Sheraton Bellevue.. not luxury, but as value for money it does the trick

I spent a single night last week in Seattle, before heading out of SeaTac on a 6am flight. Normally that would call for a night at an airport hotel, which in Seattle often means a $35 three-star bid on Priceline.

That wasn’t going to work for me on this trip, and since I had my little dog with me I went looking for a Starwood hotel — domestically they’re incredibly pet friendly.

The Seattle Sheraton and Westin properties were sold out. Bummer, I’d have booked the Sheraton on a cash & points rate if it was available ($45 + 2800 points).

The W wanted about $300 a night, and unlike the Sheraton and Westin they charge a $100 pet fee and an additional $25 a night on top of that. I love the W Seattle, but not for more than $400.

At the risk of seriously “slumming it” I booked the Sheraton Bellevue. I figured it would at least let me say I’ve been to all the area Starwoods! Until the new Westin Bellevue opens next month, anyway.

My choices for the night were a $99 pre-paid internet rate or cash and points at $45 + 2800 Starwood points. Cash and points isn’t nearly as good a deal as at the pricier Sheraton Seattle.

Their club lounge is closed on weekends, so they gave me free breakfast coupons and free appetizer coupons.


The elevator requires room key to go up to 6th or 7th floors, which are designated as club floors. One of the 7th floor suites is the club lounge.


Parking is free (another reason to pick this property and save ~ $28 a night over downtown). Internet in the room is free (via cable, not wireless). You have to go through the motions as though you were going to pay, but they won’t charge any SPG member. This is per the front desk, but also on the hotel’s website.


My club floor room was furnished in dark wood, bed has the purple bedspread rather than white. Some scuff marks on the furniture, carpet a bit worn, but no big deal. Robe in the closet and a couple complimentary bottles of water.


The Mexican restaurant next door isn’t terrible.


This isn’t a luxury property (there wasn’t anybody to assist with luggage at checkin or anything) but it does the trick.

My room faced the 405, but no noise from the freeway. Being up on the 7th floor may help.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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