Location. The Hotel Monaco Seattle is located on 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle, Wash. The Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall stand three blocks from this property, while Popular Westlake Center is located five blocks from the hotel.

Hotel Features. The whimsically decorated lobby features images of dolphins that leap overhead, above a fanciful border of cacti and ocean waves. Lobby décor is rich in detail, with liberal use of crimson, butterscotch, earthy brown and russet hues. A fireplace anchors this lobby brimming with eclectic furnishings and fabrics. New Orleans meets the Northwest Pacific at the hotel's restaurant, Sazerac, known for its Northwest cuisine. The Hotel Monaco Seattle hosts complimentary "Wines of the World" receptions that also introduce guests to innovative beers. Stairs or elevators descend to a lower level that houses a 24 hour business center and the hotel's function space, which accommodates up to 220 people. Wireless Internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel. Recreation includes a 24 hour, complimentary fitness center equipped with free weights and cardiovascular equipment. This Kimpton property also offers in room "Om Away From Home" yoga supplies and guided yoga channel sessions.

Guestrooms. The 11 story Hotel Monaco Seattle offers 189 guestrooms decorated in bold fabrics, striped wallpaper and crimson draperies. Accommodations are all nonsmoking and feature 32 inch, flat screen televisions. High speed wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary. All accommodations include minibars. Bathrooms feature granite topped vanities, telephones, leopard print and zebra striped bathrobes, and L'Occitane toiletries. Mediterranean rooms include sofa beds, and sleeping and living areas separated by draperies.

Expert Tip. This hotel hosts a Friday night tradition heralded as "Guitar Hero." Competition is open to guests and the public, and is touted as a virtual rock concert gaming experience. Contestants choose songs from a data base, are outfitted with a plastic guitar and perform rock versions of karaoke. So popular is this competition that it was profiled on CNBC and the "Today Show."