Seattle Luxury Escape: Marriott Bellevue's Unforgettable Stay
Seattle Luxury Escape: Marriott Bellevue - Okay, Mostly Unforgettable! (A Messy Review)
Alright, alright, settle in, folks. We’re talking about the Seattle Marriott Bellevue. Or, as I like to call it, "The Place Where My Credit Card Wept a Little." Look, I'm no seasoned travel blogger – I'm just a guy who needed a weekend away from the screaming kids (love ‘em, really!) and thought, luxury, right? Let's dive into this chaotic, yet potentially luxurious, experience.
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(Rambling Begins)
First off, getting there. We drove. (Free parking! Big win! Car park [free of charge] – check!). Airport transfer? Sure, they offer it, but I imagine you're paying a hefty price, which I wasn't. The initial approach was smooth. Valet parking was available which I wasn't up for, but the self-park was surprisingly easy. The elevator (Elevator – check!) was quick, maybe a little too quick – felt like a rocket ship sometimes.
Accessibility & the "Trying to Be Respectful" Zone: Okay, let's be real, I'm not in a wheelchair (Facilities for disabled guests – check!). But I always try to evaluate these things, right? From what I saw, the main areas seemed pretty damn accessible – elevators, ramps, the whole shebang. They had the little Braille signs, which I barely noticed, but hey, they were there! (Accessibility – check!)
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the "Where's the Remote?!"
The room? Spacious (Extra long bed – YES!), clean (Daily housekeeping – check!), and… well, it had everything. Seriously, everything. Air conditioning? Absolutely (Air conditioning – check!). Free Wi-Fi? (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms – DOUBLE CHECK!). Coffee maker? Yup. Mini-bar? Tempting. The bathroom was… impressive. Separate shower/bathtub? Sure. Bathrobes? Comfy as heck (Bathrobes – check!). And… a scale! A scale. Suddenly, I cared a little too much about my vacation weight. (Scale – check, for better or worse).
The only slight niggle? The lighting was… dim. Like, "romance novel" dim. And the remote was definitely a scavenger hunt. Found it under the bed after like 20 minutes of searching.
(Stream of Consciousness: Dinner & the Pool)
Dinner! We went to… shoot, what was it called? Right, I think it was one of the restaurants (Restaurants – check!). My wife, bless her heart, ordered the salad. Me? Pizza. (A la carte in restaurant – check!). I'm a simple man, okay? The service was… well, it was fine. The food was… fine. Nothing earth-shattering. But the pool with a view (Pool with view – check!)? That, my friends, was something else. The outdoor pool (Swimming pool [outdoor] – check!) was heated – perfect for a chilly Seattle evening. The view? Gorgeous. City lights twinkling. Drinks? Obviously. Happy hour? (Happy hour – check!) They had one! Life was good, for a little while.
(Slight Digression: The Spa - or rather, My Failed Spa Attempt)
So, I’d planned to hit the spa (Spa – check!) HARD. Steamroom, sauna, the whole shebang. The spa/sauna (Spa/sauna – check!) was tempting. But, I got there late, feeling all relaxed by the pool, and… I bailed. I just couldn't muster the energy. Maybe next time I'll try the massage (Massage – Check!). I bet they're great. The whole thing felt a little intimidating, actually. I’m more of a bath-bomb, Netflix-and-chill kind of spa-goer.
(Back to the Basics: Hygiene & "The Plague" Era)
Cleanliness seemed pretty good (Cleanliness and safety – check!). They had the little hand sanitizer stations (Hand sanitizer – check!) everywhere, and I saw staff regularly disinfecting things. My mind was at ease with the anti-viral cleaning products (Anti-viral cleaning products – check!). They're taking the pandemic seriously for sure. I did appreciate the opt-out room sanitization option (Room sanitization opt-out available – check!) for those of us who are a little overcautious, like me.
(Food & Drink: The Endless Options)
Breakfast! They had it all: Buffet in restaurant (Buffet – check!), breakfast service (Breakfast service – check!), Asian breakfast (Asian breakfast – check!), all the usual suspects. I'm a sucker for the waffles. And coffee! My god, the coffee. (Coffee/tea in restaurant – check!). Coffee shop – check! (Coffee shop – check!) 24-hour room service (Room service [24-hour] – check!)? Yes, please, but I never used it. Maybe next time.
(Services & Conveniences: The Little Things)
They had everything you could possibly need, or not need. Concierge (Concierge – check!): Got a question? They have the answer! Doorman (Doorman – check!): opening doors has never felt so special. Dry cleaning (Dry cleaning – check!): I didn't need it. Laundry service (Laundry service – check!): Didn't use it either. Currency exchange (Currency exchange – check!): Didn't go to another country. Gift/souvenir shop (Gift/souvenir shop – check!): I bought a postcard. Cash withdrawal (Cash withdrawal – check!): I used it several times. Honestly, they’ve thought of everything.
(For the Kids (Or, the Lack Thereof, My Case))
They have babysitting service (Babysitting service – check!). They claim to be family/child friendly (Family/child friendly – check!), and also kids meal (Kids meal – check!), which I can't assess. I think they'd be in their element…
(The Not-So-Perfect Bits… Because Perfection Doesn't Exist)
Okay, here's where I get real. The website claimed "luxury," and while it tried, it felt a little… manufactured? Maybe it was the hushed tones of the staff, or the slightly generic art on the walls. It’s certainly not a boutique hotel. Another minor gripe: the Wi-Fi. (Internet access – wireless – check!) The free Wi-Fi was decent, But, at one point, I had to reboot my router at 2 am because it decided to quit working, and all of a sudden I cared about access. Other than that, it's ok.
(The Verdict: Would I Return? Maybe.)
Look, it's a solid hotel. Clean, comfortable, with a killer pool. Location's great for exploring Bellevue and Seattle (if you're up for the drive). It's everything you think a luxury hotel should be But, does it have that "wow" factor? Not quite. Still, for a weekend away, to escape the endless, screeching, demanding circus of my (amazing, but demanding) children, it did the trick. Would I recommend it? Sure, why not? It is mostly unforgettable. (And, I’ll probably be back. Mostly because the kids want the pool.)
(Rambling Over. Time for a Nap.)
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Mt. Laurel's Cherry Hill Oasis Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip is NEVER as easy as Pinterest makes it look. This is the Seattle Marriott Bellevue, right? Okay, okay… deep breath. Here's my attempt at an itinerary. Don't judge, I'm running on three hours of sleep and the lingering scent of burnt toast. The Unofficial, Possibly Disastrous Seattle Marriott Bellevue Adventure
Day 1: Arrival, Reality, and Ramen (Possibly Overpriced)
- 14:00-15:00: Arrival & Hotel Shenanigans. Okay, so the flight was delayed. Surprise! I, of course, had to grab a coffee before heading to the airport, and then the line was 15 minutes long. Ugh so I came to the hotel a little later than planned, so everything is already behind. Checked in, finally! And the room…well, it's not exactly "Instagram-worthy pristine" like I hoped. The carpet has a suspicious stain, and there's a faint musty odor. But hey, good enough! Also, I somehow forgot my phone charger. Genius move.
- 15:00-16:30: Finding Food (Emphasis on Finding). Now, food. I'm starving. The hotel restaurant? Probably overpriced. So, I'm googling "cheap eats near Marriott Bellevue". Yelp recommended some ramen place. Let's hope it's not the kind where you pay more for the ambiance than the actual noodles. Oh, and I need to buy a phone charger ASAP. This modern life is a disaster without a charged phone.
- 16:30 - 17:30: Charger Hunting and Meltdown Prevention. Okay, charger mission: check. Walgreens, here I come. Praying they have the right type. While I'm there, I might need chocolate. And maybe a tiny bottle of wine. Just for coping, of course. And avoiding the fact that I forgot my favorite scarf at home.
- 18:00-19:30: Ramen Revelation (or Regret). Ramen time! Fingers crossed it's amazing. If it's not, I might actually cry. I have very high standards for ramen. The walk there was…long. My feet already hurt, and I swear I saw a squirrel eye me suspiciously. Honestly, the squirrel was judging me. Anyway, if I actually like the ramen I will report back!
- 19:30 - 21:00: Post-Ramen Stroll & Attempted Relaxation. Okay, ramen was… decent. Not life-changing, but edible. I should probably take a little walk, explore the area. But honestly, I think I'm just going to collapse on the bed. I should try the hotel gym, but… zzzzzzz. And maybe get a cocktail. Or two. Or three. No judgement.
- 21:30 onward: Collapse. Bed. Maybe watch some terrible reality TV. Repeat.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and the Great Ferris Wheel Debacle
- 08:00 - 09:00: Wake Up & Coffee Shock. Alarm! Ugh. Coffee. Strong coffee. Like, the kind that jolts your soul back into your body. Gotta find a decent coffee shop today.
- 09:00 - 10:00: "Culture" (aka, a Museum Choice that May or May Not Exist). "Culture" time! I need to pick a cultural experience. I'm torn. Seattle Art Museum or Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)? Or neither? Maybe I'll just stay in bed and read. Decisons!!
- 10:00-13:00: SAM or MoPOP? Decision, Decision, Decision! After all the thinking… Okay, I went to both. Both are an amazing idea. It was amazing because in the first time I felt something. I really felt it. Like a great weight in my chest; the feelings of the exhibit. I felt my emotions.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch (Hopefully, Better Than Yesterday). Okay, I'm starving and the emotions from the museums exhausted me. Let's find a late lunch somewhere.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Pike Place Market Frenzy (Or, the Great Ferris Wheel Debacle) Gotta go to Pike Place Market, experience that crazy fish-throwing thing, and maybe get some flowers. Okay, here's the thing: The Ferris Wheel. I thought it'd be romantic, a beautiful view. I spent forever in line, the wind was whipping my hair into a frenzy, and… meh. The view was okay, but more of a "meh" moment than a "wow" moment. I felt cheated by the Ferris wheel hype. I should have picked the museum!
- 16:00 - 17:00: Coffee Rescue & Souvenir Shopping. Coffee. Desperately need coffee. I am very tired. And shopping for souvenirs. I must give my mother the gift she deserves!
- 17:00 - 18:00: Wind Down & Back to the Hotel. Back to the hotel for a quick shower and to relax. No more museums. I'm done.
- 18:00 onward: Dinner, Drinks, and (hopefully) early bedtime. Seriously. I need my sleep.
- 18:00-21:00: Dinner and drinks. This is where I have the most freedom. I'll decide on the spot. The truth is, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what I'll eat or where I'll go. The world is big and I am small and I have no idea what to do. But that's okay, right? Right?
- 21:00 - the End: Sleep. I'm exhausted.
Day 3: Departure & Existential Dread
- 08:00 - 09:00: Wake Up & Pack (The Most Hated Chore). Packing. The worst. Why do I even bother?
- 09:00 - 10:00: Last-Minute Coffee & Hotel Breakfast.. Coffee + Breakfast.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Hotel Check-Out & Airport Run. Check out, drop the keys, and leave! And the last mission…
- 11:00 - 13:00: The Airport Shuffle & Departure. I'm tired! I'm ready for a shower and my own bed.
Final Thoughts:
This is going to be a disaster! But a fun disaster, maybe? I have no idea! I'm just going to try to enjoy the ride. Wish me luck. I'll need it. And try to remember to pack that damn charger next time.
Escape to Wyoming: Baymont by Wyndham Rawlins Awaits!
Seattle Luxury Escape: Marriott Bellevue's Unforgettable Stay with (Let's call it 'Bellevue Bliss') - Or Was It? Let's Ask Some Questions!
Okay, spill the tea. Was the Bellevue Bliss *really* worth the splurge?
Alright, alright, settle down. Worth the splurge? Ugh, it's complicated. On one hand... the *views*, the absolute *gorgeous* views from the room. I mean, I swear, I spent a solid 30 minutes just slack-jawed, staring out at the city skyline. It felt like I was on top of the world. And the bed? Oh. My. God. Cloud-like. Seriously, I think my spine thanked me for a solid week after that. So, yes, *some* aspects screamed "luxury" and felt worth it.
But then… the price tag. Let's just say my credit card is *still* recovering. And there were…bumps. Like, remember that time I went to order room service? Yeah, that took an hour and a half to arrive – and when it *did*, my burger was colder than my ex's heart. So, yeah, some serious logistical hiccups. I'm still torn. The view and the bed were heaven, the price and the burger were… well, let's just say, not so heavenly kind of like a seesaw action.
Let's talk about the pool. Was it as glamorous as the pictures promised?
Ooh, the pool! Okay, here's the thing. The pictures? Photoshop is a beautiful, sometimes misleading, thing. It looked *amazing* in the brochure. In reality? It was… fine. Perfectly serviceable. Clean-ish, which is always a plus. But glamorous? Nah. It was a bit crowded, to be honest. And the "cocktail service" they advertised? Took forever. I think I waited longer for a margarita than I did for that infamously late burger!
And, side note: I saw a kid… *peeing* in the pool. I swear! I just… *shudder*. So, yeah, not quite the shimmering oasis of relaxation I was hoping for. More like a slightly chlorinated, slightly chaotic…scene.
The spa! Did you treat yourself? If so, was it worth the cost?
YES! I went full-on decadent and got a massage. And a facial. And…okay, I might have snuck in a mani-pedi too. Look, I was *there.* And honestly? The massage? Worth. Every. Penny. The therapist was a goddess! She magically worked all the knots out of my shoulders (which were probably knotted from stressing about the price of the massage itself!). The facial? My skin hasn't felt that glowy since I was, oh, twelve?
What about the staff? Were they all smiles and impeccable service like you'd expect?
Okay, the staff. This one is a mixed bag, just like the entire experience! Some were *amazing*. Truly, above and beyond. Super helpful, genuinely friendly, knew my name (after a while, anyway!). Like, bless their hearts, they managed to keep their smiles even after I accidentally spilled coffee on the lobby carpet. Oops. They were *so* gracious.
But then… there were others. A bit… lukewarm. Like the person at the front desk who seemed more interested in their phone than checking me in. And the guy who brought up my luggage who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. So, it's a crapshoot, really. Good people, some not so much. Just like life!
Let's dive deeper into that burger incident in room service. Tell us *everything*.
Oh, *the burger*. Okay, this is a core memory now. It's seared into my brain. Picture this: it's late, I'm starving (remember, the *delayed* room service!), and I'm dreaming of a juicy, perfectly cooked burger. I even splurged on the fancy one with truffle oil and… whatever other pretentious things they put on it. I was expecting a symphony of flavor, a culinary masterpiece, delivered right to my door. I was picturing my inner-self, basking in glory.
Fast forward an hour and half, *after I called twice*. Knock, knock. Yay! Food! I open the door, and the guy hands me the tray… without a word. No apologies, no ‘have a good evening, ma’am,’ nothing. Just…a cold burger. Like, the patty was *freezing*. The bun was soggy, the truffle oil had congealed into some kind of oily, sad mess. I looked at it, then looked at him. He didn’t even meet my eyes. Just… vanished!
I swear, I actually considered calling down and complaining. Then I thought: *what’s the point?* Instead, I ate the least-cold parts of the burger, sulked for a bit, and then… went to bed. I'm still irked about that burger! It was an integral part of the experience, and a bad memory! Now, I'm hungry again!!!
Any other random observations or quirks that stood out?
Oh, yeah. Plenty. Like the incredibly slow elevators. Seriously, I aged ten years waiting for those things! And the gym? Tiny. And perpetually crowded. I gave up after trying to use it once. And the music in the lobby? Seemed to be on a loop of elevator music from 1987.
Also, I kept expecting to see a celebrity. This is Bellevue, after all! Never saw one. Which was probably for the best, because I would have definitely embarrassed myself. And the mini-bar? Overpriced. Shocking, I know.
So, would you go back? Despite the ups and downs?
Ugh, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Maybe. If I won the lottery. Or if someone else was paying. The view, the bed, and the massage were *that* good. But the price, the burger, and the minor annoyances? They gave me pause. I'd make peace with it. The spa, the pool, the burgers, it would be a gamble. If I want a special experience without the fuss, I'll probably go to a different hotel.
I'm still not sure. Maybe I'd need it, maybe I wouldn't. If I wasn't so broke, I would absolutelyUrban Hotel Search
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