We are a couple going to Seattle on July 20 and then driving to Olympic National Park on the 22nd and plan on spending 2 full days touring the city.

Which part of town should we stay in? We are not fussy about hotel accommodations but would like a little more than barebones. I found lots of availability on the internet, I'm just not sure which area to stay in.

Also, how important is it to get an early start on the 22nd starting our drive to ONP? Since the ferry does not take reservations what timing should we plan on?

Check out the Ace Hotel in Belltown or Hotel Andra in the downtown/Belltown area. Great bars and restaurants in the area and very walkable.

How long do you plan on staying in the Olympic National Park? It would be a very long day if you just tried to do it in one day. If you leave early in the morning you don't need to get to the ferry very early (15 to 30 minutes before it leaves). The ferry leaving in the afternoon/evening gets quite backed up.

ONP - July 22 -24, then onto Victoria for one night July 24, probably stay near the airport July 25 and fly out of Seattle back to NJ July 26.

You don't need a car downtown; parking is difficult and expensive. And car rental rates are much better if you pick up the car at a downtown lodation rather than at the airport.

So, pick up your car on the 22nd and drive down to the Bainbridge ferry dock. As long as you are there after the morning commute hours, you should be able to get on the next ferry.

The Ace is pretty barebones IMO...funky and trendy but just a step above a hostel.

The Andra is a very nice hotel; if that's above your budget, check out the Mayflower Park which is more traditional but in the same area.

Pretty much anywhere in the downtown core will be good for seeing the city; you might post back with the options you're considering to get more specific feedback.

You didn't mention your price point, but we stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel (at suggestion of Fodorites, of course) and really liked it. View of Space Needle from our room, very comfy bed, nice location, easy walk to Pike Market, Jazz Alley, train (people mover, what do they call it) out to go to top of Space needle. And really liked the hotel bar.

I would stay right in downtown Seattle, the central core.

I think the Mayflower Park or the Warwick are two nice places, mid-priced for the city.

('we' call it 'the monorail' -lol!)

Suze: that's what Im talking about: Monorail!
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The two mentioned above are great. I notice people have been getting very good rates at the Westin on Priceline also.

When I'm in town for work I stay at the Homewood Suites on lower Queen Anne. May be a bit further out than you want to be for two days, though - about a mile's walk to downtown/waterfront.

I got a great rate at the Fairmont, I went to their website and booked an internet special and the price was comparable to the moderate priced hotels.

Excellent! Yes, the Fairmont Olympic has been offering some amazing rates if you're ok with paying upfront and having it be nonrefundable.