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Seattleites have a love-hate relationship with the University District. On one hand, you'll find some reasonably priced, decent accommodations here, thanks to the many parents visiting their kids at the University of Washington (UW). On the other hand, the areas closest to the main drag, University Avenue (the Ave) can feel both college-y and gritty. One plus of staying close to the Ave is the plethora of cheap ethnic restaurants. You’ll also enjoy access to the city’s largest farmers' market on Saturdays as well as the UW’s Henry Art Gallery and the Burke Museum. The area on the other side of the campus, closest to the upscale open-air mall University Village, is nicer and more residential but inconvenient to the rest of the city. In terms of location, the U-District hotels listed offer fairly quick commutes to both Downtown and Capitol Hill.
With 16 stories and 154 rooms, the Graduate is the U-District’s biggest hotel; it’s been around since the 1930s, but renovations have made the rooms modern, with art deco design touches and lots of color (especially Husky purple). South-facing rooms on high floors have views of the city, and the rooftop Mountaineering Club bar is one of the neighborhood’s most appealing places to sip a cocktail.
This well-maintained inn, built in the 1960s, has a midcentury-modern feel, especially in the standard rooms (which have small bathrooms). Premium rooms, a later addition, have pullout sofas and kitchenettes, making them good for families. The pool (open in summer) is a plus, and guests have access to loaner bikes and the workout room of the sister property next door, the Watertown Hotel.
Rooms here are clean and simple, with large windows and European-style bedding, and the lobby features stylish contemporary furniture and quirky art. Reasonable parking rates are a boon, an on-site café serves breakfast and lunch, and guests have access to the outdoor pool at the University Inn, the sister property next door.
