Anchorage, Anchorage Alaska, Alaska, Airport Park, Airport Park Anchorage

Anchorage’s Best Hotels: Where to Stay in Anchorage

Updated March 2024, Anchorage’s Best Hotels: Where to Stay in Anchorage was originally published in September 2023

Anchorage is the start and end point for most travelers who visit Alaska as the state’s largest city home to Alaska’s busiest airport. As such, one of the most commonly asked questions I receive is, ‘Where should I stay in Anchorage?’.

Anchorage isn’t on most traveler’s Alaska itinerary but I recommend at least dedicating a day or two to the city.

In this quick guide, you’ll find the best hotels in Anchorage, the best hostels in Anchorage, as well as a breakdown of which neighborhoods to stay in.

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Best Areas of Anchorage to Stay In

Downtown Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, 4h Avenue Theatre, 4th Avenue Theatre Anchorage, 4th Avenue Theatre Alaska — Downtown Anchorage

If you can find room in your budget, the best part of Anchorage to stay in is the downtown area.

Downtown Anchorage is home to many of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Specifically between C Street and L Street (east-west) and 3rd Avenue and 9th Avenue (north-south).

Another area to consider, especially if you just won’t be spending much time in Anchorage, is near the airport in the Spenard area.

Area of Anchorage to Avoid

Anchorage doesn’t have great public transport and taxis and Uber are spendy so that is why I do recommend downtown Anchorage as the best place to stay as most things will be within walking distance for you.

So that’s the problem if staying outside downtown and you aren’t planning to rent a car, is that getting around the city can be a pain (or just plain expensive!).

The other area of town home to a scattering of hotels is midtown Anchorage. I would avoid this area unless you have a car as it’s far from most things a tourist would want to do and quite honestly, it’s not the nicest or safest area.

Another part of Anchorage I would avoid is south Anchorage. Not that it’s not a nice area of the city, it’s just far from everything.

Best Hotels in Anchorage

Hotel Captain Cook

The Hotel Captain Cook wins for Anchorage’s best hotel in terms of location, views, and facilities on offer. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the hotel is smack in the middle of downtown Anchorage.

You won’t have to walk far to hit great Anchorage restaurants and bars, and heck, the hotel is even home to the Crow’s Nest, Fletcher’s, The Pantry, The Cubby, and Whale’s Tail, meaning you can enjoy fine dining and drinks without even leaving the Hotel Captain Cook.

The hotel also boasts great views of the inlet as well as the Chugach Mountains. The only ding I can think of is that the rooms are a bit older and dated.

Book the Hotel Captain Cook on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites

Located on the west end of downtown Anchorage and offering several free amenities, the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites is a great hotel in Anchorage.

At 15 stories, you can expect great views of Anchorage, and located near the Coastal Trail, you’ll have easy access to one of the best outdoorsy things to do in downtown Anchorage.

Back onto the free part- Inlet Tower offers a free rail shuttle, a free airport shuttle, and Wi-Fi.

And finally, if you don’t feel like heading out to grab food or a drink, the hotel is home to the IT PubHouse Gastropub.

Book the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites on Booking.com or Hotels .com

Historic Anchorage Hotel

If you’re looking to stay in a beautiful hotel with a long-standing record behind it, then you’ll love the Historic Anchorage Hotel. The Historic Anchorage Hotel was built back in the 1930s.

If you’re into ghosts, there’s a rumor that the Historic Anchorage Hotel is haunted.

Book the Historic Anchorage Hotel on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Hilton Anchorage Hotel

If you have a preference for chain hotels, the Hilton Anchorage is a great option and is nicely located downtown near many restaurants and the Anchorage Museum.

Another highlight is that the Hilton Anchorage is one of the taller buildings in the city so you’ll have grand views of the ocean and mountains.

Book the Hilton Anchorage Hotel on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Copper Whale Inn

If you’re looking for a hotel with a homey feel, Copper Whale Inn is going to be the winner.

The Copper Whale Inn is a smaller hotel with a friendly staff and offers a lovely breakfast included in the room price.

Book the Copper Whale Inn on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Marriott Anchorage Downtown

Another chain hotel option located in the middle of downtown Anchorage is the Marriott Anchorage Downtown, that said, it’s not in the best part of downtown, to be honest.

The rooms are nice and the hotel interior has been updated and the hotel offers great views of the city.

Book the Marriott Anchorage Dowtown on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Lakefront Anchorage

Another great option near the airport the Lakefront Anchorage is one of the best hotels in Anchorage, located on Lake Hood.

Fun fact: Lake Hood is the busiest world’s busiest seaplane base.

The Lakefront Anchorage boasts two nice restaurants- Flying Machine Restaurant and Fancy Moose Lounge Anchorage, and in the summer months The Deck at Lake Hood.

Book the Lakefront Anchorage on Booking.com or Hotels.com