Opened in 2013, Hotel Ballard is located on a neat, tree-lined street in the historic and vibrant Seattle neighborhood from which it takes its name. Its four-story facade of pale yellow stones is adorned with large windows and elegant wrought-iron Juliet balconies. The lobby area is spacious and done up in soft and elegant tones of beige and gray. Floors are covered in beige marble tiles, and an exposed wall of beige and yellow bricks provides an interesting accent to the space. Armchairs and sofas are upholstered in gray velour and plush beige fabric. The cozy seating area is lined with bookshelves, with a large fireplace as its centerpiece. Overall, the atmosphere here is sophisticated, and guests are a mix of vacationing couples and families as well as business travelers. 

The hotel is located in Seattle's trendy Ballard neighborhood, with many fine-dining restaurants, pubs, cafes, clubs, and shops a walk away. Downtown Seattle is a 15-minute drive away, and most tourist attractions will require a car trip. 

• Eight-minute drive to Golden Gardens Park
• Nine-minute drive to Olympic Sculpture Park
• 10-minute drive to the Space Needle
• 10-minute drive to the EMP Museum (formerly Experience Music Project)
• 12-minute drive to Westlake Center
• 12-minute drive to Pike Place Market
• 13-minute drive to Seattle Waterfront
• 13-minute drive to Seattle Aquarium
• 13-minute drive to Seattle Art Museum
• 14-minute drive to the Washington State Convention Center
• 15-minute drive to Pioneer Square
• 30-minute drive to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 

The 29 guest rooms and suites at Hotel Ballard are spacious, chic, and contemporary. The soft-gray and beige color palette evident in the lobby area continues in the guest rooms, which have gray patterned carpeting, gray upholstered headboards, beige patterned wallpaper, and long beige bolsters on the beds. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Cuisinart coffeemakers. Mini-fridges can be provided on request. The chic bathrooms have marble countertops, large mirrors, and spacious walk-in showers. Other convenient amenities include irons and ironing boards, safes, and in the bathrooms there are bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, lighted magnifying mirrors, and Molton Brown toiletries. Some of the Standard King Rooms have separate toilet areas, while the Luxury Suites have deep soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. The Standard Double Rooms have two beds and two separate closets, ideal for families traveling together. The Courtyard Suites are located on the rooftop and feature a few luxurious extras such as gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, two flat-screen TVs, living rooms with pullout sofas, and outdoor seating areas with views of the Olympic Mountains. Note that some past guests have complained about noise from the lively bar across the street.

Hotel Ballard offers a few notable extra features, the highlight of which is free access to the Olympic Athletic Club. The club is open 24 hours a day during the week and has reduced hours on weekends. This large and elegant space offers two swimming pools, racquetball courts, exercise studios, saunas, and yoga and fitness classes. Back at the hotel, guests are provided a light breakfast of coffee and tea, orange juice, and breakfast pastries in the lobby every morning. The on-site restaurant -- Stoneburner -- offers Mediterranean-influenced cuisine cooked in an open kitchen. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but parking in the hotel's underground parking garage costs extra. And business travelers may find the lack of a business center and meeting space to be problematic.