Anchorage Community YMCA - Lake Otis

As others have described, the staff is very pleasant and the pool, while not luxurious, is perfectly adequate — this is a YMCA not a private club. Also, a definite plus for travelers, is the availability of towels, and not the thin and skimpy "work-out" towels available at some facilities, but full-size, if used and well washed, bath towels. As of this spring this "Y" opened a substantially enlarged area behind the existing pool. On the ground level it contains one of the best locker/shower/steam areas we have ever seen. Individual showers, coded locks on the lockers, and lots of space! On the upper level there is a really large and well equipped exercise area with large windows that look out on the mountains. This new facility is definitely worth a visit — and at YMCA prices, not health club rates. Finally, again for travelers, note that you can trade in your finished book for a different one in the shelves across from the entrance desk.

I love this pool! Never have I seen the locker rooms dirty with hair everywhere and floaters in the pool. I bring my two small children to this pool and never thought I needed to carry them to keep them off the floor, which I would if it were slimy. The people that go to this pool are nice and friendly. They even have a sauna near the pool.

I disagree.The locker rooms are very dirty. There is usually a lot of hair on the floor, and the floor is slimy. There is also quite a bit of hair and other miscellaneous floaters in the pool.

Swimming at the Anchorage YMCA is a special treat because of the courtesy of staff, cleanliness of the locker rooms and pool and the new saline water. I have swum there for 10 years and can only say: What a pleasure!