Seattle’s hotel scene has perked up in the past few years. With the city’s new hotels bringing the total to 11,000 rooms in the downtown core, there are plenty of options to fit your style and budget.
All I require is a comfy king size bed, a cozy cocktail lounge and sometimes even a room with a view.
Here is the first in a series of five Seattle hotels, ranging from very old to brand new. They include Hotel Max, Pan Pacific Seattle, Hotel Andra, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel and Hotel 1000. So pack your bag, invite your favorite travel buddy and check out the Emerald City sometime!
HOTEL MAX
The former Vance Hotel was renovated and re-opened in October 2005 as Hotel Max, complete with a red neon sign. The boutique hotel is part of Provenance Hotels, which also owns Hotel Lucia and Hotel deLuxe in Portland, Oregon.
Sleek and contemporary in style, its ten floors feature 163 guest rooms. Thirty-nine Northwest artists and photographers are represented on the walls and hallways and no two floors and rooms are exactly alike. It’s a bit like staying overnight in an art gallery.
Each hotel room door is wrapped in over sized black and white photographs. Inside Room 1010, the walls were a dark sage and the king bed was fluffed up with an inviting white duvet with orange-red accessories. Along with the original artwork in each room, you’ll find a pillow menu and a spiritual menu along with high-speed wireless Internet access (daily fee).
As with most older renovated hotels, the bathrooms are small, but customized Max bath amenities make up for the shortage of space, along with cool stainless steel sinks and marble floors.
Red Fin restaurant, located just off the lobby, features innovative Asian fusion cuisine and a sushi bar. It also provides 24-hour room service for hotel guests, so if you crave sushi at 3 AM, you’re in luck. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center to work it off.
Minor Grumble: The heating and air conditioning unit was quite loud. Plus I had to call and have the TV “reset” several times.
Special Packages: Rock This Way. Stay overnight at the Hotel Max and sleep with your favorite Seattle-based rock star. From Eddie Vedder to Courtney Love, walk down memory lane as life-sized photographs on the guest room doors capture the Seattle Grunge scene. You’ll receive tickets for two to the Experience Music Project (EMP) with the Go Seattle Card. Take home a CD that will help you remember your stay in Seattle. The package includes overnight accommodations for two and unlimited in-and-out valet parking. Rates start at $259.
I’ve stayed at Hotel Max, and loved it. The rooms are comfortable and cozy, and the beds are ultra spectacular. This is one of the best Seattle hotels I’ve stayed at (much better than the Westin or Andra). The staff was really friendly as well, almost seemed eager to help with directions, bags, etc. The hotel is in the midst of shopping, restaurants and bars too.
I recommend Hotel Max to anyone planning a trip to Seattle.