lvk

Hi all,
We are scheduled to fly into Seattle tomorrow morning, and the weather reports we are looking at are showing winter storm warnings, with 3-6" of snow by then. I have a rental car reserved, but am thinking of wimping out on driving in an unfamiliar city in the snow. (DH is the designated bad weather driver and he will not be joining us on this trip).

We are staying at the Watertown, and DD has an audition at UW on Friday. Our options from the airport to the Watertown are a Towncar at $50 flat rate, or the Shuttle Express at $20 pp. , I am told that cab fare would run about $45. Are there any other options that Fodorites can recommend?

Watertown has a free shuttle that will take us to the University and other Seattle attractions, so we would be good there. I would, however, greatly appreciate any restaurant recommendations within walking distance of the Watertown hotel.

Any other recommendations about navigating Seattle in what is forecasted to be slushy/snowy conditions will also be appreciated!

suze

I would cancel the rental car. Seattle is a MESS when we get hit with snow and don't deal with it very well. You should be fine using taxi or towncar or Shuttle Express from the airport.

portagebaycafe.com on Roosevelt is hugely popular and right at that hotel. There's all kinds of little eateries over on "the Ave" next to the UW (sorry not up to date with them).

Also if you need cheap quick lunch or snacks for the hotel room, there's a wonderful Trader Joe's grocery store just up the street.

Gardyloo

A cab will be more than $45; I live less than a mile from the Watertown and I usually pay $60 plus tip from the airport. I'd book a car service, personally. If there's snow on the ground the taxi rank at the airport can get pretty jammed.

The restaurant scene near the Watertown leaves much to be desired. There are a lot of places on University Way (the Ave) three blocks to the east, but of course they're geared to student budgets and student tolerance, if you get my drift. The Portage Bay Cafe mentioned by Suze is great; it's actually at the University Inn, the Watertown's sister property two blocks south. Unfortunately it's only open for breakfast and lunch.

I'd probably rely on the hotel's shuttle to go to University Village if you don't want a rental car. There are plenty of good places to eat at U Village, also various places to wait while the shuttle comes to collect you.

However, there's a Budget car office on Roosevelt Way at NE 62nd that we use all the time; if the weather improves and things aren't that messy (and this time of year many of our "snow events" pretty much fizzle, or else things melt pronto) you could have the hotel shuttle take you there, pick up a car and return it at the airport. The rental cost will be much cheaper than an airport pickup (due to high airport taxes and fees) and a one-day rental will be cheaper than the cab or towncar back to the airport.

(In a very NON-Seattle manner, we often rent a car from that Budget office and drop it at the airport, in lieu of a cab.)

lvk

Thanks so much for that local perspective. Rental car has been canceled and TownCar has been booked through the very helpful and friendly staff at the Watertown Hotel.

We love the proximity of that Trader Joe's, also. Will definitely be picking up some snacks there.

suze

Thanks for the clarification about Portage Bay Cafe's exact wherebouts! I only notice it because I drive that street most weekends, and it's one of those places that people line up on the street to wait for brunch. I agree about hopping over to University Village for food (or shopping) instead of hanging on The Ave with the students -haha.