Clarion Suites Downtown

The Clarion Suites Downtown is a no fuss hotel with slightly dark and outdated interiors. From the outside it looks quaint, with an arched porte cochere. Once inside, the lobby is cozy and welcoming but could do with some refreshing. The double-floor lobby is lined with stone-detailed walls, carpeted flooring, and lounge area with chandelier, antique-style overstuffed dark leather sofas, coffee table, and a fireplace. Guests are kept refreshed with the free tea and coffee available in the lobby throughout the day. Hallways are narrow and quite dark. They have carpeted floors and cream colored walls, but no decor. The breakfast area is a fairly small room, packed with standard wooden tables and chairs and a buffet station along the full length of one of the walls. Guests are a combination of leisure and business travelers; the large suites are particularly popular among family and group travelers.

The Clarion Suites Downtown is located on the quieter southern side of downtown Anchorage. The hotel is situated between businesses, shops, and restaurants on one side and a residential neighborhood on the other side. It's also directly opposite the popular Delaney Park. It will take about nine minutes on foot to reach the banks of the Knick Arm from the hotel. It's also within walking distance of many area attractions, including Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center (eight-minute walk), Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (10-minute walk), Anchorage Museum (14-minute walk), and Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall (17-minute walk). The nearest bus stop is two minutes on foot and the main Anchorage Train Station is five minutes by car. It's a 15-minute drive to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which the hotel offers a free shuttle to and from.

The 112 guest rooms at Clarion Suites Downtown are somewhat old fashioned, though quite spacious and still well-maintained. Expect striped wallpaper, wallpaper border that mimics drapes, expressionist paintings, drab curtains, brown bedspreads, and standard furniture. All rooms are regarded as suites with either one king-size or two queen-size beds and separate living areas. The rooms are ideal for family travelers: the two queen bed suite accommodates up to six guests. Amenities in all rooms include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, desks, telephones, safes, irons and ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combos, and come with hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and simple toiletries. Some rooms overlook the Delaney Park across the road. Past guests have occasionally made complaints about inconsistent housekeeping practices. 

Clarion Suites Downtown offers a fair amount of features. There's a free buffet breakfast each morning, including a wide selection of eggs, sausages, meats, cereals, fruits, and waffles. No full restaurant is available, though free tea and coffee is on offer all day in the lobby. An indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub is available. The fitness center is small and includes a limited selection of Precor cardio machines, plus free towels. There are multiple meeting rooms available, catering for up to 333 guests, as well as a business center with internet access and printing, copying, and fax facilities. On-site parking is free, though it is shared with the restaurant next door so it can fill up fast at peak times. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and the hotel offers a free airport shuttle service. Additional features include guest laundry service, pet-friendly features (additional fee), valet service (additional fee), ATM, and vending machines.