We are arriving very late 1:30 a.m. - need to find a hotel close, inexpensive, but very clean. Downtown Anchorage is too expensive. Any ideas?

I don't know what you consider inexpensive but there is a Courtyard by the airport. Expedia has a bunch listed by the airport.... which is in the Spenard Area.

Several hotels on Spenard, which is close to the airport ... I think all of them have a free shuttle. These range from expensive ones like the Millenium and Marriot to fairly moderate chains like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western to the Puffin, with a few relatively inexpensive ones near the Puffin. All of these are within a few blocks.

We usually stay here on Spenard the first night, then take off the next day in either a rental car or a bush flight.

Bill

Not sure when you're going, but we've had some good luck with Priceline. Bid and won the Microtel at the airport (2 star) for $37 for May 15. That's about 1/3 the going rate. Seems like 2-1/2 stars are pretty expensive. We have the Hilton on 5/17 (3 star) for $119 (regular booking; I think Marriott just dropped to that for this date). During this time we were see rates in the $180-280 for a Courtyard type of place.

Suspect the later in summer you go, the more expensive it gets.

The Microtel is a great option. I've also stayed at the Super 8, not the "best" area, but at the time the price was great and room very clean. I only needed a bed, otherwise, there are definately better areas.

We had the same problem several years ago. All of the hotels that we could find were expensive and we were departing Anchorage early the next morning. All we wanted was a clean place to sleep and shower. We reserved a private room for four (there were three of us but we paid for four beds to insure that we did not have a stranger in our room)at the Spenard Hostel. The rate was less than $20 per person. We had an immaculate room with two sets of bunk beds. The bathrooms were shared; however, they were clean and we never had to wait. We did have to pay an extra $1.00 per towel.

The hostel is near the airport and open 24 hours per day. We had a rental car so we drove there and parked. Public transportation and/or taxis are also available.

I can find their website and post a link or you can just do a google serach for Spenard Hostel in Anchorage.