Hilton Seattle

Walk in the door of the Hilton Seattle and you might just walk right back out thinking you’re in the wrong place. That’s because the entrance to this 237-room hotel in the heart of downtown Seattle is, for lack of a better word, awkward. Unlike some of the grander Hiltons, the lobby is actually located on the 10th floor (above seven-plus floors of garage parking), so what you encounter at ground level is a tiny, storefront-size reception area with an Alamo car-rental desk and two elevators that take you up to the proper lobby. Once there, you’ll see a more typical, expansive welcome space (albeit, with outdated decor), plus a check-in/concierge desk and plenty of lounge seating. It’s not until you get up to the restaurant on the 29th floor -- with its unparalleled views of the city and Puget Sound -- that the hotel starts to feel like a more elegant Hilton. Clearly, this property won’t knock your socks off, but the location and easy walking distance to almost every most major Seattle attraction -- plus a nearby entrance to Interstate 5 -- can’t be beat.

Without being on the waterfront (a coveted Seattle location), the Hilton still manages to take firm advantage of all that downtown Seattle has to offer -- no car or transit needed. It’s minutes away from the Washington State Convention Center, and literally surrounded on all sides by shopping, theater, and dining attractions that will keep you going for days. Want to catch a Broadway musical? Walk the underground footpath to the 5th Avenue Theater. Your kids will likely drag you to Gameworks, the mega-arcade a few blocks down the street, but you’ve got plenty of stores nearby to keep you busy. Nordstrom and Pacific Place shopping center (the latter of which contains a multiplex theater) is within walking distance. Westlake Center is equally close, with its full-on food court and access to the Monorail, the iconic elevated train that whisks you over to the Seattle Center (home of the Space Needle) in a mere two minutes.

Less-than-5-minute-walk to:

• Pacific Place shopping center
• Westlake Mall (with two-minute transit to Seattle Center, and Light Rail transit to Sea-Tac airport for $2.50)
• The Washington State Convention Center
• A.C.T. Theater
• 5th Avenue Theater

Other destinations:

• 5-minute walk to Benaroya Hall (Seattle Symphony)
• 5-minute walk to Pike Place Market
• 5-minute walk to Seattle Art Museum
• 10-minute walk to ferries
• 5-minute drive to cruise ship terminals
• Sea-Tac International Airport is a 20-minute drive south on I-5 (about $32 to $45 by taxi)
• Gray Line Airporter Shuttle picks up in front of the hotel ($15 to Sea-Tac; $25 roundtrip)

There’s nothing terribly extraordinary about the standard rooms at the Hilton: Each 300-square-foot space is done up in neutral tones with minimal decor (can you say beige?) and dark wood furniture. It’s all comfortable, but unremarkable, especially if you book below the 24th floor, where the view out your window consists of neighboring buildings. Scoot up to the Executive Level, however (floors 24 to 28) and the outlook improves considerably, as you’ll score great city views, free continental breakfast at the Top of the Hilton restaurant, and access to the Lounge, where free Wi-Fi, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, and bottles of water are added to the mix. The hotel’s roomy suites take things up a notch further, with significantly more square footage, plus a full dining table (it seats six to eight people) and wet bar that make it possible to entertain.

• Hilton Serenity bed with Serta Suite Dreams bedding, down-filled duvet, and non-allergenic feather pillows
• 32-inch LCD HDTV with cable, pay-per-view, and premium channels
• Bathrooms have shower/tub combo with hand-held shower, Crabtree & Evelyn La Source bath products, and granite countertops.
• Cuisinart coffeemaker
• Free newspaper
• Connecting rooms available

• Small fitness center with three treadmills, two ellipticals, a recumbent bicycle free weights, stretching mats, and exercise balls
• Business center with two computers, big copy machine, and free boarding pass printing
• Free Wi-Fi in public areas
• Alamo car rental desk
• Currency exchange

View full list of amenities

• Top of the Hilton restaurant is located on the 29th floor of the hotel and offers great views of the city and Puget Sound. Open for breakfast and lunch.
• Lobby Lounge serves lunch, dinner, and light late-night fare