Returned from my stay at the Edgewater 03/05-03/08: Here are random notes: 1. Even though I upgraded to the waterfront view with balcony, there are better waterfront rooms than others. Some waterfront rooms will have a view of Mt.Ranier and Seattle city skyline but also the nearby dock. If possible I would suggest asking for a room with a waterfront view that does not include the dock at all. 2. Edgewater provides a shuttle at the top of every hour to destinations within a mile for free and to get back you simply call Guest Services to pick you up. Tipping each way. Convenient and economical if you can schedule around the shuttle. 3. If you rent a car and don't wish to use the mandatory valet parking ($30 per day, plus tip). Here is a parking tip from another review site, but not sure if it includes in/out access privileges: "On a side note, the parking at the hotel was $30 a night. This is pretty steep, but parking in Seattle is generally expensive. We found a parking garage one block away from the hotel on Elliot and Vine that was only $17 per 24 hour block. I would highly recommend this garage, especially if you are not planning on using your car much to get around Seattle. We left the car there our whole trip for almost half the cost of keeping it at the hotel. And the parking garage is covered; parking at the hotel is a valet at a surface lot a few feet away from the entrance." 4. Regarding Zipcar, there are a few lots within 3-4 blocks of the hotel and worked out okay. I would say it would have been a better choice if I stayed downtown. 5. Room size in king waterfront view is cozy, but not spacious. Fireplace is very nice and heats most of the room nicely, you can also turn on the thermostat to regulate the temperature. Pushing the fireplace button keeps it on for 3hrs. Bathroom is very nice and roomy. 6. There is a fridge, but filled with pay drinks and very little room for your own stuff. No microwave. Internet access requires payment. 7. Bathroom toiletries provided are shampoo, conditioner, shower gel. 8. Did not use the fitness center. 9. Asked the front desk for a later checkout time than noon, they extended it one hour to 1pm. 10. We did not spend time in the restaurant or the lounge. However if you were visiting Seattle, you can walk in anytime and hang out in the lodge, check out the view, maybe get a drink. 11. Short walks uphill (downhill tough for women wearing heels) to Seattle Center and Belltown restaurants, bars, and cafes. Healthy walk to Pikes Place. Okay during the day, a little inconvenient at night because of the weather. Also made it difficult for quick trips to get a snack or bite to eat. 12. Did not research use of Seattle buses as Edgewater is near the Ride Free Zone. http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/ridefree.html 13. We used the Grayline Airporter, however they did not do direct dropoff/pickup at the Edgewater (they offer a connection service, but only btw certain times). It is a very convenient, economical way to go to and from the airport. If I was to visit Seattle again for a weekend getaway, I would: - Stay in a Hotel located in the heart of Seattle Downtown (try to get the Westin and ask for a room in the higher levels of the tower where you get a view of downtown and the water as stated by someone else on this board). - Use Grayline Airporter to get to and from the airport (they do direct dropoff/pickup at the Westin). - Use public transportation to get around downtown. Use Zipcar for further destinations (many available lots downtown). - If I did rent a car, find a hotel that includes parking as part of their package, otherwise factor in another $30 per day cost for the hotel. Hope this information is helpful for those who get Edgewater. Here are hotel reviews I referenced (moderator please delete if it is a board violation): http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g6...Washington.html http://travela.priceline.com/travelguides/...tes-175714.html
