Any advice on a hotel for a one-night pre-cruise stay? The Mariner is departing from Whittier and from what I gather, we should stay in Anchorage the day before and then take a train to Whittier. Has anyone done this and any suggestions for hotels, restaurants, etc.? Thanks!

Andrea

The Captian Cook Hotel is very nice. If you like steak and want to try an old time Anchorage place, Club Paris is excellent. You'll need a reservatiion.

When we were considering staying overnight in Anchorage we were looking at The Westmark... downtown location, balconies in each room, complimentary internet and AC. I read it is one of the best locations.
http://www.westmarkhotels.com/anchorage.php

It is suppose to be across the street from one of the best restaurant in downtown The Glacier Brewhouse.

We're staying at the Captain Cook in a few weeks for MUSH. We'll be glad to post a review. The Crow's Nest restaurant on the top of the Tower has several awards, one a DiRona award.

Thanks everyone. I'll look at all those options. We just decided on this cruise so now I'm in full research mode to make all our plans. We're getting really excited about this! It will be our first Regent sailing!

I've stayed at the Hilton whenever I've been in Anchorage. (I had to go to Anchorage numerous times for work). It's the nicest hotel in Anchorage and right downtown. You may want to consider this if you're a Hilton Honors member--or you could use Hilton points.

Peggy, do you know if Hilton has special rate for "day room?" Our flight is not until 0100. Hilton is 35K points which is steep and their regular rates are pretty high.

Yes, stay in Anchorage the night before. Whittier consists of one huge condo building, formerly military/government housing, and a few other buildings.

The only alternate is Alyeska, which is between Anchorage and Portage. There is a train stop at Portage.

It's tourist season. Rates are higher in the summer. Even in late Sept, there are still tours and cruises there.

The Capt. Cook is the best/nicest hotel in Anchorage. It has a nice cafe and a fabulous restaurant. We honeymooned there, and when I worked for Korean Air, we would put our VIP's there.

The Hilton is nice, as well. I can't remember if the Top of the World restaurant is still open, or not. It has a nice coffee shop.

The Westmark is in an okay location, but it was built in 1971/72 as the Royal Inn, and many people are concerned about it's earthquake worthiness. It's right across the street from where I worked, and I watched it being built.

The Sheraton is nice, but gentrification hasn't quite hit the neighborhood.

There is a new Marriott, but I've never stayed there. It's in a good location.

The Glacier Brewpub is good, but my heart is at Simon and Seafort's, overlooking the inlet.

For local color, go to Gwennie's on Spenard Road for reindeer sausage omelets. Or Hogg Brothers at Fireweed and Spenard.

Our favorite burger joint is Lucky Wishbone, just on the outskirts of downtown. Opened about 1955, still owned by the same family. It's at 4th and Karluk.

Club Paris is a nice place to eat, as well. We've eaten many a good steak there.

We've heard good reviews on Humpie's, which I think is on 6th between about G and E.

Nordstrom is at 6th and D, one of the anchors of the 5th Avenue Mall. Penney's is on the opposite corner. Bob worked at Nordstrom for 11 years.

This is making me homesick! We're going for a fast weekend Aug 24-28, now I have my list of "must eat" places.

Enjoy!

Frances

Marc, not sure about the dayroom--it makes sense that they would, though. You'll probably have to call the hotel to find out about that. Frances, I had forgotten about Simon and Seaforts--that's a really good restaurant with great views.

RSSC did dayrooms at the Hilton for those with their air and transfers in 2001; Not sure if still doing that

I forgot about the Lucky Wishbone, great fried chicken and burgers.

One last place to eat, our favorite when we lived in Anchorage, is Villa Nova on Artic Blvd, near the airport. Great food and a flourless chocolate cake to die for.

There is also a Hilton Garden Inn, a Hampton Inn and a Homewood Suites, all about 2.5 miles from downtown at 30,000 points/per night if the Hilton (35,000 points/per night) isn't available.

Our room at the Hilton was wonderful. We had two big windows with lovely views. You could leave the Hilton and walk anywhere to many shops and restaurants without any problems as well as the 5th Avenue Mall.

Plus, Regent has a desk there - if you take your luggage to the bellman in the morning before the cruise they will handle loading it on the truck to get to Whittier (your luggage doesn't go on the train with you). We brought our luggage down before 9 and it was gone right away. Then, when we were ready to go to the train station it was a simple 5 minute walk with our two small carry on bags.

Marc, if you're still interested I just booked what seems like a very good deal for a day room when we arrive in Anchorage on September 6th.

The Hawthorne Suites has day rooms available for half the regular rate. The regular AARP rate is $90 so they only want $45 plus tax for the day room. And they said it's likely that I could get into the room at noon. The hotel even has an airport shuttle.

Hawthorne Suites is a national brand. It can't be that bad, especially for $45. Tom.

The Hawthorne suites sales staff just told me that they do not have day rooms. I am so confused.

Diane, try calling back and asking for them to check with the manager. You may have just spoken to someone who didn't know. I made my reservation with the person who answered the phone at the front desk and it was no problem at all. It could depend on availability. Did you ask for September 6th or another date? They had good availability on the 6th. Tom.

PS: Even if they made a mistake with me, the full price of $90 is not bad for a room and a ride to the airport.

I asked for another date, and ended up talking to the sales manager. not only that, she quoted me an exorbitant rate of over $200. I will wait awhile and try again. but thanks for the info, Tom.

We stayed in the Marriott before our August 2001 Mariner cruise from Alaska to Vancouver as part of Radisson's pre-cruise Denali tour package, and found it to be very good to excellent. Try and get a rate with breakfast included, or get your breakfast out of the hotel; al a carte is a big ripoff as in many hotels, but I recall it was particularly egregious here.

One side of this hotel faces north and on the rare (?) good visibility days, Mt. McGregor is visible from the upper stories, so try and get a room on that side.

I have no idea if they offer day rooms, Mark. Can't hurt to call the hotel (not Marriott's 800 #) and ask.

We stayed at the Hilton on our pre-cruise package to Denali. Honestly, from the brochure, I was expecting maybe dirt floors, but found the room to be quite nice with a lovely view.
Love, Elena :banana: