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The Moore Hotel's Anti-Views Strike Again
| June 25, 2009 at 10:00 AM | 1 Comment
You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.
Oh, gross. This sort of looks like a shipwreck, doesn't it? Or some sort of a Disneyworld ride that has to do with pirates and pillaging and the ocean?
Yes, well. This is the view from the Moore Hotel in Seattle — which comes with no caption or commentary or anything via ntoper on Flickr — and we've got a couple things to say about it: number one, bummer. Number two: this is the Moore Hotel's second offense — and if we look closely, we can see a little snippet of the scene out the last anti-view-victim's window.
But like we said before: the location of this hotel is killer — near Pike Place Market, Belltown and the Space Needle, and the "European-style" rooms (where the bathroom is down the hall) start at just $59. So, uh, we suppose you could, like, go outside of your room to see Seattle.
[Photo: ntoper]
Tags: Hotel Wedding Guide 2009 / Hotel Weddings / Hotel Packages / → All Tags
Plan the Perfect Proposal With a Little Help From Your Hotel Friends
| June 3, 2009 at 4:49 PM | 0 Comments
Wedding season is here. For many of us, that means it's time to dust off the dancin' shoes, check out those registries and clear room in the closet for that hideous bridesmaid's dress — but for a lucky (or unlucky) few, now's the time to be picking out invitations, scoping out florists, test-driving DJ's and showing off that blinding bling. This week, we're kicking off a summer of bringing you all the new need-to-know info about hotel weddings — tips, news and info about what goes down at hotels during the summertime vow season — whether you're attending one or saying your nuptials. Got some hotel wedding tips for us? Send 'em over.
When we worked at a swanky ski resort, we used to have chitty chats with the concierge over coffee to get the hot scoop on all the magical wedding proposals she'd helped to plan over the years. Proposing at romantic hotels — rose petals, sunset views, champagne and chocolate, etc.
But you don't necessarily need the helping hand of the concierge if you're a gent (or a lady! Hell, it's 2009!) getting ready to get down on one knee. Some hotels are making it even easier, with start-to-finish packages to plan the best proposal in the history of proposals.
Tags: Snapshot / 1 Hotels / Barry Sternlicht / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Hype / → All Tags
The 1 Hotel Seattle is Still Just a Hole in the Ground
| May 14, 2009 at 5:22 PM | 0 Comments
This is what the proposed site for the 1 Hotel Seattle from master hotelier Barry Sternlicht looked like in February 2008. This is what it looks like now, in May 2009. We are struck by how remarkably similar this looks to the set of Parks and Recreation.
Yes, Sternlicht says that 1 Hotels "is still on" yet from past reports, we don't think the Seattle location is gonna make it. But while Sternlicht's talking about building a luxe green brand for the world's eco-conscious travelers, many hotels (both part of larger collections and independents) are already implementing green practices and some new buildings are obtaining LEED certifications. So Sternlicht better get on this fast.
Then again, leaving this lot undeveloped is actually pretty green in itself right now.
More 1 Hotel Seattle site snaps after the jump.
Tags: Sleeping in Seattle / Hyatt Hotels / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Happy Hours / → All Tags
Urbane at Hyatt Olive 8 for Afternoon Delights
| May 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM | 0 Comments
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
One of our must-see hotels in Seattle was the brand-new, LEED-certified Hyatt at Olive 8. While we didn't spend the night, we did hit up the happy hour (from 4 to 6pm) at the Urbane restaurant just off the lobby.
The hotel is named for its location at Olive and 8th Streets in Seattle. It's a hop, skip and a jump away from the main shopping center, Pacific Place, and other department stores like Nordstrom and Barney's New York. If you want to be in the heart of it all, then you can stay at the Grand Hyatt but Hyatt at Olive 8 is on the edge of the action with less foot traffic out front.
But keep in mind, this is Seattle and not New York. So even the "busy" parts of town are extremely manageable. Happy hour at Urbane. Residences look unfinished/unoccupied.
Tags: Sleeping in Seattle / Ace Hotels / Hipster Hotels / Budget Boutique Hotels / → All Tags
Once-Hip Ace Hotel Seattle Loses a Bit of Its Cool
| May 8, 2009 at 12:40 PM | 1 Comment
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. One place we didn't get to cruise is the Ace Seattle. But we asked our new Seattle-based contributor to give us her thoughts instead. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
Once the darling of the downtown Seattle hotel scene, the Ace Hotel has lost a bit of its luster over the last decade. Sure, its $99 per night rate for a standard room with shared bath is a real steal, but travelers throwing down $195 for deluxe accommodations may feel a bit slighted – especially when comparable deals are available at Hotel Max (rates start at $129) and Arctic Club Hotel (rates start at $159).
Tags: Sleeping in Seattle / HotelChatter Reviews / Seattle Hotels / → All Tags
Sleeping in Seattle: The Hotel Max For a Hip, Budget-ish Stay
| May 7, 2009 at 1:25 PM | 0 Comments
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
Now that you've seen the video and the anti-view, here's our full take on the The Hotel Max.
As we said before, the Hotel Max is right in the center of downtown, close to the shops and the monorail but still within walking distance to everything. And it's right across the street from a bus stop. We rode the bus all the way down to the Seattle Mariners ballpark for a game and then back at night for a little over six bucks for two people. Excellent.
The hotel is in an older building, so the rooms are small (as are the lobby and elevators). But the Max perks everything up with its hip attitude (hello, pink logo!) and amenities for the modern traveler. We also thought the service at the hotel, from the front desk to the bellmen, was great. Helpful and friendly but not overbearing.
Tags: Anti-View / Sleeping in Seattle / Seattle Hotels / → All Tags
The Hotel Max Tries to Cover Up the Worst View in the House
| May 7, 2009 at 11:57 AM | 0 Comments
You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.
Yesterday we showed you a video of our room at the The Hotel Max, which was lovely. But this wasn't the first room that we were given. We were first given a room on the second floor at the end of the hall which had a separate room for the toilet and a separate room for the shower, both of which you had to "step up" into. Yeah, it was weird.
But topping off the room's weirdness was this anti-view looking out onto god knows what.
We give the Max props for putting in windows that shield some of the nastiness; and even though we were staying for only one night, we still wanted a room that wasn't part of a dungeon. Hence, we asked the front desk and we received. Phew!
Tags: Sleeping in Seattle / Hotel Video Tours / Boutique Hotels / → All Tags
Sleeping in Seattle: Inside the Hotel Max
| May 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM | 1 Comment
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
After we reluctantly left the bathtub at the Hotel 1000, we checked in next at The Hotel Max which we booked based on this recommendation.
The Hotel Max is located in the center of downtown Seattle close to the city's best shopping and the Seattle Monorail. It's still within walking distance to the famous Pike Place Market. Just bring some good walking shoes and prepare for some baby hills.
When we arrived at noon, the room was not ready so we dropped off our luggage and went exploring. We returned at 4pm and headed up to our room on the second floor which had a crazy layout and a major anti-view.
We'll have more on that tomorrow but here's the video from the room that we were given after we complained about the anti-view. Located on the 10th floor, it was much better.
Tags: Hotel Bathtubs / Hotel Amenities / Hotel Bathrooms / Sleeping in Seattle / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Video Tours / → All Tags
About That Bath at Hotel 1000
| May 5, 2009 at 5:37 PM | 2 Comments
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
Yesterday we gave you the full review of the Hotel 1000 in Seattle but we don't feel as if we spent enough time talking about the tub. Yes, we want to talk more about the tub. This is a free-standing bathtub where the controls are on the wall to the left and the water pours down from the ceiling. It's soooo cool.
At first, we had no idea how to work this thing. When we peered in there was only a drain but no hot or cold handles. Then we spotted the control on the wall and we moved it. A large splat happened behind us and we jumped. That's when we realized the noise was coming from the ceiling.
It took a few tries to get the water temperature right but once we did, we poured in the bubbles and waited until the tub was full. Then we just relaaaaaaxed.
Tags: Sleeping in Seattle / Seattle Hotels / Four Seasons Hotels / → All Tags
Sleeping in Seattle: The Four Seasons ART Lounge
| May 5, 2009 at 12:44 PM | 0 Comments
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
Just a few blocks up from the Hotel 1000 and one block from the must-see Pike Place Market is the new Four Seasons Hotel & Residences. When we sauntered by the place, there was a Ferrari parked out front. How cliche! Nevertheless, we decided we must head inside to check this place out. (We're such suckers!)
The Four Seasons came back to Seattle last fall with a new building consisting of 147 guest rooms, residences and views overlooking Elliot Bay.
While we didn't get to see any of the rooms, we were impressed with the lobby. Forget the stuffy old Four Seasons palace-look and in-your-face grandiosity. The design here is modern, sleek and clean but at the same time gentle and diverse. There's nothing stark or sterile about it.
Tags: HotelChatter Reviews / Hotel Video Tours / Sleeping in Seattle / Seattle Hotels / → All Tags
Sleeping in Seattle: Inside Hotel 1000
| May 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM | 3 Comments
Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. This week we'll be putting forth our reviews and observations on Seattle's hotels, of which there are plenty. Got any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
A while back we had a nice little weekend getaway to Seattle all planned out. Then we got sick the day of our departure. And not just head-cold sick but vertigo sick. The kind of sick where you can't stand up or sit up without fear of your head falling off. We would guess it's a close second to the fear of swine flu.
Our reservation at a hotel that we booked using Expedia was uncancellable at that time and as we told you, we had to eat the room rate (However, the lady at Expedia did feel bad and gave us a $50 Expedia credit.) But now we can let you know that the hotel we were supposed to stay in was Hotel 1000.
Despite all this, we really wanted to stay here so we rebooked it through the hotel. Here's what we got.
Tags: Expedia / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Booking Tips / Hotel Hell / → All Tags
Expedia Asks About Our Canceled Hotel Stay That We Had to Pay For
| April 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM | 14 Comments
The other weekend we were all set for a trip to Seattle when a nasty sinus infection with a side of vertigo forced us to stay in bed. Meaning, unfortunately, that we could not fly to Seattle and therefore we could not check into our hotel.
With a doctor's note in hand, we were able to cancel our Virgin America flight without any cancellation fees. However when we called Expedia, we were beyond the cancellation period and thus forced to eat the hotel rate ourselves. We pleaded with the Expedia reservations agent about our vertigo and promised to fax/scan/mail the doctor's note but she told us the contract was binding and there was nothing she could do.
She did, however, give us a $50 Expedia credit to use towards our next booking. Since we initially paid $185, all in all, we were out $135. It sucked but that's what we get for having crappy sinuses we guess.
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