Best bets for a place to stay in Seattle

updated 5:24 p.m. ET Sept. 25, 2006

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 handful of historic hotels. The grand lobby is unrivaled.

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

This is a city that likes to keep up with the trends, and 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

Situated 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

It may be a bit out of the way and a little old, but the Mercer Island Travelodge, 7645 Sunset Hwy., Mercer Island (tel. 800/578-7878 or 206/232-8000; www.mercerislandhotel.com), has a lot to recommend it. You drive across a floating bridge to get here, it's right on a walking/biking path, and there's a very pleasant neighborhood a few blocks away.

Best B&B

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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 for a Seattle B&B.

Best Location

Located 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. The Waterfront Streetcar, which goes to Pioneer Square and the International District, stops right in front of the hotel; ferries to Victoria, British Columbia, and leaves 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/WESTIN-1 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

So you're on the road again, but you don't want to give up your circuit training. Don't worry: Bring your gym gear and book a room at the Bellevue Club Hotel, 11200 SE Sixth St., Bellevue (tel. 800/579-1110 or 425/454-4424; www.bellevueclub.com), where you'll have access to 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 and Towers, 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 here 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. 800/426-7033 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.

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