PRICE:
Frommer's Exceptional

This is Alaska's great, grand hotel, where royalty and rock stars stay. Former Gov. Wally Hickel built the first of the three towers after the 1964 earthquake, and now the hotel fills a city block and anchors the downtown skyline. Inside, the earth tones and dark-wood decor contribute to a fully realized (maybe a little excessive) nautical theme, with art memorializing Cook's voyages and enough teak to build a square-rigger. The regularly renewed rooms are decorated in a rich, sumptuous style using exquisite fabrics, unique pieces of custom-built furniture, and lots of varnished trim. Rooms are comfortable in size, but not as large as those in modern upscale chains, and all have a choice only of a king or two twin beds. Lots of custom tile, mirrors, and granite make up for the relatively small size of the bathrooms. There are great views from all sides and you don't pay more to be on a higher floor. The pool, spa, and fitness facilities in the below-ground lower lobby are among the best in town. Sophisticated food and superb service justify the high prices at The Crow's Nest, the city's most traditional fine-dining restaurant, on the hotel's top floor. Most tables have stupendous views, and high-backed booths lend intimacy for a romantic dinner. The cuisine draws on many influences without being trendy and looks wonderful on the plate. Main courses range from $26 to $50. The wine list is voluminous, with few bottles under $40. Fletcher's, off the lobby, is an English pub serving good Italian-style pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. The Pantry is an above-average hotel cafe, with interesting entrees in moderate serving sizes. The Whale's Tail serves light meals, coffee, and cocktails amid overstuffed chairs and big TVs. It's a good place for a drink without feeling like you're in a bar. Facilities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; indoor pool; separate men's and women's health clubs with racquetball, Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna; concierge; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; dry cleaning; concierge-level rooms

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Alaska 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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