Seattle and Vancouver Recommended Hilton or Marriott Hotels

[Lcluney]

I am looking for recommendations for Hilton or Marriott hotels in Seattle and Vancouver to stay at before and after the Alaska cruise. I would like to do some sightseeing in both places so they do not need to be near the airport, port of train station but free transportation to those places would be great.

 

[jburge12000]

We did Alaska last summer and stayed before and after in Seattle and a few days before in Vancouver. Marriott Courtyard Pioneer Square was very nice. We checked in around noon and we walked to the waterfront for lunch, then back to the hotel before we walked over to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners game that night. The next morning we walked to the Amtrak station for our train to Vancouver. Stayed at the Vancouver Marriott Residence Inn for next 2 nights before our cruise and were really happy with that. I have stayed at Residence Inn's a lot for work, and have found them to be a little hit and miss, but this one was a hit, probably the nicest one I have stayed at and would recommend. The tour bus that goes around Vancouver stops just out side. We walked to the cruise terminal one day, but that was a really long walk, we drove with our bags when we departed. After our cruise we stayed another day in Seattle before we flew home. This time we stayed in the Hampton Inn Seattle Downtown, its about 3 blocks from the Space Needle park. We spent the day in that park and hopped on the monorail that takes you between the Space Needle and the Pikes market area. The Hampton Inn was not nearly as nice as the Marriott's that we stayed at but the location was really good for what we wanted to see that last day.

 

[Lcluney]

Thank you! I travel for work and have Hilton and Marriott points I was trying to use to help with costs. How did you like the train? I was debating between that and the quick coach.

 

[adamki]

I've stayed at the Seattle Hilton; the location is nice and an easy walk to the light rail/subway and other downtown attractions. A friend used the Hilton pre-cruise and the hotel arranged a shuttle to the Amtrak Station at a reasonable price.

There's a brand new (as in, opened in the last few days) Hilton Garden Inn in downtown. It's on Howell, which is 2 and a half blocks North of Pike St.

 

[jack87891]

Can't help you on Seattle. In Vancouver we stayed at the Hampton downtown on Robson st. it was nice and convenient for downtown walking around etc. we also stayed at the hampton near the airport and took the train to downtown. if you have a choice the downtown is much nicer. i will probably try the hilton near the airport on our next trip in august.

 

[tidefan]

We just stayed at the Hilton Seattle in May prior to the DVC Member Cruise. We thought it was great, especially if you are gold or Diamond. They have a great lounge.

Also, we really liked the Hampton in Vancouver. It's right across from BC Place and it has a free shuttle to the port at Canada Place. Very convenient!

 

[ImNarek]

I haven't stayed in any hotels in Seattle, but I can say that the train is the way to go between Seattle and Vancouver, so long as the rails are not blocked by mudslides, which happens occasionally during the rainy season. If that happens, then they will bus you up to Vancouver instead. Still not a bad way to travel as the buses are generally very comfortable.

If you take the train - make sure you book on the Cascades train. It starts in Oregon, as opposed to the one that runs all the way up the coast from Southern California. The Cascades has a much better on-time rating.

Oh, and if you can, splurge for the $15-25 upgrade to Business class, especially on the run up to Canada. In Vancouver, they let the Business Class disembark first, so you get through customs much faster this way. On the way back down to Seattle from Vancouver, you go through Customs on the train, right after crossing the border, so you don't get that perk.

If you have any questions about sightseeing in Seattle, let me know. It's a great city!

 

[Cousin Orville]

I haven't stayed in any hotels in Seattle, but I can say that the train is the way to go between Seattle and Vancouver, so long as the rails are not blocked by mudslides, which happens occasionally during the rainy season. If that happens, then they will bus you up to Vancouver instead. Still not a bad way to travel as the buses are generally very comfortable.

If you take the train - make sure you book on the Cascades train. It starts in Oregon, as opposed to the one that runs all the way up the coast from Southern California. The Cascades has a much better on-time rating.

Oh, and if you can, splurge for the $15-25 upgrade to Business class, especially on the run up to Canada. In Vancouver, they let the Business Class disembark first, so you get through customs much faster this way. On the way back down to Seattle from Vancouver, you go through Customs on the train, right after crossing the border, so you don't get that perk.

If you have any questions about sightseeing in Seattle, let me know. It's a great city!

We need to fly out the day we disembark in Vancouver and all the flights connect through Seattle. Is it realistic or even worth the trouble to take the train from Vancouver to Seattle and go to the airport from there? I wouldn't normally think so, but figured I'd ask in case I'm missing something.

 

[linetbo]

I haven't stayed in any hotels in Seattle, but I can say that the train is the way to go between Seattle and Vancouver, so long as the rails are not blocked by mudslides, which happens occasionally during the rainy season. If that happens, then they will bus you up to Vancouver instead. Still not a bad way to travel as the buses are generally very comfortable.

If you take the train - make sure you book on the Cascades train. It starts in Oregon, as opposed to the one that runs all the way up the coast from Southern California. The Cascades has a much better on-time rating.

Oh, and if you can, splurge for the $15-25 upgrade to Business class, especially on the run up to Canada. In Vancouver, they let the Business Class disembark first, so you get through customs much faster this way. On the way back down to Seattle from Vancouver, you go through Customs on the train, right after crossing the border, so you don't get that perk.

If you have any questions about sightseeing in Seattle, let me know. It's a great city!

Hi, we are going to Seattle after the cruise in 2 weeks. What canwe do and how? I dont see a hop on hop off bus. Thank you

 

[ImNarek]

We need to fly out the day we disembark in Vancouver and all the flights connect through Seattle. Is it realistic or even worth the trouble to take the train from Vancouver to Seattle and go to the airport from there? I wouldn't normally think so, but figured I'd ask in case I'm missing something.

If you are flying the same day, I wouldn't recommend taking the train (or the bus) to Seattle. There are simply too many potential variables, especially with the border and customs. Usually it's a pretty easy crossing, but we've had over an hours delay at the border both in a car and on the train. It's simply not worth it.

If you had a day or two post-trip, then it would be doable.

 

[ImNarek]

Hi, we are going to Seattle after the cruise in 2 weeks. What canwe do and how? I dont see a hop on hop off bus. Thank you

We do have a sightseeing bus, I see it periodically, but it doesn't seem to be as regular as other cities. The good news is a lot of our touristy areas are downtown, in walking distance of each other. Starting from the North end of downtown and heading south, there's the Seattle Center with the Space Needle. You may or may not be able to see Mt Rainier from the top, depending upon cloud cover. Our niece and nephews really enjoy the Science Center (my DH and I do too). Their current special exhibit is Grossology - a particular hit with the younger crowd.

Then ride the monorail to the Westlake Center. From there, it's a short walk to Pike's Place Market. Exploring the warren of Pike's Place Market is always fun, though I recommend going before noon or after 4 to avoid the worst of the summer crowds.

Walk down the hill climb stairs from the market (or take the elevators hidden here and there) to the waterfront to visit the aquarium and ride the Great Wheel, then walk along the waterfront to Pioneer Square. Amongst other things, there's a National Park museum in PS about Seattle's role in the Klondike Gold Rush. If you visited the museum in Skagway and got the stamp there, you can get the 'bookend' stamp in Seattle.

If you like tours, I'd recommend the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square or the Pike's place market ghost tour. Both are walking tours with a lot of fun glimpses at Seattle's rather murky history. And of course, there's the ride the Duck Tour - you can start at the Seattle Center or Westlake Plaza.

And that's just the highlights. So many more options!

 

[jburge12000]

Thank you! I travel for work and have Hilton and Marriott points I was trying to use to help with costs. How did you like the train? I was debating between that and the quick coach.

We really enjoyed the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver. On time and very convenient. I used southwest points to get to Seattle, and it was cheaper to stay the night in Seattle and take the Amtrak then fly into Vancouver. Traveled with our 2 kids and it was just a really relaxing way to spend the morning traveling. We took the Bolt Bus from Vancouver to Seattle after the cruise and everything was good until we got to the boarder and one of other passangers on the bus got caught with to much Duty Free items, and when they were asked if they had anything else to declare, the said no, but they found fruit in their bag. They pulled all of their bags off the bus and delayed us at the boarder crossing about an hour. If you have a flight to catch, I would not recommend it. Since we were staying in Seattle it was not really a big deal.

 

[Tasmen]

The Westin or the W in Seattle are both rather nice. The Westin is pretty convenient to Pike Place and the monorail to Seattle Center.

 

[Lcluney]

Anyone know the difference between coach and business class on amtrak cascades ?

 

[RebelHawk]

I have stayed at the Marriott Pinnacle for both business trips and our Alaskan DCL cruise. It is a very nice hotels and offers some fantastic views of the Harbor. It took us about 10 minutes to walk to Canada Place with our luggage in tow for our cruise. There is also a wine/beer/liquor store just around the corner if you want to carry any adult beverages on the cruise. Short walk to the Gas Light District and the Blue Bus line if you want a quick easy tour around the city.

 

[ImNarek]

Anyone know the difference between coach and business class on amtrak cascades ?

It varys based on time of year, but generally it's $15-30 more for business class each way.

 

[Lcluney]

We just stayed at the Hilton Seattle in May prior to the DVC Member Cruise. We thought it was great, especially if you are gold or Diamond. They have a great lounge.

Also, we really liked the Hampton in Vancouver. It's right across from BC Place and it has a free shuttle to the port at Canada Place. Very convenient!

What street is that Hampton on?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Following...

 

[ajmomouse]

Currently in the residence inn Vancouver., we board the Wonder on Monday. We are very very picky about hotels and we are very happy here. Very nice, great staff, very clean. We are staying in Hotel 1000 in Seattle after the cruise.

 

[tidefan]

What street is that Hampton on?

Robson