We are having trouble finding a good hotel in Anchorage with the following:
- nice view,
- non-rustic decor, preferably more contemporary/modern,
- not downtown, unless abosolutely necessary, as we will have a car,
- preferably priced under $250/night.

For various reasons we have eliminated the Dimond, Alyeska Resort, Sheraton Downtown, Captain Cook, Millennium Anchorage.

Marriott. Hawthorn.

Have you considered the Voyager Hotel? Although it is downtown (we had a car and stayed there), it is very close to Tony Knowles trail and lots of great eats. Free parking in lot right across the street. It is also very reasonably priced.

Enjoy your trip!

There are a number of newer hotels in midtown (well, they LOOK newer, I guess I don't know when they were built!!!), which I would consider a safe & convenient location...probably meet all of your criteria, except maybe view, unless you get a high window facing the mountains....try Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Springhill Suites. I think there is also a Motel 6 squeezed right in between a couple of these. Of course, other than being able to see the mountains, this area of town strikes me as so 'suburban-anywhere-USA', and these are very standard cookie-cutter hotels - but, they are surely newish, contemporary, and in your price range.

Have you considered the Comfort Inn Ship Creek?

They are located right on Ship Creek where you can fish for salmon using fishing gear loaned free by the hotel. We stayed there once in late June and saw fisherman on the banks until 11:30-12:00 midnight trying to hook a big king!

Stayed at Captain Cook one night last June, 2005. Found it OVERPRICED and a bit shabby.

This may not be what you had in mind but we stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriot just a mile or so from the airport and it was just fine. Since you have a car it is located adjacent to entrance to main road into downtown. Anchorage is not a large city so this could be an option. Be aware that because of the many cruises that leave out of Anchorage the hotels tend to book up quickly. Now the view from this hotel is nothing to write home about so it fails one of your tests.

If you want a view then you really have to stay at a downtown hotel. I love the Captain Cook and always stay on my frequent voyages to Anchorage. Those who live in Alaska know the Cook is leaps and bounds above the rest. Its also locally owned and operated.

Has anyone stayed at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel?