On the positive side, it's clean, friendly staff, decent location near Pikes Market and nightlife in Belltown.
The negatives: must pay extra not to use the community bathroom and have one in your own room. Amenities aren't good. The people didn't service my room the next morning as I was out all day and came back to find my room the way I had left it. Their breakfast is just coffee and cereal with some fruit and oatmeal. No gym. Very minimalist. It's basically just a room that serves a purpose as a place to sleep. Not very I'd say if you can afford it try somewhere else. But if you're looking for a budget hotel, you might be OK with this.
Unique Quality: It has a modern flair. But very Ikea-ish. Not exactly quality modern, but cool looking I suppose.
Directions: Belltown area about a 10 minute walk from Pike Place Market.
Clean, cheap and friendly. The double room is especially nice with a private bathroom, but all the rooms were clean and nice, and the shared bathrooms were plentiful, clean and spacious. There was a fantiastic french bakery right across the street too, and the best shopping in town was within walking distance of the Ace.
This place is cool, hip, and worth every penny. Rates are reasonable. $65/85 for a single/double with shared bath, to $140 for a double with private bath. Considering its location in the heart of Bell Town - it can't be beat. It's like spending the night in a modern art museum.
If you don't want funky budget style, don't stay here. Some call it cold and industrial, others call it hip and modern. If you like the latter and are on a budget, the Ace is for you.
Unique Quality: Great price, retro/futuristic/industrial decor, superb location.
Directions: First Avenue in Bell Town on the edge of the Downtown core.
OK, so you finally get to the hotel, with all your luggage. First thing you have to do is lug it all the way up a steep flight of stairs. At the top yu may be greeted by someone, or they may continue looking at their PC screen.
The atmosphere is very sterile and the aura of a hostel, which is what it was, still hangs around.
I don't like sharing bathrooms (fussy fussy) so I booked one of the few rooms with an "ensuite". This turned out to be a stainless steel sink atteched to one wall in the bedroom, and a loo and shower hidden behind a heavy sliding door.
I've stayed in a number of 'design' hotels around the world, and I'm afraid the Ace is the only one I've found where style triumphs mightily over comfort.
I checked out the next day (and got hassled about not staying the three nights I'd booked) and went up town to the Alexis.
Only good thing about the Ace is that it's cheap. Ish
Unique Quality: Quite close to town, and in a funky area including the world's first web cafe.
This hotel is located in the heart of trendy Belltown, and it offers a place for guests interested in a change from the standard hotel room. High loft-style ceilings, sleek furnishings (a mix of Danish modern and Zen), and little extras make a stay here special. Most rooms share baths, although rooms do come with their own sinks and vanities. The two master suites, at a higher rate, have private bathrooms. The hotel is within walking distance of Belltown nightlife and shops and downstairs you will find the interesting Cyclops Cafe & Bar.
Directions: On first ave in Belltown... great location!
Where is a cool place to stay downtown where all the action is. We are in our 30's and Like the downtown scene. We want a very nice hotel, but not too stuffy.
You don't provide a price range, but for a fairly "hip" hotel with what you are looking for, I'd suggest the Ace Hotel. It's ultra-modern, and right in the heart of Belltown, on First Avenue, which is an area filled with clubs, cafes, and restaurants. The Pike Place Market is just a few blocks away. From here you can also take the free local buses downtown for the Art Museum and stores, or to Pioneer Square, another area of clubs and galleries.
Not to mention, just what is the definition of "cool" in this case?
Hot tub in the room? Great view of Olympic Mountains? Free WiFi required? Free parking (some places in Seattle charge up to $47 extra if you bring a car)?
What some of us think is cool might not necessarily be agreeable to you.
I don't know much about the local hotels but I do know how you can find where the action is. 'The Stranger' is our local underground newspaper, which includes listings on nightclub venues. They're on line:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Home
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