Escape to Alaska: Eagle River's Cozy Microtel Inn Awaits!
Escape to Alaska: Eagle River's Cozy Microtel Inn Awaits! - A Review from a Real Traveler (and a Nervous Wreck)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I just got back from a whirlwind Alaskan adventure, and the only thing I can think of right now is my experience at the Microtel Inn in Eagle River. You got your bears, you got your glaciers, you got your… well, hopefully, you got a clean bed. And I'm here to spill the beans, the reindeer droppings, and everything in between.
First Impressions (and My Panic Attack)
Finding the Microtel was a mission. Alaska, in general, is a mission! Between the winding roads and my near-constant fear of hitting a moose (they're HUGE!), arriving felt like a victory. I mean a real victory, like surviving a zombie apocalypse with minimal bites. The exterior? Standard Microtel – a little…beige. But hey, after driving for hours, beige was fine. My heart was pounding though.
Accessibility & Safety: Did I Survive?
- Accessibility: The website said "Facilities for disabled guests," and I'm a huge believer in access for everyone. I didn't need anything in this department myself, but I checked anyway. There was an elevator, which is a big win.
- Cleanliness and Safety: This is where I hyperventilated. Post-pandemic, safety is, like, top priority. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Room sanitization between stays? Check. They even had a sign saying the staff was trained in safety protocols. Okay, breathe. Deep breaths. I'm doing it. I'm surviving.
Room Revelations (and the Quest for Caffeine)
Okay, my room. Cleanliness was key, and let me tell you, it was spotless. The panic began to abate.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HUGE. I'm a digital nomad wannabe, gotta stay connected. This was essential.
- Air Conditioning and Air Conditioning in public area: A welcome relief.
- Available in all rooms They had everything, the bathrobes, hair dryer, desk, fridge – the works.
- Alarm clock It's nice to not be late for a bear encounter.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Yes, I need my caffeine fix. The coffee, however, was… well, it existed. Let's leave it at that.
Things to Do Around the Microtel (and Avoiding Tourists)
- Getting Around: The Microtel is well… right off the road, so getting to Anchorage or any trails was a breeze.
- Things to do: There's no shortage of nature and activities nearby. But, I was too exhausted to find any.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Stomach's Thoughts)
Okay, here's where things get…interesting. The Microtel itself doesn't have a full-blown restaurant.
- Breakfast [buffet]: They had a buffet. The options were pretty standard. Hot and cold food items. It was ok
- Restaurants: Nearby restaurants were a short drive, and there were a few options.
Services and Conveniences (The Boring but Necessary Stuff)
- Concierge: Nope. But the front desk staff was helpful enough. Always.
- Dry Cleaning, Laundry Service, Ironing Service, all available.
- Cash withdrawal: None
For the Kids (Not my Department, But I Noted It)
- Family/child friendly: It seemed like a solid, family-friendly option.
Getting Around (More Anxiety, Sadly)
- Car park [free of charge]: Huge plus. Free parking! And there was plenty of space.
- Airport transfer: The hotel said they offered an airport transfer,
Okay, Let's Be Brutally Honest:
Look, the Microtel isn't the Ritz. But it’s clean, safe (crucial!), and a solid base for exploring the Alaskan wilderness. You're not coming here for the spa treatments (there weren't any really), but it's an okay place for crashing after a day of hiking.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you're on a budget and prioritize safety and cleanliness. Just, maybe pack some good coffee. And bring your own therapy animal. You'll need it, trust me.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is the Microtel in Eagle River, Alaska, unfiltered. And trust me, it’s an experience.
Microtel Madness: A Hot Mess of a Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Alaskan Mystery of Bedtime
- 4:00 PM: Land in Anchorage. Let's just say the flight wasn’t glamorous. I'm pretty sure the guy behind me was practicing for a competitive snoring championship. And the baggage claim? A chaotic ballet of suitcases and weary travelers. Finding my rental car felt like a quest out of some ancient prophecy. (Spoiler alert: the prophecy involved a muddy parking lot and a slightly-less-than-pristine Kia Soul).
- 5:30 PM: Arrive at the Microtel. First impression? Generic. But, you know, in a comforting way, like a familiar beige sweater. The front desk lady (bless her heart) greeted me with a weary smile that screamed, "Another one? Just keep your hopes low." Check-in: Surprisingly smooth. My room? Perfectly… okay. Standard hotel room. Cleanish, slightly depressing fluorescent lighting. Ah, home sweet… temporary accommodation.
- 6:00 PM: The Great Bedtime Mystery. I swear, is it the endless daylight? (It's June in Alaska, people!) I’m not tired! Shouldn't I be passing out from exhaustion from this long day and the plane-snoring olympian? I try to force myself to sleep. I didn't.
- 8:00 PM: Walk to a local restaurant. The restaurant wasn't bad, the staff were friendly enough. The food's… alright. The moose burgers are everywhere. Now I know why the local grocery shop sells nothing but "moose" based food.
- 9:30 PM: Back at the Microtel. Trying to sleep. Failed again. Am I turning into a vampire? Where’s the damn sun? What IS time?
Day 2: Eagle River Adventures (and the Curse of the Sore Feet)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up-ish. (Okay, fine, I just give up already and get dressed) The daylight's mocking me. Breakfast at the Microtel’s delicious make-your-own-waffle station. (I made three.) Okay, the coffee is acceptable, and that's a win.
- 8:00 AM: Drive to the Eagle River Nature Center. Hiking! (This means I have to wear uncomfortable shoes). The trails are gorgeous. Seriously, the views are astounding. I stumble over a root, nearly faceplant, and silently curse my questionable footwear choices. There's a genuine, actual EAGLE soaring overhead! I saw one! I AM WINNING!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Pre-packed sandwich from a local store. Ate it overlooking the river. The sandwich may or may not have fallen apart in my hands. (It did.) The river, though, was glorious.
- 1:00 PM: Double Down on Hiking. I decided I’m not done with the trails. I hike until my toes scream "uncle." The scenery is spectacular. There are no other words. The air smells like… pure, crisp life. Maybe I should move here, sell everything, and just… become a forest nymph.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Microtel. The best part? The soft, fluffy hotel bed.
- 4:30 PM-6:00 PM: I fall asleep.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. This time I order something simple. What did I do wrong this time. I made a mess out of the food.
- 8:30 PM: I am tired. I sleep.
Day 3: Anchorage and a Farewell to the Beige Sweater
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Another waffle, because, why not? Check out of the Microtel
- 9:00 AM: Drive to Anchorage. Get lost. (Always a classic). Finally, I get my bearings (sort of).
- 10:00 AM -1:00 PM: Museum and exploration. The sights of Anchorage are great.
- 2:00 PM: Quick Bite. Burger's this time! Best tasting burger for me. The taste of American food is something that I missed.
- 3:00 PM: Farewell to Alaska. I leave.
- 4:00 PM: Leave AK.
- 5:00 PM: Home.
Quirky Observations and Emotional Reactions:
- The endless daylight is genuinely discombobulating. It’s like my internal clock is just utterly broken.
- The moose burgers… are everywhere. I'm starting to suspect they're a government conspiracy.
- The Eagle River trails are a true gem. Do it. Just pack better shoes than I did.
- The Microtel itself? It's a solid, unremarkable base. It provides the basics, which, sometimes, is all you need. Beige, but functional.
- Alaska? Breathtaking. Life-affirming. And I'm already plotting my return.
- The snoring guy on the plane. I hope you never meet me in person.
Food, Glorious Food:
- Microtel Waffles: Divine (especially if you're sleep-deprived).
- Moose Burgers: An Alaskan rite of passage.
- Pre-made sandwiches: They kept me alive.
- Burgers: The best way to say farewell.
Impractical Considerations (or, Things That Went Wrong):
- My feet. Ow. Hiking shoes needed.
- My sleep schedule. Still a mess.
- My internal compass. Occasionally unreliable.
Final Verdict:
The Microtel experience? Perfectly… fine. The Alaskan experience? Unforgettable. Would I recommend this trip? Absolutely. Would I pack different shoes next time? You bet your sweet bippy. Would I stay at the Microtel again? Well, it depends… But, likely. Yeah, probably. It's a place to sleep. It has waffles. What else do I need?
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Escape to Alaska: Eagle River's Cozy Microtel Inn Awaits! - FAQ, Straight Up (Prepare for Rambling)
Okay, spill it. Is this Microtel actually cozy, or is it just… a Microtel?
Alright, deep breaths. 'Cozy' is a loaded word, right? Like, my grandma's house cozy? No. Think… unexpectedly not-awful Microtel. Honestly, my expectations were subterranean. I mean, let's be real, it's a chain hotel. But! Here's the thing: the *location* plays a HUGE part. Eagle River itself is gorgeous, nestled right up against the mountains. So, even if the room is standard-Microtel-issue… looking out at that view with a cup of instant coffee (yes, INSTANT)… is... kinda okay. Cozy-ish, in a "surviving a long drive and not hating your life" kind of way.
Is the free breakfast a sad little continental affair? Be honest. My stomach is serious business.
Ugh, breakfast. The bane of my existence when traveling. Okay, fine, I'll be honest. It's… continental. *But*! And this is a big but (ahem), they had waffles. Waffles! And while they were the self-serve, "it's a good day if they're not burnt" kind, they were waffles. And the little plastic-wrapped muffins? Edible. Not gourmet, but edible. I'm a simple creature. Carbs and the illusion of choice. I'm good. Don't expect a feast, but you won't starve. I've certainly seen worse. Way. Worse. (Looking at you, roadside diner in Nebraska, with your… never mind.)
What's the deal with the location? Close to anything fun? Also, is there a moose? I NEED to see a moose.
Location, location, location! Okay, so Eagle River is like... the gateway to the real Alaskan adventure, right? It's not *in* Anchorage, but close enough that you can zoom in and out for supplies and civilization. The Microtel is literally off the main highway, so you avoid most of the big-city-crazy. There are hikes nearby, like the Eagle River Nature Center… which, I'll admit, I didn't actually *hike*. I was trying to get a decent picture of a bald eagle, got distracted playing with something shiny, and then the sun was setting. Yeah. Fail. BUT! The area *is* gorgeous. And yes, the moose situation… is promising!
I have a confession. I GOT SO CLOSE. I was driving (slowly, because Alaska, let's be real) and saw a LEGIT moose, just casually chomping on leaves in someone's yard. I practically slammed on the brakes, fumbled for my phone, and... SNAP! I took the *worst* photo ever. Head chopped off. Back end blurry. I'm still mortified. But the moose? Magnificent. So, yes, you 100% have a shot at moose-spotting. Bring a better camera than me. And maybe some binoculars. And maybe, just maybe, a little luck on your side. But you *will* potentially see one. Alaska is a moose magnet.
The rooms… are they, like, clean? REALLY clean? I'm a germaphobe. Don't lie to me.
Okay, germaphobe. I get it. The world is a petri dish. The rooms were… acceptable. Let's put it that way. Clean-ish? Yes. Hospital-sterilized? No. The bathroom was fine. The sheets seemed clean. I didn't find any rogue hairs or questionable stains. Did I scrutinize every corner with a magnifying glass? No. Did I shower with my flip-flops on? Maybe. (Don’t judge me!) Honestly, for the price and the location, I'd say the cleanliness was perfectly adequate. They weren't trying to win any awards for it, but they weren't actively trying to make you sick. That's a win in my book.
What's the Wi-Fi situation? I have a job, you know. And a social media addiction.
Ah, the digital age. The lifeline, the bane of our existence. The Wi-Fi was… functional. Let's go with that. It worked. Sometimes. Mostly. It wasn't lightning-fast, but it was enough to check emails, upload a few (bad) moose photos, and, you know, *pretend* to work while actually scrolling through Instagram. Look, you're in Alaska. Be prepared to disconnect a little. Embrace it. Unless you can't. Which, I get. But manage your expectations. Don't expect fiber optic speeds in the Alaskan wilderness. Just... don't.
Any hidden fees or surprises? I hate being nickel-and-dimed.
Hidden fees are the devil's work. I can't stand them. Thankfully, I didn't run into anything majorly offensive. Parking was free, which is always a bonus. There wasn't a resort fee, which some places sneak in. (Sneaky devils.) The price you see is pretty much the price you pay. Check the fine print when booking, of course (I'm not your mother), but I found it pretty straightforward. Always a relief.
Would you stay there again? The honest truth.
Would I stay there again? Hmm… If I was on a budget and wanted to be in that general area, absolutely. It's clean enough. The location is great. The breakfast, while not Michelin-star material, does the job. And, let's be real, the potential moose sightings are worth the price of admission alone! It's not luxury, but it's a solid, no-frills basecamp for exploring Alaska. And sometimes, that's all you need. Plus, that waffle maker? I'm sold.
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