Captain Cook Hotel: Staying at an Anchorage Icon in Downtown

For having been in the lobby a million times and had many functions at the Captain Cook Hotel over the years, I only finally have just stayed here. One of the staples of Anchorage, staying at the Captain Cook hotel is a nice experience and it’s one of the most popular places to stay downtown. The location is great and you’ll never guess what our favorite amenity is… You’ll have to read on.

Have you stayed at the Captain Cook before or are you planning to in the future? We’ve got the full scoop on what to expect and what makes it a great option if you want to stay in downtown Anchorage. If you have any questions about the Hotel Captain Cook or things to do in the Anchorage area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun trip to ANC!

Why Choose the Captain Cook Hotel

What really stands out to me about staying at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage is the nostalgia of it, but maybe that’s because I have a history with Alaska and the hotel specifically. When you arrive it is very much the classic high-brow hotel experience and lobby, with the warm wood and rich fabrics. It feels like a hotel from the movies with its art and fine dining. The Captain Cook feels different from any other hotel in Alaska in that it continues to get updates and is very well maintained, but it still retains its vintage charm. And you’ve got sweeping views of the Cook Inlet, the Chugach Mountains and more.

Many cruise line guests are booked into the Captain Cook Hotel prior to their departure from Whittier or Seward, or as their first night on the land portion of the cruise-tour. Being such a hub of cruise guests, the hotel is set up to accommodate that style of travel, meaning there are lots of dining options on site, there are shops and galleries, and there is ample staff around just like on a cruise ship. I’m not sure that this is intentionally reflecting the cruise atmosphere, but it effectively does so, which makes it feel more luxurious.

The most surprising element of staying at the Captain Cook Hotel, and I’ll get into this more below, is the amazing fitness center. There is a complete athletic club in the basement of the hotel with large locker rooms, men’s and women’s areas, separate and combined workout facilities, and so much more. I was stunned at the number of amenities and services found at the Hotel Captain Cook, and I must say, it’s a great reason to choose to stay here midway through a trip exploring Alaska.

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Captain Cook Hotel Amenities

I love the amenities at the Captain Cook Hotel. We try to be good about working out and staying active when we travel, and sometime in the winter that can be difficult, especially in Alaska. The athletic club at the Captain Cook is a full gym complete with separate workout areas for men and women, and some shared fitness spaces. There are free weights, every type of weight or cardio machine you can think of, stretching zones, a sauna and steam room, indoor swimming pool and spa tub and more. It’s impressive for a hotel in the city. Because it is an athletic club that the public can also access for a fee, it is NOT 24 hours, but opens at 5:30 am typically.

Another vintage offering at the Hotel Captain Cook is the barbershop. Yes, a lot of hotels have a spa and sometimes a salon, but a barbershop has become a rarity. And yes, there is a salon as well as a spa.

On the lobby level you’ll find a complete “arcade” of shops. Not an arcade or video games, but an arcade in the vintage sense of storefronts full of local art and Alaskan souvenirs, as well as jewelry. There are many other galleries and shops to buy local art and such, but the shops at the Captain Cook do a good job of offering unique art and the likes, so if you are walking by and something catches your eye…

Room Options at the Captain Cook Hotel

There are three towers of rooms at the Captain Cook Hotel, and they are well updated with very nice furnishings. The rich woods and fabrics and art from the lobby continues up through the hotel into the rooms, maintaining the mood and vintage vibe. This is a large hotel with 557 rooms and 94 suites.

While the standard rooms are a standard size, there are larger options available, including Junior suites that are quite a bit bigger, and then several types of traditional suites. If you’re traveling as a family of five or more, a Junior suite or larger is needed, as the standard (deluxe) rooms cannot accommodate a rollaway bed.

Dining at the Captain Cook and in Anchorage

In the Captain Cook Hotel you’ll find a surprising number of restaurant options. For a simple breakfast or coffee, you’ve got the Cubby Cafe which can be accessed through the lobby or through its own entrance on 5th Ave. The main lobby restaurant is the Pantry, which opens early for a nice sit-down breakfast or brunch on the weekends. Fletchers is the dinner spot, again serving up Alaskan cuisine, burgers and vintage vibes.

And then there’s the Crow’s Nest, which I’ve only gotten to enjoy for private events. It’s lovely at the top of the hotel, and the food is delicious with both Alaskan and French influences. I love it. Lastly, there’s the Whale’s Tale lounge. It’s great for a cocktail and to just relax. There are some TV screens, which I think takes away from the charm, but the stained glass windows and whale pieces throughout make it a fun, unique atmosphere.

Beyond the Captain Cook Hotel, there are some great restaurants that are walking distance. My favorite breakfast spot in all of Anchorage is just a block away, the Snow City Cafe. A few more block aware is Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop (amazing), and in the opposite directly is F Street Station and then Tequila 61°. I think the restaurant scene in downtown Anchorage has come a long way and it’s become a great destination to try all kinds of great food.

Parking at the Anchorage Captain Cook Hotel

Being located in downtown Anchorage, the Captain Cook is a city hotel. That means valet parking or street parking. There are several lots around the property, as well as on-street parking, but finding one of those glorious metered spots for free overnight parking is tricky. I don’t love using valet parking, but we do when we’re at the Captain Cook. You have in and out privilidges, so that’s nice, but it’ll cost you. The valet staff was very fast for us though, and they were wonderfully courteous and helpful. I don’t mind paying for valet when the convenience and courtesy match the cost.

Book the Captain Cook Hotel here!