The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel Seattle

"How did it strike you on arrival?Sandwiched between an old-school perfume shop and the Bookstore Bar and Cafe, the flag-festooned entrance to the Alexis leads you to a comfortable, creamy lobby lit by globe-shaped chandeliers. What’s the crowd like?In addition to the usual pet-obsessed Kimptonites, the Alexis attracts fit business travelers and muscley globetrotters who’ve heard the (well-deserved) hype about the hotel’s above-and-beyond onsite fitness center. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Restrained by Kimpton standards (the whimsy-forward chain does love its curlicues), standard rooms here show off the same warm neutrals as the lobby. It's modern and cozy, and the overall vibe is understated and urban. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.With enough equipment to span two rooms, the gym at the Alexis is one awesome amenity. Renovated in 2015, it includes a cardio space with treadmills, rowing machines, and recumbent bikes as well as the Functional Fitness Center, where a bouldering wall lures climbers on rainy days. When it’s sunny, ask the front desk to borrow one of the hotel’s bikes—a great way to explore Pioneer Square and the nearby warterfront. Bottom line: worth it, and why?On the cusp of downtown and Pioneer Square, a brick-lined, boutique-rich area where gold rush profiteers once peddled their wares, the Alexis is also conveniently close to the ferry terminal, so it’s easy to wander down and hop a ferry to nearby Bainbridge Island." - Jessica Voelker