PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Hotel Captain Cook nears completion of guest room upgrades

Family-owned and operated since 1965, Hotel Captain Cook is preferred home to Alaska residents and state, national and international travelers

Q: Where is the hotel located?

A: We have just one location — 939 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

Q: Who heads up your operation and who is on its senior management team?

A: Walter J. Hickel Jr. is president of the Hotel Division and his senior management team includes: Raquel Edelen, assistant director of operations and director of human resources; Glenn Specking, director of engineering; Dee Dee Lewis, director of sales; Gareth Brown, director of rooms; Chris Horning, director of catering; Jeff Culling, director of purchasing; Juanita Esparza, director of housekeeping; and Diana Keyser, hotel controller. It takes a highly-qualified team of people to keep the operation running smoothly.

Q: Describe any partnership arrangements and when they became effective.

A: In 1978 the hotel was invited by Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide to become a member of this worldwide brand and marketing association, which has 110 properties worldwide. Walter J. Hickel Jr. served on Preferred Hotels and Resorts board of directors for eight years from 1984 to 1992 as both president and chairman.

Q: What is the company’s primary market and primary services?

A: As mentioned, it is local residents, business and leisure travelers as well as groups coming to Alaska for conventions, meetings and events.

We offer many services to enhance visitors’ experiences at the hotel. Our dining options include restaurants that range from fine dining in the Crow’s Nest to Italian cuisine in Fletcher’s, our English Pub; our café, the Pantry; and a gourmet coffee and spirits bar, the Whale’s Tail. Complimentary to all registered guests are high-speed wireless internet services throughout the Hotel and access to our 24-hour Business Center.

Additionally, for a nominal fee, all guests have access to our separate men’s and women’s Athletic Clubs, featuring separate workout gyms, steam rooms, Swedish dry sauna, tanning beds, a lounge and massages by appointment. Co-ed facilities include a swimming pool, racquetball court, Jacuzzi, circuit training and aerobics room. Workout clothes and bathing suits are also provided at no charge.

Q: How many employees does your company have?

A: We have 400 full-time employees.

Q: Should we expect changes in room décor or other hotel modifications?

A: We are nearing completion of a major upgrade to all guest room bathrooms which will be completed in 2007. Upgrades include new granite countertops, custom wall tile, waterfall shower heads, stone floors, new mirrors and lighting. The modifications are elegant and restful.

Q: What is your company’s main strength, i.e. its edge over the competition?

A: The Hotel Captain Cook is Alaska’s only luxury hotel conveniently located in the heart of downtown’s judicial district. It is adjacent to many restaurants, great shopping and a few short blocks from the Egan Convention Center. It is a short distance from Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport. Our hotel dining options are outstanding and include restaurants ranging from fine dining in the Crow’s Nest to Italian cuisine in Fletcher’s, our English Pub, our café, the Pantry, and a gourmet coffee and spirits bar, the Whale’s Tail. The Whale’s Tail also serves wine by the glass throughout the day.

Q: Has the company invested in any new technology in the last two years? Describe.

A: In the last 15 months the entire hotel computer system and payroll system were upgraded, along with new Remanco software. This state-of-the-art software has improved management of sales, pricing and supplies in all food and beverage outlets.

Q: What is the most challenging job you face in running the hotel?

A: It continues to be a challenge to recruit talented and creative individuals who want to work in the hospitality industry. We continue to emphasize the need to train and retrain our associates on a regular basis to continually exceed guest expectations.

Our creed, discussed on a regular basis, is as follows:

Customers — We will consistently exceed guests’ expectations in all aspects of service and courtesy.

Associates — We are committed to hire, train, motivate and retain outstanding associates.

Community — We will be relied upon to set the example as good citizens and neighbors.

Q: What do you see as your company’s biggest challenge in the next five years?

A: As in any hotel and dining establishment, attracting qualified individuals interested in working in Alaska’s hospitality industry.

Q: What do you see as future trends or opportunities for the Captain Cook from events such as long-term weather fluctuations, resource development, etc.?

A: The new Anchorage Convention Center scheduled to break ground soon will have a positive impact on our operation, and we’ve been very supportive of its expansion. The new center will accommodate multiple and larger conventions with requests for substantially larger sleeping room blocks than the city has been able to entertain in the past. This will create many new jobs and economic opportunities not just for our hotel, but for the broader local visitor-based business sector.

Q: What is the average length of time employees work for the company? Are you hiring for any positions?

A: The average length of service of our employees is quite high, 15 years. We hire for new positions on a weekly basis and for various seasonal positions, the listings of which change weekly.

Q: What is your company’s safety record?

A: For the year 2005 there were a total of four accidents. Year-to-date for 2006 there has only been one.

Q: Does your company or its partners or subsidiaries maintain websites? If so, list.

A: The hotel website is: www.captaincook.com

Company contact is:

Walter J. Hickel, Jr. – President

Hotel Captain Cook

Phone: 907-276-6000 x2253

Fax: 907-343-2211

E-mail: [email protected]