Seattle Marriott Waterfront

Seattle is all about the water, which is why it makes perfect sense to want to stay at a waterfront hotel; and this eight-floor Marriott certainly affords that opportunity. Despite the harbor-centric location -- particularly attractive to cruise-ship travelers -- the hotel has a strong business base as well: It boasts large function rooms, which are frequently booked for Seattle philanthropic gatherings, and sits across the street from the 10,000-square-foot Bell Harbor Conference Center, which draws an even bigger corporate crowd. Unless you have a specific reason for wanting to stay closer to the heart of downtown (for shopping, say, or you desire a more luxurious hotel, like the Fairmont, Four Seasons, or Alexis), the Seattle Waterfront Marriott is fine choice that capitalizes on what is, undoubtedly, one of the city’s proudest features.

Water, water everywhere could be the tagline for the Marriott, which is perched across the street from the boardwalk. The property is literally steps away from the waterfront, the Aquarium, cruise-ship terminals at Pier 66, Sculpture Park, antique warehouses, Argosy harbor tours, and boardwalk seafood restaurants (like the iconic Crab Pot, where -- in true Seattle style -- fresh seafood is literally strewn all over your table). But be forewarned: Unlike the Edgewater down the street, which literally hangs over the water, the Marriott is located next to the railroad tracks, across a busy, four-lane road, and below the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a local freeway overpass, which can be noisy. To get up to the Pike Place Market, be prepared to climb the eight-story hillside stairs from Alaskan Way up to First Avenue. (You can also take a security-patrolled elevator up to First Avenue -- it’s located right next to the hotel -- but note that it can attract a bit of an unsavory crowd at night.)Seattle Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park are both under a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and CenturyLink Field  (Seahawks), Safeco Field (Mariners), the Space Needle, and Seattle Center are all about a six-minute drive away. SeaTac International Airport (SEA) is a 22-minute drive south on I-5.The free downtown Metro bus service has a stop in front of hotel.

If you’re booking the Marriott Waterfront, presumably you’re doing so because you want a great view of Puget Sound. And one would think that you couldn’t go wrong, given the fact that this property sits on Alaskan Way, literally across the street from the water. But beware that the hotel is shaped like the letter M; unless you end up at one of the front "points," your view of the water will be partial at best, and (as a front-desk staffer himself admitted) “barely” at worst. Another caveat: The hotel advertises balcony rooms (again, on the assumption that you’ll want to take advantage of the spectacular views), but they are uniformly tiny, so you’ll probably spend limited time out there. That said, the perfectly pleasant, perfectly neutral rooms (beige, beige, more beige, and a sprinkling of blue) are comfortable, if a little small, and rather pricey, considering their non-luxury status. Without question, you’re paying for location.All rooms feature flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, empty mini-fridges, and coffeemakers with free coffee and tea. Beds have pillow-top mattresses with featherbeds and duvets, and there are large club chairs with ottomans by the windows. About half the rooms have balconies, but the least expensive rooms have no or limited water views; upgrading gets you bay and mountain views. (One-Bedroom Junior Suites have some of the hotel's best water views.) Executive-level rooms are identical to the other standard rooms, but offer access to Club M Lounge, where free breakfasts are served in the morning and hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day (cocktails available for a fee).

The outdoor deck around Marriott's heated indoor/outdoor pool offers views of the water -- but also of the freeway overpass. There's a 24-hour fitness center with modern cardio machines with personal TVs, exercise balls, and free weights. Several conference rooms and a ballroom total more than 11,000 square feet of meeting and special-event space. Marriott offers valet parking, but for a steep price. Less expensive parking can be found off-site. In the lobby, guests can find a small business center with two computers and a printer, and a mini-market (with an ATM) selling sodas, bottled water, chips, and candy. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby (costs a fee in the rooms). There is a laundry room with washers and dryers for guest use.

Marriott's gastropub-style restaurant, Hook & Plow, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Breakfast is typical fare (eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes), but lunch and dinner focuses on Pacific Northwest cuisine (seared Skuna salmon, fishermen's stew). Hook & Plow has a spacious outdoor patio for en plein air dining. There is a daily happy hour with specially priced draft beer, well drinks, house wine, and light snacks. The restaurant has a full bar and a wine list focusing on bottles from Washington, Oregon, and northern California.The lobby bar serves cocktails and light lounge fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All around are seating nooks (including an area with couches, a fireplace, and a large flat-screen TV) and work spaces, like high-top desks with outlets.