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Anchorage, AK

North America

United States

# Alaska Backpackers Inn: A Unique Hostel Experience in Anchorage

Alaska Backpackers Inn, located at 327 Eagle St, Anchorage, AK, is a hostel that offers budget-friendly accommodations in the heart of Anchorage. This hostel is known for its eclectic mix of guests and a laid-back atmosphere, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking an affordable stay. With its proximity to downtown attractions, it serves as a convenient base for exploring the vibrant city of Anchorage.

## History
Alaska Backpackers Inn has evolved over the years to cater to a diverse range of travelers. Originally established to provide affordable lodging for backpackers and adventurers, it has become a staple in the Anchorage hospitality scene. The hostel reflects the spirit of community and camaraderie among travelers, fostering connections that often last beyond their stay. Over the years, it has adapted to the changing needs of guests while maintaining its core mission of providing accessible accommodations. The hostel's location has also contributed to its popularity, as it is situated near various cultural and recreational attractions, enhancing its appeal to visitors.

## Community
The community at Alaska Backpackers Inn is vibrant and inclusive, with a focus on creating a welcoming environment for all guests. The hostel often partners with local organizations to host events that promote cultural exchange and sustainability. Regular events include movie nights, community dinners, and outdoor excursions, encouraging guests to connect and share experiences. The voices of past guests highlight a sense of belonging, with many expressing gratitude for the friendships formed during their stay. For those looking to connect, the hostel offers various social spaces, including a common room and outdoor areas, fostering a sense of community among travelers.

## Offerings
Alaska Backpackers Inn provides a range of offerings to meet the needs of its guests. Accommodations include dormitory-style rooms and private rooms, catering to different preferences and budgets. The hostel features a large communal kitchen, allowing guests to prepare their meals, and a cozy common area equipped with games and entertainment options. Additionally, there are laundry facilities available for guests' convenience. The hostel also offers free Wi-Fi, making it easy for travelers to stay connected. For those looking to explore, the staff can provide recommendations for local attractions and activities, ensuring a fulfilling experience in Anchorage.

## Pros and Cons
The reviews of Alaska Backpackers Inn present a mixed bag of experiences. 

**Strengths:**
- Affordable rates compared to nearby hotels.
- Friendly and helpful staff.
- Convenient location near downtown attractions.
- Community-oriented atmosphere with social events.
- Clean communal bathrooms and kitchen facilities.

**Weaknesses:**
- Inconsistent service quality reported by some guests.
- Noise levels can be high due to thin walls and common areas.
- Some guests noted cleanliness issues in private rooms.
- Limited amenities compared to higher-end accommodations.

Overall, while the hostel has its challenges, many guests appreciate the value it offers and the unique experiences it provides.

## Location & Nearby
Alaska Backpackers Inn is situated in Anchorage, a city known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The hostel is located in a vibrant neighborhood, making it easy for guests to access local attractions, restaurants, and shops. Nearby, visitors can explore the Anchorage Museum, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, and various parks that showcase the region's breathtaking landscapes. The hostel's central location allows for easy exploration of the city's diverse offerings, making it an ideal base for both adventure and relaxation.

## Visit Alaska Backpackers Inn Today
If you're seeking an affordable and unique lodging experience in Anchorage, Alaska Backpackers Inn is worth considering. With its welcoming community, convenient location, and range of offerings, it caters to the needs of budget-conscious travelers. Whether you're looking to explore the local culture or simply need a place to rest your head, this hostel provides a memorable experience. Check out the reviews and see for yourself why many guests return to Alaska Backpackers Inn time and time again. Book your stay today and embark on your Alaskan adventure!

4e56db4a-3913-4d42-a086-2f81f006c182

I came across these old photos that I took when I stayed here. I am not sure if this place is still here (hope it is), but I remember it being a good place. The people who worked here at the time were friendly, the place itself was cute, the prices and the comfort level were fair, and this place was within easy walking distance of downtown and many local attractions. I have fond memories of being here and with my stay in Anchorage.

03b840ee-8557-49bd-b0c3-694187fae53b

I arrived at 8:30am (not check-in time), I was able to store my bag for the day which is great! Although, the sign says an ID needs to be present when picking up this was not the case, they just let me go in and pick my bag (different girl at actual check-in later that evening), so I could've just took whatever I wanted. The girl at the front counter in my morning experience, was helpful to an extent, she seemed way more worried about texting on her phone. I then waited in the lobby and she was on the phone with a boyfriend talking about how much she hated her life. Later that evening, I checked in around 10:15pm. I was told that my 6 person room was not available, I had booked a room via the internet with confirmation. She then told me there was a 4 person room available and I would still only have to pay the $25 rate...thats fine. Well when I get to my room the lady in the room is very irritated i'm there. She said she stays here a lot for periods of time. Then proceeded to talk about how hot the room was and how no one ever wants to stay in it. I then proceed downstairs and the girl goes and looks to see if their is any room in the 6 person rooms. She finds that their is. She kept saying she doesn't know if there is or isn't...i mean how do you not know your occupancy? I then move to the 6 person room where I'm told that there are no bunks available. So I have to go back downstairs to ask about it and the employee just says, i don't know, its first come first serve i guess. So i have no idea if i'm stealing anyones bed, i was just told "there was an asian girl there who hurt her back yesterday and she hasn't been here since the morning", ummmm okay, i'm super tired so i'm not going to complain, I just need a place to sleep for the night. I then have to go downstairs again to ask about towels, i wasn't given any direction on check out times, amenities NOTHING....She gives me a towel, thats great, thank you, I then will proceed to find wherever the showers are by myself. I find a women's private bathroom on my floor (2nd). It is pretty clean, especially compared to where I stayed the previous night for 6x the cost. It was great heat and decent water pressure (not the greatest but good enough), the lock worked (I read previous reviews that someone's didn't). It worked for what I needed, so points there. I then proceed to go and do laundry. It is $1.50 each wash and $1.50 for dry. As I sit in the lobby, I am listening to the front desk employee and long term residents talk. Resident (R): What time is it? Employee (E): 11:00pm, one hour to get out of this shithole, then tomorrow I have to start all over again, I can't stand this place..etc...goes on her soap box about how horrible her life is. Another conversation: R: Why can't I get a room to myself for more than 3 nights in a row. E: I try to help you out as much as I can. R: I make every person leave that I can to have privacy. This Resident is the same woman who wanted me out of her room.

fe6ce721-1fcd-494b-ac2e-28655a6b3eae

I should always listen to my inner voice that says to reserve judgment. I read the few scathing reviews for Backpacker's Inn and almost decided to spend the big bucks and stay at the Sheraton. I am happy to say that I decided to give this place a chance first. I arrived at the Hostel about 2:30 AM and had no trouble gaining entry to my room which was on the first floor. I did have some difficulties getting my wide bodied self up onto the top bunk though. I found clean sheets and a towel up there waiting for me. They do offer private rooms and dorm style rooms. This hostel has three floors including the basement which houses the large kitchen, laundry, bathroom with shower and great common room with a TV, lots of seating, comfy couches, and games galore to keep you occupied. If you are really broke then there are some vending machines that have many options including Top Ramen! The first floor includes several his/hers and separate gender specific bath/shower rooms. I never had to wait more than a minute for access. If you have issues with germs just bring a pair of flip flops for the bathrooms. The top floor is much the same as the main floor except there is another sitting area. At each end of the floors is a little sink area with a microwave. Some of the rooms have TV's and all have a mini fridge with lockers. Guests are encouraged to leave their thoughts on the walls with any one of the many pens, markers, paints, or even chalks left around. I confess that I left a few lines for other to read. Some are very deep though and many fine artists have passed through here. There is an ATM machine and two computers in the lobby which offer free internet. If you bring your laptop/iPad there is also free wi-fi available. The kitchen is amazingly large and well equipped. I am not sure how anyone else was unhappy here. Out back there is a BBQ and a covered patio area for the smokers. Finally, the staff, including Anthony, are very friendly and quick to help out with anything I needed. From now on this will be my new home when I am in the Anchorage area. Really...can you beat $30 a night...anywhere? Motel 6 should turn the light off cuz I won't be staying there. But seriously - is this the same hostel that others reviewed because I see no resemblance? So yeah, it can be noisy, and did someone really complain the 'sheets were clean, but stiff with heavy starch'. What other nastiness do you want them to be stiff from?!

1f0c1cc9-87e8-42e5-a8b2-73b9c920d754

Very nice place and people there for the days I was there lacey is a sweet nice person I appreciated the special locks for the door

a40284d3-fbda-4767-aa52-24e0b590406e

If you're looking for an affordable, no-frills room in Anchorage, this is certainly your best bet. As one would expect, accommodations are pretty spartan, but are at least clean. The people running this place are friendly enough and check-in/check-out is a relatively painless process. Their Wi-Fi has been pretty much offline each time I have stayed here, but the free parking and relatively convenient location coupled with low rates compared to nearby hotels make it a pretty good deal, so long as you're not expecting 4-star accommodations.

0beb1764-48e9-4b4c-9546-a848727f972a

This was certainly the lowlight of our two-week Alaska vacation, beating out even a soulless institutional campground on a chilly and rainy night. I'll stick to the facts, so I don't get too upset re-living the feeling of being a fourth-class citizen disturbing the desk staff over my outlandish preference for a clean bed: Booking a room was straightforward and pleasant. The location is good. When we checked in, the room's windows were wide open. We closed them without a second thought (whoops), and left for the day. On returning that night, the room smelled fiercely of smoke despite the harshly-worded warnings against smoking in one's room posted several places in the reception area. It was late and we figured we'd just have to deal with it. The bedding turned out to be just horrible, though, and after 20 minutes of trying to get to sleep, I finally went downstairs to swap out pillows. It was disgusting. The front desk worker, none too friendly but at least responsive, told me that no extra pillows were available, nor blankets, nor sheets, but that he could give me a second set of pillowcases into which I could put the pillows. I wound up putting the pillow in the far corner of the room and using my jacket inside two pillowcases. The next day, I approached the desk worker (the same one) gently, and suggested that the room really wasn't reasonably usable, and that perhaps they should do something about that. His exact words: "We'll take that under advisement." And then he abruptly turned back to his computer, dismissing me. Not "I'm sorry." Not "That sounds bad." Not even "Funny, we cleaned that room just last month." And certainly not "What can we do to make this right?" Just "we'll take that under advisement." Fellow traveler, take this under advisement: you can and should do better than to subject yourself to the Alaska Backpackers' Inn. I don't remember the last time I felt so utterly disrespected.

0f5c4dba-e4b3-46ff-a38c-9a6825b7f626

Meh. Here are SOME of the problems I had with ABI.... 1. The floor of our room had an unfinished look and feel to it, like it was under construction. I didn't want to even walk on it barefoot. 2. A torn fabric served as the curtain. 3. The sheets were stiff and dusty. (Maybe thats why I couldn't stop sneezing.) I think the sheets were last washed sometime in the Bush Administration or before. 4. The room smelled like straight up armpits. There was also NO AC or ceiling fan to get air in the room flowing. Had to hold my breath with every opening of the room door to avoid getting a big whiff of it. 5. Paper thin walls. Falling asleep was close to impossible with the non-stop symphony of slamming doors, footsteps, toilets flushing, water running, and people's hallway chatter/yelling. Definitely not music to my ears. Lets just say that it was not worth the price we paid, and 2 nights there were more than enough. I don't ask for TOO much in a hostel, but the very least I do expect is comfort and cleanliness. And this place unfortunately fell short of these basic accommodations. Never again.

02423a7a-7637-4c18-bb7d-625c1bf0a091

I have stayed at hostels all over the world - Thailand, India, Nepal, Western Europe, Costa Rica...the list could go on and on. However, the only US hostel I have stayed at until now was in NYC. In general, I expect that US hostels, often costing 5-10 times more than foreign hostels, should be clean and well maintained. This place was like a crappy motel. The mattresses were probably from the 1960s - you could literally feel the springs digging into your back - it was like sleeping on a box spring. The showers were warm, but the bathrooms always smelled musty. The rooms were small concrete cells that I avoided for all but the most necessary of tasks, like sleeping. The floors had dirt, crumbs and other debris strewn about (is sweeping a luxury?!?). The sheets were clean, but stiff with heavy starch. The service was completely inconsistent, ranging from extremely incompetent to moderately competent. When we first checked in it took the girl almost 25 minutes to find our reservations, get us a room and send us on our way. Other front desk workers were better, but none exceptional. The noise was incredible. It wasn't wild, but someone was always slamming a door, banging pots and pans in the kitchen at 4am, or there might be two foreigners screaming at each other down the hall. Some positive aspects: free internet, fairly clean bathrooms, and sufficient common areas. The hostel is conveniently located, but given its negative aspects I would never stay here again, particularly given the $60 price tag. Do yourself a favor and stay at another Anchorage based hostel or bring a tent.

b73c06d2-348c-4fec-a8ab-a38c7cb12f9b

Okay where do I start. Stayed three nights came in super late. They went out of their way offered a TV and brought it up to the room. They had a great lounge room downstairs with full kitchen and I love to cook. They provided all kinds of cutlery and pans, plates, strainers etc....every staff member we encountered was so nice and informative! Even made some friends among them. Very clean facilities for shared rooms and bathrooms!! The other cool part was the people they had in there where very relaxed and social it felt more like a dorm than a hostel or hotel setting which was great!! They made our experience the best it could have been on such a low budget and when I come back to anchorage there's no other place I want to stay I fell in love with this spot and I will Be back. THANK YOU SO MUCH BACK PACKERS IN IT WAS A BLAST!

71de228d-e091-447a-8181-dff2b68dfc85

I stayed in this hostel about a year ago and still tell people the same story to this day about how staying here truly made my Alaskan trip "adventurous". My friend and I arrived at 1:30am because of our late flights and had a train to catch for Seward by 6am. We knew there was a common area and expected it to be pleasant so we thought we could just stay there until about 5 and then start heading to the train station. Now granted, I know this is a lot of time and I get that it was late. But I have stayed at other hostels where I've felt completely safe hanging out in the common areas, having conversations with and getting to know other travelers for hours until late. My friend and I entered the common room around 2am and to our surprise, there was a teen ripping a bong in the back of the room, a man passed out drunk on one of the moldy couches with stains all over his clothes, beer can in hand, and two other men watching what appeared to be some weird sexual horror movie. Long story short. We quickly learned that one of the men on those couches was a crystal meth addict who had been shot three times (and offered to show his wounds). He claimed to have partied with Bristol Palin (Sarah Palin's daughter) and told us how wild she is and then proceeded to offer my friend and I to smoke some laced meth with him outside the hostel. We politely gave him an "eh, not tonight". And when he left, we decided it would be safer for us to just sit on a bench outside somewhere downtown in a well lit area, which ended up working out for us because the Hilton security guard kept watch to make sure we were safe. We returned (and dreaded it) a few days later, as we had booked it in advanced not knowing the previous; this time equipped with box cutters, which we slept with under our pillows and took to the showers with us. Nonetheless, the experience made for an interesting way to strike up conversations at parties.

Discover Alaska Backpackers Inn in Anchorage for hearty local eats and cozy atmospheres. Experience authentic flavors and warm hospitality—book your stay now.

Alaska Backpackers Inn in Anchorage - Budget Hostel by Eagle St

Anchorage

Alaska Backpackers Inn

Alaska

Discover Alaska Backpackers Inn at 327 Eagle St, Anchorage. The perfect blend of budget-friendly comfort and local adventure. Book your stay now!

Alaska Backpackers Inn Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

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Experience the Menu at Alaska Backpackers Inn

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