"How did it strike you on arrival?One of the few great hotels outside of the central Downtown corridor, The Graduate's location minutes from the University of Washington campus gives it easy access to I-5, light rail, and a stunning view that the rooftop bar takes full advantage of. What's the neighborhood like?About 15 minutes north of Downtown, the University District mostly caters to students, staff, and their guests, so The Graduate gives guests a convenient option that keeps the spirit of the school. (Go Dawgs!) The lobby coffee shop draws in a few locals as well as visitors with its coffee in the mornings and natural wine in the afternoons, but the rooftop restaurant and bar, Mountaineering Club, draws from all over town. Rooftop bars are a rarity in Seattle, and perched high in the University District where few other buildings match it in height, the Graduate shows off some of the city's best views. The cocktail menu comes from top bartenders and the usual dinner menu gets the occasional boost from hot local pop-ups, bringing in the food lovers from all over town. While students accompanying their visiting parents are common customers, you'll also see plenty of the typical Seattle crowd with their tech company badges still hanging from their pockets. Give us the backstory.When the Graduate Hotels snapped up the former Hotel Deca building and reopened it in 2018 to be the University-themed company's 12th locale, it looked to preserve and highlight the 1931 building's original art deco details and weave them into the new, Huskies-theme. Tell us about the rooms.The unique original design of the building means that almost all of the 158 rooms boast corner views over the city. The upper-level rooms along the southwest edge of the building get the best views: the Olympic mountains and the city, but the inward view is equally eye-opening, with art deco style and plenty of colors and patterns. The art (Seattle celebrity portraits), wallpaper (Dungeness crab), and even the shape of some furniture (Husky) all tie into the hotel's local theme. How are the food and drinks?Cocktails on the roof at the Mountaineering Club are an absolute must, but if you come with kids, know that you must be done by six, when it becomes a bar. Either way, make a reservation for any time there might be crowds, especially if you have a specific spot in mind; bistro versus high top, or want to make sure to get an indoor table for rainy winter nights. The creative drink menu features outdoors-themed options like the Alpiña Colada with amaro, and the hottest dessert (literally and figuratively) is the RIY S'mores: roast them yourself over the supplied open flame. How's the nightlife scene?The University District revolves around the UW, which means lots of young people, budget eats, plenty of bars, and easy access to public transportation. The downside is lots of street noise, even late into the night, which can carry into rooms on the lower floors. But even those long past student age will find fun nearby. The Neptune Theatre, a block away, keeps crowds entertained with music and comedy, and the beautiful UW campus, a tour-worthy stop on its own, hosts the fantastic Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and the quirkily impressive Henry Art Gallery. On Saturday mornings, the nearby University District Farmers Markets, one of the country's oldest and best neighborhood farmers markets, sets up shop a few blocks away. Does the service add up?The service here can be hit or miss, everyone seems to be doing their best to do their job, but they end up a bit limited in what they can do, so don't expect any extras or special services. They do offer a few college-friendly perks, though, including free bike rental and loaner headphones. Should I bring a family here?Though nothing here explicitly seems designed to welcome kids, older children could happily share the more spacious two-bed rooms. But if you—like so much of Seattle—mean your dog when you refer to your family, then you're in luck. The hotel does explicitly welcome your canine companions. Is it accessible?ADA accessible rooms with roll-in showers and lowered peepholes and furniture are available. Anything left to mention? Beware when arriving on Husky Football game days, as the neighborhood becomes absolute gridlock for most of the day." - Naomi Tomky
