Westin Alyeska Prince--Five Star Excellence in Girdwood, Alaska
Written: Jul 20 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Design, True Alaska Surroundings, 50 minutes from Anchorage
Cons: 50 Minutes from Anchorage, Expensive
The Bottom Line: Five Star excellent just outside of the Anchorage area.
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| glacier's Full Review: Alyeska Prince Hotel |
Hands down, this is the best place to stay when you're visiting Anchorage and want a truly beautiful place to stay. It is the only hotel I place on my 'must see' list for visiting friends and relatives.
One of two or three five star accomodations in the Anchorage area, the owners wisely chose to build outside of town, down the Turnagain Arm about 40 miles away in a small ski town named Girdwood. Remember olympic gold medalist skier Tommy Moe? This was his training grounds. (see my opinion of the ski resort at http://www.epinions.com/content_23265185412)
To start, take a look at their website at http://www.alyeskaresort.com/ and click on the Alyeska Prince Hotel link. The folks who own the resort also own the hotel, so in truth, the hotel is part of Alyeska Resort. Anyhow, take a look at some of the photos they have there. The beauty is real and charming. Anyhow, if you plan or hope to stay there, give them a call and check availability. Although the drive is definitely worth it, I'd hate for you to be disappointed after making it all the way there.
Accomodations (10 out of 10)
This is no Motel 6. The rooms are clean, the sheets are white, the floors are vacuumed, the bedding is stylish.
The doors, beds, cabinets and trim are a dark cherry wood color, giving a charming, warm feeling to these rooms. If you are on the mountain side of the building you'll get a great view of the pond out front and the accompanying gardens and plaza. You can see the tram as well, which originates adjacent to the hotel and heads up to the 'round house' near the top of the mountain. Units on the other side of the building enjoy a view of the valley toward the inlet. Look for moose, as they enjoy the meadow out on the south side.
The lobby is large and very well designed. They really pulled out the stops on the small details, here, and everything from the handrails to the elevator buttons exhude quality.
The indoor pool is magnificent, with a wood cathedral ceiling and a large hottub with a view of the pond, be sure to at least take a look at it. Locals pay $5 to swim here when they can. The fitness center faces the pool, so don't be intimidated by the folks on the lifecyles watching you.
Restaurants (7 out of 10)
This one negative really has more to do with price than quality, and it is offset by the fact that there is great food to be had in Girdwood outside of the hotel. First, though, those in-house:
Seven Glacier--This is their award winning restaurant on top of the mountain. Ride the tram to exquisite views as you enjoy your Salmon, Halibut or wild game to an Alaskan sunset. They apparently have a pretty awesome wine cellar as well. Pack your wallet, because you're going to need it here.
Pond Cafe--Decent food at higher-than-decent prices. I spent $15 on a simple burger. This is the family dining facility at the hotel, and you'll probably eat there a few times anyway.
Sitzmark Bar and Grill--This is the happening place outside of the hotel, with beer, burgers, pizza and live music and whatever else you might like. To get there, head back down the road to the 'Alyeska Resort' sign and drive to the building at the base of Chair One. It's on the mountain side of the building. The balcony is popular on sunny nights, so stake out your seat and enjoy the air.
Additionally, you might try the two Japanese restaurants in the hotel. I have no information other than that the owners, Seibu Corporation, and based in Japan and can darn well put as many sushi bars as they like. I don't see a large crowd packing in either of these.
The local food joints
My recommendation is to hop into the car and enjoy one of three great food joints in Girdwood. You'll save money and get some great eats.
Bake Shop--Located on the same building as the Sitzmark, this is one of the great secrets of the resort, mostly because they want you to spend every cent you have on their restaurants instead. Well, take it from me, this is worth it, even if you have to walk. Go there for lunch and enjoy one of their bottomless homemade soups for 5 bucks. My favorites are African Nut, Clam Chowder, and Beef Barley Vegetable. Order a side of their great sourdough rolls for dipping and you'll be one happy camper.
Pick up one of their famous sweet rolls for dessert, then buy a few more for breakfast. People just go nuts for these.
Chair Five--Head back down the road a mile or so and find the local burger and bar. Great burgers, good salads, always full.
Double Musky--This is the dining restaurant of choice of many Anchorage folk. Great cooking and fabulous desserts. Try the cajun menu or the more traditional prime rib. The portions are huge and the quality famous. Find it down Crow Creek Road a few hundred yards. Ask any local for directions. This is a must visit, especially for a romantic quality meal.
Getting There (10 out of 10)
You're going to need a vehicle for this, so I'm assuming you're in a rental. There are cabs and shuttles here. If you have reservations, contact the hotel about picking you up. I'm sure they'd do it.
From Anchorage International Airport (now called Ted Stevens International Airport) head east (toward the mountains) on International Blvd for about 3 miles to Minnesota Blvd and take a right. You will be heading south at this point. Stay on Minnesota for around 5 miles. You'll notice the road curves left until it eventually is heading east (toward those mountains again). You will pass one set of lights at Old Seward Hwy and take a right at the second set of lights which are at the foot of the New Seward Hwy overpass. The New Seward Hwy is the only road to Girdwood, so you can ask anyone where the road is if you somehow get lost.
Now that you're on the New Seward Hwy, enjoy the drive down the Turnagain arm with Mountains on all sides and the inlet on your right. This is a charming drive. Be sure to stop and enjoy a few of the turnoffs on your way. If you're lucky, you'll see Beluga Whales passing by or Salmon in Bird Creek or Bald Eagles over the coast. This stretch of road is one of the favorites for even us Alaskans.
When you reach Girdwood (the signs will welcome you), take a left off the highway in toward the valley. There is one road, so you can't miss it. Eventually, at the end of the paved road, you'll see the ski resort welcome sign. Take a left. The hotel is down this road about one mile. It's huge and gorgeous--you won't miss it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
glacier
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Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Reviews written: 84
Trusted by: 21 members
About Me:
Proud father of two living in the last frontier.
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