Hotel Max

World’s smallest bathroom

The hotel is very nice and the room was quite comfortable except for one glaring problem - the bathroom was barely larger than an airplane bathroom. The sink was a small stainless steel basin and there was no counter space, just a small and narrow shelf above the sink. The electrical outlet was precariously close to the sink in that crowded space which made me concerned about its safety - but that turned out to be a non-issue since it didn’t work. Putting on makeup and doing my hair that morning was awkward and inconvenient. I had to use the blowdryer and flatiron at an outlet in the bedroom that was on the other side of the room from the only mirror. I complained to the front desk, who moved me to a different room with a more normal and functional bathroom (after inexplicably showing me a couple of other rooms with the exact same bathroom). On the positive side, it is a great location and the attached sushi restaurant was excellent.

small rooms

The hotel was in a great location and very clean and comfortable. Only 2 problems. One the room was very small. The beds were comfortable and the housekeeping staff kept the place nice, but there was not a lot of room. Second, the bellhops and front desk staff were very nice and check in/check out were very quick and well handled. However, they and the bell hops did not have good knowledge of transportation in the city. We asked about how to get to various sites several times and were told they didn’t know what bus to take.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

Figure out the bus system before you go. They seem to be the best way to get around town.

Definitely skip this one, no question

We haven’t stayed in any other hotel in Seattle, but I’m sure if we picked at random, it would trump Hotel Max. First of all, the parking is $30 a day. Valet service aside, this is outrageous on top of your rental car expense. When asked about the price-gouging rate, the swarthy teenage desk clerk proceeded to say, "it’s the city". Um, I know it’s the city. The bathroom was smaller than any we’ve experienced in Europe (and we traveled budget). The counter was directly over the toilet (no valuables in here!); the shower so small you couldn’t turn around; and you hit your head (or worse) on the sink just by sitting on the pot. After a day out, and a long journey up the slowest elevator on earth, having to pee so bad my eyeballs were floating, our card key was deactivated. A long trip back down 6 floors found that: "oh, this happens all the time". When asking for a restaurant to dine in (referencing other city spots we like, i.e. Purple), the hotel clerk seemed more apt to describe his own personal agenda and vices, rather than subjective and knowledgeable recommendations. (After disappointment set in, we found an EXCELLENT spot just around the block, Barolo Ristorante, which he of course failed to mention.) Even other guests, who we met while waiting for said elevator, said Seattle was great, until they arrived at Hotel Max.

Traveler's tip on dining

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, Barolo Ristorante