Econo Lodge Federal Way, Federal Way

I stayed at this hotel because it has the cheapest rate south of Seattle (except motels). There are many restaurants and shops within 3 - 5 minutes drive. If you don't want to drive there's one burger place right beside the hotel. It is not too far from SeaTac Int'l airport. It took me about 20 mins. drive in the morning after 9AM. Seattle/ Bellevue and Tacoma shouldn't take you more than half hour during non-rush hours. Free internet is available right in the lobby. Breakfast is also served across the foyer. The lobby and elevator have a little strange smell but not in the room. The room is clean with most essentials except coffee maker (you can get coffee downstairs in the mornings). The plastic layer of both bedside lights is cracked but that's okay. However, the walls are paper-thin I could hear my neighbors talking and laughing, and the bed squeaking. They woke me up even when I had my earplugs on. I might stay at this hotel again. But I would go elsewhere if there's a better place for $10 more. If you are on budget I would recommend this place to you. Stay elsewhere if you are looking for somewhere romantic.

But they make a good serve-yourself breakfast that's included in the price of the room (raisin bran, ice-chilled milk, orange juice, toast, orange halves, banana halves, English muffins, oatmeal, coffee). Don't expect anybody to be at the desk when you need them. Just go ahead and ring the bell. The floors in my room needed a good vacuuming. The hotel's location is its biggest draw. 16 miles from Tacoma (take Highway 5 south) and not too far from Seattle (take Highway 5 north). You sit on Pacific. Take Pacific up to 320th and take that to highway 5, which can take you pretty much wherever you want to go. Pacific and 320 offer many restaurants, shops and gas stations. Right next to the hotel is a hamburger shop, but it closes fairly early. Next to the hamburger shop is the post office of Federal Way. The hotel's pop machine is OUTSIDE the front door (I didn't figure this out until the second day). There's a bonsai and rhododendron garden a 5 minute drive away. Stop at a gas station and ask how to get there. It's tough to find. But once you know where it's at, it's suddenly easy to find. It has a redwood tree that was made into a bonsai decades ago. Don't miss Seattle's Pike Street Market (take exit 166 off Highway 5 north then ask until you find it). NOTE: Traffic is horrific. Plan on 2 hours from downtown Seattle back to the hotel and feel glee if you make it back in 45 minutes instead. Traffic, for me, was much easier going the other way to Tacoma and back. Not a problem. I went in February. Stayed 6 days. Rained every day. Come prepared to wear 6 layers (T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, polo over top, a sweat shirt and a rain jacket). You can (and will) pull layers off as you go - and put them back on as it gets chillier again. There's also a convenient little grocery right past the post office, three buildings down from the hotel. So don't worry about bringing toiletries because you can get whatever you need, cheap, at the store. The Red Lobster at 3 p.m. on Sunday had a 15-minute waiting list. So expect good restaurants to be full. Don't miss the glass museum (if you're into art) in Tacoma (pick up a brochure in the hotel lobby). You can watch live glass blowing. Up the hill toward the University of Washington (February 2008) there's a little store off to the side. It's only products are fish bowls atop sculpted stands. They are intended for beta fish. Even if you're not into betas, it's worth stopping in because of the oddity of the showroom. You can also go whale watching in Seattle (which I did not do).