Recommended lodging to access both Seattle and Olympic peninsula?
 

My husband and I will take our first trip ever to Washington state with our kids next summer, who will be almost 17 and almost 21 at that time. They will need a place to hang out that has wi-fi and access to some sort of swimming so they don't have to be dragged along to places they'd rather not go. Everybody is very interested in accessing Seattle, and my husband and I also want to see Port Townsend, the Dungeness spit, Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge and other parts of Olympic National Park, Victoria (by ferry), etc. We need to locate ourselves somewhere that is accessible to both places. Or perhaps the best plan is to stay 4 days in Seattle proper and then 3 or 4 days on the Olympic peninsula? I am open to advice and suggestions. My budget is no more than $350 per night. Thanks.

I'd suggest splitting the time. It's quite a distance between the two areas, so there's no real practical mid-point I can think of to base yourself.

There's only a few hotels in Seattle with swimming pools (Waterfront Marriott, Warwick do for sure) but they could go to one of parks along the Sound or Lake Washington. Also for the time in downtown Seattle, there'd be plenty for them to see and do on their own just walking around the Market, the Waterfront, etc.

Mayflower Park and the Warwick are decent hotels and my personal favorites in downtown. I have read on this forum that people have good luck bidding Priceline/Hotwire, getting places like the Westin or Sheraton.

Agree with splitting the time between the two.

Depending on what happens with the economy between now and next summer, you might be able to get the new and gorgeous Four Seasons in Seattle (which has a fantastic pool) in your price range. This summer, with their 3rd night free promotion, it was definitely possible.

Out on the peninsula, I'd recommend the Lake Crescent Lodge--no swimming pool but there's swimming in the lake (although it's cold) and the location in the national park can't be beat IMO. Otherwise, best bets are probably the Red Lion or the Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles.

I agree with the suggestion that you split your hotel stays between Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula.

In Seattle, Residence Inn on Lake Union (about one mile from downtown) has an indoor swimming pool, and, in Port Angeles the Olympic Lodge is a nice place with an outdoor swimming pool.

In downtown Seattle, the Sheraton also has a swimming pool and it is better situated for sightseeing, dining, and entertainment than Residence Inn.