The State Hotel

The State Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel at 1501 Second Avenue, in a landmark building that dates from 1904. The building has been reinvented as a modern hotel, and its biggest selling point is its location: the hotel says it is about 90 steps from Pike Place Market, which puts the market, the waterfront and the downtown shops all within easy walking distance.

The style is modern and relaxed rather than formal. The hotel's restaurant and bar, Ben Paris, is a place to eat, drink and meet. Overnight guests can also take a cocktail up to the rooftop deck, which gives a different perspective on the downtown streets.

The State Hotel suits couples, friends travelling together and solo visitors who want a stylish base close to the main sights without paying luxury prices. It has a published dog policy, so check the details if you are travelling with a pet. Business travellers are catered for, and there are event spaces for meetings and celebrations.

The hotel has received a Kayak travel award and a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award. Its rewards programme, Stash Rewards, offers benefits for repeat stays. As with any downtown hotel, rooms on lower floors facing Second Avenue may pick up street noise, so ask for a higher or quieter room if you are a light sleeper.

Check-in times, parking arrangements and room details are listed on the hotel's website, and the team can be reached by phone or by email. Book early for summer and for weekends when large events are on in the city, when downtown hotels fill quickly. The location also suits early starts: you can walk to the market before the stalls fill up, have breakfast nearby and be back at the hotel within minutes. For evenings, Ben Paris is a convenient first stop before dinner in the market or in Belltown.

Pike Place Market is on the doorstep, with the Original Starbucks, Le Panier and Piroshky Piroshky a short walk away. The Seattle Art Museum is a few blocks south, and the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel are downhill to the west. Westlake Center, the hub for the Seattle Center Monorail and light rail, is also nearby, so getting to the Space Needle or the airport is straightforward.