I'm staying in Anchorage in Sept (peak season) 4 nights and am looking for twin share budget accom($20-50 pp per night taxes etc incl)in the downtown area. Any recommendations?
I'm considering the HI Anchorage (international hostel) but have read a few bad reviews. Spenard International Hostel sounds good but the location is a bit out of the way. I have several early morning tours leaving from the train station etc and no private transportation so I thought it would be best to stay as close as possible to the downtown area. Everything else I've seen in the area is way over my budget - can anyone give advice on where they would recommend?

Hello kbo:

I don't know if I would call Sept. peak season or not. I'm under the impression that things are starting to slow down a little.

I stayed at the Spenard Hostel last year and I would recommend it. I will be staying at the HI Hostel this year for 3 nights in June. A private room is $50.00 but I'm wondering if that price is valid in September.

I'll also be depending on public transportation. The Spenard Hostel is about a block or so from bus #7 that goes to the airport and downtown. The trouble is the bus may not be early enough. I think there are also other routes than #7 that goes downtown from the Spenard area. The bus company is called People Mover.

Another option would be a B&B. I know there are a couple in the downtown area along with some independent hostels. You may want to call and see what the price for September will be.

Another option would be priceline or something similiar.

Good luck.

Rogue

When in September are you travelling. Things slow down significantly after mid-September, but there is a large national conference that week as well that's driving up hotel prices. I have stayed at Spenard and like it, but there are other options. Try Aspen Suites or the Chelsea Inn.

Hi again

I am there before mid Sept which is still considered the summer peak season...

Not sure how close to downtown it is but check out www.qupq.com

There's a Ramada Limited (and it's a nice Ramada not a dirty one) in Anchorage, only $60 a night and includes breakfast for two. It's not downtown. They advertise free train station transportation but that might be only for your initial arrival into town, I'm not sure, but you could call and check with them.

The Best Western Barratt Inn is $71 per night and is a little closer to downtown, with "free courtesy shuttle" though I don't know how early it starts. It's near the airport and Lake Hood. The $71 rooms are in the "budget" portion of the hotel. Not much else in the area but there is the Millenium Hotel across the street.

Downtown Anchorage is expensive, I think there is an $82 Econo Lodge quite close to downtown.

I have stayed at the Anchorage Ramada's and Days Inn, all have shuttles to airport, depot, which would offer significant savings if you need them. The Ramada included breakfast is so so AT best. But a nice clean hotel.

Also try the Aspen Extended Stay Suites. They were $49 per night for later in September, are brand new, and look really nice, and do have a shuttle, at least to the airport.