Tee W.
Yelp
This is not an upscale chain hotel like the Hilton, Marriot, Comfort Inn, or Springhill Suites. And unlike the Captain Cook, the rates are not nearing $500/night. The price is less than half of what those places charge in summer, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was as nice as it is. I paid $160/night after taxes for a room with a single queen size bed. Others I checked ranged from $270-$500/night.
I needed a hotel near the airport, and the Puffin has a 24 hour shuttle (my flight boarded at 5:15 am, so I needed a shuttle at 4:30 am). It's an older hotel that could use some updates, but the carpet and bathroom is clean, it has a great hot shower with good water pressure, and the bed is comfy with great pillows and a lovely duvet.
The Puffin branding was darling, with special tiles in the bathroom shower and even a puffin shower curtain. I love Puffins, so this cheery symbol was welcoming to me. The artwork on the walls was Alaska themed, and not tacky, although not originals. Clearly, some thought has been given to the amenities (toiletries, Ironing board, coffee station, nice towels, and good quality bedding).
The convenience to the airport was my main interest, but it's Northwest location provides easy access to the major roads heading all directions.
Anchorage itself is a hotbed of mentally ill street people downtown in summer - and in my short time near Walmart, I witnessed 3 obvious meth tweakers stumbling around, and one almost fell off his bike as we drove by. I don't know about you, but I do not feel safe around meth heads tweaking in public. As a Retired Nurse, I am familiar with the erratic behavior that often goes with meth use, and I don't want to be anywhere near it on vacation.
At the Puffin, I feel safe. It's worth a few extra bucks to avoid the noise and danger that comes with a true budget hotel where you might run into unsavory characters looking for a score. My room had a solid lock and felt secure. I was in the main building on the 3rd floor.
I would definitely stay here again if I ever end up in Anchorage with an early flight back...
And PS, the reception desk is manned 24/7 with excellent service and security.
Enjoy your adventures in Alaska! I did!!