Anchorage hotel or B & B/Hospital gift shop
 

Could you recommend a good hotel or B & B for a one night stay in Anchorage prior to going to Seward to join a cruise? Also, I understand that there is a hospital gift shop in Anchorage that has wonderful native crafts. Any information on that? Thanks!

We stayed at a wonderful B&amp;B in Anchorage for the same trip. The owners built the home, it was new and immaculate and furnished with lots of Alaskan goodies. Called the Sleeping Lady, here's the URL:<BR><BR>www.anchsleepingladybnb.com/ <BR><BR>Good location too...we walked to dinner and shops.

For years the gift shop at the Alaska Native Medical Center was the best native crafts shop in town; don't know if it still is, since the hospital relocated some time ago. You might phone the hospital when you get to Anchorage.

Believe it or not, the JCPenney downtown has a lot of native crafts.

Went to the native craft store in the hospital in 2001 (sort of east side of town). It is open for very limited hours--check ahead. A small room with lots of merchandise--dolls, carvings, fans, clothing, etc. with helpful staff. A group of 15 or so had arrived and packed the space, so I wandered around until they left. The hospital halls hold great displays of native arts. Across the street some ladies set up shop for their homemade wares in the lobby of the medical office building.

There are several native-made craft stores in downtown Anchorage. One is across the street from the JC Penney/5th Avenue Mall. <BR><BR>The Oomigmak Weavers' shop is a few locks away, if you're looking for a really good souvenier.<BR><BR>DEFINITELY eat at the Galcier Bay Brewhouse while in Anchorage!! Oh my! I miss their herb-crusted halibut and seafood chowder!

Oh, the best hotels in downtown Anchorage would be the Captain Cook and the Hilton.

I stayed at both the Spring Hill Suites (not downtown, but close) and the Holiday Inn which was right downtown. Both hotels were fine and reasonably priced. The Spring Hill Suites includes continental breakfast.