We'll be in Seattle for 4 days in September. Our interests are food, Pike's Market, tourist sites (our first time there), and a day trip to Victoria. We'd like to find a hotel in the $125 range and we'll be relying on public transportation. In what area of town should we stay? I read conflicting reports about the downtown area being too touristy and noisy. Also, I'd appreciate any specific hotel recommendations as there are so many to choose from.
Thanks -

We stayed at the Best western Pioneer hotel on Pioneer square.Very nice.We did everything on foot from the hotel.Paul

Thanks, Paul. How long were you there? Did you take any day trips to any of the islands? I wonder which ferry you chose and how that worked out.
I'd also like to hear from someone who stayed in an outlying neighborhood such as the university area or north.
Carol

For $125 you're really in Priceline and Hotwire territory. Many people are getting good results using PL/HW for 4-star properties in the downtown area, most for under $100. Look at www.betterbidding.com and/or www.biddingfortravel.com for comparable results. The beginning of September is still cruise season and prices will still be relatively high for accommodations; by mid-month the boat people will be thinning out, and prices ought to come down a little. There are a bazillion new hotel rooms in Seattle craving sleepers.

If you're relying on public transportation, you really should be looking in the downtown area, including the Seattle Center and South Lake Union areas, which have okay public transportation to downtown. Staying in the northeast/University districts (where I live) is okay but not enough cheaper than downtown to warrant the extra travel time and cost to the sights. As for the downtown area being touristy and noisy, I don't think so, but I guess it's all about personal tolerances. Seattle is certainly not NYC or Venice.

BTW, no "'s" in the Pike (Place) Market.

Hi carolj,

If you've already bought your ticket, enjoy, but with only 4 days, personally, I would not go with a day trip to Victoria. If you're on the Clipper, that's 3 hour travel time plus check-in and border checks at either end, for what will be roughly 5 hours in Victoria. Sounds like a long day to me, and Victoria really merits more than that. I felt that there was plenty to do in Seattle & environs for 4 days, even using only public transit (I had exactly 4 days in Seattle in 2008), if that's your concern.

If you're relying on public transportation, I can't see using the "U" (university) District or north as a base. Capitol Hill worked for me (I didn't rent a car either) and is a good compromise if you prefer not to be downtown, although I think it's more B&Bs and guest houses in this area; quiet and green but several bus options to downtown and if you're in good shape, it's a pleasant 20-30 minute walk to downtown sights & ferries. Capitol Hill itself has a lovely park (Volunteer Park), some handsome homes and plenty of eating options.

While there WERE tourists in downtown Seattle, it didn't seem nearly as touristy as a lot of North American destinations.

Enjoy! Daniel

I agree with what Daniel said about a day trip to Victoria.

A hotel in or near the retail core would be the best place to stay for visiting Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Olympic Sculpture Park, and other tourist attractions.

The heart of the retail core is 5th Avenue and Pine Street. There are some less expensive hotel and motel options between this intersection and Seattle Center.

HTTY

The only way you are going to get a good hotel in downtown Seattle at that price is to use the bidding sites as suggested. Seattle is expensive. You can check The Warwick or Mayflower Park, if they have specials going possibly you can get them around $150/night.

I have never heard the comment that downtown is "too touristy". I live here, it's a normal regular city. Yes it's noisy, I guess. It's a large busy urban center.

Victoria is one VERY LONG day trip, it can be done on the victoria Clipper but with only 4 days, it's nothing I'd recommend. There's plenty to see and do here in Seattle.

Carol, I would not recommend staying out north or in the University District, since you have such a short time and will be relying on public transportation to get around. I would try to find a place to stay downtown, Seattle Center or Lake Union areas.

We visited the town on foot but we were on a months tour so we already visited Mount Rainier park on our way to Seattle.If you like towns Vancouver is a must.For food in Seattle we can advise McCormick and Smiccls on first avenue.Great seafood.Paul

In your price range, check out the Sixth Avenue Inn. It's nothing fancy but it's in a good downtown location and should be in the low 100s.

I agree Victoria merits more than a day visit. But if you have your heart set, go for it. Maybe try and do a 24 hr overnight trip to Victoria? And do see Butchart Gardens while you're visiting Victoria. In 3 days, you can see a good amount of Seattle if you plan well. Enjoy!

I agree Victoria merits more than a day visit. But if you have your heart set, go for it.

Victoria is one VERY LONG day trip, it can be done on the victoria Clipper but with only 4 days, it's nothing I'd recommend. There's plenty to see and do here in Seattle.

I agree with both these statement, but a little more with the second one.

HTTY

We took the ferry out of Mulkiteo to Whidbey Island, the ferry is about a 30 minute drive from Seattle and the actual ride over to Whidbey is just about 20 minutes. Whidbey Island is beautiful, you could explore the quaint town of Langley there, we stayed at the Inn @ Langley which was amazing. We previously spent two nights in Seattle at The Fairmont Olympic, the island was a nice serene change of pace from busy Seattle. ***kim***

We were recently in Seattle and stayed at the LaQuinta downtown-it's not fancy but the room was fine and the staff members were all very nice and helpful. We had a car and a dog which is mainly why we stayed there (no pet fee and free parking).
One morning we took the ferry to Bainbridge Island which was nice and provided great views back to the city.
We too the Savor Seattle tour of Pike Place Market and really enjoyed it.
A couple of other things we loved: dinner at the Tin Table in the Capitol Hill, ice cream from Molly Moon's and Top Pot Doughnuts.

I like Seattle but I love Victoria, so I'd be okay with splitting the time with 2 days in Seattle and 2 days in Victoria. That way, you'll see Seattle, spend time on the water, and get to see Victoria and Butchart Gardens.

Definitely Pikes Market in Seattle and we took the Underground Tour as well.

That would be Pike Place Market

I would give you more information, but since you are already overloaded with it--I won't.

Hi there -- my husband and I just stayed at the Hotel Max for $90 a night! It's in the heart of Belltown, a great area alive with restaurants, nightlife and shops.

Agree with everyone else that you need a night in Victoria!

Thanks for the report about Hotel Max. I used to know it when it was the Vance before the remodel. Great price too!
(tiny detail, that's not Belltown, rather in the downtown core, Belltown is more to the north from there)
kindly, Suze

We've stayed at the El Gaucho Inn twice and would stay again in a heartbeat. It's our little getaway hotel. Mini-suite, nice linens, and complimentary wi-fi. I think we paid $140 last time we were there in March.

Ask for one of the more quiet rooms, it can get a little wild outside on the weekend as it's a popular and lively area of town. We valet park and don't use the car again until we leave.

Wonderful restaurant exploring in the area, an easy and pleasant walk to Pike Place Market, have breakfast at Campagne, take a walk down by the waterfront and the sculpture park, and there's a movie-and-drinks theater in the hotel's building, expensive but a nice evening. The El Gaucho restaurant is great, wildly expensive but a happy hour that would be reasonable and very good.