Silver Cloud Hotel – Seattle Broadway

This relaxed and friendly hotel is surprisingly quiet for being close to a university and medical center. Expect to see a range of guests, including visiting parents, families of patients, and business travelers. The property is also close enough to downtown and to the cruise terminals to attract a good deal of leisure travelers. It has a contemporary lobby with clustered seating areas and a two-sided fireplace with a flat-screen TV above it. Live tropical plants and life-size statues of ancient Chinese soldiers add a distinctive decorative flair. The popular Jimmy’s on Broadway restaurant, just off the lobby, is a lively spot that draws guests and locals, with a large, U-shaped bar, lots of wood paneling, and an open kitchen. 

The hotel is located in Capitol Hill, a young and vibrant area that’s home to many popular bars and restaurants. Seattle University and the Swedish Medical Center are across the street, as is an IHOP restaurant, bowling alley, and microbrewery. Several other dining and entertainment options also are nearby, and a grocery and liquor store is a three-minute walk away. 

Downtown Seattle is about one mile southwest of the hotel. It’s possible to walk to the eastern edge in about 15 minutes, but generally reaching popular attractions there are too far to walk. The hotel’s free shuttle service makes trips to downtown, and reaching sights like Pike Place Market or CenturyLink Field is roughly a 13-minute ride, while Washington State Convention & Trade Center is about a five-minutes ride from the hotel. Depending on traffic, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is approximately 35 minutes by car. 

Soft gold walls and ample light from large windows create a warm glow in these comfortable guest rooms. The light-brown striped carpet and gold upholstered armchairs with matching ottomans contrast nicely with the espresso wood furniture. Overall, the decor is understated and pleasant. Marble desks, handsome bed throws in eye-catching patterns, and granite wet bars add an upscale touch. 

Standard rooms come in King and Double Queen options. Deluxe Kings add sleeper sofas, and some higher-end King rooms add gas fireplaces and oversize, en-suite whirlpool tubs. There are also Suites with separate living rooms and sleeper sofas. All units are well-equipped with 55-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have a similar, simple look, with granite vanities and shower/tub combos, plus hairdryers and Aveda bath products. 

Some units have nice views of the surrounding area, including Seattle University, while other rooms offer unremarkable views. As with most city hotels, rooms on upper floors tend to hear less street noise. 

This full-service hotel has a solid lineup of amenities for a comfortable stay. Jimmy’s on Broadway has a bar with happy hour specials and more than a dozen beers on tap. The restaurant serves creative American cuisine for breakfast (fee), lunch, and dinner, with a focus on local ingredients, including fresh seafood. Room service is available, and there's also a minimart that sells frozen entrees for in-room dining, as well as various snacks, soft drinks, and sundries. 

The fitness center is in a rather cramped space, but it has four pieces of cardio equipment, a weight-training machine, and free weights. Meeting space for up to 150 people is available, and the business center has two computers and printers. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the convention center and various spots downtown, including Pike Place Market.

Guest laundry facilities are on-site, and valet dry cleaning and laundry are among the concierge services. Parking is on-site in the hotel’s underground garage, but it’s pricey. Wi-Fi is free throughout.