Guest Author - Kimi Ross
The Comfort Inn at Ship Creek is located in the industrial section of downtown Anchorage. In that regards, it is rather isolated from the hubbub of downtown and the shops and restaurants of 4th and 5th Avenue . It offers a unique attraction, though: every year, when the salmon return to Ship Creek, one can walk out the back door and go fishing. The hotel even provides fishing gear free of charge to its guests!
This is not idyllic wilderness fishing however. Rather, it is what Alaskans fondly refer to as “combat fishing” – anglers standing in any available space and fishing a small space right in front of them. When someone hooks a fish, everyone else pulls out their lines to allow the lucky fishermen room to bring it in. For those willing to fish under those conditions, the Comfort Inn is a great option. The Ship Creek King Salmon Derby runs every June.
In addition to being located right on Ship Creek the hotel is within easy walking distance of the Alaska Railroad Depot and the Anchorage Saturday Market. The Bridge restaurant and the Ulu Factory are next door. Amenities include indoor pool and hot tub, in room coffee maker, a fitness room and airport shuttle.
Free wireless internet is available, though the signal is quite weak in rooms on the farthest ends of the hotel and connectivity may be limited. Rooms are also equipped with data ports.
A complimentary continental breakfast is available from 6-10 a.m. and includes do-it-yourself waffles, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, cold cereal, bagels, toast and pastries. Coffee and tea are available 24 hrs in the lobby.
Rooms are clean and comfortable and equipped with comfortable chairs and a desk in addition to the bed or beds. Although the rooms are not palatial, there is plenty of room spread out belongings. A family of four would manage quite nicely. The bathroom is rather small, however, with shower and toilet separated from the sink by a door. Despite the small size, it does the job. The shower has good pressure and a variable shower head to adjust to individual preferences.
Since the hotel is located away from the busy-ness of downtown, traffic is limited. The occasional rumble of a large truck or the train may be heard, but overall it is pleasantly quiet. The rooms are well insulated; there was no evidence that anyone else was staying in the hotel, despite the full parking lot. Despite the fact that the mattress was softer than I prefer, I was able to get a good night’s sleep.
The Comfort Inn at Ship Creek is moderately priced. Room prices in the summer run from $200-250 (during peak fishing season). In the off season, it is usually one of the cheaper options in the Anchorage area, with rooms in the $90-150 range. It is an attractive option for the traveler looking for comfortable lodging at a reasonable price.
