Anchorage’s Wildbirch Hotel: the Cool Joi de Viv Stay in Downtown

Anchorage is becoming more modern every year, and the Wildbirch Hotel is a reflection of that. Located downtown directly in the Dog mushing District, the Wildbirch Hotel is artsy and warm and very Alaskan, but also it’s extremely trendy and cool. Both the decor and the special touches in the rooms make it unique among Anchorage hotels. There are lots of good places to stay in downtown, but I think this hotel is the coolest of the options, and for sure the most modern.

Have you gotten to stay at the Wildbrich Hotel yet, or does it seem familiar? This building used to be the Holiday Inn and then it was the Aviator Hotel, and now it’s the Wildbirch Hotel, a Hyatt JdV (Joie de Vivre). I like that it’s got new life! If you have any questions about the Wildbirch Hotel or need additional recommendations around downtown Anchorage, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great Alaska trip.

Why Choose the Wildbirch Hotel, Anchorage

Even though Anchorage is continually upping it’s game on modernizing and making hotels more trendy or state of the art, it’s been a slow process. With the conversion of the Aviator Hotel to the Wildbird JdV Hotel it I think the hotels of downtown Anchorage have a new benchmark to meet. For both modern decor and in-room touches that align with standards in the Lower 48, the Wildbirch Hotel is, I think, at the top of the hotel game in ANC. Enough about the modern take on this long-standing, ever changing hotel location, but let’s talk about the actual neighborhood surrounding the Wildbirch Hotel.

If you’re here in the late winter months then you’re in a great spot to enjoy all the dog mushing events that happen in Anchorage. At New Years, you’re right next to where the street fair and events happen. In the summer months, you’re an easy walk from the Alaska Railroad train station (or for the Aurora Winter Route too). Most of my favorite Anchorage restaurants are within a few blocks of the Wildbirch Hotel. It really is a great spot.

Book the Wildbirch Hotel here!

Wildbirch Hotel Amenities

It’s actually surprising how many amenities the Wildbirch Hotel offers. The exterior of the building is rather unassuming and even boring, but there are actually lots of wonderful features of the hotel. Outdoor deck, fire pits, electric vehicle charging stations, laundry facilities, a BIG fitness center, and public spaces make it a good home base for exploring and unwinding at the end of the day. The Wildbirch Hotel is unique for a downtown Anchorage inn as it has all of this AND its own parking lot. It’s just such an easy place to stay if you’re either having busy days playing tourist or even if you’re visiting Anchorage for work.

Does the Wildbirch Hotel have a Swimming Pool?

While historically the hotels that have occupied the building that is now the Wildbirch Hotel have had a swimming pool available to guests, with the most recent updates the pool is no more. I’m not sure why it’s been removed, but that’s the way of things. If a swimming pool is important there are a few downtown Anchorage hotel options that have them including the Hilton Anchorage, the Captain Cook Hotel and the downtown Sheraton.

Dining at the Wildbirch Hotel

When you stay at the Wildbirch Hotel you have two onsite dining options: the Canteen or Crimson. The canteen is a grab and go cafe just off the lobby, and it makes a busy morning easy, especially if you’re staying here for work. If you’re visiting for fun and have a tour or big hiking day, you can grab snacks and such to go, which is nice because there aren’t any other convenient spots like this directly around the hotel.

Crimson is the sit-down restaurant at the hotel. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and events. The bar is really cool and they have a nice cocktail menu. Their burgers are solid (some of the best in downtown Anchorage) and you can’t go wrong with the seafood chowder either.

Room Options at the Wildbirch Hotel

There aren’t a million room types here at the Wildbirch Hotel, but the simple standard offerings. You’ve got the King, Two Queen, and then the Urban Suites. The standard rooms are plenty large and are very on par with Anchorage hotel room sizes. I love the decor (we’ve established that) and they’re well outfitted with things like an electric kettle, coffee maker and actual hooks on the walls for hanging jackets and hats. There is plenty of space for unpacking and keeping your luggage out of the way.

You can also choose from Urban Suites at the Wildbirch. These are larger rooms than the standard and also have a kitchenette. For longer trips, it’s nice to be able to have breakfast or lunch in your room, or to prep snacks for the day if you’re heading out exploring to Prince William Sound or up to Palmer. These rooms are AWESOME for families as they have either one king or two queen AND a queen size Murphy bed in the living area. This is a very unique hotel room feature for Anchorage.

Location of the Wildbirch Hotel

The Wildbirch Hotel is one of the few hotels in downtown Anchorage that has its own parking lot. There is a nightly fee of $15 for parking, but that’s basically what you’ll pay in one of the city lots and the convenience of being on property and NOT having to look for street parking is worth it. Also, there is an entrance from the parking lot level with a portico so you can easily unload luggage for check in without the weather getting the best of you.

Book the Wildbirch Hotel here!