Guest User
June 20, 2022
We've stayed at the Aurora Inn multiple times over the years - the last being 2018. It's always been the most convenient lodging option in Nome, although not the cheapest. We were very pleased this year to see a lobby and room renovation had been done. They did a nice job! Along with the renovation however, has come a steep increase in prices - approximately 65% since our last visit 4 years ago. We usually book an executive suite which is spacious and has a full kitchen since we almost always cook our own meals when we are in Nome. This was however, where we encountered significant problems during our stay. When we arrived we found there were only 2 dinner knives, 2 tablespoons, and one small serrated knife - no other cutlery was found. I asked at the desk and was told "we don't provide that". We knew from past experience this wasn't true so we pressed for more cutlery. Eventually a couple of forks and teaspoons were found. We also noted only 2 glasses, 2 mugs, no bowl larger than a cereal bowl, no baking pans whatsoever, and no large cooking pot. There was only one usable 8" fry pan, the other one being a 10" pan sporting a shredded teflon coating - I wasn't about to use that one! There was no toaster, the refrigerator was old and on the small side, the oven didn't work well, and 1 of 2 microwaves wasn't working. So, while the room got a face-lift, it seems the kitchen missed out. Even the most basic kitchen tools - measuring cup, whisk, grater, vegetable peeler, and tongs - were missing. It appears this is a full kitchen you're not supposed to actually cook in! Like many hotels of late, there isn't any daily maid service. If you want your trash removed or towels replaced during your stay you must leave them in the hallway and ask for replacements. I suspect this has more to do with a lack of housekeeping staff than it does with COVID avoidance. On the positive side, the room is spacious and the king bed was comfortable. The front desk staff are friendly and mostly helpful. The WiFi is slow but usable, and if you are an AT&T customer you will get a weak cell signal in town, not great but at least it's something.