This mid-range, nine-floor modern property’s proximity to the Washington State Convention Center makes it a popular choice for business travelers, and as such the environment is fairly straightforward and chain-like. Still, there are few homey additions that make this a well-liked choice. The spacious, modern lobby features wooden floors, and a colorfully designed breakfast lounge with tall upholstered booths. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV and a double-sided fireplace with lounge seating makes it a fine enough area to wait for colleagues or fellow travelers. There's a restrained social vibe at this hotel, especially during the free wine and beer socials that are held on certain weeknights. While business travelers are the most frequent guests here, plenty of tourists pass through as well, drawn by the proximity to downtown sights and the spacious rooms.

This hotel is located in downtown Seattle within walking distance of plenty of sights. It's a busy part of town, at the corner of Pike Street and Boren Avenue, and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is two blocks up the street. The Washington State Convention Center is only a block away, making this a popular business hotel. Tourists are well placed too, and the Pike Place Market is just 15 minutes away on foot. The Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle Art Museum, and Seattle Aquarium are all within a 20-minute walk, though they can be reached in five minutes by taxi. It takes under half an hour to arrive at the Space Needle on public transportation and 25 minutes to get to the CenturyLink Field. The Westlake LINK Station is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel and connects to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 50 minutes. The trip to the airport takes 30 minutes by cab, depending on traffic.

Rooms are modern and colorful, giving them a cheerful, homey appearance, though ultimately there's a decidedly chain-like style about it all. The look is fresh and bright, though, with lots of soft yellows, blues, and greens alongside contemporary furniture with dark wood-veneer surfaces. There are simple floral patterns in the curtains while carpets have a dark brown and light blue pattern. Wall art is limited to generic abstract prints that don't make the most memorable impression.

Categories range from Studios to One- and Two-Bedroom Suites, and all have kitchenettes with large refrigerators or mini-fridges, dishwashers, two-burner stovetops, and microwaves. Studios have open-plan layouts with partially separated living rooms and sleeping areas. Suites have fireplaces in some living rooms and dining seating at kitchen counters. All units have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and sofa beds. Some also have balconies. Corner Executive Suites -- the largest option -- come with nice views of downtown Seattle. 

Bathrooms are showing a little wear, and the wooden vanities in some of the rooms we visited have seen better days. They are done in reasonably contemporary cream patterned tile, and include hairdryers, shower/tub combos or showers, and upgraded rooms have soaking tubs. ADA compliant rooms are available. Pets are allowed in rooms for a deposit and allergy sufferers can request rooms in animal-free areas. Some rooms are designated for smoking. 

There isn’t a restaurant in this hotel, but there is a modern breakfast lounge with a free morning spread that consists of eggs, bacon, Starbucks coffee, fruit, waffles, and cold items. On select weeknights, the hotel has free socials with light meals plus beer and wine. The 24-hour Suite Shop offers snacks, bottled drinks, packaged foods, and toiletries. Guests who want to cook in their kitchenettes can make use of the grocery store delivery service, which is offered without and extra free. Self-serve laundry facilities are on every even-numbered floor, from the fourth floor up.

Other features include an outdoor heated pool that’s open year round, a hot tub, and a wooden deck with dining tables. A stylish game lounge -- it has a bit of a Pac Northwest vibe -- faces the pool and offers a pool table, dining seating, and vintage games including pinball, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. The gym features a small selection of modern cardio and weight machines with mini-TVs plus free weights. For corporate guests there are two meeting rooms that fit up to eight or 18 people. Business services are also available and printing and Wi-Fi are free. Only expensive valet parking is available.