Had to Get to Water

Richardson Highway, Worthington Glacier, Horsetail and Bridal Veil Falls, looking across the Bay at the Terminus of the Alaska Pipeline.

Quick Tips:

bring a raincoat, preferably light and impermeable, and a happy attitude.

Dress in layers.

Absolute Must-Have for any road trip in Alaska: Get the Milepost!!

Don't let the gas tank get lower than 1/2 tank, just to be on the safe side.

Best Way To Get Around:

rental car, if not plane.

Recently renovated (2003), fairly run-of-the-mill Best Western, no smoking odor tho! :)

With this being the downturn toward the end of tourist season, the pretty much standard rate here is about $140 for 2 doubles.

Location is great, rt on the Harbor. If it weren't so rainy for the past week, I'm sure it'd be a lovely view of the glaciers and the waterfalls and the harbor.

Atmosphere: pleasant, subdued, welcoming and even restful. Decor: standard American hotel, with a bit more warmth and more than a passing nod to the abundant wildlife in Alaska and spec Prince William Sound.

First impression: wonderfully dry (it rained all the way fr the Thompson Pass, incessantly)

Has a Bistro attached, closes at 10pm. There is also a gift shop, a bit-overpriced, but the same shop houses a Heli-trek (?) outfit, and has the boots and many of the accouterments for just such an endeavour.

There is a computer room available to all guests (till 11pm I think) as well as a fitness room, tho I didn't get a chance to check it out.

The well-respected (my friends in AK tourism have mentioned him again and again as "first class") Stan Stephens' Wildlife and Glacier cruises is located on the same property, just behind the hotel to the left.

Space was more than adequate, beds were 2 doubles, comfortable, TV, DVD/VHS, microwave, refrigerator, hair dryer and iron included, as well as an electric fan (no AC), and the heater does work. Windows are screened and can be opened to allow in that fresh air.

My room was comfortable, tho there was a on and off again juddering sensation fr someplace below the desk/work station. Once I'd ascertained it wasn't an earthquake, and that I wasn't having a seizure, it became more tolerable, There must be some machine on the first floor.

Can't comment on service as I asked not to be disturbed and the staff honored the sign. The front desk staff was very pleasant and helpful.

I'd recommend this hotel, tho it's perhaps not the least expensive, nor the best value, it gets the job done. And the location can't be beat.

Definitely make reservations anywhere in AK during the summer months. Don't just arrive without them, as I was witness to 3 would-be guests having to be helped to look for other accommodations-- in the past 10 days, going fr Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks, to Valdez.

moderately well-lit, two level restaurant right at the Harbor, can watch all the sea vessels coming and going. Even got to see an otter float around on its back.

Located within the Best Western Hotel. Touts itself as among Alaska's best, but falls short.

Decor: casual maritime.

Don't come too close to closing time (10pm); was basically ignored by 2 waitstaff while at the hostess' post. Was noticed finally when another waitress went to attend to someone else's bill. After that tho, service was exemplary.

The calamari was okay, not rubbery nor was the breading too heavy or oily, the clams were also good, tasted fresh, not sandy or gritty, but altogether very bland.

The restaurant is really a local favorite, known for their seafood and pasta, but I don't think those dishes were the basis for their reputation.

Breakfast was passably good. Cost: $15 for hotel guests, and as was often mentioned, it's $25 otherwise. Doesn't seem worth it. Pretty standard fare: scrambled eggs, toast, bagels, cereal, oatmeal, bacon, sausage, cold cuts of turkey and ham and various juices. The friendly waitress was not enough to make this a Good Value.

Kudos to the restaurant tho for posting all their comment cards, for smack in the middle was one clearly printed "Tourist Ripoff".

Recommended for the traveler who just wants a bite to eat before going to bed, for the weary who doesn't want to forage for food in a new town, and also for those waiting to go on a Stan Stephens cruise; their office is out the back door just to the left.

Would I eat here again: yes, I'd give it another try. Perhaps this just wasn't a wow kind of day, but the place really is quoted by the locals as a place they go for some fine dining.

fried seafood/ fast food

heard about this place fr locals, called to see if they were open for late lunch (2pm on a Saturday, and yes). Staff very efficient, very friendly and very helpful (great directions), and come to find out, fairly young.

Was pleasantly surprised to find such personable, friendly and polite youthful staff. My order was ready when I got there, and fr our phone conversation, they had put together a 1/2 basket halibut & 1/2 salmon so I could try the 2. The halibut was definitely the better, but now is not the best time for the best salmon either. The fish was fresh and breading was crisp, not greasy. Good flavor, and definitely didn't smell fishy (always a good thing).

The restaurant was clean, the atmosphere convivial. And while the staff is young, they were very poised and the raucousness that usually plays out with this age group was not evident, tho everyone seemed to be friends. It was just a very pleasant experience, from phone call to take-out.

There weren't many people there this afternoon, but around closing time, locals were piling out of the seating area, seemed to be having a good time, and there were a couple people taking out. The largest group seen was 5.

Good Value? Yes. The seafood basket came to less than $10. It was fresh, and this is Alaska in the summertime, still in the throes of tourist season. Not many places around these parts have entrees for less than 10 bucks.

Will definitely be coming back if in the area. I'd like to try the clam chowder that's always sold out by the time I get there.

Recommended for people on the move or those on the budget or for people who like deep fried seafood that's not greasy. Also recommended for people who want to see some great kids at work, they really were impressive. :)