A week in seattle...
 

Greetings fellow travelers - <BR> <BR>Looking for advice on where to stay in seattle. Will be doing the usual tourist stuff - Downtown, Ballard Locks, probably a ferry trip. I've always stayed downtown (on business) but this time I'm looking for less expensive lodging. I'm considering extended stay hotels. Does anyone have recommendations or thoughts about which area is better - North Seattle, South Seattle, Bellevue, Lynnwood, etc. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance! LP <BR>

We frequently travel to Seattle and found that Bellevue is very nice to stay in. It's a nice community, clean, and has some inexpensive places to stay (compared to Seattle). <BR> <BR>Bellevue has some nice neighbourhoods and a big mall (Bellevue Square) that're nice to stroll around in in the evening.

Chris has to be kidding! A week in Bellevue? That's like spending a week in the San Fernando Valley. You could, of course, spend the entire week at the Mall. Whoopee!

I did not mean to roam the mall for a week. If you read my post carefully, I said in the evening. It's just for something to do after a day touring the sites in Seattle. I've been told by hotel staff that most locals leave the downtown area by 7pm, and with the transients that roam the downtown area, it isn't all that safe. Bellevue is a nice retreat in the evening hours. BTW, I didn't specify just the mall. I also mentioned it was a nice community and it's nice to just roam the neighbourhoods.

Been to Seattle 15 times in 20 years!!!My husband likes to go to familiar places. <BR>We usually stay in Queen Anne area, this is little north of the Space Needle.Little shops and bakery with good coffee inthe area. We have walked around in evening and not felt "at risk" Hampton Inn and Suites on N. 5th Ave is nice.Prices are "medium" ,however, if you count staying in the suburbs and driving downtown-parking fees and gas- it won't be much difference. <BR>University of Washington area is really nice--hotel and motels "reasonable". Be aware of "events" ie homecoming, big sports events,festivals. <BR>Peresonally I don't care for Bellevue, not sure why. <BR>South=Kent and Auburn are little communities that are O.K.==commute traffic is awful.Days Inn in Kent is comfortable and not expensive. <BR>One time we even went to Bainbridge Island onthe ferry and stayed in a B & B <BR>Hope this helps=== <BR>

Hi, Laura, <BR>There are a variety of "extended stay" facilities cropping up on the periphery of the region - Tukwila/Seatac (south), eastside (Bellevue, Redmond) and Lynwood/So. Everett (north.) They're all a half hour or so from the city center, a little longer at rush hour, and probably all quite acceptable. All are anonymous and in anonymous areas, safe and bland and usually near a Denny's. <BR>I don't know how the cost compares to closer-in facilities; you'd need to add car and gas cost plus daytime downtown parking charges to the equation to make sure the hotel savings justify the travel time and absence of nearby attractions in these areas. <BR>There are a couple of less-costly in-city alternatives to the downtown hotels - there are one or two Silver Cloud motels in the city proper, one near the University of Washington; a Ramada and I think a Residence Inn near the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute at the south end of Lake Union (very interesting area) and several other choices. Prices may vary by month - when are you coming?

Hi. I live in Seattle, and if you are looking for a reasonable place to stay that won't keep you on one freeway or the other a lot, locate yourself where the two main freeways cross; try Factoria, which a couple of nice parks, one or two on the lake (for the kids) or something on I-405, near I-90, where there are several hotel/motels. I would not go to Bellevue, not that it is not nice, but the traffic there is horrendous, and takes time to get in and out, and to get to the city, you m ust cross the Evergreen Bridge, a jugernaut most of the time. From Factoria, you can dash in to town (15 minutes on a good day), go east on I-90 to the mountains, 405 to the Everett plane factory, etc. And if you want to get to Belleve (some good eating spots) it is only 15 minutes in that direction. In other words, something central. Downtown is nice, but pricy, and Ballard is sort of "old town" and quite a bit north of the city. Hope this helps. If you want ideas for outings or good restaurants, e-mail me directly. Hope you enjoy our city and its environs.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I decided to stay near, but not in downtown. I booked at the Edmond Meany -I think it's near University District and it's a Fodor favorite. I'm not sure I got the best rate, but I realize I'm coming during busy season (mid-July). LP <BR>

Dear Laura: <BR>I've never actually stayed at the Meany (but I've been to meetings at the hotel), but several friends of mine love it, and stay there every time they visit Seattle.