Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks

While its looks are hardly memorable, this four-story Hampton Inn presents a relaxed and friendly vibe. By reception, two oversize leather armchairs provide a comfortable spot to collapse next to a flat-screen TV and a gas fireplace. (A nice spot to warm up after being out in Fairbanks' chill.) Guests tend to congregate in the cozy lobby/breakfast area outfitted with light laminate-wood flooring and granite counter tops flecked in rose and gray tones. High ceilings and a trio of chandeliers suspended above a long communal table add to the atmosphere, but it's the decorations depicting Alaska’s great outdoors that really set the tone, from brass jumping salmon to a dogsled. Large windows let in plenty of natural light during the day, although the view just looks out over the hotel's parking lot. This hotel hosts a diverse mix of travelers from families to friend groups to business travelers, all drawn by the property's low rates and helpful features.

This Hampton Inn is located on a service road in the shadows of Johansen Expressway, about a six-minute drive (south) to downtown Fairbanks. The hotel faces the busy Expressway, but the back of the hotel overlooks the peaceful ponds at the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a relatively quiet setting, with a McDonald’s and an animal hospital adjacent to the property. There’s little else within walking distance, but a large shopping plaza that includes a few fast-food restaurants and a Walmart Supercenter is across the Expressway and can be reached in a four-minute drive. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an eight-minute drive. The Alaska Railroad Depot is five minutes by car, and Fairbanks International Airport is 13 minutes. Both travel hubs are accessible by the hotel's shuttle service, free for guests and available 24/7. 

Guest rooms at the Hampton Inn certainly have their upsides: They're tidy, spacious, and fairly well-equipped. But their decor isn't a highlight, and overall rooms feel a bit drab and tired. Beige and brown hues dominate, with walls in off-white or tan and textiles in coffee colors. Leaf-patterned upholstery and geometric '60s carpeting are mismatched, too. Generic artwork in heavy frames feels too formal for the space, as does the medium-toned wood furniture, which is also showing signs of wear. That said, standard amenities are solid and include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Neutrogena toiletries. Beds are topped with comfortable, bright-white bedding, too.Overall space is a plus, with even Standard Double Queens offering ample room for armchairs with matching ottomans and desks with office chairs. Larger Studio Suites with sleeper sofas and wet bars are also available. The roomy, wood and tan granite bathroom vanities are appealing, but the bathrooms themselves are just average in size. Double Queens have shower/tub combos, while Kings have shower inserts with sliding-glass doors. Some rear-facing rooms have nice views of the adjacent Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary, while others overlook the parking lot or nearby Expressway. Both are generally quiet. 

Features are perhaps this property's biggest selling point, as it offers all of the amenities that make this chain so popular. One of the most notable is the signature free breakfast buffet that includes eggs, waffles, and other hot dishes. It also provides to-go breakfast bags, as well as free coffee all day. Snacks can also be purchased in the lobby's convenience store (along with other staples) or from on-site vending machines, but it's worth noting that there's no full-service restaurant or bar in the building.The heated indoor pool is another highlight offering ample space for a swim. It’s enclosed in a pleasant room with showers, an adjacent whirlpool, loungers, and two pool lifts for those with mobility issues. The fitness center is also surprisingly well outfitted with a solid selection of modern strength-training and cardio equipment including three Precor treadmills facing a flat-screen TV. Welcome freebies (apart from breakfast and coffee) include parking, Wi-Fi, and weekday newspapers. One unusual freebie that’s not offered at many Hamptons is this hotel’s free 24/7 shuttle to Fairbanks International Airport and the Alaska Railroad Depot. For business travelers, the property's lone meeting room can host up to 35 people, and there’s a business center where guests can print boarding passes. Other conveniences include a guest laundry room, valet dry cleaning and laundry services, and plug-in stations for electric cars.