!–paging_filter–pemstrongLocation: /strong/emDowntown, 1101 Fourth Ave.; 206.621.1770;a href=”http://www.monaco-seattle.com” target=”_blank” monaco-seattle.com/a/p
pemstrongNumber of rooms: /strong/em189 rooms, including 45 suites/p
pemstrongRates (ranges):/strong/em From $189 to $529 for a standard room/p
pemstrongPool: /strong/emNo/p
pemstrongFitness center:/strong/em Small, serviceable 24-hour fitness center./p
pemstrongSpa: /strong/emNo spa but in-room spa services (facials, massage, wraps) using Kerstin Florian products are available./p
pemstrongRestaurant/hotel bar:/strong/em Sazerac, a New Orleans-influenced restaurant, anchors the hotel and provides its 24-hour room-service menu, which served up a surprisingly delicious spa chicken during a recent stay. It’s also home to a four-hour (4–8 p.m.) seriously humming happy hour and a belly-busting (buttermilk biscuits with gravy, anyone?) breakfast menu./p
pemstrongParking:/strong/em Valet, overnight: $39, plus tax; 50 percent discount for hybrid cars./p
pemstrongProximity to downtown:/strong/em In downtown, kitty corner (and with great views of) the Rem Koolhaas-designed Seattle Public Library Central Branch./p
pstrongemQuick look:/em/strong We’re calling it Art Greco for the way the Minoan-style dolphin murals and aqua blue mosaics mix with deco chandeliers and furnishings—all pulled together without the phony grandeur of so many hotels./p
pemstrongVibe/ambience: /strong/emRelaxed with lots of cross-connections happening in the lobby, which may be due, at least a little, to the presence of dogs (see: pet-friendly)./p
pemstrongGuests:/strong/em Hip folks, traveling with dogs and kids./p
pemstrongLobby: /strong/emCheerful, especially bustling as I arrived during the daily 5 to 6 p.m. complimentary wine reception, where we were serenaded by a request-taking guitarist who seriously needs to expand his repertoire to satisfy the tastes of his Baby Boomer audience./p
pemstrongService:/strong/em Amiable and prompt. They seemed downright thrilled to prepare a room-service dinner despite the fact that dinner service had just ended./p
pemstrongCleanliness: /strong/emEverything was still crisp and sparkling after the 2012 renovation./p
pimg src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/monaco_room.jpg” style=”vertical-align: middle;” height=”422″ width=”600″brbremHotel Monaco room/em/p
pemstrongRoom size/décor:/strong/em The 300-square-foot (standard) rooms are less sun-washed than the lobby, in discrete cool whites and grays with splashes of deep red and boldly patterned wallpaper./p
pemstrongBedding:/strong/em Italian Frette sheets and towels./p
pemstrongBath products:/strong/em Gilchrist and Soames. Cute animal print robes, if a little stiff, and along with matching animal-print slipper socks, for sale./p
pemstrongIn-room coffee:/strong/em Keurig in the room; free tea and Starbucks coffee in the lobby in the morning./p
pemstrongPets: /strong/emPets are welcome, and this is important, no special fees or size restrictions for dogs. (You dog owners out there know how rare this is.) Plus, plenty of pet perks including treats and a water bowl in the lobby, dog beds (if requested) in the room, and a convincing love of canines among the staff./p
pemstrongOther amenities:/strong/em Bells and whistles include free red loaner bikes; goldfish in your room (part of the famed “guppy love” program for folks home-sick for pets); in-room yoga, which translates to a yoga mat in every room room, and, on request, a workout towel and bottled water delivered to the room for a yoga channel workout./p
pemstrongWireless:/strong /emWe had some trouble signing in (cost $12.99/24 hours) but speed was fine after that./p
pstrongemNoise: /em/strongNice and quiet, on the ninth floor at least./p