Anchorage Airport's BEST Hotel? La Quinta Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, sometimes-chaotic world of the La Quinta Inn & Suites near Anchorage Airport. Forget perfectly polished reviews – we're going real. We’re talking honest traveler vibes, with all the messy glory that entails. This isn't a checklist; it's a story of a stay.
The Quest for Anchorage's Airport Oasis: La Quinta Inn & Suites – The Unfiltered Truth
Alright, so you're landing in Anchorage. Which is… well, it's Anchorage. You're probably exhausted, maybe slightly bewildered by the sheer vastness of Alaska, and desperately need a place to crash before your Denali adventure (or whatever epic thing you're doing). La Quinta near the airport? It's a contender, let's just say that.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Trying
Okay, let's be real. Accessibility is crucial for some of us. And La Quinta tries. They do have facilities for disabled guests, an elevator (thank GOD, I’m not climbing stairs after a flight!), and the usual suspects like accessible bathrooms in some rooms. The website mentions it, which is a decent start. But I didn't specifically test it. (If you need 100% guarantee, call ahead and be very specific about your needs. Don't assume.)
Internet: The Eternal Struggle, But With a Silver Lining
Ah, the internet. The lifeblood of the modern traveler. Free Wi-Fi? YES! In all rooms? DOUBLE YES! (And a sigh of relief from this digital nomad.) Honestly, after a long day of travel, the ease of just plopping down on the bed and immediately watching something on Netflix feels like a small miracle. The Wi-Fi in the public areas… well, it was there, but I wouldn’t count on it being lightning-fast. My advice? Download your stuff before you arrive.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Era Adjustments
Okay, this is where things get really interesting. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, okay? So, I was watching for any signs of… you know… stuff. They state EVERYTHING on the website, so: hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocols, and, from what I could tell, a real attempt at keeping things clean. They had the whole “rooms sanitized between stays” thing going on. My room looked clean. I didn't find any stray… things. And after a long day of travel, you really appreciate a room that's not a biohazard. This is what I like to see!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The In-House Breakfast Shuffle
Breakfast. It’s the crucial first step in most morning routines. They do have free breakfast. Buffet-style. It…wasn't the best buffet I've ever encountered (let's be honest), but it was there. And, more importantly, it was free. They had the usual suspects – scrambled eggs, (questionably) cooked bacon, the make-your-own-waffle station (always a winner!), and the pastries that probably came from a box. I actually had a waffle, and it did its job. Filled a hole. And hey, there was coffee! Coffee is a must.
The hotel itself also seems to have: a snack bar (handy for late-night cravings), a coffee shop I didn't see, but it's always good to know it's there.
Things get a bit slim in the "dining" department outside of breakfast. If you're hoping for a gourmet experience, you're in the wrong place. But, hey, it's a hotel near the airport. You're not exactly expecting Michelin stars.
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials (and then some)
Okay, this is where La Quinta actually shines. They’ve got the basics down: 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, laundry service. But they also tossed in a few extra goodies: a convenience store (perfect for forgotten toothbrushes or a midnight snack run!), a concierge (could be useful, didn't use them), and they even have a business center (if you're that person who has to work on vacation…no judgements).
For the Kids: The Family Factor
I didn't have kids with me, but the hotel seemed family-friendly. (Kids facilities such as a pool, breakfast buffet, etc.). I saw some families wandering around.
Getting Around: The Airport Proximity Advantage
Okay, let's cut to the chase: this hotel’s bread and butter. Airport transfer? Yup. Free car park? YES! Car power charging station? Possibly (check ahead!). Taxi service? Absolutely. This is hugely important for airport hotels. You land, you get shuttled, you crash. Easy peasy.
The Room: My Cave of Comfort
I can't stand to stay in a bad room. Luckily, my room was pretty good! It was clean (thank the heavens!), had a comfy bed, blackout curtains (essential for beating jet lag), and all the usual things: a desk, a TV, a coffee maker (hallelujah!). And it was soundproof. This is key when you're near an airport! No roaring engines all night long. My room also had the usual: a coffee maker, a mini-fridge to keep snacks at bay. Also, a large TV so I could binge-watch whatever I was craving.
The "Things to Do & Ways to Relax" section: The most important part
La Quinta has the gym/fitness center, but this is where the review gets more, shall we say, human. My goal was to relax. After a long flight, all I needed was the ability to sleep, shower, and watch some TV – and that I got. I didn't use the gym so I can't say if it's good, but it was there.
The Emotional Verdict: My Honest Thoughts
Okay, so La Quinta near Anchorage airport… is it the best hotel in the world? No. Is it a luxurious, pampering spa experience? Nope. But is it a solid, reliable, clean, and convenient option for a pre- or post-flight stay? Absolutely.
Here's the Breakdown:
- The Good: Cleanliness, the free airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, convenience.
- The Okay: The breakfast.
- The Needs-Improvement: Gourmet dining options.
Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. Especially if you prioritize ease and convenience. It's not fancy, but it's a solid choice for a quick stopover or a pre- or post-Alaska adventure. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
The Crazy Offer: Your Anchorage Airport Sanity Saver
Book your stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites near Anchorage Airport TODAY, and get:
- Guaranteed Rest: Avoid the post-flight zombie shuffle with guaranteed cleanliness, blackout curtains, and a soundproof room – at least as soundproof as you can get near an airport!
- Free Wi-Fi: Stream your shows, catch up on emails, or just avoid awkward small talk with the airport bar’s Wi-Fi… all for free!
- Fuel Up for Free: Start your next adventure with the "kinda-okay, but free" breakfast buffet.
- Stress-Free Travel: Free airport shuttle? YES! Parking? YES! This is all you need to hit snooze.
But Hurry! Deals like this don't last forever! Book Now for your Alaska airport escape.
Escape to Paradise: Chaipat Hotel, Khon Kaen's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously color-coded travel itinerary. We're going deep into the heart of Alaska, specifically the belly of the beast known as La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport, and it's gonna be… well, something. Don't expect pristine organization. Life, like a lukewarm continental breakfast, rarely delivers.
Day 1: Arrival – Where My Soul Briefly Died in a Shuttle Bus & Then Got Resurrected by a Free Cookie
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Okay, first impressions? Cold. Like, "I forgot my gloves and now my fingers feel like brittle twigs" cold. Finding the La Quinta shuttle… well, that was a quest. The airport is the size of a small country, and the signs were about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Finally, after wandering aimlessly and questioning all my life choices, I spotted the tiny, slightly apologetic "Hotel Shuttle" sign.
- 1:30 PM: Shuttle ride to La Quinta. The driver, bless his heart, was probably a saint in disguise. He had that weary look of someone who's listened to too many airport horror stories. The ride itself was… uneventful. Meaning it was long enough to start contemplating the existential dread of a leaky faucet and the meaning of life. This shuttle ride felt like a metaphor for life itself: long, bumpy, and ultimately leading to a very… hotel-ish destination.
- 1:45 PM: Check-in. The front desk person was… perky. Too perky. Like, she was this close to handing me a complimentary smiley face sticker. I'm still suspicious. Got my key card, which I immediately dropped. Classic me. The lobby was… clean. Unremarkably clean. Which, after the shuttle, was… welcome?
- 2:00 PM: Room. Decent. Not palatial, not condemned. Standard hotel room fare. But… wait for it… free cookies! Seriously, a plate of fresh-baked, chocolate chip happiness sitting at the desk. I swear, angels started singing. My soul, which had briefly gone dormant in the shuttle, was officially resurrected. Cookies, you guys. Cookies are the answer.
- 2:30 PM: Unpack. (More like, toss suitcase in the corner because I'm already exhausted). Contemplate the fact that I actually paid to be here. Consider whether or not a nap is a viable option, especially at this point.
- 3:00 PM: Okay, the adventure begins! (Said with a heavy dose of irony). Venture out. This is Anchorage, after all. Start with just… walking, I guess. Just to breathe the air.
- 3:30 PM: Lost. Immediately. Alaska is beautiful, they say. Well, from what I can see, it is. But I managed to get turned around even with a map. This might be a regular occurrence.
- 4:00 PM: Food. Gotta eat. Find a local diner (probably). I am going to get something that involves a lot of carbs after that cookie. And hopefully, a massive helping of gravy.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner. Probably some kind local spot. Will report back.
- 6:00 PM: The most awkward walk back ever, because it's getting dark and that's just how it is, I guess.
- 7:00 PM: Back in the hotel. Shower. The water pressure is strong. This is a win.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV, but everything is dubbed in Spanish or feels like it. Give up.
- 9:00 PM: Curling up with an ebook. Realizing I forgot my charger. Maybe the cookie blessing with carry me through? It's a long shot.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Hopefully. Praying for a good breakfast. And more cookies. Always cookies.
Day 2: The Art of Not Freezing + The Moose That Wasn't
- 7:00 AM: "Continental Breakfast." Let's be honest, these are make-or-break moments. The key is low expectations. Scramble eggs that look like a science experiment. Cereal that's probably been sitting there since the Clinton administration. Coffee that… well, it's coffee. I'm not complaining. Especially since someone, someone, clearly got the memo and there were more cookies. I swear, La Quinta is trying to bribe me. And it’s working.
- 8:00 AM: Decide to try to actually "do" something productive. That should be… interesting.
- 9:00 AM: Go on a walk. Explore a park, or see the mountains. This is a good plan. Also, I'm going to wear all my layers to prevent myself from freezing.
- 10:00 AM: Okay, I'm off to find this famous moose that everyone keeps talking about. Apparently, moose are constantly wandering around Anchorage like they own the place. I anticipate a photo op. (Maybe).
- 10:30 AM: The moose hunt. I've walked. I've looked. I've peered into every shrubbery and dense patch of trees. I saw… a squirrel. A fluffy, judgmental squirrel. No moose. Feel slightly cheated. Perhaps the moose are on holiday. Or maybe they're smarter than me and know to stay far away from clumsy tourists.
- 11:00 AM: Find a coffee shop, warm up, and admit defeat to the Moose.
- 12:00 PM: Eat something, because, well, I must eat.
- 1:00 PM: Realize I should do something museum-y, or art-y. Something that actually proves I'm a cultured human being. Should probably look into this.
- 2:00 PM: Do said museum thing. Enjoy the museum.
- 3:00 PM: Attempt to buy souvenirs. Try not to buy a moose figurine just to appease my inner disappointment.
- 4:00 PM: Walk. Maybe the moose will reappear? Probably not.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Back in the room. Reflecting. This trip is… something.
- 7:00 PM: Watch TV.
- 8:00 PM: Pack.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. * 10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Departure – Farewell, Cookies, and the Lingering Scent of… Hotel-ness
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Yes, there were cookies.
- 8:00 AM: Quick check-out.
- 8:30 AM: Shuttle to the airport. Slightly less existential dread this time. Maybe I'm adapting to the whole airport-hotel shuffle.
- 9:00 AM: Security. Goodbye liquids. Farewell nail clippers.
- 10:00 AM: Departure. Looking out the window. The view is better than the flight, even if it's just all the same.
- 10:30 AM: Departure.
And there you have it. A chaotic, imperfect, and utterly human account of my stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport. It wasn't always pretty, the moose eluded me, and I'm pretty sure I'll need a professional de-briefing session about the shuttle bus. But, by golly, there were cookies. And, in the end, that's what matters. I'll come back. I'll find my moose. And, you know what? Maybe I'll even steal a few extra cookies to-go. Don't tell anyone. Especially the perky front desk person.
Dominican Paradise Found: All-Inclusive Luxury Awaits in Bayahibe!
Okay, spilling the beans: Is La Quinta Anchorage REALLY the 'best' hotel near the airport, or is that just marketing fluff?
Alright, lemme level with you. "Best" is a dangerous word, right? Like, what *is* best? Is it the most luxurious sheets? The fastest Wi-Fi? For *airport* hotels, "best" translates to: convenience, a decent bed after a red-eye, and hopefully, not a complete mold-fest disguised as a hotel. La Quinta? It's **pretty darn good**, honestly. Not the Ritz, no, you're not gonna get a butler. But after landing in Anchorage after a delayed flight, dealing with baggage claim that felt like it was designed by Satan himself, and the biting Alaskan air... it's a godsend. I'd call it a solid contender for the "best *practical* airport hotel," if that makes sense? The free shuttle wins major points, I'm telling you. Saved me from wrestling a suitcase and a near-catatonic toddler into a cab at 2 AM.
What’s the deal with the free airport shuttle? Is it reliable? Should I just Uber instead?
The shuttle. Oh, the glorious, free shuttle. Okay, full disclosure: One time, it took FOREVER. Like, I was starting to suspect the driver was off wrestling a bear and enjoying a late-night snack. My phone was dead, I was hangry, and I swear I saw a hawk circling above me, judging my life choices. But! That’s been the *exception*, not the rule. Usually, it's pretty darn efficient. They run frequently, and frankly, after that bear-wrestling driver incident, I was READY TO FIGHT for this shuttle. Seriously, the convenience of not having to call an Uber at 3 AM? Worth the slight risk of waiting a few extra minutes. And hey, you can always call the front desk, and they're generally pretty helpful. Uber? More expensive, and sometimes, the drivers aren't exactly *thrilled* with the airport pick-ups.
Let's talk breakfast. Is the "free breakfast" truly free, or just a sad continental spread of stale bagels and instant coffee?
Okay, buckle up, because this is important. Free breakfast... it's a gamble, isn't it? Look, it's not the *best* breakfast ever. But it's definitely not the worst, either. They have the usual suspects: cereal, yogurt (sometimes, it actually *is* yogurt, not a vaguely yogurt-like substance), those little breakfast sandwiches that look suspiciously like they've been microwaved (but they're surprisingly okay!), the *infamous* waffle maker (a godsend!), and, yes, coffee. The coffee... is coffee. It's strong enough to perk you up, which is all you really need at 5 AM after a transatlantic flight. The best part? You can make your own waffles! And slather them in the "syrup" which is probably refined sugar and corn syrup combo, but I don't care, it's delicious in those moments! Don't expect gourmet dining, but for a free breakfast, it's a win. Especially if you're traveling with kids, who will happily chow down on sugar bombs and save you having to find some elsewhere whilst you're still half-asleep.
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfortable? Or should I pack my own hazmat suit?
The rooms... hmm. Okay, let's set expectations: it's not a five-star hotel. BUT, it's usually clean. (I say "usually" because, hey, life happens, people leave messes). The beds are comfortable enough, after wrestling with that baggage claim monster. I’ve slept worse, much worse, in far fancier hotels. And the blackout curtains? Amazing. Especially when you’ve been traveling through time zones and your body clock thinks it's perpetually 3 AM. I wouldn't say it's luxurious, but it's a solid, no-frills place to crash. One time, I *did* find a rogue sock under the bed. Don’t ask me how it got there; I’m still traumatized. But hey, the rest of the room was spotless, so I chalked it up to the hotel gremlins.
Is there anything nearby, like restaurants or shops, besides the airport? Or am I stuck in hotel purgatory?
Hotel purgatory? Haha! Okay, so, it's not exactly a bustling metropolis right outside the hotel doors. You’re close enough to the airport that you're not going to be stumbling upon trendy shops. But there’s a few chain-type fast food places, and a couple of restaurants, also the airport itself. It gets the job done if you need a quick bite. If you're feeling adventurous - and have a car, or are prepared to call an Uber - Anchorage proper isn't *too* far. But remember, you're there for the airport, right? You're probably exhausted and just want to eat and sleep. So, yeah - it's not foodie paradise. But you won't starve.
How's the Wi-Fi? Gotta stay connected, you know...
Okay, Wi-Fi... crucial. Especially when you're trying to tell your family you arrived safely or streaming Netflix while, again, wrestling with jet lag at 3 AM. The Wi-Fi is usually pretty good. Not the *fastest* Wi-Fi in the world, but it's reliable enough for checking emails, streaming, and even making video calls. I've never had a complete meltdown, which is always a good sign. I've used it to catch up on work for the day. So yeah, it works.
If I forget something (toothbrush, charger, etc.) are they helpful at the desk? Do they have a mini-mart for basics?
Ah, the forgotten essentials! I've been there. The front desk staff? Generally, they're pretty nice, generally helpful. They're used to dealing with frazzled travelers. They don't have a full-blown mini-mart, but often, they have a little selection of essentials. I've bought a toothbrush before! And sometimes, when you are suffering the effects of travel and jet lag, that extra small act of kindness goes a long way. Don't expect a pharmacy, mind you. But they'll do everything they can to help.
Okay, the killer question: Would you stay there again? And why?
Absolutely, yes. Without question, I'd stay there again. Why? Because it IS a convenient, reliable, affordable option. The bed's fine. The shuttle's (usually) decent. The breakfast is okay - and didHotel Finder Reviews
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