Wondering whether the Sheraton (on Sixth Ave) or the Westin (on Fifth) is nicer/in a more interesting area. I'm booking for a convention and know the Sheraton is right across from the convention center (a bonus), but I'd be willing to walk the 4 blocks from the Westin in the AM if there's more to do around there at night. Or, is there a great hotel close by that you'd recommend?

Don't know if it's close but The Edgewater is my favorite Seattle place to stay.

Hi, I live in Seattle. There's really not much difference. But, I would stay at the Sheraton if it was my choice. You're closer to the convention center, and also close to major sites like the market and the shopping area. Westin is nice, but it's a little farther away from the main area. From what I hear though, if you want quality, the Westin is a tad better (don't be fooled by its weird "corn cob tower" look, apparently the rooms are nice.) So: Sheraton for location convenience (by 4 blocks) and WEstin if you want a slightly better room.

Actually, these are both fine hotels. They are both centrally located (although they are a few blocks away from one another, it's not that big of a differential). Westin is closer to Belltown where there are a lot of restaurants and clubs.

Great hotels in SEA are the smaller ones - e.g., Inn at the Market, Alexis, Monaco. If you're coming for a conference though, you'll probably want more rooms, right?

The Edgewater is definitely the furthest away from the convention center (past Pike Place Market) and not the best neighborhood at night (IMO).

If you need any other information, please feel free to email me.

Thanks for the replies. Will probably go w/ the Sheraton then, since the convention's right there. But will keep the other hotels in mind for another time. Seattle-ites (if that is the right term): any dinner recommendations/favorite restaurants? (And Idsant, I'm not booking *for* the convention, I'm just another (ugh) conventioneer.) Great food--esp regional specialties, not super-formal; good wine list a plus.

Gracie, There are so many fantastic dinner choices in Seattle- here are a few of my all time favorites that are in the downtown area:
The Met- steak
Wild Ginger- pan asian
Dahlia Lounge, Marco's Supper Club- Northwest
Chez Shea,Avenue One, Le Pichet, Campaigne- French
McCormick & Schmidts, Brooklyn- seafood & steak.
Assiago, - Italian
Mama's- Mexican

Faced with that decision several years ago, I chose the Westin over the Sheraton. I never regretted the decision. The rooms and lobby were nicer at the Westin. Also, the Westin offers the "Heavenly Bed", which is very luxorious. From the Westin, it was a slightly longer walk to the convention center but only by 5 minutes. I agree with Wendy's choices of restaurants. I enjoyed the food at the Dahlia Lounge, the Brooklyn, and Asiago.

Our favorite in Seattle is the Inn at the Market. Think it would be a nice walk to your convention or an easy taxi and there's nothing like breakfast at the Market or some Irish music and a pint at Kell's. Other good places in Pike Market are Il Bistro and Etta's is a great little restaurant. Seattle is a wonderful city--we can't wait to return.

Gracie:

If you had a real email I'd be happy to email you more information as you require. I love this city (lived here for 14 years now). Here are some of my favorite restaurants. They're not touristy and consistently have good food (also, although Wendy does mention some good restaurants, most on her list are fairly pricey - I'm not sure if that's a problem for you or not).

Sostanza's - Italian - Madison Park
Daniel's Broiler - Bellevue & Leschi
Ray's Boathouse - Shilshoe Bay
Herbfarm - EXCELLENT but you need reservations now!
Adriatica - Mediterranean - Dexter Ave
The Palace (run by the same person who owns Dahlia)
Pink Door

Enjoy!

Gracie, there are a number of restaurants with views or outdoor dining that are more fun in warmer months than now. When is your meeting? The Pink Door, for example, is okay in the winter, but out of this world in the summer, when you sit outdoors on the terrace watching the sunset over the Pike Market and behind the Olympics. If your convention's soon, we can recommend some better cool- or wet-weather alternatives.

Gracie, I would stay At the W (Not the Westin). Have dinner at the Metropolitan Grill. Lomelda

The W has somewhat of a major "attitude" among their staff here in SEA (I've stayed at many of the Ws, and have to say this one is my least favorite).

John S is right (as always), there are different places based upon the season, but there are some "staples." As far as the Met - I don't know, I've eaten there on many occasions and although the food itself is very good, the service is poor and the atmosphere isn't that great for the amount of $$ that it will cost. This is just IMO.

Wow--have not checked on this post in a while. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations to all, and the add'l hotel rec's. The convention is not til June--any rec's on must-do activities? I have to dig out my guidebook (or more likely, buy a new one)--I was in Seattle briefly about 4 years ago during the winter, but am looking forward to doing more than the Market area and the underground sewer system tour (whatever!) this time around. Love the outdoors and biking, etc, and seems like June should be a great time, so keep the suggestions coming...

We are also trying to find an excellent seafood/steak restaurant for a birthday celebration this summer.

We will have about 20 of us including children. Can anyone recommend or comment on the following restautants?

Waterfront
Brooklyn Seafood & Oyster Bar
Metropolitan Grill

I think the Met Grill is more suited as a venue for adults but have read so much about it that thought I'd include it as an option.

Thanks,

Actually Claudia all 3 of the restaurants you listed are very adult oriented. And expensive!

If you are looking for a little more casual but still good experience for the families I would check into Ivar's restaurant on the pier or possible Anthony's. These have room for large groups, are very family friendly and are better priced.

Wendy, if transportation can be managed, probably the best room for a big group, with really good - can be great - seafood and a drop-dead gorgeous view is upstairs at Ray's Boathouse at Shilshoe Bay. Less formal than the main restaurant downstairs, it overlooks the entrance off Puget Sound into the Lake Washington Ship Canal, sunset behind the Olympic Mountains...really very nice. Don't know about steaks but hey, this is Seattle!

Other possibilities are Daniel's Broiler at Leschi or Lake Union (great steaks), the aforementioned Ivar's (not fancy), the Palace Kitchen downtown, or, also mentioned, Anthony's on the waterfront at Pier 66, or the Bell St. Diner downstairs. Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56 is also good, but like most waterfront places fish will be the emphasis. For high end, Canlis on Aurora Avenue is a Seattle landmark - pricey but excellent, and most of the downtown hotels have private rooms and capable to great kitchens.

Sorry Wendy, I meant Claudia.

Your question was whether or not there is more to do around the Westin at night. The two things to do at night in downtown Seattle that come to mind are the Seattle Symphony and the ACT theater. The Symphony plays at Benaroya Hall on 3rd Ave. and Union Street. Both of the hotels you mention are within easy walking distance. The Sheraton is literally across the street from the ACTtheater.
The Belltown neighborhood - 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave. for about 6-7 blocks beginning at about Virginia Street has a large concentration of restaurants and bars. The Westin is closer to that. The hotels in Belltown are the Wall Street Inn and the Ace (the latter is not for everyone - check out the website seeseattle.com for links to the hotels' websites for more information that might help you decide.) (Also,in addition to the Sheraton, another hotel that is right at the convention center is the Hyatt which I suspect is a cut above either the Westin or the Sheraton.
Finally, you implied you could be interested in bicycling while in Seattle. As you know, in late June it will be light until later than 9:30 P.M. (at least on a sunny day.) The downtown bike rental place that I was aware of has gone out of business but maybe there is another I don't know about or there will be by June. However, there are several others north of downtown on or near the Burke-Gilman bike trail. You can get the City's bike trail map from the City of Settle website- just follow the obvious links. The bike trails will take you to interesting neighborhoods with cafes, shops, etc. and to very scenic places- lakeshore, view of water from bluff, etc.
One of my favorite walk/rides is along the downtown waterfront beginning at Broad Street (Myrtle Edwards Park) going north. It is a great place to watch the sunset.