Seattle is one of America’s most-interesting cities, and has become a viable competitor with nearby neighbor Vancouver, Canada, as a major port for Alaska cruises.
Often called “The Emerald City,” a nod to its perpetual greenness, Seattle offers a lot for gay cruise travelers to do before or after a cruise. Capitol Hill is the city’s main gay village, but Seattleites tend to be a liberal and progressive bunch, and the majority of them seem plenty gay-friendly.
Here are three excellent, gay-friendly lodging choices in reasonable proximity to Seattle’s two cruise terminals.
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Hotel Max in Seattle is a great place for hipster gay cruise passengers to stay downtown.
Hotel Max
Your room key features a retro-photo of a guy, try not to giggle when the staff tells you to insert it “legs first, face up.” The Max is tucked in the middle of Seattle’s skyscrapers, and is the downtown address for art and modern design fans. In true gay fashion, Hotel Max takes a tired old property (long known as Vance Hotel) and smartens it way, way up, with carpets and shower curtains echoing the charcoal pinstripe suits of nearby bank managers while accent chairs, throws, and pillows are in hits of bright orange and red. Hallways are a treat—the doors are covered with black-and-white prints of classic Italian street scenes and sculpture. Staff are super-friendly and helpful.
- Best for: Urban-design types—easy walking distance to Pacific Place Shopping Centre and Pike Place Market.
- Gay Friendly: Very. Gay bars and the Capitol Hill gay neighborhood are 10-15 minutes walk or less than $10 by cab.
- Distance to cruise pier: 0.8 miles (Pier 66), 3.5 miles (pier 91)
- Distance to SeaTac International Airport: 13 miles.
- Secret tip: Rooms lean to the small side, so if travelling with another couple, request a large king, with a queen sofa sleeper, and you get plenty of breathing room.
- Extra touch: Forget something? An intimacy kit next to the bed including lickable oil, massage bar, 3 condoms, 2 lubes, and a pleasure ring. It’ll cost you $30, but in the heat of the moment…
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Gaslight Inn B&B
Gay bed and breakfast Gaslight Inn in Seattle, excellent for gay cruise travelers
The location in Seattle’s gay Capitol Hill neighborhood will appeal to many – Gaslight is an easy walk to the city’s gay bars (my fave: Madison Pub) and many outstanding restaurants (if you don’t try Poppy, you blew your trip to Seattle). Gaslight is a historic mansion, and has been owned/operated by the same business partners since 1983. Over the years, they have very lovingly restored it to Victorian glory. Public areas are delightful and welcoming. Unfortunately, this B&B has a 2-night minimum…but don’t worry, Seattle can entertain you for way more nights than that!
- Best for: Cruisers who like to be in the middle of all things gay!
- Gay Friendly: Straight-friendly would be a better question! Gay-owned, but welcomes straights.
- Distance to cruise pier: 2.6 miles (Pier 66), 4.5 miles (Pier 91)
- Distance to Seattle Tacoma Int’l Airport: 16.3 miles
- Secret tip: Walking downtown for shopping or Pike Place Market is easy, but climbing back up Capitol Hill is a bitch. A #10 public bus will take you right back home.
- Extra touch: A Pacific Northwest rarity: a fabulous and fairly private backyard swimming pool.
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Edgewater Hotel
Calling itself Seattle’s “only luxury waterfront hotel,” the surprisingly cozy Edgewater is literally next door to Pier 66, where many Seattle cruises start/end. The hotel itself sits on a pier over the ocean, and the incredibly long hallways feel like you’re already on board a cruise ship. Everything about it says “Pacific Northwest,” especially the cabin-ish wood wainscoting in public areas, the elk-antler chandeliers and chairs, and roaring lobby fireplace. The hotel bar is perfect for an early-evening libation with stunning views over the water to Bainbridge Island.
- Best for: those who fly in the night before and want to stay at the pier.
- Gay Friendly: Enough, it’s Seattle, after all. Staff say they’ve never had a complaint.
- Distance to cruise pier: Zero miles to Pier 66, 2.7 miles to Pier 91
- Distance to SeaTac International Airport:15 miles.
- Secret tip: Wood structure hotel means you’ll want a top-floor room! Even-numbered rooms from the high 30s to 50s generally have both water and city views.
- Extra touch: Teddy bear on every bed will certainly set the mood for a certain gay demographic.
Researched and written by Randall Shirley
Ron Cullember is discussing. 
Ron Cullember 5:56 am on January 22, 2010 Permalink |
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