I travel to Seattle 4-6 times per year and usually stay at the Summerfield Suites, which is virtually next door to the Elektra. I like the neighborhood for its relative quiet and its position right at the eastern edge of downtown Seattle. The Summerfield chain, however, recently changed hands. Sadly, the Seattle property started getting poor reviews just as its rates spiked about 20%. Therefore I decided to give Seattle Suites a try.

I spent 9 nights in a 2-bedroom Seattle Suites apartment in mid-February, 2006. Seattle Suites is basically an apartment management business that controls about 10 units in the 1947 Elektra Apartment Building.

I had reserved a one-bedroom unit but that was unavailable when I arrived, so I was placed (at no extra charge) in a two-bedroom unit instead.

My room ended up costing $140/night, which includes all fees & taxes plus the tariff for the parking garage.

From the outside, the building has a definite retro appearance. But to be blunt, the public areas inside need a serious makeover. The carpets are worn & stained. The vertical surfaces have seen so many coats of paint and plaster that some hallways actually have wavy walls. The place also smells like 60 years of cooking. Your nose lets you know they just did not have ventilation figured out in 1947.

Nonetheless, the apartment where I stayed was mostly comfortable. The owner had clearly stocked it with quality furnishings: leather sofa, big TV, good china & crystal, nice carpets. However the mattress was merely adequate, and the bed squeaked loudly. The mattresses in the Summerfield next door are better and the beds are blessedly silent.

I realize hotel rates are skyrocketing, so it is probably unlikely I will see rooms at the Summerfield drop back down to the $100/night range anytime soon. But I find it hard to generate much enthusiasm for a return to the Seattle Suites. The smelly old building coupled with the lack of normal hotel amenities like "free" maid, building maintenance, and front desk services made me want to look elsewhere next time.