Best Hotel Bets

The Best Splurge Hotels

• The Edgewater, Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way (tel. 800/624-0670): For a sense of being immersed in all things Seattle, there is no better hotel choice than The Edgewater, which is located on a pier on the Seattle waterfront. The hotel is also only 5 blocks from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium and 3 blocks from the restaurants of Belltown.
• Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St. (tel. 800/223-8772): Built in 1924, this classic grande dame hotel is styled after an Italian Renaissance palace and is by far the most impressive of Seattle's handful of historic hotels. The grand lobby is unrivaled.
• Grand Hyatt Seattle, 721 Pine St. (tel. 800/633-7313): Stylish without being trendy, this luxury downtown tower hotel provides not only the finest room amenities but also the best service.
• Hotel Ändra, 2000 Fourth Ave. (tel. 877/448-8600): This is a city that likes to keep up with the trends, and the Hotel Ändra is a boldly contemporary lodging that competes directly with the W Seattle. Best of all, it's on the edge of the trendy Belltown neighborhood, which makes this an ideal base for foodies and club-crawling night owls.
• Hotel 1000, 1000 First Ave. (tel. 877/315-1088): Big rooms have walls of glass that take in great views of the city and Elliott Bay, and the bathrooms are works of art. A special golf room even lets you play virtual golf at more than 50 famous golf courses.
• Inn at the Market, 86 Pine St. (tel. 800/446-4484): Though Seattle has quite a few hotels that do well for a romantic weekend, the Inn at the Market, with its Elliott Bay views, European atmosphere, and proximity to many excellent (and romantic) restaurants, is sure to set the stage for lasting memories.

The Best Moderately Priced Hotels

• Comfort Suites Downtown/Seattle Center, 601 Roy St. (tel. 800/424-6423): Only about 4 blocks from Seattle Center and the Space Needle, this modern budget hotel offers spacious rooms and a convenient location. Throw in some good restaurants within walking distance and you have a little gem in a well-hidden corner of the city.
• Gaslight Inn, 1727 15th Ave. (tel. 206/325-3654): Set in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, this B&B is in a lovingly restored and maintained Craftsman bungalow filled with original Stickley furniture. Lots of public spaces, very tasteful decor, and a swimming pool in the backyard all add up to unexpected luxury for a Seattle B&B.
• Hotel Deca, 4507 Brooklyn Ave. NE (tel. 800/899-0251): This hotel is reasonably priced for what you get -- it's one of the most stylish contemporary accommodations in Seattle. Ask for a room on an upper floor and you'll also get good views.
• Silver Cloud Inn-Lake Union, 1150 Fairview Ave. N. (tel. 800/330-5812): Situated across the street from Lake Union and close to Seattle Center, this hotel is just far enough from downtown to be affordable -- and, best of all, it has a great location overlooking the lake. There's an indoor pool and several restaurants right across the street.
• University Inn, 4140 Roosevelt Way NE (tel. 800/733-3855): Located close to the University of Washington and several museums, this hotel has attractive rooms and is an exceptional value. There's a small pool, and guests get to use the exercise room at a nearby sister property.

Best Hotel Bets

• Best Historic Hotel: Built in 1924, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St. (tel. 800/223-8772 or 206/621-1700; www.fairmont.com/seattle), is styled after an Italian Renaissance palace and is by far the most impressive of Seattle's historic hotels.

• Best for a Romantic Getaway: Though Seattle has quite a few hotels that do well for a romantic weekend, the Inn at the Market, 86 Pine St. (tel. 800/446-4484 or 206/443-3600; www.innatthemarket.com), with its Elliott Bay views, European atmosphere, and proximity to many excellent (and romantic) restaurants, is sure to set the stage for lasting memories.

• Best for Hipsters: The Hotel Ändra, 2000 Fourth Ave. (tel. 877/448-8600 or 206/448-8600; www.hotelandra.com), has given Seattle a boldly contemporary lodging. Best of all, it's on the edge of the trendy Belltown neighborhood, which makes this an ideal base for club-crawling night owls.

• Best for Families: Just across the street from Lake Union, the Silver Cloud Inn -- Lake Union, 1150 Fairview Ave. N. (tel. 800/330-5812 or 206/447-9500; www.silvercloud.com), is far enough from downtown to be affordable -- but not far from Seattle Center. Plus it has a great location overlooking the lake. There are indoor and outdoor pools and several restaurants right across the street.

• Best Budget Hotel: With a hip vibe, rates that are easy on the wallet, and a great location in the heart of the Belltown restaurant-and-nightlife district, the Ace Hotel, 2423 First Ave. (tel. 206/448-4721; www.acehotel.com), is the best budget hotel in town. The only drawback is that you really need to be young and into staying up late to appreciate both the hotel and the location.

• Best B&B: Set in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Gaslight Inn, 1727 15th Ave. (tel. 206/325-3654; www.gaslight-inn.com), is a lovingly restored and maintained Craftsman bungalow filled with original Stickley furniture. Lots of public spaces, very tasteful decor, and a swimming pool in the backyard all add up to unexpected luxury.

• Best Location: On a pier right on the Seattle waterfront, The Edgewater, Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way (tel. 800/624-0670 or 206/728-7000; www.edgewaterhotel.com), is only 5 blocks from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium, and 3 blocks from the restaurants of Belltown. Ferries to Victoria, British Columbia, leave from the adjacent pier.

• Best Views: If you're not back in your room by sunset at the Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Ave. (tel. 800/937-8461 or 206/728-1000; www.westin.com/seattle), you may not turn into a pumpkin, but you will miss a spectacular light show. Because this is the tallest hotel in the city, the Westin boasts fabulous views from its upper floors, especially those facing northwest.

• Best Health Club: The Bellevue Club Hotel, 11200 SE Sixth St., Bellevue (tel. 800/579-1110 or 425/454-4424; www.bellevueclub.com), has a huge private health club complete with an indoor pool and tennis courts.

• Best Pool: Most hotels in the city center stick their swimming pool (if they have one at all) down in the basement or on some hidden terrace, but at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave. (tel. 800/325-3535 or 206/621-9000; www.sheraton.com/seattle), you can do laps on the top floor with the lights of the city twinkling all around you.

• Best Room Decor: If you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, then the Bellevue Club Hotel, 11200 SE Sixth St., Bellevue (tel. 800/579-1110 or 425/454-4424; www.bellevueclub.com), is the place to be. The rooms are plush enough to please the most demanding of hedonists.

• Best for Pets: If you're traveling to Seattle with your pooch and don't mind shelling out big bucks for top-end accommodations, then the Alexis Hotel, 1007 First Ave. (tel. 866/356-8894 or 206/624-4844; www.alexishotel.com), should be your home away from home. Special pet amenities include designer doggie beds, dog treats, a dog bowl with distilled water, pet-sitting services, and even in-room dining for your pooch.