Sophie Station Suites

Stayed here for three weeks, it was my home away from home! I got one of the better rooms, it had a dishwasher, two big Samsung flat screen televisions with streaming capabilities, WiFi, a full kitchen and refrigerator. I even managed to have a few hangouts with friends and made it my own. The employees were always helpful and you can even get packages delivered there if you order things through Amazon/Walmart. The laundry was only $3 a token ($6 to wash/dry), the gym has basic equipment but the elliptical was not working, they also have a really good restaurant/bar on the second floor. The beds do sink in the middle which is what I’ve seen on other people’s reviews but I usually stay on one side of the bed so wasn’t a problem. The bathroom is small but the water pressure is good so again, didn’t bother me. There are grocery stores and fast food places a short walk away (weather permitting) and during the winter they have a grab and go breakfast with North Pole coffee available at 6AM. I would recommend this place for long term stays if you want the feel of living in an apartment in Fairbanks.

This time I want to express my gratitude for my stay at this excellent hotel here in Alaska. The rooms are very clean, and whenever you need cleaning, towels, or anything else for your room, you can immediately dial zero or go to the reception desk and ask for what you need. The service is truly very fast, everything is clean and organized, the rooms smell great and are well-designed. So I invite you to book this hotel for your vacation. The rooms are spacious, and what I found most convenient was being able to prepare my own breakfast just the way I like it. You can have lunch and dinner at the restaurant located on the second floor of the same hotel. Thank you for everything.

The smell of exhaust fumes are overwhelming. You can smell them and taste the fumes while you're in your room. I had trouble breathing,I was coughing, headache, nausea, dizzy. The guy at the front desk said it wasn’t an issue here when I told him about it, yet came to my room with an air quality monitor to ease my mind...why have this if it's not an issue??

I travel throughout the state of Alaska often, so my experience of making hotel stays my home away from home is second nature to myself and my staff. This hotel stay was by far unforgettable, due to the extremely unprofessional and negative attitude that I myself encountered as well as the couple at the desk ahead of me. The general manager Kurt’s communication style was not only unhelpful but also demonstrated a distinctly passive-aggressive attitude. Rather than actively listening to the feedback that I was communicating in a very professional manner to him, he was dismissive and extremely defensive. The tone of the conversation and the reluctance to genuinely listen, not interrupt and talk over me made me feel extremely devalued as a guest. Professionalism was lacking, and the overall attitude was certainly not reflective of a person in a leadership position who should be setting a high standard for hospitality. Effective communication and a proactive, guest-oriented approach are fundamental to a positive hotel experience. It is very concerning that a member of the senior management team would display such a disregard for guest satisfaction. I felt very bad as my frustration from the conversation had me leaving the hotel angry, and I was not paying attention and had swung my laptop bag around not paying attention and hit a woman approaching the building. I could hear the thud of the bag hitting her and I quickly turned dropping my briefcase which fell open, documents going everywhere. As I turned to apologize I was met with a smile by a woman dressed in a business suit gathering up all of the documents that had fallen out of my briefcase onto the snow. I could not apologize enough for accidentally hitting her with my bag. She was such a breath of fresh air, and responded to me with “ Oh my gosh, no apologies needed! More importantly are you ok, you seem upset. Is there anything that I can help you with”. I asked her if she worked there and she replied yes, extended her hand to shake mine and introduced herself as Andrea. I explained what had just taken place inside of the hotel with with the General Manager, assuming by her professional attire that she was possibly the owner or in operations of some sort I unloaded the unhappiness of my experience at Sophie’. She looked at me and responded very genuinely with “I'm very sorry to hear that your experience with our general manager did not meet your expectations. That is certainly not the level of service we strive to provide, what can I do for you right now to make this experience better for you”? I looked at her and said “ You just did it!” All I wanted was to provide your GM with some constructive feedback about the smell of the room, the outdatedness of the decor, as a well established builder in Alaska I thought my feedback would be well receive, instead I was met with an attitude, defensive comments to the extent of you are free to not book at Sophie’s again there are other hotels in the area! Andrea to the rescue of what was hands down the single most negative interaction I have ever had with a hotel general manager in over 40 years of traveling this state. Was even so kind to help carry my bags to my rental car in her dress shoes on the ice! Sorry Sophie Station, I told her that if she ever wanted a corporate position in Anchorage, to call me I would love to have a person like her as the face of our business. We as business owners are hard pressed to find professional management staff that look and fit the position 100%! I was not sure of her position at Sophie’s, but when I asked if she was the owner she giggled and said she was flattered by the compliment, however the owner was a wonderful man by the name of Mr. Cerny and told me her position with Sophie’s. So my apologies in advance Mr. Cerny I did try and scout your employee, why she is not the face of your hotel is absolutely mind boggling to me, this is not an employee that you keep behind closed doors! My word of advice from one long standing business owner to another! Lenny Hyde

Rooms are spacious and comfortable if dated, location is great being so close to the airport. However, asking the front desk for anything is not worth your time. They have poor communication and lack luster enthusiasm. They have multiple in-unit brochures saying to call the front desk if you need anything for cooking in your suites. Calling will just leave you waiting and wondering if they will actually bring you the thing you ask for. This is disappointing since the in suite kitchen is touted as a unique amenity.

Comfy hotel with a great restaurant inside. Suites are spacious and very clean! We will be back again.

Kinda middle of the road on this one. Exterior was beautiful with gorgeous flowers! Room was ample sized but could use a refresh. Smell was a bit off-putting. Carpet cleaning would go a long way. Beds were comfortable! Bedspread, meh. Always nice to have a kitchenette. People were courteous and friendly.

Very nice place! Large comfortable suites. Nice folks working up front, and Northern lights right outside.

Everything you need in one spot, nice place to sleep, excellent restaurant on the second floor. Staff was extremely helpful. I will be back for sure.

I should have read the reviews about the horrible management before booking! The General Manager at this hotel Kurt is by far the most passive aggressive person I have met to date, and working for Microsoft Corporate I travel 3/4 of the time I meet a lot of hotel managers! His attitude is very much a display of an exhausted person, that has lost all drive and ambition to do right by his guests, or even care of the quality of the rooms in general. The rooms smell very moldy! The hotel is so outdated, but that could be overlooked, it’s how I witnessed Kurt as the General Manager handle not only the situation with the family in front of me, but then how he spoke to the housekeeper…I was mind blown. He is a liability for that company speaking to guests that way, but even scarier if he was willing to belittle the employee right in front of guests, what happens when no one is around watching! Fountainhead needs to send him packing before they have a lawsuit on their hands!