The New Caribou Hotel, Glennallen

I had the misfortune to stay here during a tour of Alaska in 2008. The room looked like it had not been cleaned or redecorated since about 1965. The furniture was shabby and of doubtful cleanliness. There were no proper curtains to darken the room and no air conditiioning which made it neccessary to keep the window open and hear comings and goings in the parking lot at all hours. The hallway carpet looked like it had not been vaccumed in living memory. The bathtub had a large chip in it that had been repaired with a paper towel piece, but it turned out to be a piece of plaster. The bed linen looked like it had been aquired at a Thirft Shop sale. The lighting was limited and inadequate. The carpeting was a horrible shade of pink and looked like it could use a shampooing. I would not ask a stray dog I did not like to stay there. I am suprised that the health department allows this place to stary open. Somebody should have taken a bulldozer to the place years ago. Also it was way overpriced for what it was.

We stayed in a queen room with jetted tub. It was a nice room, with a corner jacuzzi in the main bedroom, and still a full bathroom set apart from the main room. We liked the tub, the location of the hotel, the exterior and interior decor. The tv provided is wall mounted and small, maybe 19", and the bathroom light and vent fan are on a single switch, making it impossible to see without the ROAR of the overly loud vent fan. It's an interior room, so no light from a window... you're just stuck with the noise. And, there's no towel rod or hook in the room with the toilet and tub, a minor inconvenience. Our room overlooked the satellite dish and dumpster, which seemed odd, for such a nice room. Beyond those, were woods. The room was quiet. We were pleased with the lack of overwhelming room air freshener upon arrival, and the cleanliness of the linens, carpet and everything else. The entire room just had a smell of "clean". The towels were thick and luxurious, smelling only wonderously clean, not "perfumed". And, the towels were plentiful. They provided two bath towels and bath mat for the jetted tub and two more for the bathtub/shower combo. Our stay was marred by a bottom sheet that refused to stay on the top half of the bed, and we were awakened all during the night with the sheet and mattress pad rumpled under us. The front desk was quick to provide a box fan upon our request, as the room was a bit warm from the day's heat. A few minutes of air circulation with the fan and the room was quite comfortable. Outside, upon our arrival, the flowers were magnificent! We have seldome seen such a display of tuberous begonias in bloom, not to mention the petunia baskets. We would not hesitate to stay here again, but might bring a set of sheet tenders and a battery powered light for the bathroom. We consider this a rare jewel outside the major cities of Alaska. The price was quite reasonable, and our stay 90% pleasant.

The Hotel says "new", with Alaskan decor. It is not new, or have Alaskan decor, you will get pink and greeen floral from the late 80's era. We choose a room with jetted tub, the water was so brown I could not get enjoy what we paid for. The water needs a filter, or the front desk needs to inform guests what to expect. The ice bucket was left over from the previous guests, no cups, overall very unsatifactory.

i would recomend this hotel. the room was good. the bathroom was great. the food was good. the pool was okay. the service was real good. i would stay here again.

Glennallen is a wide spot in the road, 185 miles from Anchorage. The New Caribou Hotel and Restaurant is called "The 'Bou" by the locals. Good value, not very fancy, but clean with friendly people. Coffee in lobby, always. Restaurant in front of the hotel. Our room was not new, but clean. AARP rates if you ask. Right in the middle of this small town, convenient to both local activities and through traffic. Lots of rooms, reservations not needed except at the peak of the summer. Computer in lobby for checking email, nice feature -- high speed internet in the wilderness of Alaska!