Hotel Murano

Tacoma is known for its beautiful glass artwork, and the Hotel Murano showcases this throughout, with each floor dedicated to a specific artist. For a business hotel, there's a surprising amount of style here, and the lobby has an industrial look that sets the trendy tone for a stay here. Concrete pillars and exposed ceiling pipes are softened by colorful sofas and glass sculptures, and a huge glass chandelier is suspended in the center. It's a huge space, with touch-screen elevators and multiple stairways leading away, though the boutique-like vibe certainly tames the potentially overwhelming size. Upstairs on the fourth floor, the sleek restaurant -- Bite -- has a similar contemporary finish, with glass skylights letting in plenty of natural light and offering great city views. The hotel is often busy with business groups and corporate travelers. However, tourists also pass through, drawn by the sharp style and great on-site extras, like the popular restaurant.

Hotel Murano is located on Broadway, just two blocks back from Pacific Avenue, which is the city's downtown core. There are a few restaurants and shops nearby, and it's a 10-minute walk to the museum district -- including the Tacoma Art Museum and Children's Museum. The free light rail runs up and down Pacific Avenue, ideal for those hopping on and off to explore the area's museums, shops, and restaurants. It's about a 15-minute bus ride to the far end of Pacific Ave. for the Tacoma Dome. Buses also run from 13th St. South, a four-minute walk from the hotel, to the popular Proctor District, which has lots of boutiques and local craft stores, plus a great Saturday market. Journey time to Proctor is about 20 minutes door-to-door. Farther afield, it's about a 30-minute drive to Seattle and SeaTac Airport, or about an hour on the bus from Pacific Ave. Hikes and trails in Mount Rainier National Park are about a 70-minute drive away.

Rooms at the Hotel Murano are tricked out with simple, stylish decor that's in tune with the rest of this handsome hotel. White walls are hung with contemporary art and the colored sofas and white-leather headboards are off-set by patterned throws. Rooms feature a good set of amenities across all configurations, including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers with upmarket coffee, safes, irons, and free Wi-Fi. Pillow menus are an extra comfort-adding touch. Superior and Patron Suites have separate living areas with dining tables, and usually include dual-aspect windows with superb city views. Bathrooms are compact, especially when compared to the size of the rooms. The gray marble tiling gives them an attractive finish, and all include at least a bit of counter space, plus shower/tub combos, toiletries, bathrobes, and hairdryers. Suites have extra washrooms, and Patron Suites add jetted tubs in master bathrooms.

Despite being a business hotel first and foremost (and a stylish one at that), the Hotel Murano also packs in a nice amount of leisure features. Among the most-liked features according to previous guests are the hotel's food and drink offerings. The lobby has a bar with a menu of cocktails and light bites, and plenty of room to kick back. The fourth floor restaurant -- Bite -- serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a brunch menu on weekends. It's quite popular among those who've stayed here, and has great views over the city (particularly at night). Those staying in Patron-level rooms have access to an exclusive lounge that includes free breakfasts and basic all-day snacks. A large spa and beauty salon can be also accessed from the street, and offer a range of treatments and therapies. There's a fitness room with a decent selection of cardio and weight equipment, plus free weights. Three stylish rooms provide space for small meetings, though much larger events can also be accommodated, and there's a business center with a printer as well. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The hotel offers valet and self-parking, both for a fee. Note that this is a pet-friendly property, and offers extras for small pets like name tags, pet-room service, and welcome packs -- though again, fees apply.