Coast Inn at Lake Hood: My favorite place to stay in Alaska!
For my latest trip, I wanted to get far away from the hustle and bustle of big city life so I went to Alaska, the best place in the country to do just that. Ever since I went on a trip to Alaska 3 years ago, I have been very eager to come back. If you have never been to Alaska, add it to your bucket list ASAP. In my last trip, I was left in so much awe by its vast landscapes of nature and beauty that I’d even go so far to call it my favorite state. My trip coincided directly with a special event that happens in Anchorage every year on the first weekend of March. That event is called the Iditarod Race, a dog sled endurance race that starts near Anchorage and goes all the way to Nome. For those who don’t know about the race, it may not sound like much but the distance is over 1,000 miles! While the actual race starts in the town of Willow, about 80 miles away from Anchorage, the ceremonial start is always in downtown Anchorage. It was a treat to attend such a special event and witness such a unique Alaskan tradition.
During my stay in Anchorage, I relaxed and settled down at The Coast Inn at Lake Hood, which was a lovely hotel. The hotel is right next to the scenic Lake Spenard, frozen completely solid in what was still an Alaskan winter. It is conveniently located near Ted Stevens airport and it excelled in hospitality, class, and above all, comfort. When I landed at the airport, a complimentary shuttle was waiting for me, and took me straight to the hotel in under five minutes. With the snowy conditions outside and the below freezing temperatures, it helped that I didn’t have to worry about renting a car and driving in the snow. You will find the rooms to be large, well-equipped, and perfect for a cozy winter stay. When you’re out for a few hours in the freezing cold, you may find yourself wanting to stay in to warm up. The hotel has a great restaurant to defrost at with some beer and food called Piper’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge. If you’re more comfortable relaxing in your room, you are more than welcome to order room service from Piper’s.
Coast Inn at Lake Hood (The Hotel)
As you enter the lobby, a fireplace welcomes you with warmth and the ambiance is cozy and delightful. The hotel staff were extremely friendly and I checked in without any hassle. Our room overlooked the frozen Lake Spenard which, on occasion, you could see pilots land their small propeller planes on. The rooms are equipped with in-room climate control, a coffee maker, free high speed wireless-internet, a hair dryer, dual-port telephones, and two 37” inch flatscreen TVs. There was plenty of room for two or more people ( I was traveling with two others) and the beds were soft and comfy. For dining options, they offer an amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at the aforementioned restaurant in the hotel, Piper’s. We dined there every morning for breakfast, which was both reasonably priced and delicious. They just renovated the bar at Piper’s so you don’t even have to leave the hotel to warm your spirits. Definitely a must to check out during your stay here!
Hotel Location and Pricing
One of the main reasons I adore this hotel is because it is reasonably priced and conveniently located near both the airport (2.3 miles to be exact) and downtown Anchorage (4.6 miles). There is no shortage of cabs, Ubers, and Lyfts in Anchorage so you won’t find any trouble getting around town. Between the great location, comfort, and price, the Coast Inn is the ideal place to stay for a trip to Anchorage.
Room Rates: $120-$240 a night (depending on which room and what time of year)
Rates vary by season and time of year, my stay was in March of 2020 **As always, please call to confirm your rates as they are subject to change.