Bed-and-Breakfasts and Guest Houses

Anchorage [1] had over 175 B&Bs at last count, including luxurious hillside homes with spectacular vistas, snug downtown places, and rent-out-the-spare-room suburban houses. An excellent starting point when looking for a local B&B is the Anchorage Alaska B&B Association (907/272-5909 or 888/584-5147, www.anchorage-bnb.com [2]). Its website has links to 50 or so B&Bs, with location and price details.

See the Anchorage Big Wild Life (available from the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Visitors Information Center [3] downtown or on the web at www.anchorage.net [4]) for a fairly complete listing of local B&Bs, or take a look at the blizzard of B&B brochures filling visitors center racks.

Downtown Guest House (1238 G St., 907/279-2359, www.downtownguesthouse.com [5], $150 for up to 4) is an immaculate and peaceful two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, Internet access, and laundry. It’s just a block or so from New Sagaya’s (gourmet food, coffees, and deli), and a short walk from downtown. Downtown Guest House is highly recommended, but with just one unit you’ll need to book well ahead for the busy summer season. Tell Clark and Mitzi I sent you.

Built in 1913, Oscar Gill House B&B (1355 W 10th Ave., 907/279-1344, www.oscargill.com [6], $115–135 d) is a historic home facing the downtown Park Strip. Two attractive guest rooms share a bath, while the largest has its own. Guests appreciate the central location, full breakfasts, friendly owners, and grandma’s-house atmosphere. Call well ahead since Gill House fills fast.

For top-end lodging, it’s hard to compete with Mangy Moose B&B (5560 E. 112th Ave., 907/346-8052 or 877/777-8937, www.alaskamangymoose.com [7], $179–229 d). The B&B gets high marks from visitors, with three immaculate and luxurious guest rooms and suites, private entrances, Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer, and delicious breakfasts. It’s on the south end of town, so you’ll need a car.