Hotel Ballard

"What did you notice on arrival?Designed by original owner Debera Riggle, the lovely lobby here features custom furnishings in shades of cream and gold, and a rather arresting oil painting of a lion, along with some rabbits, behind the polished concierge desk. (Riggle and her husband sold their shares of the hotel in 2020 to formerly silent partner John Lowrance and his wife, Adele Maruo.) Though it's small in size, it provides plenty of comforts and a sense of calm that’s unmatched in the city. Oh and it’s also in Ballard (hence the name), a restaurant-lined neighborhood in North Seattle, where the city’s best farmer’s market takes over every Sunday. The good stuff: Tell us what we need to know about the rooms.In the 630-square-foot Courtyard Suites on the rooftop, sliding, reclaimed-wood doors divide a cozy bedroom and a sitting area with a fireplace, sleeper sofa, and flat screen TV. What do they have for food and drink? Onsite restaurant Stoneburner specializes in housemade pasta dressed in exquisite sauces, like nettle radiatore with green garlic and bacon, and a Calabrian sausage ragu. Then again, some of Seattle’s best restaurant are right outside on Ballard Avenue and nearby Market Street. Try tacos at Gracia, black mole at La Carta de Oaxaca, fresh oysters and crudo at the Walrus and the Carpenter, fragrant seafood soup at Sen Noodle Bar, or steak tartare and tapioca puff chips at Brimmer & Heeltap—to name just a few. How about the hotel's little details? Any of that worth a mention?Molton Brown bath products, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, access to a private rooftop fire pit—this intimate, 29-room boutique hotel has as many amenities as a corporate chain, plus you get to sweat it out at the highly charming Olympic Athletic Club next door. Oh and it’s also in Ballard, a restaurant-lined neighborhood in North Seattle, where the city’s best farmer’s market takes over every Sunday. Anything else we absolutely must take advantage of?A daily parking rate of $15 is a bargain next to the far more expensive fees downtown. Ditch that car and explore these shop- and restaurant-lined streets on foot. Bottom line: Why should we stay here?Most travelers to Seattle stay downtown, the best spot for first timers who’ve never wandered the stalls at Pike Place Market or sipped a cocktail on an evening cruise of Elliott Bay. But if you’re ready to travel deeper into the city and see how the locals really live, book a room at Hotel Ballard and plan to explore one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods on foot." - Jessica Voelker