The Grand is a comfortable, friendly place that's convenient to downtown and the train station. Nothing luxurious, but that wasn't what we were looking for. What really makes it special are the people. They cheerfully switched our room at our request, gave great recommendations on area restaurants, helped us regularly with directions, and one young desk clerk even lent us his personal copy of an Alaska travel book (for the entire week, as we left Anchorage to travel north!) absolutely filled with useful info. When we returned the book, another young gal offered to print out our boarding passes for the flight home.
In addition, we both liked the little cafe they use for their breakfasts. Of course, we ordered off of the menu rather than sticking with the continental fare, and happily paid the few dollars price difference (the reindeer sausage and egg breakfast was outstanding!)
One word of caution... staying here, or anywhere else in Anchorage, without a vehicle could prove to be a real hassle. The city is spread out and you really need a car to access all that the area has to offer.
Overall, the Grand is a winner, and we'd stay there again.

We agree that the location is excellent, even if you're not taking the train. Staff are very helpful, and cookies baked every afternoon are a nice treat. Train noise is an issue, with horns blowing as early as 5:00 am., but the hotel itself is very quiet. There is no AC and it is difficult to keep the room cool at night without the windows being open. But there is a box fan in each room. There is a microwave, an oven, a dishwasher and a full-size refrigerator/freezer in each room, which is a nice plus. It's nice to have the extra room of a suite and the pull-out bed in the sitting area is not too bad. The breakfast place is fine and only a block away- you get a voucher which can be used for one of 3 continental breakfasts or as an $8 credit toward anything on the breakfast menu. The parking lot is 1 block away and it was very clear that the charge was $6 a night, although the staff didn't tell us that parking at meters right outside the hotel is free on weekends. Overall, a good deal for the price.

We selected this property with proximity to the Alaska RR. What a find! Small, pleasant, large rooms that were comfortable!! The biggest plus of service at front desk....courteous, prepared, offered info, answered questions and made you feel very welcomed. Great value!!

Excellent location right downtown, across street from the weekend crafts market, which should not be missed; also very close to the Marx Brothers Cafe, best meal we had in Alaska. Also liked the laundry room in the basement and the size of the rooms. Only 1 person on the desk meant waiting for things like breakfast and parking vouchers; but the staff was friendly and competent so this wasn't a big problem.

We were okay with some things other folks haven't liked, such as the train noise (loud but not THAT frequent), and the beds (though the rollaway in the living room wasn't top notch). We were also ok with no A/C, but the room was hard to cool off and in July or August I could imagine a problem. Given not much luxury or A/C, the price did seem high.

We really, really didn't like the breakfast restaurant (I'd place the distance at nearly 2 blocks, 1 of which is uphill). Coffee was cold; when we would complain they would immediately return with a hot cup (except the time when the chef/owner came out to complain about our complaining); the bill was never added right; a breakfast cafe with NO pancakes! (but 12 kinds of eggs benedict - go figure). Since it was already paid for in the room rate, we did return; the problems with coffee (and service) continued, and while the basic eggs and toast turned out to be passable, we enjoyed it mostly for the comic relief of ineptitude.

All in all a decent place, and we'd go back, but not special except for the location.