We will be visiting our daughter who is doing an internship at U of Washington in Seattle this summer. I am torn between staying somewhere like Inn at the Market (where I have ALWAYS wanted to stay) or one of the other cool sounding boutique hotels (Andra, others) and staying closer to the University (Watertown).

We can probably spend $200-300 a night which puts us shy of the waterview rooms at the Inn. I'd love your opinions on some of the boutique hotels - we like very nice Inns & B&B's too - and also staying near downtown versus the University. Tripadvisor has been somewhat helpful but I'd like to hear from fodorites too.

Thanks so much!

I can't help you on the hotel front as I'm a local and haven't stayed in most of our hotels. However, I'd stay downtown over the U District. Way more to do, way easier to walk to places and far more interesting area. I'm assuming you'll have a car or can easily navigate the bus to see your daughter.
I'd vote for the Inn at the Market simply because I love Pike Place.

The Alexis is a wonderful hotel. It is splurge/boutique in one. A short walk to Pike Mkt. We spend 5 nights there and really liked it.

We stayed one night at Inn at Market and did not like their beds - they have Temurpedics.

Deb

the Kimpton Hotel group has a gorgeous looking boutique hotel in seattle. Just google them and check out their website.

Alexis Hotel is a Kimpton and is newly rennovated.

http://www.alexishotel.com/

I've stayed at the Alexis (but not since the renovation), Inn at the Market, Inn at Harbor Steps, and the Andra. Other than the spectacular water view rooms at Inn at the Market, my first choice is The Andra -- hands down -- for atmosphere, location, and for overall value.

Four Sisters Inns has a location in Seattle
Inn at Harbor Steps.
www.foursisters.com


There is a new Homewood Suites on Pike street...

There is also Silver Cloud Inn and Residence Inn on Lake Union: both provide shuttles to downtown

The Woodmark Yahct Club on Lake Washington is nice

And there is a newer MArriott Waterfront and of course old standby Edgewater on the pier overlooking waterfront...

Thank you - I'll check out your recommendations and wonder if you can also give me restaurant recs?

Especially keb0503 - sounds like you live there? I lived in Seattle (well Bellvue) over 20 years ago for a very short time so I'm thrilled my daughter will be enjoying this lovely city. But I know with her budget (and the University meal card that's part of her deal) that she will not be searching out the kind of places that I'd like to try. I'm a foodie but don't want fancy continental - wonder if there are some "new American" or "slow food" type places - or just something that is really Pacific NW that is at the top of your lists?

Thank you again for all your insider help!

Hi Atltraveler, I had reservations at the Inn at the Harbor steps, but could only get their firelace suite at 250 per night...needless to ay my DH was not too thrilled. I decided to try Hotwire today and lucked out with a 4star for 129$a night ...it was Hotel Vintage Park!!!! I think this is a very good deal and I would look intot if I was you. It is a Kimpton and we LOVE Kimptons!

Judy, not to rain on your parade, but Vintage Park normally has AAA rates and other discounts for $144. But if I'm not mistaken Hotwire adds a small fee to their booking which eats up some of that $15 savings. If you join Kimpton Hotels for free you can also often get even greater discounts, and almost certainly be upgraded as well.

I remember once booking a Kimpton direct way in advance, and they actually lowered our rate two or perhaps even three times before we got there, for amazing savings!

No Patrick, you are not raining on my parade ;-)! I am just relieved to not have to pay 250 a night...John was not pleased ;-). I do belong to Kimpton and hopefully they will upgrade me, if not, oh well. But that is good info for atltraveler...yes?

Very true. And for what it's worth, we thought the Inn at Harbor Steps was kind of dark and cold -- lower floors surrounded by high rises with little view or sunlight coming in. What's more our room smelled very musty. We loved their breakfast and afternoon tea, but we sure didn't find the hotel anything special otherwise.

I'll throw in my favorite... The Sorrento Hotel!

It's a bit out of the way for walking downtown (on lower 1st Hill) but if you have a car would not be an issue. It's an old and classy hotel. Fantastic lobby area. It's "old school" and to me just what a hotel should be.

Hotel Andra would be my top pick from the others you mentioned (short of waterview at Inn at the Market).

Also, check out The Mayflower--a Seattle classic with a great location.

I've stayed at pretty much all the nicest hotels here in Seattle and I tend to agree with NeoPatrick about the Andra when everything is taken into account--it really does offer a fantastic combination of value, location and luxury. Another one to consider (although it may not be less than the Inn at the Market) is the Hotel 1000--I just stayed there a couple weeks ago and it's *really* nice.

Your description of what you're looking for in restaurants pretty much describes the entire Seattle restaurant scene these days. There are SO many places that fit your description, you'll be spoiled for choice. Matt's in the Market is one place in particular that I'd be sure to try when you're here.

All - thank you so much. I am definitely leaning toward the Andra (since I can't get waterview at the Inn).

An NWWanderer - yes, I know there are so many great places to choose from in Seattle that will be exactly the kind of food I'll want to try. I appreciate the specific recommendation of Matt's and will have to try them if only because of this statement on their pdf menu:

* the health department says, “eating can hurt you, especially if things are undercooked”

I'm really excited to return to Seattle and my daughter is already looking up things to do and craigslist groups to join!

Definitely make a reservation for Matt's--it's pretty tiny, even with the recent renovation that greatly increased the amount of space they have.

Another idea to consider: I just did the Savor Seattle food tour of the market this week and it was very fun--I'd definitely recommend it.

Feel free to email me if you'd like more suggestions.

Okay, you want local non-fussy non-snobby food? hmm I love French food, does that mean it's off your list? You must have lunch at Cafe Campagne in Pike Place.
Okay as for others:
Any Tom Douglas would fit the bill. Lola, his greek place is the newest and pretty tasty.
Sitka and Spruce on Eastlake gets a lot of attention but I haven't been yet.
Tilth on 45th in Wallingford should fit the "slow/local" bill.
I really like the Fare Start Cafe on 7th downtown. They're a non-profit that trains homeless in the restaurant business and gets them off the street.
Nishino's in Madison Valley is the go-to high end Japanese, but Blue C Sushi at U.Village is fun and daughter would enjoy.
Oh! And I heard the Steelhead Diner at Pike Place is great.

Anything in particular you're wanting to eat?

AtlTravelr-

I was in Seattle last August and had delicious food at a new tapas bar called "Barolo". Here is info from my trip report:

That being said, I also did happy hour at a place called "Barolo". It is about 1 mile from Pike Place on Westlake. We sat in the bar and the tapas was amazing. (The drinks were pretty good too and the house wine quite good.) The portobello risotto, cheese plate (w/brie that was like butter), steak and tuna tartare...all delish. They have a full restaurant and if the food is as good as the bar, I will be going back on my next visit!

Another vote for dining at Matt's at the Market - one of my favorite places in Seattle.

The Savor Seattle tour of the Market is also fun - especially for a visit. I'm new to Seattle and tried it out on one of my first weekends here. Here's my report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35087503

For dining with a view, I also really like Ray's - although it's not very much of a hidden gem.

www.rays.com

The best scallops I've had were at Etta's...again not a hidden gem.

One of my favorite gems so far isn't Northwest dining - it's Mexican...La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard.

http://www.lacartadeoaxaca.com/

Restaurant Zoe in Belltown is also quite good.

www.restaurantzoe.com

Another consideration (that I haven't tried yet) might be Quinn's, a newish gastropub in Capitol Hill. Can't find a website for it, but I've heard lots of positive reviews.