Anchorage Daily News

It may not seem like the best time to be in the hotel-building business, but NANA Development Corp. officials say that their new University Lake Springhill Suites Marriot Hotel, now nearing completion in Midtown Anchorage, should be sheltered from the worst of the nation's recession troubles.

"The effect should be not much or not at all," said David Marquez, chief operating officer of NANA Development Corp.

While planning for the 159-room hotel began in the summer of 2007, well before financial gloom crept over the U.S. economy, it was always aimed at a niche market of travelers in town for medical treatment or visiting the campuses of UAA and APU. The hotel is situated on University Lake, about a 10-minute walk from the Alaska Native Medical Center.

NANA has been building hotels since 1996, and University Lake Springhill Suites will be NANA's fourth in the Anchorage area (there are also hotels in Fairbanks and Kotzebue). However, NANA Development president Helvi Sandvik said this project is close to the corporation's heart.

"There is a void in this part of town, and families often have a difficult time finding an affordable place to stay," Sandvik said. "When I announced that we were moving forward with this hotel issue, it thrilled our shareholders."

Much of the hotel offers sweeping views of the Chugach mountain range and overlooks a lake and park. The hotel has a fitness room and swimming pool and is on the city's trail system. With its proximity to medical and university buildings, Sandvik said the hotel offers ideal accommodation for patients and their families seeking some serenity while far from home, or sports teams in town for the big game on campus.

Slightly less thrilled about the project were the users of the nearby park, popularly known as "the dog park," who were concerned that the hotel would spoil their retreat. Sandvik said the biggest challenge in building the hotel was taking these concerns into account and making sure the hotel would harmonize with its natural setting.

This dictated, among other modifications, a complete redesign of the hotel's roof, which was flattened so that the university buildings on the hill above kept their view of the lake. Sandvik said APU's design committee worked with NANA on the modifications.

While rates won't be available until next month, Sandvik said that University Lake Springhill will cost "less than the Captain Cook," with rates comparable to other Marriott Springhill Suites (the current rate at Springhill Suites in Anchorage Midtown is $89 to $139 per night in winter, $269 per night in summer). A NANA spokeswoman said shareholders will get a reduced rate.

The hotel is geared toward people in town for longer stays than typical for business travelers or tourists, from seven to 11 days. Continental breakfast will be complimentary and each suite will have a refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. The hotel will also offer free airport and university-medical district shuttle service. Sandvik said these features will have a big impact on the affordability of the hotel.

Construction on University Lake Springhill Suites is scheduled for completion by July, and the hotel's official opening is expected to be in August.

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