I have to go on a business trip to Redmond. Should I stay out in Redmond? or stay in Seattle? Mapquest says it'll take 20 minutes. What would be the best way to get between the 2 - cab, public trans, or rent a car? The business part is from Monday to Thursday, so I am thinking of going out there the Fri/Sat, so I could get some sightseeing done also. Any help would be appreciated!

Seattle and Redmond are close, but not that close at rush hour. Why not stay in Redmond during the business week and Seattle on the weekend? A car would give you freedom to go in and out of Seattle during non-rush hours and to explore areas beyond Seattle. Other things to do closeby: visit the gallaries in Kirkland one evening; visit Snoqualmie Lodge.

20 mins is about right as long as it's not between 7:30 and 8:30 or 4:00 and 5:30!

I would definately rent a car if you are going to travel between the 2, the bus could take an hour!

I'm with gocats, stay in Redmond or even Bellevue for the business then move to DT seattle for the weekend.

Agree..while Seattle and Redmond are close in miles..the commute rush hours can make it seem a far greater distance. It seems the increased rush hour traffic is going into Redmond(Microsoft) at rush hour (am) and out (pm). The idea of staying in Redmond or Bellvue during the business part of your trip is a good one and adding in Seattle for the weekend. You will be surprised I think to find the level of goods and services in both Bellvue and Redmond..and they only seem to be adding more and more!

I live in Redmond and I was amazed when I took a taxi to King Street Station in downtown Seattle and it only took 20 minutes(This was around 6 in the morning). Try that an hour or two later and that time would triple(or more).

I agree with the others about staying in Bellevue or Redmond during the business week and then on to Seattle during the weekend. Bellevue is quite a nice city.

We stayed at the Residence IN (Marriott) in Redmond and thought it a great place -- right close (walking) to good shops and restaurants and convenient to Microsoft (not walking), etc. I'd recommend that for the weekday part of your trip, then move into Seattle itself.

Bellevue is convenient to Redmond and has a heckuva mall and some decent restaurants but it's a daytime city, entirely -- nada going on at night (e.g., the Quizno's sub shop is only open for lunch).

Agree with soccr. Also, on the same property as the Residence Inn is a Courtyards Marriott and maybe more. So you have a few to pick from. It is right on 520, so, if you want to get into Seattle, you're in a great place, and right near Microsoft. Plus, Fred Meyer is just down the street. What more could anyone need? Except a rental car. Go for the car.

The new Marriott at the Redmond Town Center isn't open yet. They just broke ground recently.

Neither Bellevue nor Redmond are active places at night, but at least Bellevue has a better variety of restaurants. I love Redmond, but that's one area where we're sorely lacking.

Redmond's a small town as far as population(48,000), but it is fairly spread out. Are you here for MS or some other business? I say this because there's a Silver Cloud Inn in the Overlake area of Redmond that's a few minutes drive from MS with no freeway driving.

I would say stay in Redmond, and rent a car so you can get around in the meantime. I know this isn't the european board, but if you like French cooking, try the Country Garden Bistro (8110 164th Ave NE in Redmond, you can locate it using MapQuest or such).

Actually, there's a very good Italian restaurant in Redmond called Il Bacio at 16564 Cleveland (425-869-8815). It doesn't look like much from the outside, but is nice inside and the food ranges from good to delicious.