I travel frequently between Portland and Seattle and regularly spend the night in Seattle. I used to book the best hotel I could find on hotwire or priceline by playing "hotel roulette".Seattle is blessed with a bountiful supply of top flight hotels and I have stayed at some of it's best ie.W,Alexis,Four Seasons.

However,my favorite Seattle hotel to date is the Sorrento. I'm not sure if it is the classic design of yesteryear or the subperb hospitality but I find myself directly inquiring their availability prior to participating in "hotel roulette".

I even stayed the weekend during a college football game and was provided a complimentary limo ride to and from QWEST field. The driver even took us from bar to bar after the game!

In anyevent I highly reccomend the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle.

Our out of town visitors love the old wood, traditional ambience and good food in the hotel. They've reported that their stay is comfy and service has been good. While it's not "right downtown" it is within a few blocks-- easy walking or a quick taxi ride away. (The hotel also has a town car service.) I've also hosted a major event (daughter's wedding) there-- the guests were happy. And incidentally the Hunt Club catered buffet is still the talk of my relatives!!

Every year we stay at the Sorrento during the Christmas holiday. The staff is always friendly and helpfull. We love the old European feeling it has with the different shaped rooms and cozy feeling. It is a true highlight for us, the hotel is always decked out for Christmas and with the fire going in the lounge it makes the perfect end to a day of shopping or theater in Seattle. A tradition we look forward to every year.

We booked The Sorrento as I wanted to give my husband a lovely weekend away as a Christmas gift. I also looked at The Alexis, but was more taken by the Old World charm of The Sorrento. While the experience was a good one, I am not sure I would return to this property. Here are the pros and cons, keeping in mind this was planned as a romantic interlude.

Pros: Fabulous, and I mean truly amazing staff. Jeffrey, a concierge, was especially charming. The staff members were beautifully dressed, low key and exceptionally professional. They knew our name each time we came down, and were very accommodating.

Gorgeous king bed with excellent linens, including a variety of huge, fluffy pillows. Lovely decor throughout, dark and full of ambience.

Beautiful Fireside Bar with soft Jazz entertainment. Pleasant restaurant. We didn't eat there as we are vegetarian and wanted to check out Café Flora.

Cute factor: The elevator mat is changed daily and incorporates that particular day of the week.

Cons: No coffee/tea maker in room. We went out and bought a kettle. I found this hard to take as I like my wake-up cuppa. I found out after my return that I could have asked for one. (This information was provided by their very helpful and pleasant client services manager.) However, there was no card advertising this point, it was not (as far as I can recall) in the service guide, and no one told me at the front desk. This minor point bugged me as, being a Brit, I find I get very antsy when I can't make tea.

Not-too-pleasant scent of "old buildings" in the bathroom, which was also cold and drafty and did not have it's own heat. Very pretty though and well equipped. Lovely bath robes.

Location not central. While the hotel operates a "town car" we had out own wheels and drove into Seattle's city centre. We think we prefer to walk out into the thick of things. The hotel is in a residential area. This said, that is just out personal preference.

We would definitely recommend the hotel to friends, but we would mention the cold bathroom and to ask for a coffee press. It is for these two reasons that I have rated our stay a 4 and not a 5.