Anchorage B&B’s Have Your Best Rates for Lodging
Bed and Breakfasts and Inns verses Hotels
Anchorage has just over 7000 rooms for lodging accommodations and around 300 of those are located in Anchorage private homes.
The dictionary defines the term Bed and Breakfast as a private residence with several rooms set aside for overnight guests whose paid accommodations include breakfast. The definition of an Inn is a public lodging house serving food and drinks to travelers, also more commonly known as a hotel. An inn establishment is generally larger than the typical bed and breakfast. Room rental is owner’s main source of income.
The true B & B falls into the category of private homes, and it usually consists of a home situated in a residential area with one or two family members running the business. Spare bedrooms area set aside for guests and breakfast is served by the hosts in the morning. A typical bed and breakfast normally has between 1 to 4 rooms available. No other meals are normally served.
Family-run establishments of 5 rooms or more are more commonly called Inns. The main building in most cases will be set up for guest accommodations. The host will live on site but in separate living quarters of the building. Although these establishments are operated on a larger scale, they can provide an alternative to a private home, but guests should not expect the same level of interaction with the host family. Additional meals may or may not be served.
Anything larger starts to get into commercial operation. All these operations have some form of lobby or front desk, where the visitor checks in and out. Breakfast can vary from nothing to a prepared breakfast in a coffee shop. These establishments actively advertise themselves as B&B’s or Inn’s to attract that part of the marketplace, and although they do, technically, provide a bed and a breakfast, they do not offer the friendly family environment that gives a true Bed and Breakfast and or Inn its unique appeal.
A hotel is generally a big business project that does not involve the owner in the general operation of the business. You will find in small towns in Alaska the owners may take part of the smaller hotels and lodges, but this is unique.
To find the best value and the best deal is not always a true saving if you do not feel comfortable. Bed and Breakfasts in Alaska rates can be as low as half the price of a hotel room. The average I have observed in Anchorage is summer rate for an average hotel room runs between $150 to $300 a night. B & B accommodations average $90 to $180 a night. Jewel Lake Anchorage B&B is the best of deal when you consider comfort and value. A convenient location to the airport and downtown. A room rate starting at $145 a night. Each room or suite has cable TV, high speed wireless internet, private bathrooms and a yummy breakfast cooked just for you!
Rate Comparison Survey Anchorage B&B
(Survey taken January 20, 2004)
Jewel Lake Anchorage B&B $125.00
About our list:
When we made our calls we asked the following question. “We are looking for rates and availability for two adults on July 15-19, 2004.” We called the hotels in the area that we felt were clean, comfortable and a good value for the dollar. YES, you can find a few places in Anchorage that are less expensive but we decided to keep the quality level at or what we offer here at Jewel Lake Bed and Breakfast.
ASPEN HOTEL………………..$189.00
BEST WESTERN…………….$148.00
CAPTAIN COOK………………$265.00 – $310.00
CLARION SUITES…………….$170.00
COMFORT INN………………..$169.00
DIAMOND CENTER…………..$229.00
FAIRFIELD INN………………..$159.00
HILTON GARDEN INN………..$259.00
MOTEL 6………………………..$119.00-$125.00
SHERATON…………………….$210.00-$230.00
SUPER 8………………………..$139.88
AVERAGE HOTEL RATE………………………….$186.99