Hotel at a Glance: Mediterranean Inn

The rooftop deck at the Mediterranean Inn offers jaw-dropping views of the Olympic mountains, Elliot Bay, West Seattle, the Space Needle, the Seattle Center, Mt. Rainier, and more. It’s located in the charming and walkable Queen Anne neighborhood, close to shopping, world-class dining options, and the Monorail. Stop into Starbucks, from the Mediterranean Inn lobby entrance, to enjoy a hot beverage or pastry before heading up to a guest room equipped with a kitchenette. The inn offers bike rentals that include locks, helmets, and maps.

• Within walking distance: the Space Needle and Seattle Center
• Charming neighborhood: The beautiful Queen Anne area features historic mansions, coffee shops, and local restaurants.
• Rooftop deck with great views of Seattle
• Spacious rooms feature 32-inch LCD TVs.

Seattle’s Queen Anne: Historic Mansions and Spectacular Views Close to Downtown

Built on the highest hill in Seattle, just northwest of downtown, Queen Anne sits literally above the city. The neighborhood and the hill itself are both named for the Queen Anne–style mansions that have dotted the escarpment since the late 19th century. From the vantage point of Kerry Park, there’s a terrific view of Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline, with the Space Needle prominently in the foreground. On clear days, you might even see carvings of the Frasier cast on the face of Mount Rainier in the distance.

Between Queen Anne and downtown you’ll find Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most renowned attractions. Locals and out-of-towners flock to this semi-open-air marketplace to browse an array of food stalls vending fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers, and meat. Come early in the morning to see the market’s fishmongers do what they’re famous for: tossing the day’s catch back and forth. Before Starbucks landed on seemingly every corner in every American town, Seattleites grabbed java at the company’s original coffeehouse, which opened here in 1971.

Today, you can find gourmet coffee shops just about anywhere in the city. Some of the best options are congregated in Belltown, an artsy neighborhood about a half mile north of downtown. Street Bean Espresso serves sustainable, locally roasted coffee and artisan pastries in a welcoming space. The café is also a nonprofit, training and employing homeless teens and young adults.

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