What is a good area to stay for a week in Seattle. Our interests include evening walks, theatre, window shopping, dining. Is it necessary to rent a car or will public transport do? How much is taxi fare to the airport? Thanks

Downtown Seattle will provide you with the greatest options for walks, shopping, restaurants, etc. It will be somewhat more expensive to stay there than elsewhere, but if you don't rent a car you'll probably save the difference in car rental and parking costs. Public transportation is quite efficient depending on where you want to go. You might consider renting a car for a day or two to explore out-of-town destinations like the mountains or the Olympic Peninsula as day trips. Cab fare from the airport to downtown runs around $20-25, also there are cheaper limos and shuttles.

I recently flew into Seattle and used the Shuttle Express to get to my hotel in the Queen Anne area. The fare was $21, based on where I was going. I think it's cheaper if you are going to a major hotel. Should you use this shuttle service, get the directions on the Seattle airport website. Unlike other airports, this shuttle service is located in the parking garage. It meant more walking (get a cart for luggage) but there was a seating area and you were called when your van was being loaded. This was much nicer than standing in a traffic median wondering which shuttle you were supposed to get on and sitting in a hot van waiting for the rest of the passengers.
We used both the monorail and the free bus. Great service.

Check out the Alexis Hotel. Great place and good location. Lee in Austin,Tejas

Also look into Inn at the Market. We stayed there before moving to the area and it continues to have a great reputation - as well as one of the finest restaurants in the city (Campagne)

We've stayed at Inn at the Market as well, and it was very nice, but due to the high price (all over $200) we're going to try Inn at Queen Anne next time I think and stay under $100. I usually find that the most important thing seems to be the darn pillows anyway so I may just be one of those pillow toting airline passengers next time.

EXCEPT for its closeness to Pike Market I think Inn at the Market. is very overpriced!. I too like the Queen Anne Inn also the Mayflower Hotel which is part of the structure of the Westlake Mall--access to Monorail and public transit in the basement.
NOTE to"'winter traveler" I gave up-- now carry my pillow!!!I got tired of my head bouncing off the foam rubber pillows.