Seattle and nearby
Cedarbrook Lodge: A surprising oasis of a place mere minutes from SeaTac Airport. Cedarbrook has lots of extras including a nice buffet breakfast (Yum, is that smoked salmon?), free wifi, an airport and light rail shuttle, and public spaces stocked with snacks that are accessible 24 hours. This was a conference/retreat center and the grounds are just lovely. If you’re feeling splurgy, the property has a fantastic restaurant where locally sourced ingredients are used — there’s even a kitchen garden. If you have to stay near the airport, stay here. Plan ahead and you can book for as low as 84/night.
Holiday Inn Express: Recently(2010) completely remodeled. It’s not busting with charm, but it’s great for downtown/Seattle Center stays. Good beds, a selection of pillows, and free wifi. We had a King Suite with more than enough room. Some packages include a light buffet breakfast in the dining room, nothing special but nice if you’re either supremely lazy or in a hurry. Check the rates — they start at around 100/night, a good deal for walking distance to downtown Seattle.
The Maxwell Hotel: Bright style and decor, comfy beds, and no nickel and dime-ing. There’s free parking — but it is limited, so don’t expect it’s guaranteed — free wifi, free bike rental (also first come first serve) and lots of other nice amenities. The rooms have microwaves and stock those little real milk coffee creamers in the mini-fridge. Great location in the very walkable lower Queen Anne, just a few blocks from the Space Needle. Heads up? Some guests complain about the noise from the hardwood floors. Rack rate? 195-300/night.
Points West
Clam Cannery, Port Townsend: I wanted to love this place because it’s so visually appealing but ended up feeling a disappointed by the details. The location is terrific — right on the water in downtown Port Townsend — and the units are very well appointed with full kitchens, cable and wifi, top of the line mattresses, and beautiful construction materials. But I was flustered by the small stuff like no towel hooks near the shower, cold floors, unfinished wiring… admitted, much of this may be fixed by now. This will be a super nice stay once the A-game is on, but when we were there, it wasn’t ready for prime time. Low seasons rates start at 315/night.
The Inn at Port Ludlow: From the outside, the property is a little weird, but inside, oh, it’s lovely. We stayed off season, mid-week, it was dead quiet. It’s been some time since we were out, but I seem to remember wifi that was slow and sent me to reading my books and drinking coffee instead, not a bad thing given the setting. We had an excellent dinner and a mediocre breakfast in the on-site restaurant. Minus points? They charge a “resort fee.” I’m dead against resort fees. File under “romantic getaway, close to Seattle” and book one of the rooms with the big jetted tubs. Wink wink. And hey, ask them to take off the resort fee. Specials start at about 150/night.
Quinalt Lodge: Whenever I can, I take all my guests from out of town to this National Park lodge on Lake Quinalt, if only to walk through the lobby and gasp at the spectacular setting. I never tire of the location, location, location. The lodge itself isn’t exactly luxury, but it’s a stellar getaway in a place I love. The restaurant has improved exponentially over the years — while it’s a little pricey, it serves up big plates of delicious food.Off season (I’m a fan, go then!) rates start 100 night, high season starts around 150.
Kalaloch Lodge: On a bluff overlooking a beautiful gray beach piled high with beach logs. The little cabins with views have first rate storm watching, they’re cozy and have full kitchens. It’s not a particularly luxurious stay, but it’s so remote, so romantic, and it’s drop dead gorgeous. Even if you don’t have a view, you are mere moments from sand. There’s a minimart on site if you’ve forgotten to buy milk or are stuck in a snowstorm. There’s also a restaurant at the main building. I didn’t love the dinner, but breakfast was just fine. My advice? Plan your meals before you head out, pick up your groceries in Aberdeen, or buzz down the road to Quinalt if you want a restaurant meal. Winter rates start around 100 (if you can afford it, spring for the view), summer about 250. Note that the rooms in the main building don’t have kitchens, only the cabins — and I prefer the cabins.