Travelling to Seattle first time...3 days....was going to stay at the W....is this a good area to do exploration from?

Any other suggestions? Upscale hotels only plz.

Thank you

It's a very nice hotel, sleek like most of the Ws. The restaurant (Earth and Ocean) is very good. It's well located a couple of blocks from the retail core, a couple more from the Pike market and all the tourism zones.

Other suggestions would be the Inn at the Market, the Monaco (across the street from the W), the Alexis, Andra, Hyatt and the (Fairmont) Olympic. All but the last two would be regarded as "boutique" hotels I suppose, but very nice.

We stayed there a few years ago and loved it. Fantastic rooms and it's in a great location for exploring.

Hotel 1000 is getting really good press. Check on the forum (not the review section) over at Trip Advisor on the Seattle board. Post about upscale hotels - W, 1000, new Pan Pacific, etc.

Just spent 5 days at the Hotel Monaco, across the street. Very good location for exploring all. Great restaurants nearby - especially loved Wild Ginger (3rd Ave. @ Union) and Nijo for sushi (83 Spring Street @ 1st Ave.)

They have said it all.

Thank you all!!! I will check out the Monico sounds nice, and use the W as a default...normally stay at W's just for the consistency.

Thanks again

We've stayed at both the Monaco and the W. If you've stayed at the W before you know what you are getting. While the food was great and I like the bath products, the hotel is just a bit too hip for us. The Monaco is a little funky too(think bright colors) but very comfortable. The location is great for shopping and Pike Place. I've been avoiding the Fairmont due to sketchy service but that was some time ago. I've read several good recs for Inn at the Market and the Four Sisters Inn (Inn at Harbor Steps?) but have not stayed at either.