Unbelievable Lake Views! Book Your Anchorage Escape at Coast Inn Now!
Unbelievable Lake Views? Coast Inn: Anchorage, Alaska - Did it Actually Live Up to the Hype? (A Messy, Opinionated Review)
Alright, let's get this straight: I booked the Coast Inn in Anchorage because, well, the photos promised lake views. And, let's be honest, after a grueling red-eye from… well, let's just say far away, "Unbelievable Lake Views! Coast Inn Now!" was a siren song I just had to answer. I needed a place that wasn't just a crash pad, but a… well… an experience. Did it deliver? Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna get real.
First Impressions (and a Rambling Disappointment About the Lack of Petting Zoo):
They talk a good game, the Coast Inn. Accessibility is a BIG deal for me, and they claim to be great. The ramp up to the entrance seemed… ok, I think it was accessible. Listen, I'm fine, but my Aunt Mildred (who uses a wheelchair) might have needed a little… more assistance. And the wheelchair accessibility in the lobby felt a little… perfunctory. They technically had it, but the actual maneuverability felt clunky. This is Alaska, people! You build for the outdoors! Give me some ramps that feel like you can actually enjoy them.
The check-in/out [express] service was thankfully efficient after the trip. Front desk [24-hour]? Check. This is important. Also, they had a doorman. I enjoy a good doorman. Makes me feel classy even when I'm wearing yesterday's travel sweats. The concierge was… well, the guy smiled a lot. Not sure he knew much about what to do beyond telling me it was cold. Seriously, no suggestions for good reindeer sausage? Missed opportunity!
And speaking of opportunities, where was the promised petting zoo? Coast Inn, you lied! Okay, okay, I might be embellishing, but I was expecting a miniature Alaskan husky, maybe a friendly moose. (Side note: Are moose friendly? I've never actually met one.)
The Room: Lake Views? (Cross Your Fingers)
I booked a "lake view" room. And… breathe. The view… it was… okay. Look, I've seen… better. I definitely saw a lake. And maybe… part of the mountains. Let's just say the marketing team really knows how to use a wide-angle lens.
The room decorations were… functional. Not offensive. Not inspiring. Think practical, not Pinterest-worthy. The air conditioning was a godsend. I was sweating buckets. The blackout curtains were, thankfully, effective. Needed those after my insane travel schedule. The beds? Comfy enough. Extra long bed? YES! Bless them and their understanding of us tall folk!
Internet and Tech Troubles:
The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a must. And, thankfully, it worked. I needed to check in on my cat -- long distance and he needs constant supervision. He is a demanding, entitled little fluffball. The Internet access – wireless was also available. Seemed stable. I had no need for Internet [LAN], thank god – I'm on vacation. The TV was a standard flat screen; the On-demand movies were, well, on-demand.
Cleanliness and Sanitization (The COVID-Era Drill):
Okay, this is where the Coast Inn actually shined. They were serious about Cleanliness and safety. The rooms sanitized between stays was evident. They used Anti-viral cleaning products. Staff trained in safety protocol. And the little details? Hand sanitizer everywhere. Individually-wrapped food options. I felt genuinely safe, which is a huge win in my book.
Food, Glorious Food (and my Love Affair with the Breakfast Buffet):
Listen, I love a good breakfast buffet. And the Coast Inn’s Breakfast [buffet] was… pretty darn good. Bacon. Eggs. Pancakes. ALL the carbs! They had Asian breakfast, too. And Western breakfast. I had pretty much both, I'm not going to lie. Coffee/tea in restaurant. Yup. And it was decent. My love for the buffet was only slightly diminished by the fact that they had no doctor/nurse on call that morning. I took it a little too hard and needed some Tums.
The restaurants themselves offered a decent variety. Asian cuisine in restaurant. Western cuisine in restaurant. Salad in restaurant. They even had a Vegetarian restaurant, which is a nice touch, though I am not the target audience. Room service [24-hour]. A huge win for late-night snack cravings!
Relaxation and Amenities: Spa Dreams (and a Fitness Center that Looked… Lonely):
The Spa was… not quite what I'd hoped for. They have a Sauna and… Steamroom but they aren't super inspiring. The Pool with view? Actually, yes - the view was pretty good – better than in my room at least. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was nice, but maybe a tad chilly for a dip.
The Fitness center? Well, it was there. Looked a little lonely, though. I skipped it. More interested in the massage.
Getting Around and Cool Extras:
The Airport transfer was handy. Car park [free of charge], also a win. Taxi service? Available, of course. And the Gift/souvenir shop? Yeah, they had those tacky little Alaskan trinkets that you have to buy for your aunt Mildred.
The Verdict: Worth It? (Maybe)
Okay, let’s be real. The Coast Inn isn’t perfect. But it’s a solid choice. The lake view was… mostly there. The cleanliness was top-notch. The breakfast buffet was worth the price of admission. Would I go back? Probably. Would I be asking for an upgrade next time? Absolutely.
SEO & Metadata (Because I'm a Good Reviewer):
- Title: Unbelievable Lake Views? Coast Inn: Anchorage - A Messy Review!
- Keywords: Coast Inn, Anchorage, Alaska, Lake View, Hotel Review, Travel, Accessibility, Buffet, Spa, Cleanliness, COVID-19, Restaurant, Wifi, Alaska Hotels, Things to do Anchorage, Anchorage Inn
- Meta Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of the Coast Inn in Anchorage, Alaska. Did the lake views live up to the hype? Find out in this detailed review, covering accessibility, cleanliness, food, and the all-important breakfast buffet!
- Structured Data:
Hotel:Coast InnAddress:Anchorage, AlaskaReview:4 stars(Subjective, obviously.)Reviewer: (Me)ReviewDate:Today(Because I'm writing it now!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-packaged travel itinerary. This is real life, Anchorage style, Coast Inn at Lake Hood style, and frankly, it's gonna be a glorious mess. Prepare for a bumpy ride.
The "Anchorage, I Think I Love You (But I’m Also Freezing My Butt Off)" Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Adjustment (and Maybe a Panic Attack or Two)
- Morning (AKA, the "Arrival of Chaos"):
- 7:00 AM (ish): Flight lands at Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). Ugh, those pre-flight jitters hit me again. This is Alaska! Think I should've packed more layers, or maybe a therapy session before committing.
- 7:30 AM: Baggage claim. Pray to the travel gods my luggage actually arrives. (Spoiler alert: It usually doesn't. But fingers crossed this time.)
- 8:00 AM: Uber/Taxi/Rental car struggle. Okay, let's be honest, I’m probably overpaying, but I am running on airplane-grade sleep deprivation and I'm not in the mood to argue.
- 8:30 AM: Check into The Coast Inn at Lake Hood. Okay, first impressions? The lobby is… functional. A little bland, maybe. But hey, that view of the lake and the floatplanes is breathtaking. The lady at the front desk is surprisingly chipper for this early. Good vibe.
- 9:00 AM: The room. Okay, it's not the Ritz, but the view… Holy moly. The floatplanes. The water. The mountains in the distance (if I squint). I might actually be okay with this whole Alaska thing.
- 9:30 AM: Coffee (strong, black – the real emergency of any trip). Caffeine coursing through me. Commence reconnaissance mission of the hotel. The rooms are functional, but clean and there's coffee which is basically all I need.
- Afternoon (AKA, "Tourism for Dummies"):
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel’s restaurant. Okay, it's pub style food, but it is really good. Fish and chips. I'm in Alaska, it's basically my job to eat fish and chips. Feeling good.
- 2:00 PM: Getting to know the area, Lake Hood. This is where things get messy. The lake is buzzing with floatplanes. It's the world's busiest seaplane base, which might explain why I am suddenly so entranced. The noise, the buzz, the smell of jet fuel! I walk around like a lost tourist, completely captivated by the controlled chaos. Oh, and the water is freezing, obviously. Found a spot and sat down. I feel… grounded.
- Evening (AKA, "The First Taste of Wonder"):
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. The name escapes me, but it served a local beer. They're all kind of good. Seriously. That first sip, the crisp air, the knowledge that I am in Alaska – pure bliss.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted. Content. The sun is still up! The magic of the Alaskan summer. I'm starting to believe this trip might actually be good.
Day 2: Lake Hood, Lake Hood, and Lake Hood Again (Plus Some Serious Contemplation)
- Morning (AKA, "The All-Consuming Wonder"):
- 9:00 AM: Coffee, again. Outside on the patio. This lake… it's hypnotic. The planes taking off and landing, the reflections on the water… I could watch it for hours. I almost did.
- 10:00 AM: I'm thinking about trying out a floatplane ride. My mind is wandering. It all seems a bit overwhelming, the grand scale of everything, and I wonder if I’ll hate it when I get to the top of this thing. I tell myself to relax.
- 11:00 AM: Okay, I take the plunge. I was terrified. I mean, I was flying in a plane with pontoons, piloted by a guy who looked like he might have wrestled a bear (I mean this in a good way). But… the second we took off, all fear vanished. The world, viewed from above the lake, the city, and the mountains, was a stunning spectacle. It was the kind of experience that makes you understand why people fall in love with places like Alaska. Everything changed. The experience left me breathless and giddy. The water below… It felt like flying, but different. I can't even explain it…
- Afternoon (AKA, "Processing Everything"):
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel, slightly shell shocked. The sheer scale of it… wow. I think I’m already in love with this place. I need to sit and process this. I sit, stare at the floatplanes, and actually think about what I’ve seen and felt. It's a messy business, this whole life thing.
- 4:00 PM: A walk around the lake. Just walking, taking it all in. The air. The light. The sound of the planes. Simple, perfect.
- Evening (AKA, "The Quiet Appreciation"):
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, back at the hotel. I’m still buzzing. I almost want to sit in silence for the sake of it.
- 8:00 PM: The sun is still up! I think I'll just sit in my room and watch the planes.
- 9:00 PM: Journal time. Okay, I'm usually terrible at this. But something about Alaska makes you want to reflect. I'm just… happy. Happy I came. Happy to be here. Happy, despite all the minor imperfections, to just be.
Day 3: Departure (And the Promise of Return)
- Morning (AKA, "The Bitter Sweet Goodbye"):
- 8:00 AM: Coffee. One last time. One last look at the lake. Damn you, Alaska, for being so beautiful.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. A final fish and chips. What else?
- 10:00 AM: Check out. The front desk lady is just as chipper as ever. We share a smile, a little nod. I think she knows.
- 10:30 AM: Taxi/Uber/Rental car (whatever's available at this point) to the airport. One last look back at the lake, the floatplanes, the mountains. A little tug at my heart. Sad to leave. But also…
- Afternoon (AKA, "The Return of the Real"):
- 1:00 PM: Back to the usual chaos of traveling. Security lines. Crowds. Delayed flights. But this time, it’s different. Because I know. I’ve felt it. Alaska is calling. And I’ll be back. You just wait and see.
Final Thoughts: This whole itinerary is probably going to go to hell, honestly. Things will go wrong. I'll get lost, grumpy, and maybe even a little bit scared. That's the deal. But I’ll also laugh. I'll feel the raw beauty of a place that’s bigger than me and my problems. I'll be changed. And that, my friends, is what it's all about. Now, wish me luck, and maybe send me a decent book (and a small bottle of whatever kind of booze you're in favour of) to get me through the flight. See you on the other side. Or better yet, at Lake Hood.
Houston Galleria Escape: TownePlace Suites Luxury Awaits!
Okay, fine. What's the *actual* view like from Coast Inn? Is it just, like, a lake?
Alright, alright, settle down, sunshine. Look, the views? They're… well, I'm gonna be honest. I saw the picture. It looked *amazing*. Like, postcard-worthy. And you know what? From my room? Yeah, it mostly *was* postcard-worthy. Actually, I’ll tell you a quick story: First time I saw it, sun was setting, painting the water all these fiery oranges and pinks. I actually *gasped*. Seriously! Like a cartoon character. My phone nearly slipped out of my hand as I scrambled to take a picture. Then, a freaking *duck* waddled into frame and photobombed the hell out of it. It was perfect, in its own chaotic way. The lake? Yup, it's there. So much of it. Big, shimmering, and the mountains in the distance… Oh man. They’re actually kinda breathtaking. Not *always*, mind you. Some mornings, it's grey and misty and you can barely see your hand in front of your face. But even *that* has its own rugged Alaska charm, you know? It's like, "Yep, this is real life, folks." Don't expect perfection. But the *potential* for incredible? Totally there. And hey, the view varies! One day you're getting a majestic panorama, and the next you're getting a moody, brooding, almost *threatening* spectacle. It’s like nature’s constantly changing its mind. And I love it.
Coast Inn. Is it... *nice*? Like, is it clean? Because I'm a germophobe.
Okay, so, cleanliness. Look, I'm *not* a germophobe, but I appreciate a clean room, especially after a long day of… well, *anything*, honestly. My room was…clean enough. No, scratch that. It was generally pretty darn clean. I did find one rogue crumb from… I'm not even sure *what*, on the nightstand. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't alive. The bathroom? Sparkling. The sheets? Freshly laundered. Now, I am not going to sit here and promise you pristine, surgical-level cleanliness. You *are* in Alaska, not a sterile lab. But let's just say I didn't feel like I needed to shower in industrial strength disinfectant after each time I went to the bathroom. That's a win in my book. I'd rate it a solid "Above Average" on the Cleanliness Scale. And hey, that crumb? It's a story now!
What's the deal with the location? Is it close to… stuff? I want to see the bears! (From a *very* safe distance, obviously.)
Okay, bears. Everyone wants to see the bears. And honestly, I get it. I drove to the zoo. (The Alaska Zoo!) It's not *right there*, in a sprawling city. Coast Inn is in a location. It’s…okay. Not exactly walking distance to the action, which has its pros and cons, if you ask me. On the plus side, it's quieter. No incessant city noise. You get the lake views! It’s easy enough to get to downtown Anchorage. A few minutes in a car, so it's doable. You're not isolated. You will probably need a car or use a rideshare service. I'd suggest having a car. Also, there are trails nearby! I could take an hour long walk every single day. I've seen so many moose! Bears? Bear sightings are… possible. But trust me, you're not going to stumble into Yogi and Boo Boo while grabbing breakfast. Best bet for bear viewing is booking a tour. Again, safe distance. Unless you're into being a snack. I’m guessing you’re not.
The photos online look pretty…dated. Is the place, like, stuck in the 80s?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room, or rather, the slightly faded wallpaper in the room. Yes, Coast Inn is not exactly a modern, sleek, minimalist experience. It's got… character. Let's go with that. It doesn’t scream, "brand new!" In fact, it whispers, "experienced traveler who has seen a thing or two." The furniture wasn’t exactly the latest Ikea catalog stuff. Some of the decor? Let's just say it has a certain… *vintage* charm, like a gently-worn leather jacket (but for your hotel experience). But honestly? That's part of the appeal, isn't it? It's cozy. It's comfortable. It's not trying to be something it's not. I’d take this over some sterile, identical chain hotel any day. So, yeah, maybe it needs a little updating. But that lived-in feel gives it a charm. Besides, you're here for the *views*, right? The views are timeless. The rest is just…a backdrop. And hey, they have comfy beds. and *that* is very important.
What's the breakfast situation? Do they even *have* breakfast? Because I am a breakfast person.
Breakfast. Ah, the most important meal of the day, in my humble, slightly-hangry opinion. Yes! They do have breakfast. And for a hotel that otherwise… well, isn't the fanciest place in the world, it’s pretty decent! Not a massive buffet extravaganza, mind you. Don't expect a croissant shaped like a swan. But they had the essentials. The usual suspects: toast, cereal, fruit, and… I swear, the pancake machine was a *godsend*. I may or may not have made about three trips to that machine. Hey, I was on vacation! It was a good start to the day. They also had coffee, which is vital, obvs. The staff were always friendly and helpful. It's not the Ritz, but it's perfectly serviceable and will fuel your adventures. This place is more of a, ‘Get up, eat, get out the door’ situation. I actually loved that.
Can I book a room with "unbelievable lake views" or is that just marketing fluff?
Alright, let's cut to the chase: the "unbelievable lake views" thing? It's not just marketing, people! Okay, maybe they're laying it on somewhat thick but yeah, the views are pretty great. To enhance your chances of experiencing this you have to book the lake view rooms! Don't get a room on the backside, unless you enjoy staring at a parking lot and the highway. I mean, technically, yes the whole inn is near the lake, but get a lake room. You're looking at a view, not the side of the building. Now, are *all* the lake views guaranteed to be "unbelievable" every single second of every day? No. Mother Nature has her ownStay Mapped
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