WineNCheese

Managed to get two first class FF tickets to Seattle Oct 7-10. Trying to decide how to spend our time. We love luxury accomodations, great scenery, food, wine and outdoors. We aren't big into museums. Is it worth the drive to Vancouver? We generally like to stay in one place for such a short time but can't decide which to choose. If we stay in Seattle we will stay at the Inn at the Market. If in Vancouver, The Wedgewood.

kimamom

I haven't been to Vancouver, but love Seattle. We had four days there, and it was not enough. We stayed at the Edgewater Hotel, right on the water. If you get a chance, have an app or drink at the Six Seven there, out on the deck over the water. The views are glorious and the hotel is very pretty.

Where will you be dining in Seattle? We enjoyed Dahlia Lounge, Flying Fish and Salty's on Alki Beach. I want to try Salumi and Matt's at the Market next trip. And maybe Rover's! Have a wonderful time, Inn at the Market comes highly recommended on all boards.

I'm anxious to tour the San Juans next trip but would also like to hear about input on Vancouver. ***kim***

PamSF

it takes 3 hours to drive to Vancouver not including the border crossing. I really like both places although I find Vancouver definitely more European in feel. Seattle will provide you with a great deal to do. We've stayed at the Inn at the Market many times and it is lovely. Happy Anniversary.

Gardyloo

I would do one or the other but not both. The logistics of breaking camp, driving, border, navigation, hotel yoga, all that, is more easily justified with two or three full days, but not just one.

As for which, I would stay with Seattle. Play excursions by ear given the nature of nortwestern weather; however if I were betting I'd say it's going to be an early and beautiful autumn hereabouts (some trees already starting up) so drives up into the mountains ought to be very satisfying as the vine maple and other deciduous trees start to go. Book into a couple of foodie palaces (see Chowhound.com for all the inside scoop) for memorable meals, buy picnic fixings at the Pike Market, go to Vashon Island for a day... lots of choices.

If you do decide on Vancouver, allot a day to drive up to Whistler on the beautiful Sea to Sky highway. The Wedgewood is very nice, but different from the Inn at the Market. I'm not that crazy for Robson Sq./St., and in a city that has such spendid views in all directions, it seems a shame not to have one from a top hotel. The same goes for the Inn, except if you get a "market view" room you get the sunsets and mountains, vs. the street side, featuring buildings and cars.

kimamom

The views were exactly why we chose the Edgewater over Inn at the Market! Beautiful views from that hotel property, right on the water. I loved watching all of the jellyfish swimming benath us from the lobby windows! ***kim***

PamSF

Agree with Gardyloo about the Inn at the Market Rooms. We always have gotten a market view room. By the way, check out Campagne which is downsairs at the Inn at the Market and serves very good dinners.
I also agree with Gardyloo about Robson Street. We stayed in the WestEnd during our last trip to Vancouver. Robson Street is somewhat dicey I think and filled mostly with chain stores. We stayed at O'Canada House which is a B&B(one of the nicest by far I've ever stayed in). It's three blocks walking up from Robson.