auty1

Hi all
We will be staying in Seattle later this month and am wondering about my hotel choices.
Which would be the better choice....the Four Seasons or the Marriott Waterfront?
The prices are similar for larger accomodations... there are a few mediocre reviews for
both hotels on tripadvisor. So I'm on the fence as far as which to choose....any thoughts?
Thanks so much
Auty1

Gardyloo

I would choose the Four Seasons without hesitating. More convenient location, less institutional, many more dining choices within steps.

I looked at the "mediocre" reviews on TA and am reminded that you can always look at a room before accepting it. If you're paying top dollar and find the view not to your liking, you are fully within your rights to ask the hotel to change the room if they can, and if not to amend the rate to one befitting an "impaired view".

Of the two I would only pick the Marriott if I were departing on a cruise from Pier 66, right across the street.

happytrailstoyou

There is nothing to add to Gardyloo's advice, but somebody is bound to muddy the waters by chiming in that they stayed at the Marriott Waterfront and loved it.

HTtY

auty1

Thanks all...my gut feeling is that the Four Seasons is the better choice,
especially since it is one of the top rated on tripadvisor and the Marriott
is way down on the list.....47th or so.
Seems like the Marriott would be pretty noisy with all the traffic
and railroad running behind the hotel.
Thanks again!
Auty1

Gardyloo

Seems like the Marriott would be pretty noisy with all the traffic and railroad running behind the hotel.

There are no windows on the train side of the Marriott, and the Four Seasons has an elevated freeway (Alaskan Way Viaduct) right below the windows. So I wouldn't let noise be a deciding factor.

FWIW, in this picture - http://gardyloo.us/20091226_71c2.JPG - the Four Seasons is directly in front of the wide shiny building in the middle of the picture. The Viaduct runs right above the waterfront, between the hotel and the piers.

The Marriott is at the extreme lower left of the picture; like the train tracks the Viaduct is behind it (and above.)

auty1

Thanks for the photo Gardyloo....
I walked the google man through google maps....I see what you mean
about that viaduct....the Marriott surroundings seem a little nicer in terms of the
front of the hotels....now I'm really puzzled. The Marriott offers a junior suite
(2 rooms waterfront view) for just a little more money than a standard room-
partial view (1 kingbed) at the Four Seasons...I'm really into a nice view.
I'll have to think this over.

Thanks for your help!
Auty1

happytrailstoyou

There are important facts the Google photos may not reveal to those who aren't familiar with Seattle. For instance, from the photos one might not figure out which hotel is across the street from one of Seattle's most happening happy hours and is within a short walk of a great night club, dozens of restaurants, the Seattle Art Museum, the Pike Place Market and countless shops.

HTtY

Dukey1

Why is it that in at least one review of the 4S someone said that it is within A LOT of steps to restaurants, etc. I ask because I am evaluating staying in this hotel.

Why would the fact that someone actually enjoyed staying at the Marriott "muddy" the waters? People like different things in hotels and all of them are equally valid IMO.

And I have to say that just because a person doesn't like the view means that it is "impaired." Perhaps the viewer is impaired.