A few Seattle Questions
Jul 25th, 2011, 11:26 AM
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A few Seattle Questions
Hey Seattle Fodorites! As DH and DS's ongoing quest to visit each MLB ballpark in the country winds down, Safeco Field takes its turn next month. They have never been to the Seattle, and I have a few questions before I start booking their trip.
1. Is there public transportation from the SEA TAC airport into downtown Seattle? If so, how late does it run on a Thursday night?
2. I'm going to try Priceline for a room. What area(s) do you recommend I put them up in? Alternatively, do you have any hotel recommendations?
3. Do you recommend they rent a car or will public transportation suffice?
Thanks for your help!
1. Is there public transportation from the SEA TAC airport into downtown Seattle? If so, how late does it run on a Thursday night?
2. I'm going to try Priceline for a room. What area(s) do you recommend I put them up in? Alternatively, do you have any hotel recommendations?
3. Do you recommend they rent a car or will public transportation suffice?
Thanks for your help!
Jul 25th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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1. There is light rail from SeaTac to downtown Seattle. Here is the link to schedules, fares, etc: http://www.soundtransit.org/x11204.xml
2. I recommend you stay in or near the retail core, the heart of which is 5th Avenue and Pine Street. Hotels there are the Mayflower, Andra, Westin, Warwick, Sheraton, and several others.
3. Whether you need a car depends on whether you want to visit places out of town, such as Mt. Rainier. Parking in the downtown area is expensive.
There is a ride free zone on the bus that extends from Pioneeer Square to just south of Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is located). Here is a link to a map of that area: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus...attle-rfa.html
HTTY
2. I recommend you stay in or near the retail core, the heart of which is 5th Avenue and Pine Street. Hotels there are the Mayflower, Andra, Westin, Warwick, Sheraton, and several others.
3. Whether you need a car depends on whether you want to visit places out of town, such as Mt. Rainier. Parking in the downtown area is expensive.
There is a ride free zone on the bus that extends from Pioneeer Square to just south of Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is located). Here is a link to a map of that area: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus...attle-rfa.html
HTTY
Jul 25th, 2011, 12:47 PM
#3
Alternatively, there's a quite good hotel right across the street from Safeco Field, walkable from the light rail stop, and they have a shuttle bus that will take you various places in the downtown core (or use the free transit - a couple of blocks from the hotel - as HTTY says.)
http://www.silvercloud.com/seattlestadium/
http://www.silvercloud.com/seattlestadium/
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:07 PM
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Wow! Are Seattle hotels expensive! I've been looking for 8/12 - 14. Prices are high $200's to mid $300's. Any recommendations for a clean, basic hotel with reasonable location? I'm not going, so they sure don't need anything fancy 
Gardyloo, the Sivler Cloud at the stadium is booked, as is Lake Union. How about Broadway? Locationwise, will that work?
Gardyloo, the Sivler Cloud at the stadium is booked, as is Lake Union. How about Broadway? Locationwise, will that work?
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:21 PM
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If you want the full Seattle experience, the Silver Cloud surrounds you with stadiums that will be closed most of the time, construction, and not too much in the way of eateries save for a Krispy Kreme Donut place down the street.
Sure it is great for that day or two you're going to the ballgame, to leave your hotel when the manager is delivering the line-up card to home plate, and still make the first pitch. (at least where it relates small crowds to the Mariners, who are currently enjoying their longest losing streak ever)
For Priceline, I would limit yourself to the main "downtown" area, and NOT "SEATTLE CENTER", which, curiously, does not relate to central Seattle. "Seattle Center" is effectively a big park on which the Space Needle and other venues sit.
Seattle is a GREAT town for Priceline when wanting 4-star spots in the "DOWNTOWN" area. There are scores of "free rebid" zones you can use for the best chance to get 'your price'.
The Link Light Rail makes a no-car, baseball-themed trip to Seattle a cinch.
(more clarity: Maybe start your Priceline bids at, eh, $75 per, and nudge up by $5 each time... selecting the "DOWNTOWN Seattle" zone, and then adding, one by one, ONLY the outlying zones WHICH DO NOT HAVE 4-STAR properties available.
First thing you do upon getting into the Priceline website, and naming your city and dates, is ONE-BY-ONE, clicking each "zone", and then WRITING DOWN the HIGHEST star-value in that zone. Remember to UN-CLICK the previous zone while doing this.
Downtown Seattle works absolutely great for Priceline most of the time, and you should land something for $90 to $110 per night unless some giant convention or the height of the tourist season prevents it.
Don't be too trigger-happy if you have time to spare. Just wait 24 hours and begin the Priceline bidding process again, rather than boosting your hotel costs too high.)
They don't need to rent a car. From nearly any of 'those' hotels, they would just take a city bus FOR FREE to the end of the "Free Ride Zone" at Jackson street, and then walk to the ballpark from there.
After the game, they may as well just envision walking all the way back to their hotel, which really won't be difficult.
Hope this helps.
Sure it is great for that day or two you're going to the ballgame, to leave your hotel when the manager is delivering the line-up card to home plate, and still make the first pitch. (at least where it relates small crowds to the Mariners, who are currently enjoying their longest losing streak ever)
For Priceline, I would limit yourself to the main "downtown" area, and NOT "SEATTLE CENTER", which, curiously, does not relate to central Seattle. "Seattle Center" is effectively a big park on which the Space Needle and other venues sit.
Seattle is a GREAT town for Priceline when wanting 4-star spots in the "DOWNTOWN" area. There are scores of "free rebid" zones you can use for the best chance to get 'your price'.
The Link Light Rail makes a no-car, baseball-themed trip to Seattle a cinch.
(more clarity: Maybe start your Priceline bids at, eh, $75 per, and nudge up by $5 each time... selecting the "DOWNTOWN Seattle" zone, and then adding, one by one, ONLY the outlying zones WHICH DO NOT HAVE 4-STAR properties available.
First thing you do upon getting into the Priceline website, and naming your city and dates, is ONE-BY-ONE, clicking each "zone", and then WRITING DOWN the HIGHEST star-value in that zone. Remember to UN-CLICK the previous zone while doing this.
Downtown Seattle works absolutely great for Priceline most of the time, and you should land something for $90 to $110 per night unless some giant convention or the height of the tourist season prevents it.
Don't be too trigger-happy if you have time to spare. Just wait 24 hours and begin the Priceline bidding process again, rather than boosting your hotel costs too high.)
They don't need to rent a car. From nearly any of 'those' hotels, they would just take a city bus FOR FREE to the end of the "Free Ride Zone" at Jackson street, and then walk to the ballpark from there.
After the game, they may as well just envision walking all the way back to their hotel, which really won't be difficult.
Hope this helps.
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:30 PM
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Iregeo:
In response to your latest post (4:07pm)... luckily the summery "Seafair" festival will be mostly over by the time your people arrive, and I don't know of any excessive strain on hotel rooms then. (indeed there COULD BE, esp. for it being a weekend in the middle of August)
A crazy last resort might be the Kings Inn on 6th avenue, although the reviews of the place might scare you. I walked up to it to check it out a month or two ago. I'd been there before, and it is generally harmless, but of course rare people write only of the rare occurrences they experience when reviewing.
Heck, Barack Obama stopped right down the street last time he was in town: "see Youtube and search for "Top Pot" Seattle...".
I would start trying to land a room via Priceline as coached in my post above. If you can't get one in due time, then fall-back on the King's Inn. You cannot beat the location, location, location for the price, with the King's Inn.
It is a block or two from The Westin, and the neighborhood isn't especially bad.
In response to your latest post (4:07pm)... luckily the summery "Seafair" festival will be mostly over by the time your people arrive, and I don't know of any excessive strain on hotel rooms then. (indeed there COULD BE, esp. for it being a weekend in the middle of August)
A crazy last resort might be the Kings Inn on 6th avenue, although the reviews of the place might scare you. I walked up to it to check it out a month or two ago. I'd been there before, and it is generally harmless, but of course rare people write only of the rare occurrences they experience when reviewing.
Heck, Barack Obama stopped right down the street last time he was in town: "see Youtube and search for "Top Pot" Seattle...".
I would start trying to land a room via Priceline as coached in my post above. If you can't get one in due time, then fall-back on the King's Inn. You cannot beat the location, location, location for the price, with the King's Inn.
It is a block or two from The Westin, and the neighborhood isn't especially bad.
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:44 PM
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(new concern: ) Ugh, the Boston Red Sox are in town on your weekend, and THAT might put considerable added strain on local hotel rooms, in addition to summer travelers.
At any rate, if doing Priceline, be sure to be using a credit card OF your "DH", and not yours by mistake, as you won't be present at check-in.
At any rate, if doing Priceline, be sure to be using a credit card OF your "DH", and not yours by mistake, as you won't be present at check-in.
Jul 25th, 2011, 06:05 PM
#10
One of the big drivers of high summer hotel prices in downtown Seattle is the cruise traffic, with weekends being impacted the most by departing or returning cruise passengers.
By all means try Priceline, using the downtown zone for 4-star bids, then adding South Lake Union and/or Seattle Center for "free" 4-star rebids. If you decide to go down to 3 or 3 1/2 stars, start a new bid, rather than adding 3* when you've already added Lake Union or Seattle Center to the mix.
A lot depends on what they want to do or see besides the game. If they want to go out of town - to the mountains, islands, waterfall, etc. - then a car plus a less-expensive hotel out of downtown (one where parking is cheap or free) might work out cheaper and more convenient overall. But it really does depend on the details of their proposed trip.
By all means try Priceline, using the downtown zone for 4-star bids, then adding South Lake Union and/or Seattle Center for "free" 4-star rebids. If you decide to go down to 3 or 3 1/2 stars, start a new bid, rather than adding 3* when you've already added Lake Union or Seattle Center to the mix.
A lot depends on what they want to do or see besides the game. If they want to go out of town - to the mountains, islands, waterfall, etc. - then a car plus a less-expensive hotel out of downtown (one where parking is cheap or free) might work out cheaper and more convenient overall. But it really does depend on the details of their proposed trip.
Jul 25th, 2011, 06:21 PM
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I did my 4* Priceline bidding earlier today. I bid up to $120, using all my free rebids. No luck yet.
They will be staying in the city. Is the location of the Broadway Silver Cloud acceptable? They have availability at a more reasonable rate.
They will be staying in the city. Is the location of the Broadway Silver Cloud acceptable? They have availability at a more reasonable rate.
Jul 25th, 2011, 07:15 PM
#12
The Broadway SC is in a hospital/medical office area, a couple of blocks from the core of the Broadway retail/restaurant etc. core. It's an okay location. I think they also have a free shuttle to take guests downtown.
Jul 26th, 2011, 09:50 AM
#13
Lightrail runs from SeaTac to downtown. I think it stops around 11pm?
The Moore Hotel is the cheapest and serviceable. The Mayflower Park and the Warwick are good (not cheap but certainly not $300). Bidding Priceline often gets people either the Sheraton or Westin, so maybe just keep trying that. Anywhere in the downtown Seattle core would be convenient (not a large area).
Definitely you don't need a car if seeing things in and around downtown is your primary objective. If they want to get out into the countryside, then they might want one.
Silver Cloud Broadway is an acceptable location. But a bit outside of downtown on Capitol Hill.
The Moore Hotel is the cheapest and serviceable. The Mayflower Park and the Warwick are good (not cheap but certainly not $300). Bidding Priceline often gets people either the Sheraton or Westin, so maybe just keep trying that. Anywhere in the downtown Seattle core would be convenient (not a large area).
Definitely you don't need a car if seeing things in and around downtown is your primary objective. If they want to get out into the countryside, then they might want one.
Silver Cloud Broadway is an acceptable location. But a bit outside of downtown on Capitol Hill.
Jul 26th, 2011, 10:04 AM
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FWIW,we really like the Underground Tour so perhaps if they wanted something non-baseball to do....
http://www.undergroundtour.com/
http://www.undergroundtour.com/
Jul 26th, 2011, 08:59 PM
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More, about Priceline...
Rooms are/(can be) constantly added to the Priceline offerings by hotel personnel who project forward what the capacity is likely to be on certain nights.
With this visit now just OVER "2 weeks" away, it makes considerable sense to anticipate more rooms, (if there will BE any) being added to Priceline availability on the Monday or Tuesday just UNDER "2 weeks out".
We can't say at all whether there WILL be any rooms available this time... BUT a wise owl would definitely bid on Monday, and do so early enough so that a Tuesday effort can be made "24+ hours later" AND before bedtime on Tuesday night.
Again, with so many "free-rebid" zones for 4-star properties in Seattle, you can start down in the 80-90 zone, and have plenty of bullets to get up there near to 130, or whatever, going at $5 increase each time.
I scored on "90" at both the Westin and at the Sheraton near the 1st of July... so keep trying.
Rooms are/(can be) constantly added to the Priceline offerings by hotel personnel who project forward what the capacity is likely to be on certain nights.
With this visit now just OVER "2 weeks" away, it makes considerable sense to anticipate more rooms, (if there will BE any) being added to Priceline availability on the Monday or Tuesday just UNDER "2 weeks out".
We can't say at all whether there WILL be any rooms available this time... BUT a wise owl would definitely bid on Monday, and do so early enough so that a Tuesday effort can be made "24+ hours later" AND before bedtime on Tuesday night.
Again, with so many "free-rebid" zones for 4-star properties in Seattle, you can start down in the 80-90 zone, and have plenty of bullets to get up there near to 130, or whatever, going at $5 increase each time.
I scored on "90" at both the Westin and at the Sheraton near the 1st of July... so keep trying.
Aug 1st, 2011, 01:09 PM
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BetterBidding.com is a good resource for Priceline bidding. I've gotten some wonderful deals when I used their suggestions. Just type in SEATTLE at the top and all recent wins and questions for Seattle will be revealed! I'm planning to use Priceline for a hotel in Seattle in the future so have done some research.
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