Redmond or Kirkland hotel
August 28, 2006 2:17 PM Subscribe
Attending a MS seminar in Redmond, need hotel/driving advice.
My company has a relationship with Marriott hotels, and there are several in the area. However, it would save a fairly good-sized chunk of money to stay in Kirkland rather than Redmond ($40 a night premium to be closest), but what I'm concerned about is the drive. The seminar starts at 8:00 AM and goes until 4:30 each day, M-F. I'm willing to spend a few more dollars to be closer to the MS campus if the drive is going to suck, but if it's not going to be horrid I will drive the extra 10 miles. Bonus: Taking my 14-year-old daughter with me, anything fun for her to see while we're there?
My company has a relationship with Marriott hotels, and there are several in the area. However, it would save a fairly good-sized chunk of money to stay in Kirkland rather than Redmond ($40 a night premium to be closest), but what I'm concerned about is the drive. The seminar starts at 8:00 AM and goes until 4:30 each day, M-F. I'm willing to spend a few more dollars to be closer to the MS campus if the drive is going to suck, but if it's not going to be horrid I will drive the extra 10 miles. Bonus: Taking my 14-year-old daughter with me, anything fun for her to see while we're there?
Best answer: Yeah, I'd really advise staying in Redmond if you value your time at all.
posted by kindall at 3:56 PM on August 28, 2006
posted by kindall at 3:56 PM on August 28, 2006
What is there to do on the Eastside for a 14-year-old besides going to the mall? All I could think of was the botanical garden but that might not be exciting enough for a teenager. Admittely, the mall is a really good one.
posted by matildaben at 4:17 PM on August 28, 2006
posted by matildaben at 4:17 PM on August 28, 2006
There's the Bellevue Art Museum and the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, both downtown Bellevue. Also the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah. Not really a lot of cool stuff over here, I guess.
All the really good stuff is in Seattle proper. I don't know how you'd feel about letting her take a cab over to, say, Seattle Center (she'd probably enjoy the Experience Music Project and maybe the Pacific Science Center there, plus there is of course the Space Needle) or Pike Place Market (the waterfront, including the aquarium, is also easily accessible from there). 14 might or might not be too young for such an outing in an unfamiliar city; it'd depend on the 14-year-old, I guess.
posted by kindall at 4:44 PM on August 28, 2006
All the really good stuff is in Seattle proper. I don't know how you'd feel about letting her take a cab over to, say, Seattle Center (she'd probably enjoy the Experience Music Project and maybe the Pacific Science Center there, plus there is of course the Space Needle) or Pike Place Market (the waterfront, including the aquarium, is also easily accessible from there). 14 might or might not be too young for such an outing in an unfamiliar city; it'd depend on the 14-year-old, I guess.
posted by kindall at 4:44 PM on August 28, 2006
Traffic on the Eastside (Kirkland, Redmond, Bellvue) has, in my experience, almost always been horrendous... especially in the morning. I'm willing to bet the drive takes at least 45 mins.
As far as your daughter goes, public transportation as well as taxis are safe during the day. I believe the 545 goes from Redmond to Seattle. If she stays in the Pike Place Market/Westlake Mall/Nordstroms area there isn't much to worry about.
If you don't feel comfortable letting her out into Seattle on her own there's an upscale mall not far from the MS campus - Bellevue Square Mall (Bellevue is on the Eastside near Kirkland/Redmond). Bell Square is huge and will definitly keep a 14-year old occupied, at least for a day.
posted by ASM at 6:32 AM on August 29, 2006
As far as your daughter goes, public transportation as well as taxis are safe during the day. I believe the 545 goes from Redmond to Seattle. If she stays in the Pike Place Market/Westlake Mall/Nordstroms area there isn't much to worry about.
If you don't feel comfortable letting her out into Seattle on her own there's an upscale mall not far from the MS campus - Bellevue Square Mall (Bellevue is on the Eastside near Kirkland/Redmond). Bell Square is huge and will definitly keep a 14-year old occupied, at least for a day.
posted by ASM at 6:32 AM on August 29, 2006
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posted by matildaben at 3:01 PM on August 28, 2006