We'll be in Seattle for 3 nights in mid-October, and want to be centrally located. Although the luxury hotels sound alluring, the prices do not. We think we can do well for under $125. A good location is most important. Does anyone have any opinion or info on Hotel Seattle, at Seneca & 3rd? I stayed at the 4 Seasons near there a few years ago, and although I did walk to everything, I'm not sure if this is a great location, or if the Hotel Seattle is a decent hotel. It sure seems like it, and for about $100 per night. We don't need glitz and glamour, but we don't like "seen better days," either. I'd welcome any suggetions. How about the Commodore? Pacific Plaza (I've read mixed reviews)? Others? Thanks for your help.

Try making an offer for a 4 star hotel via priceline. I'll bet you can get yourself a 4 star for less than $100. My husband and I just got back from a trip where we booked our hotels via priceline . . . we wound up at the Hilton Resort & Marina (4 star) in Key West for $55 per night whereas the lowest available rate on their website was $169. (!) Just make sure you make an offer for only those hotels in a 4 star category . . . and priceline allows you to do that. Good luck! As an aside, for all out luxury in Seattle, it's the Bellevue Club hands down.

Colleen, I'd guess you won't be too happy with any of the places you mentioned. The Commodore is in a not-very-comfortable-at-night part of downtown, the Seattle and Pacific Plaza are both in the office area away from most of the goings-on, and both are older properties with mixed reputations (to be generous.)

Can I suggest a couple of alternates? First the Wyndham Summerfield Suites is a new property next to the convention center (better located) with suites for around $125; there are also a couple of nice Marriott properties near Lake Union (not downtown but a fun area) that also ought to be in your price range. But I also endorse bargain hunting with the big chains - many have had to drop their prices dramatically this year due to a falloff in occupancy. The Sheraton and Crowne Plaza would be possible targets here; also the Warwick and Mayflower hotels in Seattle can have sales, and both are very nice places. Good luck!

I had the bad fortune to stay at the Hotel Seattle years ago...there's a reason it's so inexpensive. Ugh, I still get shudders thinking about it. The Commodore is basically a backpacker's hotel verging on a flophouse. The Pacific Plaza is actually a pretty decent place; they just finished a renovation and while they can't make an old hotel new, it's fine if you're looking for something centrally located in that price range. Another possibility is the Claremont, although they're not as inexpensive as they used to be since their last renovation.

If it were me I would try to stay downtown, or within easy walking distance. The Pacific Plaza is in a good location. When friends or family come to town sometimes they stay at the Inn at Virginia Mason because it often has reasonable rates. It is east of Interstate 5 and thus not in the heart of downtown, but only a 5-10 minute walk. (Returning you will have to climb a hill). It is in a converted apt. bldg. and has some charm and substance- also you can open the windows, if that means anything to you. (Look at the website seeseattle.com for links to many of the hotels mentioned in answers to your query.)

Ok - I've found these pretty nifty sites..

You can compare reviews on hotels that maybe of interest to you..

http://www.concierge.com/run/concier...id=195&all=yes

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Home/arg/.../a_travel.html

I have had good reports from the Pensione Nichols - it's basic, but clean and very accessible to all the sites.

Jayne

I have recently returned from the West Coast Vance Hotel in Seattle. It is well placed for the shops and mono-rail and I found the walk to Pike Place Market very easy. You can get picked up from the hotel for tours eg. The Olympic Peninsula with Beeline tours (highly recommended) and Mount Rainier tour (excellent) picks up from nearby Westin Hotel. I could not fault the hotel and I don't think it was too expensive.
Have a lovely time Seattle and enjoy the coffe and Javashakes.

We stayed at the Pacific Plaza last year. The lobby of the hotel, the staff & the continental breakfast are all good. The room we had was a bit depressing though..older furnishings & small & not a nice view. It was clean though, which is important. I thought the location was good. I thought the price was high though for what we got & wondered if we could have done better in Seattle for our money.

If you're willing to deal with the uncertainty of exactly which property you'll be in you can probably do well on priceline. I'm heading to Seattle for Labor Day weekend (a busy hotel time due to the Bumbershoot Festival). I ended up with the downtown Crowne Plaza for $60 per night for 5 nights. I should think that bidding $80-100 per night for a four star would get you something good (to the best of my knowledge the Crowne Plaza is also a decent property = not 4 star but certainly acceptable).

Try The Roosevelt and the Paramount. Both are about a block from each other and just a stone's throw from Pacific Place, Nordstroms, Pike Place Market, etc... Rooms are nice and both places are "boutique-type" hotels. I also second the Summerfield Suites on Pike St. It's almost brand new, conveniently located and a much better deal than the business and tourist chains in the downtown core.

By the way, the mini suites at the Four Seasons can sometimes be had for only $100 night if you catch them on the right day, especially on weekends after Labor Day..

Enjoy your visit. Ocotber is usually pretty nice here (except when it's not....!) GO M's !!!!!!!!!