I lived in Anchorage for 8 years before moving away in 2005, so I'm familiar with all the hotels. South Bluff B&B is the best value with a view in the city. Karin and Nick are gracious and totally tolerant of children (both formerly were educators). If you are traveling with
children this is the place for you. The spacious accomodations are new, the bluff view is spectacular and the snacks and breakfasts are simple and kid friendly. The location is a drive to downtown, but is more accessible to trips to the Kenai Penisula and Girdwood. This is a laid-back, kid-focused place so if you're looking for someone to cater to you stay downtown in the small room, big hotels. If you're looking to have an amazing Alaskan experience with your kids where you can be relaxed and amazed by the beauty of the state, stay at South Bluff.

I can't really express how great our time was at the South Bluff Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage. We spent more than two weeks travelling Alaska staying three separate times in Anchorage. The kids (9, 7, 3, 2) could not wait to get back to the B & B and starting calling it "home."

There are two suites. Our suite contained a beautiful queen size bed and a second full bed in a loft that the kids just loved to climb up in. There was plenty of room to set up the portable crib for the baby and the hostess put down a small cot /pad for our second youngest child. The suite was the newest rented room I have ever stayed in. Satellite television; whirlpool tub; plenty of room for storage; refrigerator and microwave; toaster oven and a great view. Suite was stocked with cereal, milk, juice (orange and V-8), breakfast bars, and yogurts. Each morning wonderful fresh fruit and fresh made muffins were delivered to our room.

Does the hostess know Anchorage? Well she is the co-author of a recent book on family related things to do in Anchorage published earlier this year. When it rained (and boy did it rain), she called with a list of indoor things for us to do around the city.

The price was very reasonable and only slightly higher than the lowest priced economy hotels. (Please read the reviews of some of those economy hotels in the city; while I did not see the inside of those hotels, the outside and the neighborhoods provided ratification that some of these places are just not for families or tourists in general).

When are off-brand car rental company changed their mind about picking me up to get the rental van, the host drove me downtown to save me a taxi ride.

The B & B is about 8 miles from the airport, which was a $24 taxi ride (not sure the driver really went the shortest way though) but most of the hotels were 4 to 6 miles away from the airport anyway. The B & B is in a quiet residential area but is just blocks from the main highway that goes directly into the downtown part of Anchorage. The B & B is very close to the zoo and various shopping centers.

I know as soon as I send this I will think of more great reasons to check this place out.

John and Patty

because Trip Advisor doesn't have this B & B listed, I will provide the info:

---