Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown Area

This modern hotel occupies a multi-storied glass-fronted building on a busy downtown Seattle street. The spacious white-tiled lobby has a light-filled atrium with several plush sofas upholstered in gray velour arranged in a cross layout and accented with turquoise pillows. The seating area is complemented by a gray and turquoise rug and bentwood chairs. The reception desk is made up of two illuminated glass counters. Violet-lit panels and modern wallpaper decorate some of the walls, but the vibe still leans to corporate. The hotel is geared toward business travelers who make up the majority of guests staying here, but it's also popular with couples and families. One fun piece of trivia: When this hotel used to be the Park Hilton in the '80s, it was featured in "Sports Illustrated" for its eight-foot beds specially made to accommodate NBA players. 

Located in downtown Seattle, this hotel is an easy walk from the city's Central Business District, Washington State Convention Center, and to the waterfront. The I-5 expressway runs close by, and the hotel is near one of its main exits. There are many shops, restaurants, and cafes in the immediate area, and the popular Pike Place Market is not far. There's a Link light rail station nearby, as well. 

• Four-minute walk to the Central Business District
• Four-minute walk to University Street Station (Link light rail) 
• Seven-minute walk to Washington State Convention Center
• Eight-minute walk Westlake Center
• Eight- to 10-minute walk to the Seattle Art Museum
• 12-minute walk to Seattle Waterfront
• 14-minute walk to Pike Place Market
• Six-minute drive to Seattle University
• Six-minute drive to the University of Washington
• Seven-minute drive to the Space Needle
• Seven-minute drive to Olympic Sculpture Park
• 16- to 20-minute drive to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Guest rooms at Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown Area are generously sized, with the smallest King Room offering 327 square feet of space and one king-size bed. Queen Rooms cover 361 square feet and feature two queen-size beds (ideal for families), while the Junior Suites have 461 square feet of space, and the Executive Suites cover 1,038 square feet of space. Rooms and suites are bright and sunny, thanks to large windows. The color scheme is made up of neutral grays, browns, and whites: Walls are painted a stark white, and they're complemented by white-topped wood furniture, including cabinets for the 37-inch flat-screen TVs and work desks with leather-cushioned swivel chairs. Gray-striped wall-to-wall carpets, soft gray curtains, and patterned gray bed runners on the custom-designed Plush Sleep Advantage beds lend a calm feel. But some past guests have complained about plastic mattress covers placed on the beds, causing an unpleasant crackling noise and a bad night's sleep as a result. Several desk lamps throughout each room provide mood lighting. Mini-fridges and coffeemakers are on hand, however, none of the rooms include minibar snacks. Bathrooms are equally large, with shower/tub combos and large mirrors, plus Temple Spa toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and bathrobes. Ironing facilities and hairdryers are provided. 

The 29 Executive Suites also offer dining tables, and separate living areas with queen-size pull-out sofas. Guests staying in rooms on the Club Level Floor have free access to the Club Lounge, where they can enjoy free breakfast and snacks in the evenings. Some rooms have views of the Space Needle.

For its pearl rating, the Crowne Plaza has a well-rounded list of features, though not all are included in standard room rates. The on-site Regatta Bar & Grille restaurant serves cuisine from the Pacific Northwest. The breakfast menu (charged extra) offers a full American-style breakfast featuring a variety of hot and cold items, and even a Chinese menu. The fitness center here is open 24 hours and is well-equipped with a good range of cardiovascular equipment, including three treadmills with individual TVs, two stair-climbing machines, two stationary bikes, and four weight stations. Located in the lobby is the Wellness Station, also open 24 hours and offering free towels and drinking water, and a shop selling healthy snacks, fresh fruit, and drinks. The 24-hour business center is next to the lobby and has multiple work stations with desktop computers, a high-speed Internet connection, and copying, printing, and faxing facilities. Access is free for guests. The hotel also has 15 meeting rooms covering more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space that can accommodate up to 300 people. On-site parking is available but is charged an expensive extra fee. Though the hotel has four elevators, the wait can be long during peak times. Wi-Fi is not free in public spaces.