Comments on: Actually can’t decide whether or not to stay at a chain hotel….

By: David

David — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:14:04 +0000

I stayed at the new Hyatt Olive 8 in Seattle last month. Very nice property located on Olive and 8th, which is a short walk from Pike Market. Great food. Really great service. Check it out.

By: lucky

lucky — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:56:03 +0000

I just checked out the Fairmont Friends and Family rate, and it comes out to about $159/night compared to the normal rate of $181+. At that rate I’m thinking the Pan Pacific at $109+ is a much better value.

By: chitownflyer

chitownflyer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:37:28 +0000

Check out the NFAF rate at the Fairmont, you can get a good deal on a suite.

By: HunterSFO

HunterSFO — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:16:28 +0000

If you have time, eat at “Nell’s” in Seattle. It is one of the few mileage plus dining restaurants I’ve gone to that is really really good. The dungeness crab salad is to die for and the kobe hangar steak was excellent. Dessert was so good I ordered a second item “to go” so i could have it a few hours later in the hotel.

By: ptahcha

ptahcha — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:34:56 +0000

The Grand Hyatt Seattle is one of the best Hyatts in North America. Alternatively, why not Hotel Monaco – they’re part of Kimpton’s.

The W is one of the first W’s being built outside of NYC, which means it’s one of the older ones, which equals to dated/worn furniture/decor. I would avoid it.

By: MoiMoi

MoiMoi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:34:50 +0000

Why would I be a “former” reader? Our travel paths may be quite different but I enjoy reading about those differences!

And, dare I say, I hope you don’t let me influence your hotel decisions too much.

Have a great trip.

MoiMoi

By: Steve K

Steve K — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:19:01 +0000

Let me make a really off-beat recommendation. Try “Inn at harbor steps” in Seattle (and more locations on the PNW coast, under the name “four sisters”).

Downtown, not far from Pike street market. You get a 1 br in a condo, with breakfast and afternoon tea. Unlike many apartment hotels, this one has a concierge desk for their apartments. Less expensive than Hilton/Marriott, etc especially when you consider the space and amenities.

By: lucky

lucky — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:17:31 +0000

@ Wandering Aramean — For the most part I would agree with you, but I still think I get *exceptional* value at InterContinental hotels. Between club lounge access, free internet (for the most part), suite upgrades, free minibar consumption, the points earned, buy one get one free weekend nights, etc., I’m coming out *way* ahead with them. Not so much at the lower end properties, but I do still think loyalty is very much worth it with the right hotels. Unfortunately there’s no great option in Seattle, in which case I agree with you.

@ bmvaughn @ Eric — I’ll be in touch.

@ Mike — You forgot the lime.

@ Jamie — Holy cow, you’re on top of things. Getting a response from someone at the hotel an hour after I publish my post? Just wow!

@ Gene — Still waiting to match to Diamond. My InterContinental stays have been consistently phenomenal, so I have no reason to match right now. The other thing about the Grand Hyatt Seattle is that it’s $200+, so actually more than any of the other options. If I were a Hyatt Diamond I’d probably stay there, though.

@ Gary — Haven’t even checked that, good point. Will look into it shortly.

@ Rick — That’s usually what I’d do, but I kind of have to be downtown this time around.

@ belltowngs — Good to know, thanks! Might consider that if for no other reason than to make MoiMoi happy.

@ HunterSFO — Sounds pretty cool with the views! Sadly I’ve dropped down to Hilton Silver status for the meantime, so not all that many benefits anymore. If I could get four Hilton nights in I’d definitely do it for the promotion, although I doubt that’s happening right now.

@ Ric — When I first saw Hotel 1000 I was impressed and actually considered staying there just to write a review. Just to compare the chain experience to the “premium” experience where you’re NOT nickel-and-dimed for everything, which is rare.

@ Ed — Thanks!

@ dmodemd — Hah, it looks like that’s what’s starting to form.

@ andrewwm — Thanks, that’s the impression I get. Agree about Hawaii as well, their selection is just pathetic. I think at the very least Seattle needs an IC.

By: andrewwm

andrewwm — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:12:29 +0000

The Crowne Plaza hotel in Seattle is incredibly pedestrian for this chain; the Pan Pacific would be about a 3x nicer hotel for the same money (the Pan Pacific also saves you $10, which will get you a better breakfast than the one you get at the CP by walking to any of Seattle’s great restaurants).

Overall, both the downtown HI and the downtown CP are ripoffs for the price considering what you can usually score off of Hotwire (even factoring in PC points) or other promos. I consider Seattle and Hawai’i to be ICH’s two weakest domestic markets considering the travel volume in each.

By: dmodemd

dmodemd — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:27:46 +0000

Me too! Im in for the impromptu-forming SEADOO