Seattle Hotels

What it is: A 250-room hotel on Lake Union.

The rooms: All rooms have complimentary high-speed Internet access and cable TV. Many rooms have views of the lake.

Amenities: Enjoy the heated indoor pool, the spa, and the fitness center. The hotel also has laundry facilities and a business center.

Activities: Walk to the Center for Wooden Boats, South Lake Union Park, and the Kenmore Air floatplane harbor. Seattle Center is just half a mile away, and Pike Place Market is one mile away.

Details: 925 Westlake Avenue N, from $199 a night for a Lakeview Double room with two double beds.

What it is: A vibrant art-deco hotel just two blocks from the University of Washington campus.

The rooms: The colorful rooms have flat-panel LCD TVs, DVD players, wireless Internet access, and iPod docking stations. Some rooms also have refrigerators and microwaves.

Amenities: Dine at the hotel's Northwest-inspired restaurant, stop by the adjacent coffee shop for a snack, and check out the hotel's fitness center.

Activities: The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is just four blocks away. There is also a movie theater right across the street.

Details: 4507 Brooklyn Avenue NE, from $149 for a Sky Level room with one king-size bed or two double beds.

What it is: An elegantly decorated hotel in a primo location.

The rooms: Guest rooms are furnished with flat-panel plasma-screen TVs, DVD and CD players, Internet access, in-room Starbucks coffee (hey, this is Seattle!), Aveda bath amenities, and cozy bathrobes that also come in in kid sizes. They also offer in-room child-safety kits, Nintendo on demand, stroller rentals, and even a complimentary pet goldfish to keep you company during your stay.

Amenities: Take advantage of the hotel's in-room spa services and 24-hour fitness room. The nightly "Hour of Indulgence" in the lobby features social activities like Guitar Hero. Other indulgences include complimentary chair massages on Tuesdays and Thursdays and fortune telling on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Activities: Walk to many of Seattle's biggest attractions, including the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium, and Pike Place Market. The hotel also provides a list of kid-friendly activities in the area.

Details: 1101 Fourth Avenue, from $236 a night for a Monaco Queen room with two queen-size beds.

What it is: A historic 1918 boutique hotel on lower Queen Anne Hill.

The rooms: Each of the hotel's 56 spacious period-inspired guest rooms have a kitchen with a refrigerator and a microwave, monogrammed robes, and live plants.

Amenities: Duck into the on-site day spa for a classic French facial, dine at Ten Mercer for locally sourced New American cuisine, or check out the Caffe Ladro espresso bar and bakery for a quick bite. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to area attractions.

Activities: Seattle's theater district is just blocks away, and the hotel is also close to the Space Needle, the Children's Theater, Seattle Children's Museum, and the Pacific Science Center.

Details: 600 Queen Anne Avenue N, from $135 a night for a double room with two queen-size beds.

What it is: A modern boutique hotel dressed in a nautical theme (sans the kitsch).

The rooms: Each of the Watertown's 100 studio rooms and suites come equipped with a microwave and refrigerator, Aveda bath products, comfy bathrobes, cable TV, and wireless Internet access. Studio suites have a free washer and dryer just outside the rooms.

Amenities: The hotel offers complimentary bikes, a shuttle to area attractions, a breakfast bar, and access to the swimming pool at a neighboring hotel. But the best part is the Ala Cart program, which lets guests order a themed cart (e.g., spa or art) full of goodies for their room. The kids' cart includes board games, a book about paper airplanes, art supplies, and children's books.

Activities: The popular Burke Gilman trail is a few blocks south, perfect for walking or biking. The University of Washington campus, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and Henry Art Gallery are all nearby.

Details: 4242 Roosevelt Way NE, studio rooms from $179 a night for one king-size bed or two queen-size beds.

What it is: A towering hotel with stellar views from the top floors.

The rooms: All rooms have the hotel's signature supersoft Heavenly beds, Heavenly baths with double showerheads and curved curtain rods, high-speed Internet access, and plush bathrobes.

Amenities: Learn about Washington-state wines every Saturday evening in the Lobby Bar, schedule an in-room spa treatment, or submerge yourself in the heated indoor pool. The Westin also has a 24-hour fitness center and the Coldwater Bar & Grill, which serves Northwestern cuisine. Kids are welcomed with a goodie bag at check-in.

Activities: Walk a few blocks to Seattle's famed Pike Place Market, or hop the nearby monorail to the Seattle Center. Tons of shopping and restaurants are just steps away.

Details: 1900 Fifth Avenue, from $247 a night for a deluxe room with one king-size bed or two double beds.