Embassy Suites Anchorage

The Embassy Suites Anchorage is located fairly close to the airport although you will need a shuttle to get to the hotel. Make sure to give them a call when you arrive as the shuttle does not run periodically. The hotel is located a few miles away so it will take some time for the shuttle to arrive at the airport.

As a Category 8 hotel, one night did cost a pricey 50,000 Hilton HHonors points (although you will find most other Anchorage hotels also charging exhorbitant amounts for what they offer as well). Likely the best compromise would be the Sheraton Anchorage which probably offers better value for their points.  Sadly, I had already run out of SPG points so I had 'settle' for this hotel.

There was a dispenser with refreshingly cold, lemon tinged water near the elevators where two bears stand guard.

The hallways were clean and they had a neat Alaskan animal pattern on the carpet although the murky color mix didn't really help to liven up the place. 

The room suites are comfortable but not terribly large with a living area/mini dining area that is about the same size as your average Residence Inn. The furnishings and decor were reasonably well maintained although the age is definitely starting to show, particularly in some of the furniture like the sofas or the kitchen table.

As a Hilton Gold member, I had selected the two bottles of water and fresh fruit amenity which I definitely valued over the 500 additional Hilton HHonors points in this case as I was pretty much starving after a long plane ride.

The bathroom was stocked with Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado toiletries although I was surprised they didn't have any shower gel (only bath bars available). I still prefer the lemon based Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries at the DoubleTree, Embassy Suites sister chain, more.

Breakfast was a delightful affair as there was a nice buffet selection of hot items as well as a very efficient omelette station with plenty of toppings to choose from. There were plenty of tables in the seating area although they do get fairly full throughout the entire morning service.

I didn't get a chance to use it on this trip but the hotel also featured a small gym with the basic equipment and they also have a pool and hot tub area.

All in all, the stay was comfortable and pleasant with all the basic amenities I required although I definitely don't see how this hotel ranks as a Hilton category 8 property.  I dare say both the Category 7 Embassy Suites Montreal and the Hilton Tokyo offered better value for the same or fewer points. I personally would only rank this as a category 6 property but I suppose this is due to the regularly high market demand caused by the large number of cruising guests staying here before or after a cruise.