Seattle: Where to Stay [Hotels]

Staying in a luxury hotel in Seattle is a waste of money. There is so much to do in the city that you will scarcely see the inside of your hotel room. Forget the swimming pool, sauna and name-brand bath products- all you really need is a place to rest your head at night.

Seattle is a beautiful city that people want to visit. It should follow that all accommodations will be expensive, particularly if you're travelling between May 1st and September 30th. [Prices also go up on long weekends. If you can, for more reasons that just the price flux, avoid travelling on President's Day (the third Monday in February), Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4th) and- I cannot stress this enough- Thanksgiving (November 11th).] Even if you really only need a place to sleep, rather than a place to stay, it's important that you get what you pay for. While most hotels in a similar price range are created equally, they are not all maintained equally... And more than a nice hotel, you want to book one that doesn't have fleas, bedbugs or other vermin.

With that in mind, I've picked out a few places to stay in Seattle that are worth every penny. And a few that should pay guests for suffering with them.

When visiting Seattle, try booking a hotel room at...

Marriott Residence Inn - Seattle Downtown Lake Union 800 Fairview Avenue North

This is hands down my favourite hotel in Seattle. The location, next to Lake Union and near- but not right in- downtown is unbeatable. While the outside of the building is nothing extraordinary, the interior is impressive- rooms are all along the outside of the building, leaving an almost breathtaking cylindrical, high-ceiling lobby that is far more imaginative than anything you'll find in most large chain hotels. The rooms are magnificent; comfortable, spacious and never anything less than immaculately clean. Complimentary continental breakfast is served daily in the tiered common area- the spread includes, but is not limited to, a waffle station, fresh local pastry, fruit, oatmeal and eggs. Parking is available, but there is also a transit stop right outside. Although expensive during high season, the Residence Inn offers excellent prices in the winter and cannot be matched for price/quality parity by any other hotel I have ever stayed at. As far as I'm concerned, it deserves five stars.

Silver Cloud Inn - Seattle Lake Union 1150 Fairview Avenue North

The Silver Cloud Inn at Lake Union has unadulterated views of Lake Union, lovely accommodations and a generous complimentary breakfast. But what won me over was none of those things... it was the giant, jewel-encrusted pig in the lobby. I have heard it called an art-pig. Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about that term, but the pig goes a long way to distinguish the Silver Cloud Inn from other mid-range, mid-priced hotels. The Silver Cloud Inn is no Holiday Inn. The chain is local, with no hotels outside Washington and Oregon, and their participation in the Pigs on Parade event (held in both 2001 and 2007, in honour of the pig who has long graced the Pike Place Market) is a testament to that. For an authentic Seattle experience, this is the place to stay.

Capitol Hill Guesthouse 1808 East Denny Way

Part bed-and-breakfast, part-vacation apartment, Capitol Hill Guesthouse is located in a character home on Denny Way. Offering both short- and long-term rentals, this guesthouse is not for travellers who need a lot of attention. However, if you want a nice place to stay with access to kitchen facilities (and if you're looking for something affordable that isn't in Everett or Tacoma), Capitol Hill Guesthouse may be the place for you. Some rooms have private baths, some do not. I have not stayed here personally, but have been in contact with the staff on several occasions and find them very helpful. Best of all, parking is available at no extra cost! Although all rooms are well-kept, I would advise tall travellers to avoid the basement rooms... the ceilings are reportedly quite low.

When in Seattle, you must not stay at...

Sixth Avenue Inn 2000 6th Avenue

My brief stay at the Sixth Avenue Inn is the only bad experience I have had with anything in Seattle. Ideally located within walking distance of Pike Place Market and Seattle's downtown shopping area, this hotel has nothing going for it other than its street address. To say it is dingy is diplomatic. The entrance, located below street level, is poorly lit and has not been updated since the early 1980s. A pervasive smell of stale cigarette smoke fills the entire building. The beds are hard, the sheets scratchy and the approach to cleanliness cavalier at best. One night here is too much. No matter how low the price, just remember... you get what you pay for.

Know a fabulous place to stay in Seattle... ? Make sure to share it in the comments section!