HOTEL ANDRA
2000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA, 206-448-8600, hotelandra.com
RATES: Summer rates range from $237 to $369. It’s that time of year when you’re competing with cruise-ship passengers, but you’ll pay less in the shoulder season. Valet parking $29 per night.
STAY HERE IF YOU: want to enjoy a stylish boutique hotel in the hip Belltown neighborhood and still want an easy walk to the heart of downtown Seattle.
IT’S CLOSE TO: Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, Benaroya Music Hall, Nordstrom’s flagship store and dozens of great restaurants and shops.
THE ROOMS ARE: Medium-sized with comfy king beds and high-quality linens. Smallish bathrooms, but you get thoughtful amenities such as Face Stockholm grooming products. Quiet, especially on the upper floors. And yes, in the shocking event it rains, you can always grab an umbrella from the honor bucket at the front door.
THEY PUT ALL OF THE MONEY INTO: Sleek rooms with flat-screen TVs, Internet access and an ergonomic desk chair in case you’re forced to open your laptop. There’s a bustling bar off the lobby with a vibe that attracts more than bored business travelers – you’ll find discerning Seattle scenesters too.
THE BOTTOM LINE: An ultra-friendly staff, and you can’t beat the convenience. Foodies can cross the street to the delightful Dahlia Lounge, or walk two blocks west to Qube, a new see-and-be-seen restaurant and lounge that’s generated lots of buzz.
– William Porter
