Which is a better hotel? The Courtyard Marriott at Lake Union or the SiverCloud at Lake Union. Thank you in advance.

The Silver Cloud is newer and IMO in a better location on the east side of Lake Union (thus sunset views over the water) than the Courtyard. Both offer shuttle services downtown and other locations. IIRC the Silver Cloud throws in breakfast too.

Silver Cloud is a NW chain that people seem to like. Check both places out at www.tripadvisor.com

I'm currently at the Silver Cloud Lake Union as I type this. We have been very happy with our stay here. I agree that the sunset view is nice and I like that our room has french doors opening to the outside, with a teeny tiny balcony type thing. It didn't look like you can open the windows at the Courtyard when we drove by earlier. My only complaint about the Silver Cloud is the noise from the street. We're on the top floor (7th) and it's still really loud when we open the doors. I don't know if the Courtyard is any better.

The Courtyard would be worse because the sound of the freeway (behind you) carries well over the water on the lake.

A friend stayed at Courtyard by Marriott last summer and didn't complain about the noise. I believe it is Residence Inn that is closer to I-5.

Question: What is your reason for wanting to stay on Lake Union?

The Residence Inn is closer to I-5 but its back is turned to the freeway, rooms face the lake. If anything its location is superior to the others; closer to restaurants and downtown by around a quarter mile than the Silver Cloud.

happytrails, i'm pretty sure the Lake Union hotel choices are for budget reasons, having followed other Seattle hotel threads recently. susan in seattle

Tada,

Courtyard by Marriott is closest to downtown and my favorite Lake Union restaurant--McCormick and Schmick's Harborside. It is also closest to the Outback Steak House, Bonefish Grill, Bucca Di Beppo, and Jillians'--a popular casual restaurant with billards.

However, Silver Cloud on Lake Union is ranked #5 favorite hotel of all Seattle hotels on www.tripadvisor.com.

happytrailstoyou,

Lake Union was an area suggested by my sister who lived in Seattle as a good place to stay for a three day vacation. She said that it was close enough to downtown, but situated on the lake with restaurants nearby.

Spent New Years at the Residence. Interior recently redone. Breakfast buffet changes daily and is awesome. Afternoon snacks served as well. Nice indoor pool area. Parking $10 a night but you have in & out access.

Tada,

The walk from Lake Union hotels to downtown is probably less and a mile, but it is not a pleasant walk. And, as far as I know, bus transportation is not great to the area, whereas downtown there is great public transport and it is free within the downtown area.

If you are traveling with children, the availability of a pool may be a big plus, and $10 parking is a bargain compared to downtown.

If you had a room downtown, it would probably be more conveniently located for taking a break during a day of sightseeing.

Actually, bus transit in the East Lake Union area (where most hotels are) is good. The 70's series (70, 71, 72, 73) run frequently between the U-District and downtown, via East Lake Union.