SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anchorage University Lake — Hotel in Alaska

As a Lifetime Gold Marriott Rewards member, I have spent well over 500 nights in most of the Marriott Hotel brands, but seldom have I enjoyed a stay as much as I did last weekend at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott at University Lake in Anchorage. While I haven’t experienced too many SpringHill Suites, I found this one to be a total pleasure and constantly surprising me in terms of the facility, the service and the “extras” that this hotel provided. While it is located in a small suburban office park near two universities, it was easily accessible to the airport and downtown Anchorage, both about a 15 minutes drive. The surprise was that the hotel provided regular and on call free shuttle service to both places, so I ended up cancelling a $125 a day rental car that was totally unnecessary despite the multiple trips our group took to both the airport and downtown. Our room on the third floor was large and spacious, with frosted glass window that could be opened to let in the daylight separating the living room from the bedroom. Our room had a large closet, was well decorated and lighted, and looked like it had just been refurbished. The surprise was that there were two baths—one with a sink and toilet, and the other with a large glass door shower and sink. The baths were totally separated and both opened directly to the bedroom. Besides the usual amenities of a free breakfast, free WiFi, free parking, an indoor pool, laundry room, business center and fitness facility, the biggest surprise was that the lobby opened unto a large, well furnished patio that led to a charming, picturesque lake with a 1.5 mile path surrounding it. Since it doesn’t get dark in Alaska until 11PM, we were able to take multiple daily walks around the lake that led back to the hotel. The patio had a large fire pit and a number of comfortable seating areas surrounding it, which made for a great gathering spot for our extended family of 10.
Since no hotel can be great without great service, it was our experience that every employee we came in contact with-- from the front desk clerks to the maids and breakfast area staff to the shuttle drivers--were uniformly helpful, courteous and professional, and all our family’s interaction with the staff were consistently pleasurable, despite the fact that the hotel was totally booked both nights we were there. Even my twenty-something daughters who are usually less than excited about hotels were raving about the...

Ive never had issues with reservation until this time around. I’ve made a reservation a month prior via Marriot Bonvoy app. Called the hotel the week of my stay just to make sure. I had a unique package that guaranteed me a preferred room of my choice (2 queens), enhanced internet, $10 credit and check in at 6:00 am and check out at 6:00 pm. When I called a few times during that week of my stay both times lad staff were not friendly at all. And most of all could not find my reservation. I checked on numerous occasions with MB and everything checked out on their end. My last time I called was already from the airport and again. Unfriendly lady staff could not find my reservation numerous ways we’ve tried. I called back to MB and they said that it’s there and are not sure why the hotel is not seeing it. So, flying in, I was not sure if I would have anywhere to stay. However, when I arrived (1-2 am) and called from the airport, male staff located my reservation with some time and sent a shuttle to pick us up. At the hotel, my preferred room was unavailable. Most likely because there was an issue with reservation. Which was very inconvenient for my stay and preference. And they only had 1 king room available which I took for I had no other choice. Or had to wait until my preferred room would become available. Which was uncertain. So, after adjustment, I later discovered that I no longer had enhanced internet or $10 credit. Although, the lady staff did honor the $10 credit. For she also could not find it after the adjustment. This is my first I’ve ever went through such bad experience with reservation. It was very frustrating and confusing why one system had it all there and the hotel didn’t. Other issue was we’ve asked for fresh towels in the morning, snd then around noon. So, total of about 2-3 times that day, and didn’t get fresh towels until we walked ourselves to the front desk in the evening and picked them up there ourselves. Also, the shower was leaking. Other than that. A typical hotel stay. Just those things made it much worse. I hope not to experience it again or any one...

Our child spent a semester at University of Anchorage. We stayed at the Springhill Suites Marriott for 2 weeks (May 2017) when we helped her pack up to come home. This hotel is by far the very best hotel in Anchorage, and one of the best Marriott hotels we have ever stayed in.

Not only is this hotel super convenient for those visiting the University, but also the Hospital. It is also very close proximity to the main routes when driving to any sightseeing destination (Denali, Seward). It is in a very safe and attractive part of Anchorage. There is a lake behind the hotel with a dog park - it was so much fun to watch the dogs - but there is a fence so the dogs cannot get onto the hotel property. They have an awesome gas fire pit where we were able to sit and relax and mingle with other hotel guests. There was also a beautiful indoor pool and jacuzzi, although we did not find time to use it.

This hotel is very modern and CLEAN!!!! SUPER CLEAN!!!! People were continually cleaning! It smelled wonderful! The beds were comfortable and there were plenty of towels. The set up of the bathroom(s) was great - one room had the shower and full sink; the other room had the toilet and its own sink! So our family was able to use the two rooms simultaneously. Great idea Marriott! Even the coffee was delicious!

Finally, I cannot say enough about the staff. The staff were professional, friendly and so very, very helpful. Whatever we needed, whatever questions we asked, they provided prompt service - with a smile!

(P.S. The only reason I gave them a "good" for dining is they don't have a full restaurant at the hotel - so no room service. They did have several items available for purchase, and in-room microwave and fridge, so its not the end of the world. And the complimentary breakfast was very, very nice - eggs, bacon, fruit, waffles, etc.)

If you need to journey to Anchorage, AK for any reason, my family and I very strongly recommend you book your stay at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anchorage University Lake! You will be so...