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PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Executive Suite Hotel offers guests plenty of room
to relax while traveling on business or pleasure
Marketing managers strive to achieve local partnerships to offer guests such services as same-day dry cleaning, one-day memberships at nearby athletic clubs Amy Marie Armstrong Special to PNA
As Dorothy said, there really is no place like home. But the 102-suite Executive Suite Hotel in Anchorage comes as close as possible. “We know our business travelers would probably rather be back in their own homes, so our aim is to provide all the comforts of home when they are here with us,” said Dawnette Squires, director of sales and marketing.
It’s a policy hotel staff takes to heart. Thus the signs stating, “This is not just our job, but a living space for our guests while they are with us.”
Suites at the Executive range from 500- to 750-square feet. There are seven two-bedroom suites that are perfect for families while relocating. Six of those have a microwave and small refrigerator. One of the two-bedroom units has a full-size kitchen. Of the remaining one-bedroom suites, 50 have full-size kitchens. An apartment setting “These used to be apartments and when the hotel took over, some of the features were retained — including separate living rooms and the full-size kitchens with the items and the space you need to cook with,” Squires said. “It sure beats a kitchenette where you don’t have enough room to cook.”
All other suites have a coffee maker, small dorm-size refrigerator, microwave, irons and ironing boards.
“Our guests can wake up with in suite coffee and then come down to our hospitality suite for our complimentary continental breakfast,” Squires said.
The breakfast, available from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., includes a variety of cold cereals, bagels, toast, at least two kinds of fresh fruit, assorted Danishes, muffins and croissants, juice, milk, coffee and tea.
“And of course, we always have hot, fresh coffee in the lobby,” Squires said. Those homey touches The hotel also offers a complimentary airport shuttle service to pick up travelers arriving in Anchorage, transporting them back to the hotel, where suite and car packages are available through a partnership with Affordable New Car Rental.
“By utilizing our shuttle and our suite and car package, guests can avoid a 10 to 12 percent airport concession fee,” Squires said.
Hotel guests also avoid costly airport parking through the Executive Suite Hotel park-and-fly program.
“A guest can leave their vehicle here in our parking lot for up to 14 days provided they stay at least one night on either end of the trip here with us,” Squires said. “It’s a safe place to leave your vehicle parked.”
That’s because Executive Suite bellstaff keep a constant watch over the hotel and its parking lot. The Anchorage Police Department unofficially lends the Executive Suite Hotel some extra security, Squires said.
“In an effort to help keep our community safe, we have partnered with APD by providing space for rookie training here on a regular basis,” she said. Partners in the community It’s just one of many working relationships the Executive Suite Hotel and its staff have established with the Anchorage community.
Through a deal with the Alaska Club, for just a few dollars guests can enjoy a workout and complimentary shuttle to and from the club.
Several eateries in the Spenard area work with the hotel for meals and/or delivery.
“We have partnered with some local restaurants so that clients can have hot meals whenever they arrive. Direct bill accounts and schools can charge the meal to their room,” she said. “We have one pizzeria, Milano’s Pizzeria, that delivers awesome pizza and an incredible Philly cheese steak. I am a Pennsylvania girl and trust me, I know what a Philly cheese steak should taste like. And that is most definitely it.”
Several fast-food chains — including Wendy’s and McDonald’s — are located nearby. Also in the vicinity: The Sub Station, The Village Inn restaurant and Gwennie’s, an Anchorage eatery famous for its extensive historical ambiance. A new Alaska fan The decor of the Executive Suite Hotel was extensively updated to include burgundy and green contemporary motifs less than two years ago when Yong Juhn, a Korean-American hotel owner based out of Minnesota, bought the property in December 2000.
Juhn, whose nephew Anthony Lee now manages the property, said he likes the Anchorage area.
“I could see great potential here for the hotel business,” he said. “This area is so naturally beautiful.”
He likes the coming addition of partnerships with fishing guides to the hotel’s roster of guest options.
“Dawnette has done an outstanding job of marketing the hotel, as well as establishing links with other Alaskan businesses,” he said. Plenty of leg room The hotel’s large suites are another selling point.
“We’ve got space and lots of it,” Squires said. “Whether it’s a survey crew with lots of equipment or an outdoor excursion, our suites have enough room for all your gear.”
And if that isn’t enough space, the Executive Suite Hotel also offers additional storage, including freezer space for the “catch of the day.” And there’s no extra charge.
Squires hopes to soon offer a computer work area in the hotel’s main floor hospitality suite — not only for business travelers but also so other guests can keep in touch while visiting Alaska. The room already has a cozy fireplace, plenty of overstuffed chairs, reading lamps and a large television.
Beside the standard ironing boards and hair dryers, all suites come with Internet access next to desks large enough to create a comfortable working space, cable television, Nintendo and an industry pay-per-view movie system, direct phone lines and personal voice mail.
For long-term stays of seven nights or more, special extended-stay rates apply. The Executive Suite also offers direct billing for corporate guests.
All guests have access to copy and fax services, as well as coin-operated laundry facilities. The Executive Suite also offers same-day dry-cleaning contract with a local cleaning service. Improving on success Keyless entry and a new reservation system are planned for late spring. Beginning this fall, installation of new carpeting and tiling for kitchen and bathroom areas will begin in some suites. Larger television sets also are planned. More landscaping is slated for summer as well.
“We have been working very hard to do our part by updating our property and keep the outside looking nice, especially in the summer months when we can do some extra work with flowers and shrubbery,” Squires said.
Guest satisfaction is and will always be the top priority. Guests are encouraged to fill out hotel survey cards. It is their input that allows the Executive Suite Hotel to be successful.
“Our service is professional, yet relaxed,” Squires said. “When you stay with us, we want you to feel like you are at home.”
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