Aloft Anchorage — Hotel in Alaska

TL:DR - it’s not the Ritz but it’s fun, comfortable and I can’t wait to come back. Read on for more.

I stayed in this hotel for 2 weeks while in Anchorage on business. When I received the travel reservations from my company I read the reviews and was slightly skeptical but decided to bring my white noise machine and hope for the best.

I love this hotel. The entire hotel is quite modern and, truthfully, I’m not the “cool target audience” but I’m looking forward to returning again on business in January.

The room: The bed was firm but I prefer it that way. There were 4 pillows on the king bed and I loved it. I was solo so the studio apartment setup didn’t bother me. It would be a touch awkward if traveling with someone other than a significant other given that the shower is sorta in the open-ish. Just something to keep in mind. Some people said there weren’t doors for the toilet area but there are split sliding doors. Strange but it works. There’s also a mini-fridge and a coffee maker. I loved the blackout shade and the privacy shade as well! This was also the very first hotel where I loved their provided (DryBar) shampoo and conditioner!

The Bar: The bar was awesome. DJ served some great flatbread and remembered my preferred drinks every single time. Denise told us where to find the best Mexican in town (Xalos!) and Austin was always a fun conversation! After being a 2 week resident it was so awesome to feel like I had people at the bar.

The Staff: I didn’t get daily housekeeping, but I didn’t want daily cleaning either. When I needed anything they were quick to accommodate. The manager was very friendly and when I needed to extend my stay they were able to keep me in the same room. When my shower had issues they fixed it quickly.

Facilities: The gym has a lot to offer - including free weights and kettle bells and benches! The hot tub wasn’t sketchy and there were often kids in the pool - and towels were provided downstairs. There was also an outdoor area with lounge chairs of various types and a fire pit. The lobby was very comfortable with various seating options and a grab & go food area that also served a (pay) breakfast.

Cons: There were a few rowdy guests on some nights but the staff were prompt in dealing with it. Some nights I could hear my neighbors more so I used my white noise machine (highly...

I had my wedding here, booked it while it was still under construction. Carissa was very communicative and took the time to tour the venue whenever I needed. Kameron was the best! He made sure all my questions were answered, they gave us a complimentary room for having our wedding there; which was great! We used the ABC Katmai exchange room and it was perfect for about 150 guests. This Hotel gives off LA Downtown vibes and works so well for people who just want to hang out. Kameron ensured to go over little details and accommodated every need that was on my checklist. Anything we needed, he was there, anything we weren't sure about, he was there, any hiccups that happened day of, he was there! Catering team was so professional and amazing, they ensured everyone was served in a timely manner. Requests were taken care of right away, and the catering manager ensured I was updated if there were any changes or questions she had. Their team member, Shantini set up our reception hall and made the room work for us! For 150 guests full, there would be no dance floor, but Carissa, Kameron and herself were able to fit a full dancefloor with 150 guests. It was tight but it worked soo good! A Bartender was provided and she worked so fast to serve groups of people on the go! The only con I would say is, in the beginning I was told a few things that got my hopes up in regard no costs to the dance floor inclusion, being able to set up night prior just fine - only to find out different upon after opening, but I'm sure this was due to the fact that procedures, rules and pricing were sporadic since construction was still in process. There was no issue there. :) Overall, everyone made this such an amazing day. Grateful to Carissa, Kameron and the rest of the...

This hotel has the potential to be really awesome. The decor is gorgeous, the bar is fantastic, and the lobby really is exceptional. But that’s where the pros end. Our biggest complaint was the inability to use the hot tub due to the immense amount of children every single night using this hotel as their birthday party headquarters. I’m talking at least 15 children at a time complete with water guns, pool toys etc shrieking and screaming. When I went to the desk to complain that this had been the case every night of our 3 night stay, they basically said ‘yeah it’s been an ongoing problem’ and proceeded to give me a 25% discount, but do absolutely nothing about the problem so we could at least enjoy a few minutes of relaxation in the hot tub. In addition to this, the rooms are very loud at night. You can hear people walking up and down the hallways, people screaming and yelling in the hallways, and the people above you and on both sides in the rooms etc. The beds are probably the hardest, most uncomfortable beds in existence, and the blankets on the beds consist of a sheet and a thin duvet. To top off the experience, people are allowed to just be in the hotel lobby for hours on end with no verification of them actually staying in the hotel. One woman was staying in the same spot of the lobby with all her belongings for over 12 hours, ordering food from McDonald’s to be delivered etc. I, too, would have enjoyed being able to not pay for my stay here at this hotel and enjoy the lobby amenities, as it wasn’t even worth the discounted amount I paid. I’ll aim to stay with another hotel chain in the future, as it’s obvious this place does not care to create a restful or even safe environment for...