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A traveler
Travelocity.com
June 4, 2011
August 20, 2009
by worldcitizen01
New York, New York
June 24, 2008
June 14, 2007
November 12, 2006
July 17, 2006
July 7, 2006
July 4, 2006
by ssullivan
District of Columbia County, District of Columbia
August 11, 2004
This downtown hotel is one of the first hotels in Fairbanks affiliated with a major hotel chain. Like all other locations in the Springhill Suites chain, the hotel offers all-suite rooms, each with either two double beds or one king size bed, a sitting area with sofabed, arm chair, and coffee table, and a kitchenette with mini-refrigerator and microwave. Other amenities include a work area with desk, two televisions with satellite and pay-per-view films, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, multiple phones, and a spacious bathroom. An exercise room and indoor pool and hot tub are located on the ground floor. Complimentary continental breakfast is included, and the hotel has a small convenience store area with beverages and light snacks available. Unlike most Springhill Suites locations, this hotel was built with space for ground-level retail businesses to lease. A local restaurant, Lavelle's, has located in one of these, providing full-service dining to hotel guests and local residents alike. Room service from Lavelle's is available for dinner.
I chose this hotel based on the fact that I was looking to redeem a free night from either Hilton or Marriott while in Fairbanks, and this was the only property operated by one of those two companies in town. It turned out to be a very good choice. The downtown location has several advantages, as there are a number of good restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance. Additionally, the Chena River is directly across the street, along with the Fairbanks visitors center and a lovely park area that people were using late into the evening (the locals really do take advantage of the famed "midnight sun"). Additionally, if you arriving or departing Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad, the depot is just a few blocks away and the hotel's shuttle will provide complimentary transportation. Shuttle service is also available to and from the Fairbanks airport, saving you about $18 in cab fare if you do not have a rental car. Be sure to call in advance to schedule a pickup at the airport or rail depot, as the shuttle operates on an on demand basis, not a fixed schedule. I should have thought to call the hotel and schedule a shuttle pickup at the airport before departing on my flight up from Anchorage, saving the cab fare and a harrowing ride in a cab that I could not believe had actually passed the state inspection (yes, it did have a current sticker).
Overall, you can't beat this hotel. Yes, it's a little off the beaten path, as most Fairbanks accommodations are along a commercial strip outside of downtown, but I'd much rather stay downtown along the scenic riverfront and near the local restaurants and shops as opposed to the strip where all of the chain places are.
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From journal Fun In Fairbanks, AK