On a recent short Fall trip to Seattle, we needed a place to stay that was reasonably priced, comfortable and within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the picturesque Elliot Bay Waterfront and a hop, skip and jump from other favorite tourist spots like Pacific Place shopping, the Space Needle, Pioneer Square and Qwest Field.

Too much to ask, you say, knowing most close-in, and nice spots run in the $150-250 per night range, with the usual discount and el cheapo digs either way out, ringing SeaTac Airport or in more fringe neighborhoods not served by the nifty Free Ride Zone buses.

The Moore Hotel

Diligent Internet sleuthing through a good handful of local Seattle e-mags and well known tourist guides helped me zero in my search, plus having stayed at the Warwick Hotel a few years before, gave me an idea of the exact area I'd be looking in, on the border of an exciting, revitalized Belltown, chockablock with interesting bistros and galleries.

You've heard the term Location, Location, Location, bandied about by real estate mavens, and without a car, Seattle's hilly terrain can be a trial for most, not just a couple of avowed couch potatoes such as ourselves.

I'd narrowed it down to 3 or 4 possibilities, when word came that the 98 year old Moore Hotel, had refurbished a few floors, and newly created several suites by combining a single and double with bath. One that fit our bill was just $105, including modest kitchenette.

If you factor in Seattle's 15% room tax, that was still going to put enough money back in our pockets for say, a splurge meal at one of Tom Douglas' 4 renowned eateries and a few baubles and trinkets here and there.

The website, www.moorehotel.com was easy to navigate, and Bob, our friendly contact, provided helpful information for our 3 night stay. We'd be arriving on a Friday afternoon and checking out the following Monday morning-prices were the same for each of 3 nights.

We'd take the bargain Gray Line Airporter into downtown, dropped off at a pricey hotel just 2 blocks away. An easy walk to our lodgings, faced with weather gray granite and large marquee. The lobby was not lavish, but the refurbished marble floors were sparking clean, plus new paint and original woodwork, sofa and the usual brochure racks.

On busy Second Avenue, one of the bus routes, the popular Nite Lite bar, with sandwiches, munchies and some of the best Happy Hour pricing around, was attached to the hotel. Happily, no smoke smell drifted into the lobby and overall, there were no musty, stale old hotel odors.

Bob greeted us promptly at the counter, and check in was a breeze. Old fashioned room keys were issued, and we took the single elevator up to our floor, where a little evidence of further renovation wasn't a problem.

Entering our suite, I was taken by the high ceilings, crown moldings, and interesting period touches-many looked original. A funky sofa, with clean bedspread cover faced a 19" color TV. My Other Half immediately wanted to check which cable channels we'd get, and breathed a sigh of relief finding HBO and ESPN.

3 stoneware place settings with mugs and clear wine glasses greeted us on the tiled counter and a cunning little sink/2 burner stove and mini frig combo unit, not more than 24" wide, comprised our kitchenette.

A round butcher block kitchen table and comfy chairs in front of tall casement windows created a dining nook, and the muted, low pile carpeting and wall colors soothed-encouraging rest-the opposite way so many of Las Vegas' purposely garish and jangling ones entreated you to get back downstairs and gamble.

The bedroom was good-sized with a queen and twin bed sharing a nightstand between. A long, low dresser sat against the opposite window wall, and a standard clothes closet and suitcase rack completed the decor. Since we usually watch TV from a pair of oversized recliners, or bed, lack of one here was one of few minuses.

The bathroom was a mix of old and new, with a 6' clawfoot tub, (with overhead shower ring), either being in awfully good shape or a neat replica.
The pedestal sink and toilet were likewise spotless, and the usual assortment of mildly scratchy mid-weight white towels were in adequate supply.

The largish medicine cabinet and tiled over-sink ledge easily held our toiletries, and a small, faux stained glass window over the curtain-ringed tub was a decent facsimile, and helped to vary the otherwise overcast light leaking in.

The beds were medium-something Goldilocks would have liked-and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, I deeded the larger one to my 6'3" Other Half. Of course, I also remembered a favorite Hawaii vacation, when one awful night Himself had turned turtle, twin mattress and all, landing rib-side down on the unforgiving edge of his opened jumbo suitcase.

During the entire stay, only a few sounds ever filtered in from outside corridors, with none from above or below. Buffered by our kitchenette on one side and bathroom/closet on the other, neighbors were never heard.

It was a bit disappointing with an interior parking area/courtyard view, although many tall buildings around us cut imagined views of Elliot Bay to a glimpse, for a few suite tenants willing to pony up an extra $30 per night. Of course, their streetside windows probably wouldn't filter out all the busy traffic sounds below, so all in all, a restful, comfy and super priced spot was just what the vacation Doctor ordered.

Most people know that Starbucks originated in Seattle. Some may know that the very first, modest spot was in the Pike Place Market. Needless to say, thousands of Starbucks have sprouted like mushrooms after the rain, and for a late breakfast each morning, Other Half trudged but 1 1/2 blocks north on 2nd Avenue for the closet outlet.

After a leisurely slurping of various Ventes and Grandes, perusing local papers and noshing on some pumpkin, spice and blueberry studded muncheros, we were off to Pike Place Market, just one block south on Second, 1 1/2 blocks south on Stewart. We wandered Post Alley, tasted Teriyaki Salmon Jerky at a great spot inside the Stewart Building on Western Avenue and found a fantastic spot for lunch.

We could have taken the Free Ride Zone bus down to the Waterfront, but elected to take a cab for a very small charge. Awesome food, delightful views and Early Bird pricing did much to satiate our second day's cravings, and it was just 7 blocks from our lodgings.

I noticed with great interest that top name touring rock bands played next door at the Moore Theater, and a huge tour bus was parked out front that Saturday night. Knowing how loud and in-your-face that night's artist could be, I vaguely wondered if we'd hear anything in the hotel. I couldn't even hear a single bass note, much less Henry Rollins' legendary...rolfing.

On our last full day we walked the few blocks down to the piers and shops on Alaskan Way and caught the beloved Waterfront Trolley up to Pioneer Square, our jumping off spot to Qwest Field, where Other Half was being treated to some 50 yard line seats for the Rams-Seahawks football game.

I'd read the Trolley was going out of service for up to 2 years. They were tearing down the original trolley barn north of pier 67, and relocating it near Pioneer Square, with demolition slated to start in just another week.

From the Square, it was only 2 or 3 drizzly long blocks to the Stadium, Ivar's Clam Chowder and Halibut and Chips and a rout of Himself's Rams. Our silent walk back to the 4th Avenue bus stop then turned into a brief, and free trip just 1 1/2 blocks from our centrally located hotel.

Other Half apologized for thinking Qwest was a closed stadium and I wrung out my knit sweat pants and lay my 'rain resistent' anorak out to dry following the deluge's effects of sitting in the 10th row can wreak.

After a few hours collapse in our gratefully toasty suite, I was glad for rescheduling our reservations for Etta's Seafood to 8 p.m. the night before. Local calls aren't free, though the front desk will gladly call a taxi for you. The 50 cent phone charge seemed reasonable, and the smiling bellboy even hunted up the missing channel changer that Himself badly missed, having already gone through withdrawals just 3 feet from the TV.

With Douglas' Dalia Lounge and Dalia Bakery just 2 blocks to our east, and Etta's 2 to 3 blocks downhill on Western, it was a toss-up for our final dinner, but with a promise of bakery goodies for our trip homeward the following day, Etta's won out.

Staying at The Moore, a car would actually have been redundant, not to mention at least $100 more, and that's without steep garaging fees, ($9-15 a night). I pity those searching for parking spots at the Stadium, Pike Market or Waterfront when our comfy, bargain hunters' digs provided us optimal positioning for our second Seattle stay.

Checkout was at 11 a.m., but we were front and square in the lobby earlier, the better to catch that nearby Airporter for the roundtrip leg back to the bustling airport. With no airport parking or rental return/shuttle hassles, we breezed into the airport knowing we'd had a great time, but not broke.

Additional persons may stay in your room for $12 extra. There are single and double occupancy European-style rooms starting from $49/single, (bath down the hall), and regular rooms with baths, starting at $62/single. A double room with 2 Queen beds and bath is currently $79. Children under 10 stay free.

Suites begin at $95 for singles, $105 for doubles, and there are a couple 2 bedroom suites for $130. Check-in time is 2 p.m. and the Moore staff ask that you call to re-confirm if you will be arriving later than 4 p.m.


Final Thoughts And Recommendations

We enjoyed our convenient, comfortable and affordable lodgings, which were centrally located and suited our needs very nicely. The staff was friendly, down to earth and helpful, with a wealth of tips to share.

Interesting and reasonable dining and shopping options abound within walking distance, plus being smack dab in the heart of the ride free zone was a definite plus, as was the overall charm of the historic Moore.

Other Half remarked on the number of transients in the neighborhood, but he is from L.A. where everybody rides, and not familiar with the Doc Marten Nation that is Oz.
The walking folk were not threatening, panhandling or the like, but being a big city we did observe reasonable caution as we did at the Airport, Stadium, Waterfront and Market.

I can heartily recommend the Moore Hotel for savvy bargain hunters like myself, people that want to be in the heart of the action and are willing to stay in less than Boutique or Name lodgings. This is a very old building but the plumbing, heating and lighting worked fine, there were sturdy locks on the doors and no characters hanging out in either the lobby or corridors.

The simple bedspreads, lack of substantial wall decor, fancy carpets or otherwise plush surroundings and freebie toiletries, (just soap and extra TP), might not be your cup of tea, but the friendly staff, great price, newly refurbished parts, (suites and some, but not all rooms), and outstanding location make this a place I'll share with friends who appreciate a good deal. 4 Stars. Recommended.

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Many thanks to Di, SurgRN911, who added this to the Epinions.com data base mere hours after my request!



Recommended: Yes