Seedy? Hardly. It's located a block north of Seattle Center (Space Needle, EMP, Science Center, Chihuly Self-Aggrandizement Exhibit..) and while it faces a rather drab parking garage, it's well located for many restaurants, activities, etc. Although it's not in the free-ride bus zone, and is some distance from downtown, the hotel has a free shuttle service that will take guests downtown or to the waterfront. Unlike many hotels in Seattle, it also has free parking, a big plus to those with cars. It's also basically brand new (maybe 2 yrs old tops.)

My experience is not with the hotel specifically but I live in Seattle.

No it's not "seedy". To me the negative is that it's a little further outside the central downtown core (to the north) than I'd want to stay. But it's been getting good reviews since it opened, not all that long ago.

Maybe what people mean is the location heading out Aurora Avenue (the old highway 99) which has no-tell-motels and not the best reputation.

Thanks for the information. Is there some hotels that you would suggest other than the Maxwell but in the same price range?

What price are you paying for the Maxwell?

I prefer the hotels that are right in downtown. Mayflower Park and The Warwick are the two I most often recommend. Hotel Max and the Roosevelt are good locations also.

There's nothing wrong with the Maxwell. People seem to like it very much. It's just that it's not right downtown.

Is being downtown important? We want to go to bainbridge, chihuley, pike's market. what would be the disadvantges of staying at the maxwell?

we are paying $224.00 a night

The disadvantage is only that it's a little bit further from things. If you look at a Seattle downtown street map you'll see what I mean. Maxwell is up by Seattle Center/Space Needle. The Pike Place Market and where you get on the Bainbridge ferry (for example) are in the downtown core, a mile or so south from where you'll be.

Seattle is fairly small, so even at Maxwell you are not that far. Sheraton Seattle has comparable rates and is right in the heart. So is Hilton. You can get good deals on Hotwire if you limit your neighborhood and choose 4 stars.

Or Mayflower Park or the Warwick or Hotel Max or the Roosevelt.

Hi there! I just happened to see this and work for Pineapple Hospitality, the company that owns and operates The Maxwell Hotel. Obviously, I am a little biased but The Maxwell Hotel is the opposite of seedy- TripAdvisor deemed it the 10th Trendiest Hotel in the country last year! If you want to be closer to downtown, please also check out Hotel FIVE (www.hotelfiveseattle.com). It's on Fifth and Blanchard which positions you for easy access to the market as well as Seattle Center. No matter who you choose to stay with, please enjoy your visit to Seattle. I have only lived here for four years and every weekend I find exciting new places to explore. I hope it's a wonderful trip! Cheers!

We are senior citizens . Can we use the free shuttle to get us to the ferry or the Pike market? How would we get back to the hotel?

Check out Hotel Five. It is operated by the same folks who have The Maxwell, and it it much better situated for sightseeing, etc.: http://www.hotelfiveseattle.com/

HTTY

I would ask the hotel directly what all the free shuttle service covers. Where they will take you? On what schedule? And will they come pick you back up? Or would you need to get a taxi back?

Did that and the hotel assured me that they pick up and drop off. So I am sticking with The Maxwell.

Great hotel, Free shuttle was always available. Just a few blocks away are two great restaurants Pesos and Petite Toulouse Cafe. Great Location. Staff are so helpful. We loved our stay there and took advantage of the shuttle everyday.

Thanks for the positive report! As long as they are generous with the shuttle service that location would be fine. I was driving thru the area last night after an event at Seattle Center. Nothing dodgy about it, just a little too far say to walk to the Market or some of the other sightseeing. But still quite central generally-speaking.

I love Peso's and Toulouse Petit. I am glad you had a great time.

It was a great place to stay, the neighborhood is not seedy at all. Pizza at "The Rock" in the hotel was also very good.

What would be a good plan to do after checking into the hotel around 2p.m. on our first day. What is close?