City: Seattle, WA

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (206) 777-7106, (888) 388-3932

Address: 400 Spring St.

Description: Although virtually every Seattle hotel is now nonsmoking, this was the first completely smoke-free hotel in the city. The Executive Hotel’s pitch is offering a five-star location and four-star service, for three-star prices. The location is certainly excellent, in a premier downtown location within walking distance of many top attractions, including Pike Place Market and dozens of restaurants, shops, and theater/cultural venues. The building is gorgeous, built in 1928 and with a very European style and feel to it. Yet the facilities are renovated and modern, including the addition of meeting rooms, business center, fitness center, and the LaBou Salon and Spa. There is also a Seattle’s Best Coffee shop right in the lobby, free continental breakfast is included, and the Asian-European fusion Jasmine Restaurant is very good. The 152 rooms (and one suite) are elegant yet understated, with a Eurasian decor of rich cherry wood and gold and green tones. Your choice of a king, queen, or two double beds has been upgraded with pillowtop mattresses, luxury duvets, and five pillows for comfort. Parking is available for $18/day, and pets are accepted up to 30 pounds and stay free. Interesting side note—the staff speak Japanese!