More Seattle questions

[candybomiller]

I'm really starting to stress myself out! I'm leaving in 4 days and have no idea where I'm staying. Eeeek. My first questions: Is the University district downtown? I just spoke with my rabbi and he said that I can stay where ever I want and he'll come to me. That's great, but I still don't know where I want to stay!! He did recommend the University district and staying north of downtown. My main concern is that I want to be able to go shopping! (By the way, anyone want to take me shopping?? ;) ) The other concern is that I want someplace that preferably has airport shuttle, otherwise I have no clue how I'm supposed to get to the hotel. Oy.

Help!

[Karenn]

Hi Candy,
The University district is not downtown. It does have a great mall close by though. University Village has a ton of great stores including Hanna Andersson. A good hotel in the U District is this one [http://www.meany.com/] Someone can correct me if I've got my distances messed up, but I think it'd be a pretty long hike from this hotel to U. Village.

This hotel [http://www.silvercloud.com/universi.htm] IS walking distance to U. Village.

I don't know about cost or airport shuttles, but I'd feel comfortable staying in either of these hotels.

[darby24]

Not living in Seattle, but I do visit regularly. If you're staying in the University district there is plenty of shopping - University Village! http://www.uvillage.com/ A must for our travel. Directly across the street (25th Ave) from UVillage is a Travelodge. There's something like a Silver Cloud nearby as well. I've stayed at the Travelodge twice, not spectacular but it does it's job.

Good luck and have fun!

ETA - whoa, Karen and I are fast! I've found the Travelodge link http://www.seattleuniversityhotel.com HTH

[candybomiller]

Ok, if my map reading is correct, these two neighborhoods are right next to each other, right?? Or are they actually separated by that big body of water (lake)? Is one neighborhood better than the other?

[DebbieJ]

Candy,

If you want to stay north of downtown I recommend the Seattle Center area. You can easily get to downtown via the Monorail and then the busses are all free downtown! I don't know about shopping as we did lots of sightseeing and little shopping.

We visited last summer and got a reasonable rate (AAA) at the Comfort Suites.

Have you tried Priceline for a hotel? Check www.biddingfortravel.com or www.betterbidding.com first to see what people are paying.

ETA: about getting from the airport. There is a big company (Gray Line?) that does a shuttle to most hotels in the city center. They have a flat charge for downtown and then a surcharge for areas a little further out. We paid a little extra for them to bring us up to our hotel near the Seattle Center. I don't think they went as far as the University area though. We found the shuttle by asking at the information desk in the airport. They were very helpful.

~ deb
Mommy to my sweet boy
B born 12/03
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10023.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[new_mommy25]

If you stay by the Seattle Center, The Holiday Inn Express on Dexter Avenue is very nice.

[psophia17]

We stayed at The Inn at Queen Anne when we were in Seattle, it was great, and the rooms all have kitchenettes, I think. We got the rate at hotels.com, and they have a complimentary continental breakfast and a shuttle to wherever you want to go. It was in walking distance to Seattle Center and the Monorail. We loved it.

[urquie]

shuttle express will take you anywhere you wan't to go and there prices are reasonable. http://www.shuttleexpress.com/

[HannaAddict]

The "U District" itself is kind of yucky, dirty, etc. but University Village mall is very nice. From your prior posts, I don't think you would enjoy a stay there. U Village Mall is NOT walking distance from the Meany Hotel. The Silver Cloud is walking distance and a newer property. I would not stay at the Travelodge as a female traveling alone.

I would still stay in the actual heart of downtown if your rabbi is coming to meet you. Did he say why he would stay north of downtown? Travel to downtown is easier and cheaper than getting a cab or shuttle to the U District and the U District is really limited to U Village for shopping. The U of W campus is a beautiful campus if you do stay in the U District.

Downtown is decorated with lots of pretty lights, is nice, has Nordstrom, Westlake Mall, Pacific Place Mall (with a Gymbo) and is just nicer to walk around and explore. The buses are free in the ride free zone too (main downtown) so you can hop on one and go a few blocks if you are loaded down with packages. :)

Since you don't have reservations, I second the suggestion of trying Priceline. I don't know what your budget is, but I our local news just did a story on priceline and got the Sheraton for $100 (best Travelocity rate was $150). You can get free rebids by picking a 4 star hotel in another zone (see www.komonews4.com for story on how to do this).

If you have other questions or would like to try and meet, my email is (no spaces) hanna [email protected].

Kimberly
DS 3/18/04