Mozart Guest House

Prós: This is a bed and breakfast in a large older house in a leafy suburb of Seattle. This is a well maintained classic old house full of original art and a very nice collection of antique furniture. The owner is a former Russian journalist who spends a lot of her time writing in her study/library. Think of it like staying overnight at the grand house of some educated bohemian friends. The neighborhood is very quiet, the house is next to an Olmstead park. You'll feel pretty far from downtown - but its just a short taxi ride from downtown - 15 minutes and $10-15. I stayed in the the largest room - the house's former master bedroom. It has a short entry hall, to a large bedroom, with a king size bed, and a walk-in closet. It has a huge bathroom, and then a pair of french doors lead out to a huge second floor balcony with a small table and chairs overlooking the street.

Contras: I liked all of it. But some people may be put off by the relative informality of the place Not like a regular hotel at all - there is no front desk. You can easily end up in long conversations with the owner on politics, art and culture.