We will be exploring areas surrounding Seattle for a possible home purchase. We have found nice places to stay West of Seattle. However, as we are exploring the areas around Lake Washington and within a 40 minute northerly drive up the mainland, we need recommendations on nice places to stay.

Embassy suites is east, north and south of the city. The one to the north is the nicest, IMO

East of the lake, a couple of nice places are the Bellevue Hyatt and the Woodmark (http://www.thewoodmark.com/) - right on the lake. Not cheap. The Hyatt comes up now and then on Priceline at extremely attractive rates. Or there's always the Salish Lodge overlooking Snoqualmie Falls (made famous in the old "Twin Peaks" series. http://www.salishlodge.com

Within 40 min. to the north there isn't a whole lot except the previously mentioned Embassy Suites (and some other similar places - Courtyard etc.) in Lynnwood, convenient to Grande Malls); however the Silver Cloud Inn in Mukilteo is built on piers right over Puget Sound with the ferry pulling up next door - way cool. You might have a look around Mukilteo as a place to go house hunting, too.

Another possibility would be the Silver Cloud in Bellevue on Bel-Red Rd. which is very close to the Bellevue Library. (I assume you will have a car.) Also, the Embassy Suites in South Bellevue are decent. The Woodmark is wonderful, but pricey, unless you can get a special rate.

I don't know if you're working with a real estate agent, but it's a good idea. We did this 14 years ago, have been living here 13 years now, and love it.

Good luck.

Silver Cloud on the Mukilteo waterfront is very nice.