My home is over 200 miles away from “the big city” – Anchorage. Depending on road conditions, it takes anywhere from four to five hours to drive there. Though we often make a day trip to get supplies (Costco and Home Depot are usually the main targets), there are occasions when we spend the night in town. When we do so, our lodging of choice is the Holiday Inn Express.

The Holiday Inn Express is located on Spenard Boulevard, about two miles from Ted Stevens International Airport. There are several other hotels nearby, as well as restaurants within short walking distance: Village Inn, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Quizmos, Subway, a coffee shop, and a couple of pizza places. A brisk five minute walk up Spenard will take you to Gwennie’s Old Alaska, an old family restaurant especially known for its breakfasts and colorful interior.

The Holiday Inn Express offers a variety of room types, with microwaves, coffee pots, and mini refrigerators standard. Rooms are generously sized and comfortable, and every time we’ve stayed there, extremely clean. The front lobby is comfortably sized with a sitting area where you can admire a black bear and a wolverine. There are also old sleds and snowshoes in the public areas, providing a taste of authentic Alaskan transportation. The entire hotel is non-smoking and pet free.

One of the reasons we enjoy staying at this location is that rates are reasonable, though by no means would they be considered “budget” prices. Winter rates, which usually run from October through April are typically less than a hundred dollars a night – quite a bargain by Anchorage standards. During the summer tourist season however, rates double (or more), as they do everywhere in Anchorage. Two hundred to two hundred fifty a night is not uncommon during the travel season, and Holiday Inn Express is no exception.

So what do you get for your money? The hotel provides free airport shuttles, an indoor pool, a fitness center with stationary bicycles, treadmill and stairmaster, a business center with two Internet connected computers, printers and fax machine, and a small gift shop. Both wireless and Ethernet Internet connections are available in all rooms.

They also have a fantastic free continental breakfast, available from 6 to 10 a.m. every morning. Over the years we have stayed at a number of hotels with free continental breakfasts, and this is by far the best. The dining area is fairly large, with nice tables and chairs as well as a television in the corner. Food choices include scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, cereal, a wide assortment of baked goods and pastries, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, and of course, hot coffee and tea. The area is kept clean and tidy and the food supplies fresh. Coffee and hot water are available in the dining area 24 hours a day.

The staff at the hotel has always been pleasant and helpful in our numerous stays there. If you’re looking for reasonably priced lodging with a clean, friendly and comfortable atmosphere, check out the Holiday Inn Express on Spenard. Reservations can be made on line.