Seattle and Vancouver
 

We're travelling to Vancouver and Seattle for a week at the end of the May. We're interested in recommendations from travellers and natives alike on the following: accomodations (well-located, reasonably priced), nightlife (good dance clubs, no techno) and restaurants. Any replies are greatly appreciated!! thanks, Jeff and Cheryl

We are just back from Seattle....There are a whole lot of typical chain motels just a few blocks from downtown. One of these (where we stayed) was the Vagabond Hotel, about three blocks from the monorail (a $1, 2 minute trip to downtown) located at the Space Needle. The rate was very reasonable...about $60. Next door to the Vagabond is another reasonably priced place, the Seatlle Inn, which includes an indoor pool. On our wanderings, however, we discovered the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, just beyond the Space Needle park. Delightful, neighborhoody, and home to The Inn at Queen Anne, in a converted apartment building. We have already decided it will be our home-away-from home next time. A little more expensive (in the $100 range) but all rooms include a little studio kitchen (and there are great supermarkets near by with carry out selections), so you can save $$ on breakfast and lunch. The rooms on the south side of the Queen Anne are sunny and have a/c. Good luck to you!

My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Vancouver 2 summers ago. It's a beautiful city -- you'll love it. Restaurants we'd recommend include Hamburger Mary's on Davie Street and Earl's on Robson St. (Both very casual and great food.) We stayed at Barclay Mansions on Barclay St. -- furnished apartments with kitchen, livingroom, bath & bedroom. I think we paid $400-500 for a week. Definitely not fancy (we laughed at the "Mansions" part of the name) but we loved going to the stores and the market on Granville Island, then coming "home" and making a feast. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Pioneer Square Hotel: small, big rooms, clean, about $100/night +15+%25 tax. Extrememly well-located. Go to the Wild Ginger! A must, Italian directly across from the hotel was very good, also.

Go to Pike's Market. Ask anyone, they'll know where it is. Also, Whidbey Island (about halfway between Seattle and Bellingham) is very quaint and has the best bead shop I've ever seen.

Blaine, WA, on the border is pretty also. Definitely stop at the Peace Arch at the border.