We will be in Seattle for 4 nights in august and were wondering what hotels people would recommend.

What price range interests you? Do you want a large or small hotel? Centrally located? On the waterfront away from everything?

Any price and we are not worried if it is a large or small hotel.We would like to be central to shopping and sightseeing.

Then I definitely recommend the newly renovated Andra (www.hotelandra.com) or the very established Mayflower Park Hotel. Both boutique hotels were built in the early 1930s and are are locally owned and operated. They are in the downtown shopping core and convenient to all sightseeing.

What kind of 'style' do you like? Very modern, traditional Queen-Anne furniture... etc? That would really help pin it down.

Hotel Andra looks very cool, though I haven't stayed there yet. My usual loves are the Hyatt (a true 5 star), Hotel Monaco, Inn at the Market or the Alexis. These are all fairly contemporary though, except the Monaco, which has recently remodelled their rooms and is a bit more traditional (than they used to be).

I wouldn't stay at the Hilton if my life depended on it. That's the best advice you'll get from me.

Thanks for all the info. In the end we have booked the Andra - looks good in all the photos we've seen and all the comments we have read about it have been positive. As we will be visiting from the UK any suggestions on what to see and do would also be appreciated.

One of the best things in Seattle is the underground tour of Pioneer Square - well worth the cost. http://www.undergroundtour.com/

I am typically one to shy away from formalized tours, but this was fantastic. Great city (and US) history and access to parts of the city that are otherwise off-limits to the general public.

Have fun - it is a fantastic city!