is based.

Sleep is important to the owners of the property, who made sure that each room has an “Ultimate Dream Bed,” created specifically for the property. Every guest can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle service, free parking, and a daily breakfast buffet. There’s also an on-site restaurant and guest laundry facilities.

There are 144 guest rooms at the Hyatt House Anchorage, which is set in Midtown Anchorage near the Anchorage Museum and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. If you need extra space, consider the One Bedroom Kitchen Suite with over 700 square feet of space that includes a full kitchen, a separate living room, and one bedroom.

I love the Hyatt House’s daily complimentary breakfast, which includes waffles, eggs, sausage, and granola and yogurt. And if you’re looking for a late-night snack or pre-dinner app, I recommend saddling up to the H Bar and ordering the parmesan fries with your cocktail of choice.

Added perks include complimentary parking, an airport shuttle, and a heated indoor pool. Pets are welcome for an additional fee.

This Embassy Suites goes out of its way to make guests feel comfortable, something that can go a long way when you’re a frequent traveler. They’re one of the few properties that offer a nightly evening reception so guests can get to know each other and share their day’s adventures (also a great way to get tips for tomorrow’s fun).

Little things like the fact it is an all-suite hotel, has mountain views and is close to both the airport and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which is known for its beluga and moose sightings, make it one of the best hotels in Anchorage.

I’m a breakfast person, so I love their free made-to-order breakfast, which is the best way to fuel a day of hiking or skiing. The property also has an indoor pool and fitness center to stretch your weary muscles.