My husband and I spent one night at the Hotel Max this past week during a long-weekend-getaway to Seattle, and now, I'm terribly afraid we will never, ever be able to stay at another hotel EVER without feeling longing for "The Max." From the endearingly welcoming response to my reservation email from manager Chris Bebo, the "Max Daddy", to the stunning lobby, to the phenomenal staff who managed to be extremely cool and yet adorably warm at the same time, to the absolutely, utterly one-of-a-kind rooms with their intensely modern yet somehow still fabulously cozy decor, to the fun-and-fast parking valets, each and every detail was designed to delight, and delight it did.

To the traveler who is looking for a bed-and-breakfast, Laura Ashley decorated flowerfest of chintz and ruffles, or to the mom-and-dad-and noisy-kids-where's-the-pool family, or to the hard-to-please AARP traveler who insists on a shower cap and a Cracker Barrel restaurant next door, this may not be the be-all end-all of hotels. But to the curious, adventurous, hip traveler with an expanded consciousness and a taste for pure originality combined with streamlined luxury, this could well be the ultimate in hotel nirvana. From our two-queen room on the outside wall, we had a marvelous view of this most fascinating of cities; and we could, as well, hear the sounds of it, a blended symphony of traffic and life itself that for us, was pure bliss; for others it may be somewhat less enchanting but I would plead with anyone who has issues with street noise here, or anywhere, to open yourself to it as part of the glorious experience of travel. Absolute quiet is for the bathtub in your own bathroom; if you are traveling to a never-stop city like Seattle, by all means, immerse yourself in all that it has to offer every one of your senses!

It was with incredible reluctance that we checked out after our one night at the Max, vowing and bowing and praying and promising that we will be back, soon and often. A supremely luxurious experience that was, at the same time, so cutting-edge that it gleamed...a place where art and thick towels somehow do not seem incongruous, where you can order spiritual tracts from the room service menu, and where you can cuddle down into the most comfortable bed ever to nestle your jet-lagged butt. Rock and pillows and art and towels..seamlessly presented, lovingly shared, with a wink and chuckle and gleaming red elevator. Someday they will write about the things that happened, the minds that met, at the Hotel Max in Seattle at the turn of the millenium...go, be part of it.

Could the rooms be bigger? Yes. Could their be a small restuarant on site? Yes. Was the staff most receptive? Absolutely. I travel a lot and tend to rate my hotels by the staff first, and this staff was overwhelmingly accomodating. They are there to help as much as possible. Would be nice to have internet included, but their business center was excellent and most accomodating.
kb, ohio

We stay in hotels for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is we all want a good nights' sleep. That you will get at the Hotel Max. They have THE MOST comfortable beds of any hotel I have ever stayed at, along with a variety of pillow of varying hardness if you desire . In addition, the rooms are well sound-proofed. I never heard any sound from the adjoining rooms or hallway.

The location is great - near the Airporter shuttle stop (at the Westin) and within easy walking distance of Westlake shopping, the monorail and Pike's Market. The price was right too - in the same area as the high priced Westin and Warwick, the Hotel Max is a great value.

If I had to offer any criticism, it would be the dim lighting over the bathroom sink - not great for putting on makeup. However, that's hardly worth mentioning given how well I slept there!

I think the hotel is over priced and well not really that great. The location is pretty good and the rooms clean, they give that little funk appeal but soooo small. I really would rather stay at Hotel 1000 or the W for pretty much the same price. I would stay again only if rate were much less. I will say that the service is very good though. Nice friendly and helpful staff. I am a resort owner in a tourist town and we charge 450 for our largest room with 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, jacuzzi , fireplace, 42 inch plasmas and they are on the water so just found it hard to pay that much for just and average place.