Hotel Captain Cook

I spent four nights here, and these are my quick observations: 1. This may be odd, but I must first describe the gym. This hotel has the nicest, best equipped gym I have ever encountered. It has separate locker rooms for men and women, a full-sized pool, free weights, many machines, a sauna, and two Pelotons. Two!! It is incredible. 2. I visited four of the hotel's restaurants: a. The Whale's Tail-this is a casual spot just off the lobby. I am sure it is fine, but the bartender was obnoxious and made diner unpleasant. b. Cubby's-this spot is more casual as you order at the counter. I had coffee and a bagel each morning. It was great. I also purchased a club sandwich that was surprisingly good. c. Fletcher's- I enjoyed my dinner at Fletcher's and had two good beers d. Crow's Nest-this is on the 20th floor of tower 3, and the view is incredible. I sat at the bar without reservations. I really liked it. 3. My room was quite nice if a bit dated. Housekeeping was excellent. 4. The hotel location is good. I walked to several nearby restaurants. 5. I am not a shopper, but the lobby is replete with nice shops featuring quality products.

A great experience, great assortment of places to eat and drink inside the hotel. Everything was perfect. Conveniently located downtown, easy short ride to the airport. A view of the water and the rest of downtown that can’t be beat. I would highly recommend it on your next visit to Anchorage

I recently stayed here for 4 nights for a work-related meeting and I was sorry to leave. First, the service at this hotel is truly remarkable—whether its the housekeeper warmly greeting me every morning, the desk attendant at the gym/spa who offered to give me a tour, or the manager, Brian, who changed my room after my first night to one that better met my needs, everyone went above and beyond and was friendly. Second, the location is excellent, with many top Anchorage restaurants and gift shops nearby, including the hotel’s own wonderful stores. The top floors of the hotel boast beautiful views of the Cook Inlet/mountains, or the Chugach range. Third, the Crow’s Nest bar and restaurant have excellent cocktails, views, food and especially service. And finally, while I agree with the reviews that the rooms and hotel are a bit worn, the rooms are clean and spacious enough, with windows that actually open. I will absolutely stay here again next time I’m in Anchorage!

BEWARE of getting insulted. The Captain Cook Hotel, delivers a disappointing experience that significantly falls short of expectations. The decor is tastefully done, but several aspects of the hotel’s logistics and service lead to considerable discomfort. The entrance is narrowly set up, creating difficulties for Uber drop-offs and pickups. Tower 3’s remoteness from the main desk adds to the inconvenience, and although the rooms are spacious, the much-anticipated Mountain View is nearly impossible to see without significant effort. The room conditions are particularly disconcerting with noticeable stains on the furniture and a bathtub that fails to drain properly, compounding frustration with basic amenities. The Pantry Cafe, despite the efforts of its staff, serves food that not only fails to satisfy but also caused a stomach upset, raising serious concerns about its quality and freshness. The experience is further soured by Manager Ross’s conduct, which was nothing short of insulting. During a simple request for a late checkout, necessitated by a delayed flight due to snow storm back in Boston, his abrupt and rude dismissal was shocking. His tone was rude and usage of words "I WANT the room" for such a reasonable request, coupled with his argumentative demeanor in public, profoundly impacted the stay, making it feel unwelcoming and hostile. I felt insulted on the phone to start with and then when i was checking out, i felt threatened and discriminated against. This treatment, especially when linked to the supposed benefits of the I Prefer rewards program, highlights a severe lack of customer appreciation and empathy. The hotel’s athletic club, though equipped with amenities like a Peloton bike, sauna, and pool, is too overcrowded, rendering it more stressful than relaxing—far from what one would desire on a vacation. This experience left me feeling undervalued, disrespected, and discriminated against—a stark contrast to the expectations set by a reputed hotel. The lack of managerial empathy and the publicly argumentative response from Ross not only damaged the immediate experience but also my perception of the hotel’s commitment to guest satisfaction. This incident could have escalated to a serious complaint or legal challenge, had it been documented live. As a guest, I felt threatened and unsafe, which is unacceptable in any hospitality setting. This entire ordeal is a cautionary tale for potential guests and a significant blot on the hotel’s reputation.

This hotel has some history but seems to have been trading off it ever since. Prices are high and not worth it. Its a huge hotel, feels very empty and hollow. Rooms are very old school, needs renovation. Took forever to get hot water in the shower. Staff are not pleasant or welcoming. Can't think of a nice thing to say about it. I think there are plenty other places to stay in Anchorage for better value (and who knows, maybe a smiling, warm, welcoming staff member?)