Property
The Hotel Monaco Seattle (a Kimpton Hotel) is a fun place to base yourself and your family in downtown Seattle. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and if you ask in advance, you can share your room with a goldfish for a true ‘sleep with the fishes’ experience. The ‘Monaco Queen Queen’ rooms are generously proportioned with ample room for a family of four including two Queen Beds and pleasant décor in soothing colors – not to mention a flat-screen TV. In-room internet access is complimentary and the desk and chairs are comfortable enough for two working parents to share. Had I been traveling alone, I would have been tempted to check out a yoga kit from the front desk for a little in-room relaxation or maybe take advantage of the complimentary Aveda bath products.

Location
The hotel is perfectly located to explore the downtown area. The new Koolhaas-designed Central Library is right outside your door. The waterfront is less than a five minute walk away if visiting the Aquarium or taking a boat tour on the Puget Sound sounds appealing. For those who enjoy a wander, Pike Place Market – with outdoor fruit, vegetable and flower markets, shops, cafes, and the odd flying fish (literally) – is a short stroll away.

Sleeps
Monaco Queen Queen sleeps 2-4. The Monte Carlo Suite has a King Bed and a sofa-bed with plenty of additional room for a roll-away if necessary.

Highlights
The Friday evening manager’s wine reception was a great start to our weekend, not for the wine, but for the fun our children had playing and watching Guitar Hero with other guests. We took our morning coffee to go from the original Starbucks store on Pike Place Market, excellent French pastries from Le Panier and ate a picnic breakfast at Victor Steinbreuck Park watching the ferries and boats ply the Sound.

Good to know
For younger children, the KimptonKids welcome pack with goldfish-themed bath toys, cookies and a slinky would certainly help break the ice and give your children a reason to bathe and get ready for bed in an unfamiliar hotel environment.

The onsite restaurant, Sazerac is highly rated and popular with the downtown after-work crowd so we didn’t get a chance to sample the food. However, the Ipanema Brazilian Grill is just a couple of blocks away for a truly different dining experience. This rodizio style of dining has something to please even the fussiest palate from either the never-ending array of meats – brought right to your table – or the vast array of fruits, cold meats and salad from the extensive salad bar.

Contact
http://www.monaco-seattle.com/

May 11th, 2009 | by Michelle Duffy