Seattle - Washington State - page 76

INEXPENSIVE
Howard Johnson Express Inn Located on the eastern slopes of Queen
Anne Hill, overlooking Lake Union and the distant Cascade Range, this older
motel is just a short drive (or bus ride) from Seattle Center and is just across the
Aurora Bridge from Fremont, which has lots of inexpensive restaurants. The best
guest rooms, which can usually be had for around $80 to $85 in the summer, have
balconies overlooking Lake Union. Right next door to the motel you'll find Canlis,
one of Seattle's top restaurants (see “Where to Dine,” below)—even if you can't
afford to eat here, you can still have a drink at the bar and soak up the atmosphere.
2500 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109. & 877/284-1900 or 206/284-1900. Fax [phone]. www.
howardjohnson.com. 94 units. $55-$99 double. Rates include continental breakfast. Children under 18 stay
free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Seasonal outdoor pool. In room:A/C, TV, coffeemaker.
The Mediterranean Inn Don't be fooled by the name; this is not a bed-and-
breakfast-type inn. But this modern apartment hotel in the Lower Queen Anne
neighborhood is located just a couple of blocks from Seattle Center and is an ideal
choice for longer stays in the city. Because the hotel is fairly new and because it
was designed with travelers in mind, the rooms are much more comfortable than
those at the nearby Inn at Queen Anne. Although all the rooms here are studio
apartments, some have beds that roll back toward the wall to form a couch. We
prefer the more standard rooms. A Starbucks is just off the lobby.
425 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109. & 866/525-4700 or 206/428-4700. Fax [phone]. www.
mediterranean-inn.com. 180 units. $89-$109 double (from $450 weekly). AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $10.
Amenities: Exercise room; business center; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, kitchenette, fridge,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
LAKE UNION
Located less than a mile from downtown and lined with houseboats, marinas,
and waterfront restaurants, Lake Union has a quintessentially Seattle character.
Floatplanes use the lake as a runway, and you can rent a kayak, canoe, or row-
boat from several places around the lake. If you are happiest when you're close
to the water but want to avoid the crowds of the Seattle waterfront, this area is
an excellent alternative.
EXPENSIVE
Silver Cloud Inns Seattle-Lake Union Located across the
street from Lake Union, this moderately priced hotel offers good views (some of
which take in the Space Needle). The rooms are big and filled with lots of
amenities, which makes them convenient for long stays and family vacations.
The two swimming pools (one indoors and one outdoors) should also appeal to
kids. Although the hotel doesn't have a restaurant of its own, there are plenty of
waterfront restaurants within walking distance. Floatplane tours also leave from
right across the street. This is a good value for such a great location.
1150 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109. & 800/330-5812 or 206/447-9500. Fax [phone]. www.silver
cloud.com. 184 units. June-Sept $129-$230 double; Oct-May $89-$179 double. Rates include continental
breakfast. Children under 18 stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Indoor and
outdoor pools; exercise room and access to nearby health club; 2 Jacuzzis; local courtesy shuttle; business center;
laundry service; dry cleaning. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, free local calls.
CAPITOL HILL & EAST SEATTLE
Located a mile or so uphill and to the east of downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill is
a neighborhood with a split personality. It's a hangout for the 20-something
crowd and is the city's main gay neighborhood, yet it's also home to numerous
large restored homes, many of which have been converted into bed-and-breakfast

Value

Kids Value