Historical Boutique Hotel in Heart of Seattle

The antique neon sign at the top of The Roosevelt Hotel has been a part of the Seattle skyline since the red-brick high-rise hotel was constructed in 1929. A sense of Gilded Age grandeur prevails in the lobby, where you'll find comfortably elegant furnishings including a piano, a fireplace, and Victorian armchairs.

In the deluxe king junior suites, modern amenities mingle with antique-style accents, such as a leaf-patterned bench at the foot of the bed in some units. You can train for marathon naps on the king-size bed or slip into a bathrobe and slippers and switch on the HDTV.

The included dining credit is valid at three restaurants in the immediate area. Il Fornaio is an Italian eatery specializing in wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, and rotisserie meats. Right around the corner, Daily Grill dishes out classic American fare including a reuben sandwich ($13.95 during lunch) and a new york strip steak ($31.50 during dinner). Less than half a mile away, the Purple Café and Wine Bar features an extensive selection of wines to complement fine cheeses and upscale American fare such as a grilled farmland pork chop ($24; alcohol not covered by voucher).

Downtown Seattle: Gourmet Coffee Shops and Art Galleries in Coastal Urban Center

Street performers often provide musical accompaniment as shoppers walk beneath the iconic Public Market Center sign at the open-air Pike Place Market, located just about a half mile southwest of the hotel. One of the most renowned attractions in Seattle, the marketplace bustles with both locals and out-of-towners browsing an array of stalls vending fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers, and meat. Before the proliferation of Starbucks on every corner, Seattleites grabbed a cup of java at the company's original coffeehouse, which first opened here in 1971.

Local gourmet coffee shops can be found in other inviting neighborhoods, too. Belltown, located about a half mile from The Roosevelt, is an arts district filled with cafés, shops, and galleries galore. One such gallery, Roq La Rue, showcases rotating exhibits with an emphasis on pop surrealism and underground contemporary art.

From the vantage point of Kerry Park, there's a terrific view of Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline, with the Space Needle standing prominently in the foreground. On clear days, you can search for rock carvings of the Frasier cast on the face of Mount Rainier in the distance.